_Prince._ With three or four loggerheads amongst three[2390] or fourscore hogsheads. I have sounded the very base-string[2391] 5 of humility. Sirrah, I am sworn brother to a leash of drawers; and can call them all by their christen[2392] names, as Tom, Dick, and Francis. They take it already upon their salvation, that though I be but Prince of Wales,[2393] yet I am the king of courtesy; and tell me flatly I am no[2394] 10 proud Jack, like Falstaff, but a Corinthian, a lad of mettle,[2395] a good boy, by the Lord, so they call me, and when I am[2396] king of England, I shall command all the good lads in Eastcheap. They call drinking deep, dyeing scarlet; and when you breathe in your watering, they cry 'hem!' and[2397] 15 bid you play it off. To conclude, I am so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour, that I can drink with any tinker in his own language during my life. I tell thee,[2398] Ned, thou hast lost much honour, that thou wert not with me in this action. But, sweet Ned,--to sweeten which 20 name of Ned, I give thee this pennyworth of sugar, clapped even now into my hand by an under-skinker, one that never spake other English in his life than 'Eight shillings and sixpence,' and 'You are welcome,' with this[2399] shrill addition, 'Anon, anon, sir! Score a pint of bastard[2400] 25 in the Half-moon,' or so. But, Ned, to drive away the[2401] time till Falstaff come, I prithee, do thou stand in some[2401] by-room, while I question my puny drawer to what end he gave me the sugar; and do thou never leave calling[2402] 'Francis,' that his tale to me may be nothing but 'Anon.' 30 Step aside, and I'll show thee a precedent.[2403] _Poins._ Francis! _Prince._ Thou art perfect. _Poins._ Francis! [_Exit Poins._[2404] _Enter_ FRANCIS. _Fran._ Anon, anon, sir. Look down into the Pomgarnet,[2405] 35 Ralph. _Prince._ Come hither, Francis. _Fran._ My lord? _Prince._ How long hast thou to serve, Francis? _Fran._ Forsooth, five years, and as much as to-- 40 _Poins._ [_Within_] Francis![2406] _Fran._ Anon, anon, sir. _Prince._ Five year! by'r lady, a long lease for the[2407] clinking of pewter. But, Francis, darest thou be so valiant[2408] as to play the coward with thy indenture and show it a 45 fair pair of heels and run from it?[2409] _Fran._ O Lord, sir, I'll be sworn upon all the books in[2410] England, I could find in my heart.[2411] _Poins._ [_Within_] Francis![2406] _Fran._ Anon, sir.[2412] 50 _Prince._ How old art thou, Francis? _Fran._ Let me see--about Michaelmas next I shall be-- _Poins._ [_Within_] Francis![2406]