Let Sir John, Bardolph, and Peto rob the travelers then Hal and Poins, disguised, will rob the robbers. After Falstaff has departed, the prince learns from Poins that the robbery will provide a wonderful opportunity to gull Falstaff. First he refuses to go along with the others even "for recreation sake" then, after listening to Falstaff's denunciation of him, he changes his mind and finally he refuses once more to be one of the thieves at Gadshill. Hal amuses himself at Falstaff's expense. Since the subject of robbery has been introduced prior to the arrival of Poins, the way has been prepared for details about the Gadshill enterprise in which Hal and Falstaff are asked to participate. But Falstaff matches him in rebuttal indeed, some critics argue that the fat knight excels him. Hal, whose initial speech provides a full-length portrait of the knight as a glutton and lecher who is too "fat-witted" to be concerned about the time of day, proves to be a rather worthy opponent in this combat of wits. Falstaff shows little deference for the prince, twitting him about his lack of grace and his devil-may-care attitude and behavior. The two vie with each other in trading amusing insults. The subject of this discourse ranges from drinking to purse-snatching. Prince Hal, far from engaging enemies of the Crown in armed combat, is amusing himself in witty verbal exchange with Falstaff. The action now shifts to the prince's apartment in London, and the participants are Prince Hal himself, Sir John Falstaff, and Poins.
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