“Thou art so fat-witted with drinking of old “sack, and unbuttoning thee after supper, and sleeping upon benches after “noon, that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldest “truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with the time of day? unless “hours were cups of sack and minutes capons?” For the remainder of His Royal Highness’s speech (the language of which is not strictly parliamentary) see Mr. William Shakspeare’s verbatim report; where, indeed, all particulars of the meeting are minutely chronicled. It is the present writer’s business merely to offer a brief summary. After some general discussion (in the course of which Sir John moved for the Abolition of the Punishment of Death for larcenious offences, in the ensuing reign, but was induced to withdraw his motion by a promise of office under the crown, as public executioner), the meeting proceeded to the order of the day. _His Royal Highness_.--“Where shall we take a purse to-night, Jack?” _Sir John Falstaff_.--“Where thou wilt, lad; I’ll make one: an I do not, call me villain and baffle me.” Carried _nem. con_. At this juncture, a new member entered the council chamber in the person of Master Edward Poins. This was a young gentleman of good family, but bad morals; that is to say, for the present. He was one of those loyal natures who, in all ages, are to be found attaching themselves instinctively to some great man, taking their tone and colour in all things from the illustrious model. Mr. Poins cut his hair and his conscience in exact imitation of the Prince of Wales. The existing court fashions, as established by the Prince, were long hanging sleeves, pointed shoes, late hours, intoxication, and roystering. Mr. Poins followed them all with scrupulous fidelity; but was quite ready to change them for sad-coloured doublets, square toes, early rising, temperance, and respectability, at a moment’s notice. The following debate ensued upon the order of the day: Poins.-- “But my lads, my lads, to-morrow morning by four o’clock, early at Gadshill! “There are pilgrims going to Canterbury with rich offerings, “and traders riding to London with fat purses.” (Hear, from the chair). “I have visors for you all, you have horses for yourselves: Gadshill lies to-night “in Rochester: I have bespoke supper to-morrow night in Eastcheap; we may “do it as secure as sleep. If you will go, I will stuff your purses full of “crowns: if you will not, tarry at home, and be hanged.” Sir John Falstaff.-- “Hear me, Edward; if I tarry at home, and go not, I’ll hang you for going.” Me. Poins.-- “You will, chaps?” Sir John Falstaff.-- “Hal, wilt thou make one?” The Prince of Wales.-- “Who, I rob? I a thief? not I, by my faith.” “Sir John Falstaff.-- “There’s neither honesty, manhood, nor good fel “lowship in thee, nor thou earnest not of the blood royal, if thou darest not “stand for ten shillings.”