The Prince of Wales.--Why, how couldst thou know these men in Kendal green, when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand? come tell us your reason: what sayest thou to this? Mr. Poins.--Come, your reason, Jack, your reason. Sir John Falstaff.--What, upon compulsion? No; were I at the strappado, or all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion. Give you a reason on compulsion! if reasons were as plenty as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion! The Prince of Wales.--I’ll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this horse-back-breaker, this huge hill of flesh. Sir John Falstaff.--Away, you starveling, you elf-skin, you dried neat’s tongue, you stock-fish,--O, for breath to utter what is like thee!--you tailor’s yard, you sheath, you bow-case, you vile standing tuck;-- The Prince of Wales.--Well, breathe awhile, and then to it again: and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear me speak but this. Mr. Poins.--Mark, Jack. The Prince or Wales.--We two saw you four set on four; you bound them, and were masters of their wealth.--Mark now, how plain a tale shall put you down.--Then did we two set on you four, and, with a word, out-faced you from your prize, and have it; yea, and can show it you here in the house:--and Falstaff, you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy, and still ran and roared, as ever I heard bull-calf. What a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done; and then say, it was in fight! What trick, what device, what starting-hole, canst thou now find out, to hide thee from this open and apparent shame? Mr. Poins.--Come, let’s hear, Jack; What trick hast thou now? Sir John Falstaff.--By the Lord, I knew ye, as well as he that made ye. Why, hear ye, my masters: Was it for me to kill the heir apparent? Should I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou knowest, I am as valiant as Hercules: but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter; I was a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself and thee, during my life. I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But, by the Lord, lads, I am glad you have the money__Hostess, clap to the doors; watch to-night, pray to-morrow.--Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to you! What! shall we be merry? shall we have a play extempore? The Prince of Wales.--Content;--and the argument shall be thy running away. Sir John Falstaff.--Ah! no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me.