William Shakespeare: King Henry IV Part I

ACT II. 2. Scene II. The Road by Gads-hill. (continued)

PRINCE.
The thieves have bound the true men. Now, could thou and I rob
the thieves, and go merrily to London, it would be argument for a
week, laughter for a month, and a good jest for ever.

POINTZ.
Stand close: I hear them coming.

[They retire.]

[Re-enter Falstaff, Gadshill, Bardolph, and Peto.]

FAL.
Come, my masters, let us share, and then to horse before day.
An the Prince and Pointz be not two arrant cowards, there's no
equity stirring: there's no more valour in that Pointz than in a
wild duck.

[As they are sharing, the Prince and Poins set upon them.]

PRINCE.
Your money!

POINTZ.
Villains!

[Falstaff, after a blow or two, and the others run away, leaving
the booty behind them.]

PRINCE.
Got with much ease. Now merrily to horse:
The thieves are scatter'd, and possess'd with fear
So strongly that they dare not meet each other;
Each takes his fellow for an officer.
Away, good Ned. Fat Falstaff sweats to death,
And lards the lean earth as he walks along:
Were't not for laughing, I should pity him.

POINTZ.
How the rogue roar'd!

[Exeunt.]