_Prince._ And thou a natural coward, without instinct.[2571] _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 475 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[2572] conscience. _Fal._ Both which I have had: but their date is out, and 480 therefore I'll hide me. _Prince._ Call in the sheriff. [_Exeunt all except the Prince and Peto._ _Enter_ Sheriff _and the_ Carrier.[2573] Now, master sheriff, what is your will with me?[2574] _Sher._ First, pardon me, my lord. A hue and cry[2575] Hath follow'd certain men unto this house.[2575] 485 _Prince._ What men? _Sher._ One of them is well known, my gracious lord,[2575][2576] A gross fat man.[2575][2577] _Car._ As fat as butter. _Prince._ The man, I do assure you, is not here; For I myself at this time have employ'd him. 490 And, sheriff, I will engage my word to thee[2578] That I will, by to-morrow dinner-time, Send him to answer thee, or any man, For any thing he shall be charged withal: And so let me entreat you leave the house. 495 _Sher._ I will, my lord. There are two gentlemen Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks.[2579] _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. 500 _Prince._ I think it is good morrow, is it not? _Sher._ Indeed, my lord, I think it be two o'clock. [_Exeunt Sheriff and Carrier._[2580] _Prince._ This oily rascal is known as well as Paul's. Go, call him forth. _Peto._ Falstaff!--Fast asleep behind the arras, and[2581] 505 snorting like a horse. _Prince._ Hark, how hard he fetches breath. Search[2582] his pockets. [_He searcheth his pockets, and findeth certain[2583] papers._] What hast thou found? _Peto._ Nothing but papers, my lord.[2581] 510 _Prince._ Let's see what they be: read them.[2584] _Peto._ [reads] +Item, A capon, 2s. 2d.+[2585] +Item, Sauce, 4d.+ +Item, Sack, two gallons, 5s. 8d.+ +Item, Anchovies and sack after supper, 2s. 6d.+[2586] 515 +Item, Bread, ob.+[2587]