Host. O Jesu, my lord, my lord! Prince. Heigh, heigh, the devil rides upon a fiddlestick! What's the matter? Host. The sheriff and all the watch are at the door. They are come to search the house. Shall I let them in? Fal. Dost thou hear, Hal? Never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit. Thou art essentially mad without seeming so. Prince. And thou a natural coward without instinct. Fal. 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. Fal. Both which I have had; but their date is out, and therefore I'll hide me. Exit. Prince. Call in the sheriff. [Exeunt Manent the Prince and Peto.] Enter Sheriff and the Carrier. Now, Master Sheriff, what is 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. Carrier. 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 anything he shall be charg'd 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 it be two o'clock. Exit [with Carrier]. Prince. This oily rascal is known as well as Paul's. Go call him forth. Peto. Falstaff! Fast asleep behind the arras, and snorting like a horse. Prince. Hark how hard he fetches breath. Search his pockets. He searcheth his pockets and findeth certain papers. What hast thou found? Peto. Nothing but papers, my lord. Prince. Let's see whit they be. Read them. Peto. [reads] 'Item. A capon. . . . . . . . . . . . . ii s. ii d. Item, Sauce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiii d. Item, Sack two gallons . . . . . . . . v s. viii d. Item, Anchovies and sack after supper. ii s. vi d. Item, Bread. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ob.'