FALSTAFF.
Out, ye rogue! Play out the play. I have much to say in the behalf of that Falstaff.
Enter the Hostess, hastily.
HOSTESS.
O Jesu, my lord, my lord—
PRINCE.
Heigh, heigh, the devil rides upon a fiddlestick. What’s the matter?
HOSTESS.
The sheriff and all the watch are at the door. They are come to search the house. Shall I let them in?
FALSTAFF.
Dost thou hear, Hal? Never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit: thou art essentially made without seeming so.
PRINCE.
And thou a natural coward without instinct.
FALSTAFF.
I deny your major. If you will deny the sheriff, so; if not, let him enter. If I become not a cart as well as another man, a plague on my bringing up! I hope I shall as soon be strangled with a halter as another.
PRINCE.
Go hide thee behind the arras. The rest walk up above. Now, my masters, for a true face and good conscience.
FALSTAFF.
Both which I have had, but their date is out, and therefore I’ll hide me.