William Shakespeare: King Henry IV Part I

ACT II. 4. Scene IV. Eastcheap. A Room in the Boar's-Head Tavern. (continued)

PRINCE.
Go, hide thee behind the arras:--the rest walk, up above. Now,
my masters, for a true face and good conscience.

FAL.
Both which I have had; but their date is out, and therefore I'll
hide me.

PRINCE.
Call in the sheriff.--

[Exeunt all but the Prince and Pointz.]

[Enter Sheriff and Carrier.]

Now, master sheriff, what's your will with me?

SHER.
First, pardon me, my lord. A hue-and-cry
Hath followed certain men unto this house.

PRINCE.
What men?

SHER.
One of them is well known, my gracious lord,--
A gross fat man.

CAR.
As fat as butter.

PRINCE.
The man, I do assure you, is not here;
For I myself at this time have employ'd him.
And, sheriff, I will engage my word to thee,
That I will, by to-morrow dinner-time,
Send him to answer thee, or any man,
For any thing he shall be charged withal:
And so, let me entreat you leave the house.

SHER.
I will, my lord. There are two gentlemen
Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks.

PRINCE.
It may be so: if he have robb'd these men,
He shall be answerable; and so, farewell.

SHER.
Good night, my noble lord.

PRINCE.
I think it is good morrow, is it not?

SHER.
Indeed, my lord, I think't be two o'clock.

[Exit Sheriff and Carrier.]

PRINCE.
This oily rascal is known as well as Paul's. Go, call him forth.

POINTZ.
Falstaff!--fast asleep behind the arras, and snorting like a
horse.