t that pass.

In the next scene we behold all the parties at _Gads-Hill_ in preparation
for the robbery. Let us carefully examine if it contains any intimation of
Cowardice in _Falstaff_. He is shewn under a very ridiculous vexation
about his horse, which is hid from him; but this is nothing to the
purpose, or only proves that _Falstaff_ knew no terror equal to that of
walking _eight yards of uneven ground_. But on occasion of _Gadshill_'s
being asked concerning the number of the travellers, and having reported
that they were eight or ten, _Falstaff_ exclaims, "_Zounds! will they not
rob us!_" If he had said more seriously, "_I doubt they will be too hard
for us_,"--he would then have only used the Prince's own words upon a less
alarming occasion. This cannot need defence. But the Prince, in his usual
stile of mirth, replies, "_What a Coward, Sir John Paunch!_" To this one
would naturally expect from _Falstaff_ some light answer; but we are
surprized with a very serious one;--"_I am not indeed __JOHN OF GAUNT__
your grandfather, but yet no __COWARD__, __HAL__._" This is singular: It
contains, I think, the true character of _Falstaff_; and it seems to be
thrown out _here_, at a very critical conjuncture, as a caution to the
audience not to take too sadly what was intended only (to use the Prince's
words) "_as argument for a week, laughter for a month, and a good jest for
ever after_." The whole of _Falstaff_'s past life could not, it should
seem, furnish the Prince with a reply, and he is, therefore, obliged to
draw upon the coming hope. "_Well_," says he, _mysteriously_, "_let the
event try_"; meaning the event of the concerted attack on _Falstaff_; an
event so probable, that he might indeed venture to rely on it.--But the
travellers approach: The Prince hastily proposes a division of strength;
that he with _Poins_ should take a station separate from the rest, so that
if the travellers should escape one party, they might light on the other:
_Falstaff_ does not object, though he supposes the travellers to be eight
or ten in number. We next see _Falstaff_ attack these travellers with
alacrity, using the accustomed words of threat and terror;--they make no
resistance, and he binds and robs them.

Hitherto I think there has not appeared the least _trait_ either of boast
or fear in _Falstaff_. But now comes on the concerted transaction, which
has been the source of so much dishonour. _As they are sharing the booty_
(says the