[ H ] 



would be a real indecorum in forcing him as it were upon the 

 king's attention ; whereas at prefent there is none, as he may 

 well be fuppofed to efcape his obfervation. 



I HAVE now gone through an examination of all thofe opinions, 

 which the writer has advanced as in this refped the ftrength of 

 his caufe, Colvilie's excepted, which (hall be confidered prefently. 

 The opinions of the prince and Poins he admits to contain 

 flrong appearances the other way, and therefore he referved them 

 for the end of his work. I have followed the order of the poet 

 for reafons afligned above. Thofe which now remain for me 

 are Colvilie's and Lancafter's, and they are conneded in one 

 tranfaflion. 



When the rebel army, by the treachery of Lancafler, had been 

 difperfed and purfued by the royal troops, Falftaff comes up with 

 his prifoner, Sir John Colville, and is thus addrefTed by Lan- 

 cafter : 



" Now, FalftafF, where have you been all this while .'* 

 " Thefe tardy tricks of yours will, on my life, 

 " One time or other break fome fallows back. 



The writer employs great addrefs to fhew from various cir- 

 [ cumftances that we ought to give a very qualified credit to any 

 thing advanced by this " cold, referved fober-bloodcd boy." " His 

 " temper might lead him to injure a frank unguarded man of 

 *' wit and pleafure ; a little cruelty and injuftice toward a man 

 " of diftinguiOicd wit and noted poverty, might be accounted 

 " to Lancafler a virtue in the eye of the grave and prudent part 



" of 



*i 



