Bard. O, my Lord, my Lord, the Sherife, with a most
monstrous Watch, is at the doore
Falst. Out you Rogue, play out the Play: I haue much to say in the behalfe of that Falstaffe. Enter the Hostesse.
Hostesse. O, my Lord, my Lord
Falst. Heigh, heigh, the Deuill rides vpon a Fiddlesticke:
what's the matter?
Hostesse. The Sherife and all the Watch are at the
doore: they are come to search the House, shall I let
them in?
Falst. Do'st thou heare Hal, neuer call a true peece of
Gold a Counterfeit: thou art essentially made, without
seeming so
Prince. And thou a naturall Coward, without instinct
Falst. I deny your Maior: if you will deny the Sherife, so: if not, let him enter. If I become not a Cart as well as another man, a plague on my bringing vp: I hope I shall as soone be strangled with a Halter, as another
Prince. Goe hide thee behinde the Arras, the rest walke vp aboue. Now my Masters, for a true Face and good Conscience
Falst. Both which I haue had: but their date is out, and therefore Ile hide me. Enter.
Prince. Call in the Sherife.
Enter Sherife and the Carrier.
Prince. Now Master Sherife, what is your will with
mee?
She. First pardon me, my Lord. A Hue and Cry hath
followed certaine men vnto this house