SIR JOHN.
Me thinks the King should be good to thieves, because he has
been a thief himself, though I think now he be turned true-man.
KING.
Faith, I have heard indeed he has had an ill name that way in
his youth; but how canst thou tell he has been a thief?
SIR JOHN.
How? Because he once robbed me before I fell to the trade
my self; when that foul villainous guts, that led him to all
that rogery, was in's company there, that Falstaff.
KING.
[Aside.] Well, if he did rob thee then, thou art but even with
him now, I'll be sworn.--Thou knowest not the king now, I
think, if thou sawest him?
SIR JOHN.
Not I, yfaith.
KING.
[Aside.] So it should seem.
SIR JOHN.
Well, if old King Henry had lived, this King that is now had
made thieving the best trade in England.
KING.
Why so?
SIR JOHN.
Because he was the chief warden of our company. It's pity
that e'er he should have been a King; he was so brave a
thief. But, sirra, wilt remember my pardon if need be?
KING.
Yes, faith, will I.
SIR JOHN.
Wilt thou? well then, because thou shalt go safe--for thou
mayest hap (being so early) be met with again before thou
come to Southwark--if any man, when he should bid thee
good morrow, bid thee stand, say thou but Sir John, and he
will let thee pass.
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