Enter[113]BarabasandIthamore.Bar.Ithamore, tell me, is the friar asleep?Itha.Yes; and I know not what the reason is,Do what I can he will not strip himself,Nor go to bed, but sleeps in his own clothes;I fear me he mistrusts what we intend.Bar.No, 'tis an order which the friars use:Yet, if he knew our meanings, could he 'scape?Itha.No, none can hear him, cry he ne'er so loud.Bar.Why true, therefore did I place him there:The other chambers open towards the street.10Itha.You loiter, master, wherefore stay we thus?O how I long to see him shake his heels.Bar.Come on, sirrah.Off with your girdle, make a handsome noose;[Ithamoremakes a noose in his girdle.They put it round theFriar'sneck.Friar, awake!F. Barn.What, do you mean to strangle me?Itha.Yes, 'cause you use to confess.Bar.Blame not us but the proverb, confess and be hanged; pull hard.F. Barn.What, will you have[114]my life?20Bar.Pull hard, I say; you would have had my goods.Itha.I, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. [They strangle him.'Tis neatly done, sir, here's no print at all.Bar.Then it is as it should be; take him up.
Enter[113]BarabasandIthamore.
Bar.Ithamore, tell me, is the friar asleep?
Itha.Yes; and I know not what the reason is,Do what I can he will not strip himself,Nor go to bed, but sleeps in his own clothes;I fear me he mistrusts what we intend.
Bar.No, 'tis an order which the friars use:Yet, if he knew our meanings, could he 'scape?
Itha.No, none can hear him, cry he ne'er so loud.
Bar.Why true, therefore did I place him there:The other chambers open towards the street.10
Itha.You loiter, master, wherefore stay we thus?O how I long to see him shake his heels.
Bar.Come on, sirrah.Off with your girdle, make a handsome noose;[Ithamoremakes a noose in his girdle.They put it round theFriar'sneck.
Friar, awake!
F. Barn.What, do you mean to strangle me?
Itha.Yes, 'cause you use to confess.
Bar.Blame not us but the proverb, confess and be hanged; pull hard.
F. Barn.What, will you have[114]my life?20
Bar.Pull hard, I say; you would have had my goods.
Itha.I, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. [They strangle him.'Tis neatly done, sir, here's no print at all.
Bar.Then it is as it should be; take him up.
Itha.Nay, master, be ruled by me a little [Stands up the body]; so, let him lean upon his staff; excellent! he stands as if he were begging of bacon.
Bar.Who would not think but that this friar lived?What time o' night is't now, sweet Ithamore?Itha.Towards one.30Bar.Then will not Jacomo be long from hence.[Exeunt.
Bar.Who would not think but that this friar lived?What time o' night is't now, sweet Ithamore?
Itha.Towards one.30
Bar.Then will not Jacomo be long from hence.[Exeunt.
Enter[115]FriarJacomo.F. Jac.This is the hour wherein I shall proceed;O happy hour,[116]wherein I shall convertAn infidel, and bring his gold into our treasury!But soft, is not this Barnardine? it is;And, understanding I should come this way,Stands here a purpose, meaning me some wrong,And intercept my going to the Jew.Barnardine!Wilt thou not speak? thou think'st I see thee not;Away, I'd wish thee, and let me go by:10No, wilt thou not? nay, then, I'll force my way;And see, a staff stands ready for the purpose:As thou lik'st that, stop me another time. [Strikes him and he falls.EnterBarabasandIthamore.Bar.Why, how now, Jacomo, what hast thou done?F. Jac.Why, stricken him that would have struck at me.Bar.Who is it?Barnardine? now out, alas! he's slain.Itha.I, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop out on's nose.F. Jac.Good sirs, I have done't, but nobody knows it but you two—I may escape.21Bar.So might my man and I hang with you for company.Itha.No, let us bear him to the magistrates.F. Jac.Good Barabas, let me go.Bar.No, pardon me; the law must have its course.I must be forced to give in evidence,That being importuned by this BarnardineTo be a Christian, I shut him out,And there he sat: now I, to keep my word,30And give my goods and substance to your house,Was up thus early; with intent to goUnto your friary, because you stayed.
Enter[115]FriarJacomo.
F. Jac.This is the hour wherein I shall proceed;O happy hour,[116]wherein I shall convertAn infidel, and bring his gold into our treasury!But soft, is not this Barnardine? it is;And, understanding I should come this way,Stands here a purpose, meaning me some wrong,And intercept my going to the Jew.Barnardine!Wilt thou not speak? thou think'st I see thee not;Away, I'd wish thee, and let me go by:10No, wilt thou not? nay, then, I'll force my way;And see, a staff stands ready for the purpose:As thou lik'st that, stop me another time. [Strikes him and he falls.
EnterBarabasandIthamore.
Bar.Why, how now, Jacomo, what hast thou done?
F. Jac.Why, stricken him that would have struck at me.
Bar.Who is it?Barnardine? now out, alas! he's slain.
Itha.I, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop out on's nose.
F. Jac.Good sirs, I have done't, but nobody knows it but you two—I may escape.21
Bar.So might my man and I hang with you for company.
Itha.No, let us bear him to the magistrates.
F. Jac.Good Barabas, let me go.
Bar.No, pardon me; the law must have its course.I must be forced to give in evidence,That being importuned by this BarnardineTo be a Christian, I shut him out,And there he sat: now I, to keep my word,30And give my goods and substance to your house,Was up thus early; with intent to goUnto your friary, because you stayed.
Itha.Fie upon 'em, master; will you turn Christian when holy friars turn devils and murder one another?
Bar.No, for this example I'll remain a Jew:Heaven bless me; what! a friar a murderer?When shall you see a Jew commit the like?Itha.Why, a Turk could ha' done no more.Bar.To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it.40Come, Ithamore, let's help to take him hence.F. Jac.Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not.Bar.The law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we:'Las I could weep at your calamity.Take in the staff too, for that must be shown:Law wills that each particular be known.[Exeunt.
Bar.No, for this example I'll remain a Jew:Heaven bless me; what! a friar a murderer?When shall you see a Jew commit the like?
Itha.Why, a Turk could ha' done no more.
Bar.To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it.40Come, Ithamore, let's help to take him hence.
F. Jac.Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not.
Bar.The law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we:'Las I could weep at your calamity.Take in the staff too, for that must be shown:Law wills that each particular be known.[Exeunt.
Enter[117]BellamiraandPilia-Borsa.Bell.Pilia-Borsa, did'st thou meet with Ithamore?Pilia.I did.Bell.And didst thou deliver my letter?Pilia.I did.Bell.And what think'st thou? will he come?Pilia.I think so, but yet I cannot tell; for at the reading of the letter he look'd like a man of another world.Bell.Why so?Pilia.That such a base slave as he should be saluted by such a tall man as I am, from such a beautiful dame as you.12Bell.And what said he?Pilia.Not a wise word, only gave me a nod, as who should say, "Is it even so;" and so I left him, being driven to a non-plus at the critical aspect of my terrible countenance.Bell.And where didst meet him?Pilia.Upon mine own freehold, within forty feet of the gallows, conning his neck-verse,[118]I take it, looking of a friar's execution, whom I saluted with an old hempen proverb,Hodie tibi, cras mihi, and so I left him to the mercy of the hangman: but the exercise[119]being done, see where he comes.24EnterIthamore.
Enter[117]BellamiraandPilia-Borsa.
Bell.Pilia-Borsa, did'st thou meet with Ithamore?
Pilia.I did.
Bell.And didst thou deliver my letter?
Pilia.I did.
Bell.And what think'st thou? will he come?
Pilia.I think so, but yet I cannot tell; for at the reading of the letter he look'd like a man of another world.
Bell.Why so?
Pilia.That such a base slave as he should be saluted by such a tall man as I am, from such a beautiful dame as you.12
Bell.And what said he?
Pilia.Not a wise word, only gave me a nod, as who should say, "Is it even so;" and so I left him, being driven to a non-plus at the critical aspect of my terrible countenance.
Bell.And where didst meet him?
Pilia.Upon mine own freehold, within forty feet of the gallows, conning his neck-verse,[118]I take it, looking of a friar's execution, whom I saluted with an old hempen proverb,Hodie tibi, cras mihi, and so I left him to the mercy of the hangman: but the exercise[119]being done, see where he comes.24
EnterIthamore.
Itha.I never knew a man take his death so patiently as this friar; he was ready to leap off ere the halter was about his neck; and when the hangman had put on his hempen tippet, he made such haste to his prayers, as if he had had another cure to serve; well, go whither he will, I'll be none of his followers in haste: And, now I think on't, going to the execution, a fellow met me with a muschatoes[120]like a raven's wing, and a dagger with a hilt like a warming-pan, and he gave me a letter from one Madam Bellamira, saluting me in such sort as if he had meant to make clean my boots with his lips; the effect was, that I should come to her house. I wonder what the reason is; it may be she sees more in me than I can find in myself: for she writes further, that she loves me ever since she saw me, and who would not requite such love? Here's her house, and here she comes, and now would I were gone; I am not worthy to look upon her.
Pilia.This is the gentleman you writ to.41
Pilia.This is the gentleman you writ to.41
Itha.Gentleman! he flouts me; what gentry can be in a poor Turk of tenpence?[121]I'll be gone. [Aside.
Bell.Is't not a sweet-faced youth, Pilia?
Bell.Is't not a sweet-faced youth, Pilia?
Itha.Again, "sweet youth;" [Aside]—did not you, sir, bring the sweet youth a letter?Pilia.I did, sir, and from this gentlewoman, who, as myself, and the rest of the family, stand or fall at your service.
Bell.Though woman's modesty should hale me back,51I can withhold no longer; welcome, sweet love.Itha.Now am I clean, or rather foully out of the way. [Aside.Bell.Whither so soon?
Bell.Though woman's modesty should hale me back,51I can withhold no longer; welcome, sweet love.
Itha.Now am I clean, or rather foully out of the way. [Aside.
Bell.Whither so soon?
Itha.I'll go steal some money from my master to make me handsome [Aside]:Pray pardon me, I must go and see a ship discharged.
Bell.Canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus?Pilia.And ye did but know how she loves you, sir.
Bell.Canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus?
Pilia.And ye did but know how she loves you, sir.
Itha.Nay, I care not how much she loves me. Sweet Bellamira, would I had my master's wealth for thy sake.
Pilia.And you can have it, sir, an if you please.62
Pilia.And you can have it, sir, an if you please.62
Itha.If 'twere above ground I could and would haveit; but he hides and buries it up, as partridges do their eggs, under the earth.
Pilia.And is't not possible to find it out?Itha.By no means possible.Bell.What shall we do with this base villain then? [Aside toPilia-Borsa.Pilia.Let me alone; do you but speak him fair: [Aside to her.But [sir] you know some secrets of the Jew,70Which, if they were revealed, would do him harm.
Pilia.And is't not possible to find it out?
Itha.By no means possible.
Bell.What shall we do with this base villain then? [Aside toPilia-Borsa.
Pilia.Let me alone; do you but speak him fair: [Aside to her.But [sir] you know some secrets of the Jew,70Which, if they were revealed, would do him harm.
Itha.I, and such as—Go to, no more. I'll make him send me half he has, and glad he scapes so too. [Pen and ink.[122]I'll write unto him; we'll have money straight.
Pilia.Send for a hundred crowns at least.Itha.Ten hundred thousand crowns—Master Barabas. [Writing.Pilia.Write not so submissively, but threatening him.Itha.Sirrah, Barabas, send me a hundred crowns.Pilia.Put in two hundred at least.81
Pilia.Send for a hundred crowns at least.
Itha.Ten hundred thousand crowns—Master Barabas. [Writing.
Pilia.Write not so submissively, but threatening him.
Itha.Sirrah, Barabas, send me a hundred crowns.
Pilia.Put in two hundred at least.81
Itha.I charge thee send me three hundred by this bearer, and this shall be your warrant; if you do not, no more, but so.
Pilia.Tell him you will confess.Itha.Otherwise I'll confess all—Vanish, and return ina twinkle.Pilia.Let me alone; I'll use him in his kind. [ExitPilia-Borsa.Itha.Hang him, Jew.Bell.Now, gentle Ithamore, lie in my lap.Where are my maids? provide a running[123]banquet;Send to the merchant, bid him bring me silks,90Shall Ithamore, my love, go in such rags?Itha.And bid the jeweller come hither too.Bell.I have no husband, sweet; I'll marry thee.Itha.Content, but we will leave this paltry land,And sail from hence to Greece, to lovely Greece.I'll be thy Jason, thou my golden fleece;Where painted carpets o'er the meads are hurled,And Bacchus' vineyards overspread the world;Where woods and forests go in goodly green,I'll be Adonis, thou shalt be Love's Queen.100The meads, the orchards, and the primrose lanes,Instead of sedge and reed, bear sugar-canes:Thou in those groves, by Dis above,Shalt live with me and be my love.Bell.Whither will I not go with gentle Ithamore?EnterPilia-Borsa.Itha.How now! hast thou the gold?Pilia.Yes.111
Pilia.Tell him you will confess.
Itha.Otherwise I'll confess all—Vanish, and return ina twinkle.
Pilia.Let me alone; I'll use him in his kind. [ExitPilia-Borsa.
Itha.Hang him, Jew.
Bell.Now, gentle Ithamore, lie in my lap.Where are my maids? provide a running[123]banquet;Send to the merchant, bid him bring me silks,90Shall Ithamore, my love, go in such rags?
Itha.And bid the jeweller come hither too.
Bell.I have no husband, sweet; I'll marry thee.
Itha.Content, but we will leave this paltry land,And sail from hence to Greece, to lovely Greece.I'll be thy Jason, thou my golden fleece;Where painted carpets o'er the meads are hurled,And Bacchus' vineyards overspread the world;Where woods and forests go in goodly green,I'll be Adonis, thou shalt be Love's Queen.100The meads, the orchards, and the primrose lanes,Instead of sedge and reed, bear sugar-canes:Thou in those groves, by Dis above,Shalt live with me and be my love.
Bell.Whither will I not go with gentle Ithamore?
EnterPilia-Borsa.
Itha.How now! hast thou the gold?
Pilia.Yes.111
Itha.But came it freely? did the cow give down her milk freely?Pilia.At reading of the letter, he stared and stamped and turned aside. I took him by the beard,[124]and looked upon him thus; told him he were best to send it; then he hugged and embraced me.Itha.Rather for fear than love.Pilia.Then, like a Jew, he laughed and jeered, and told me he loved me for your sake, and said what a faithful servant you had been.
Itha.The more villain he to keep me thus; here's goodly 'parel, is there not?Pilia.To conclude, he gave me ten crowns.120
Itha.The more villain he to keep me thus; here's goodly 'parel, is there not?
Pilia.To conclude, he gave me ten crowns.120
Itha.But ten? I'll not leave him worth a grey groat. Give me a ream[125]of paper; we'll have a kingdom of gold for 't.
Pilia.Write for five hundred crowns.
Pilia.Write for five hundred crowns.
Itha.[Writing.]Sirrah, Jew, as you love your life send me five hundred crowns, and give the bearer one hundred.Tell him I must have 't.
Pilia.I warrant your worship shall have 't.Itha.And if he ask why I demand so much, tell him I scorn to writea line under a hundred crowns.130Pilia.You'd make a rich poet, sir. I am gone. [Exit.Itha.Take thou the money; spend it for my sake.Bell.'Tis not thy money, but thyself I weigh:Thus Bellamira esteems of gold. [Throws it on the floor.But thus of thee. [Kisses him.
Pilia.I warrant your worship shall have 't.
Itha.And if he ask why I demand so much, tell him I scorn to writea line under a hundred crowns.130
Pilia.You'd make a rich poet, sir. I am gone. [Exit.
Itha.Take thou the money; spend it for my sake.
Bell.'Tis not thy money, but thyself I weigh:Thus Bellamira esteems of gold. [Throws it on the floor.But thus of thee. [Kisses him.
Itha.That kiss again; she runs division[126]of my lips. What an eye she casts on me? It twinkles like a star.
Bell.Come, my dear love, let's in and sleep together.
Bell.Come, my dear love, let's in and sleep together.
Itha.O, that ten thousand nights were put in one, that we might sleep seven years together afore we wake.
Bell.Come, amorous wag, first banquet, and then sleep.141[Exeunt.
Bell.Come, amorous wag, first banquet, and then sleep.141[Exeunt.
Enter[127]Barabas,reading a letter.Bar."Barabas, send me three hundred crowns."Plain Barabas: O, that wicked courtesan!He was not wont to call me Barabas."Or else I will confess:" I, there it goes:But if I get him,coupe de gorge, for that.He sent a shaggy tottered[128]staring slave,That when he speaks draws out his grisly beard,And winds it twice or thrice about his ear;[129]Whose face has been a grindstone for men's swords;His hands are hacked, some fingers cut quite off;10Who, when he speaks, grunts like a hog, and looksLike one that is employed in catzerie[130]And crossbiting,[131]—such a rogueAs is the husband to a hundred whores:And I by him must send three hundred crowns!Well, my hope is, he will not stay there still;And when he comes: O, that he were but here!EnterPilia-Borsa.Pilia.Jew, I must have more gold.Bar.Why, want'st thou any of thy tale?Pilia.No; but three hundred will not serve his turn.20Bar.Not serve his turn, sir?Pilia.No, sir; and, therefore, I must have five hundred more.Bar.I'll rather——Pilia.O good words, sir, and send it you were best;see, there's his letter. [Gives letter.Bar.Might he not as well come as send; pray bidhim come and fetch it; what he writes for you, ye shallhave straight.Pilia.I, and the rest too, or else——30Bar.I must make this villain away. [Aside.Please you dine with me, sir;—and you shall be most heartily poisoned. [Aside.Pilia.No, God-a-mercy. Shall I have these crowns?Bar.I cannot do it, I have lost my keys.Pilia.O, if that be all, I can pick ope your locks.Bar.Or climb up to my counting-house window: you know my meaning.Pilia.I know enough, and therefore talk not to me of your counting-house. The gold, or know, Jew, it is in my power to hang thee.41Bar.I am betrayed. [Aside.'Tis not five hundred crowns that I esteem,I am not moved at that: this angers me,That he who knows I love him as myself,Should write in this imperious vein. Why, sir,You know I have no child, and unto whomShould I leave all but unto Ithamore?Pilia.Here's many words, but no crowns: the crowns!Bar.Commend me to him, sir, most humbly,50And unto your good mistress, as unknown.Pilia.Speak, shall I have 'em, sir?Bar.Sir, here they are.O, that I should part with so much gold! [Aside.Here, take 'em, fellow, with as good a will——As I would see thee hang'd[Aside]; O, love stops my breath:Never loved man servant as I do Ithamore.Pilia.I know it, sir.Bar.Pray, when, sir, shall I see you at my house?Pilia.Soon enough, to your cost, sir. Fare you well. [Exit.60Bar.Nay, to thine own cost, villain, if thou com'st.Was ever Jew tormented as I am?To have a shag-rag knave to come,—Three hundred crowns,—and then five hundred crowns!Well, I must seek a means to rid 'em all,And presently; for in his villainyHe will tell all he knows, and I shall die for it.I have it:I will in some disguise go see the slave,And how the villain revels with my gold.70[Exit.
Enter[127]Barabas,reading a letter.
Bar."Barabas, send me three hundred crowns."Plain Barabas: O, that wicked courtesan!He was not wont to call me Barabas."Or else I will confess:" I, there it goes:But if I get him,coupe de gorge, for that.He sent a shaggy tottered[128]staring slave,That when he speaks draws out his grisly beard,And winds it twice or thrice about his ear;[129]Whose face has been a grindstone for men's swords;His hands are hacked, some fingers cut quite off;10Who, when he speaks, grunts like a hog, and looksLike one that is employed in catzerie[130]And crossbiting,[131]—such a rogueAs is the husband to a hundred whores:And I by him must send three hundred crowns!Well, my hope is, he will not stay there still;And when he comes: O, that he were but here!
EnterPilia-Borsa.
Pilia.Jew, I must have more gold.
Bar.Why, want'st thou any of thy tale?
Pilia.No; but three hundred will not serve his turn.20
Bar.Not serve his turn, sir?
Pilia.No, sir; and, therefore, I must have five hundred more.
Bar.I'll rather——
Pilia.O good words, sir, and send it you were best;see, there's his letter. [Gives letter.
Bar.Might he not as well come as send; pray bidhim come and fetch it; what he writes for you, ye shallhave straight.
Pilia.I, and the rest too, or else——30
Bar.I must make this villain away. [Aside.Please you dine with me, sir;—and you shall be most heartily poisoned. [Aside.
Pilia.No, God-a-mercy. Shall I have these crowns?
Bar.I cannot do it, I have lost my keys.
Pilia.O, if that be all, I can pick ope your locks.
Bar.Or climb up to my counting-house window: you know my meaning.
Pilia.I know enough, and therefore talk not to me of your counting-house. The gold, or know, Jew, it is in my power to hang thee.41
Bar.I am betrayed. [Aside.'Tis not five hundred crowns that I esteem,I am not moved at that: this angers me,That he who knows I love him as myself,Should write in this imperious vein. Why, sir,You know I have no child, and unto whomShould I leave all but unto Ithamore?
Pilia.Here's many words, but no crowns: the crowns!
Bar.Commend me to him, sir, most humbly,50And unto your good mistress, as unknown.
Pilia.Speak, shall I have 'em, sir?
Bar.Sir, here they are.O, that I should part with so much gold! [Aside.Here, take 'em, fellow, with as good a will——As I would see thee hang'd[Aside]; O, love stops my breath:Never loved man servant as I do Ithamore.
Pilia.I know it, sir.
Bar.Pray, when, sir, shall I see you at my house?
Pilia.Soon enough, to your cost, sir. Fare you well. [Exit.60
Bar.Nay, to thine own cost, villain, if thou com'st.Was ever Jew tormented as I am?To have a shag-rag knave to come,—Three hundred crowns,—and then five hundred crowns!Well, I must seek a means to rid 'em all,And presently; for in his villainyHe will tell all he knows, and I shall die for it.I have it:I will in some disguise go see the slave,And how the villain revels with my gold.70[Exit.
Enter[132]Bellamira,Ithamore,andPilia-Borsa.Bell.. I'll pledge thee, love, and therefore drink it off.Itha.Say'st thou me so? have at it; and do you hear? [Whispers.Bell.Go to, it shall be so.Itha.Of that condition I will drink it up.Here's to thee.Bell.[133]Nay, I'll have all or none.Itha.There, if thou lov'st me do not leave a drop.Bell.Love thee! fill me three glasses.Itha.Three and fifty dozen, I'll pledge thee.Pilia.Knavely spoke, and like a knight at arms.Itha.Hey,Rivo[134]Castiliano! a man's a man.10Bell.Now to the Jew.Itha.Ha! to the Jew, and send me money he were best.Pilia.What would'st thou do if he should send thee none?Itha.Do nothing; but I know what I know; he's a murderer.Bell.I had not thought he had been so brave a man.
Enter[132]Bellamira,Ithamore,andPilia-Borsa.
Bell.. I'll pledge thee, love, and therefore drink it off.
Itha.Say'st thou me so? have at it; and do you hear? [Whispers.
Bell.Go to, it shall be so.
Itha.Of that condition I will drink it up.Here's to thee.
Bell.[133]Nay, I'll have all or none.
Itha.There, if thou lov'st me do not leave a drop.
Bell.Love thee! fill me three glasses.
Itha.Three and fifty dozen, I'll pledge thee.
Pilia.Knavely spoke, and like a knight at arms.
Itha.Hey,Rivo[134]Castiliano! a man's a man.10
Bell.Now to the Jew.
Itha.Ha! to the Jew, and send me money he were best.
Pilia.What would'st thou do if he should send thee none?
Itha.Do nothing; but I know what I know; he's a murderer.
Bell.I had not thought he had been so brave a man.
Itha.You knew Mathias and the Governor's son; he and I killed 'em both, and yet never touched 'em.Pilia.O, bravely done.Itha.I carried the broth that poisoned the nuns; and he and I, snickle hand too fast,[135]strangled a friar.
Bell.You two alone!21Itha.We two, and 'twas never known, nor never shall be for me.Pilia.This shall with me unto the Governor. [Aside toBellamira.Bell.And fit it should: but first let's ha' more gold. [Aside.Come, gentle Ithamore, lie in my lap.Itha.Love me little, love me long; let music rumble.Whilst I in thy incony[136]lap do tumble.EnterBarabas,with a lute, disguised.Bell.A French musician; come, let's hear your skill?Bar.Must tuna my lute for sound,twang,twangfirst.31Itha.Wilt drink, Frenchman? here's to thee with a—— Pox on this drunken hiccup!Bar.Gramercy, monsieur.Bell.Prythee, Pilia-Borsa, bid the fiddler give me the posy in his hat there.Pilia.Sirrah, you must give my mistress your posy.Bar.A votre commandment, madame.Bell.How sweet, my Ithamore, the flowers smell.Itha.Like thy breath, sweetheart, no violet like 'em.40Pilia.Foh! methinks they stink like a hollyhock.Bar.So, now I am revenged upon 'em all.The scent thereof was death; I poisoned it. [Aside.Itha.Play, fiddler, or I'll cut your cat's guts into chitterlings.Bar. Pardonnez moi, be no in tune yet; so now, now all be in.Itha.Give him a crown, and fill me out more wine.Pilia.There's two crowns for thee, play.Bar.How liberally the villain gives me mine own gold. [Aside.51Pilia.Methinks he fingers very well.Bar.So did you when you stole my gold. [Aside.Pilia.How swift he runs.Bar.You ran swifter when you threw my gold out of my window. [Aside.Bell.Musician, hast been in Malta long?Bar.Two, three, four month, madam.Itha.Dost not know a Jew, one Barabas?Bar.Very mush; monsieur, you no be his man?60Pilia.His man?Itha.I scorn the peasant; tell him so.Bar.He knows it already. [Aside.
Bell.You two alone!21
Itha.We two, and 'twas never known, nor never shall be for me.
Pilia.This shall with me unto the Governor. [Aside toBellamira.
Bell.And fit it should: but first let's ha' more gold. [Aside.Come, gentle Ithamore, lie in my lap.
Itha.Love me little, love me long; let music rumble.Whilst I in thy incony[136]lap do tumble.
EnterBarabas,with a lute, disguised.
Bell.A French musician; come, let's hear your skill?
Bar.Must tuna my lute for sound,twang,twangfirst.31
Itha.Wilt drink, Frenchman? here's to thee with a—— Pox on this drunken hiccup!
Bar.Gramercy, monsieur.
Bell.Prythee, Pilia-Borsa, bid the fiddler give me the posy in his hat there.
Pilia.Sirrah, you must give my mistress your posy.
Bar.A votre commandment, madame.
Bell.How sweet, my Ithamore, the flowers smell.
Itha.Like thy breath, sweetheart, no violet like 'em.40
Pilia.Foh! methinks they stink like a hollyhock.
Bar.So, now I am revenged upon 'em all.The scent thereof was death; I poisoned it. [Aside.
Itha.Play, fiddler, or I'll cut your cat's guts into chitterlings.
Bar. Pardonnez moi, be no in tune yet; so now, now all be in.
Itha.Give him a crown, and fill me out more wine.
Pilia.There's two crowns for thee, play.
Bar.How liberally the villain gives me mine own gold. [Aside.51
Pilia.Methinks he fingers very well.
Bar.So did you when you stole my gold. [Aside.
Pilia.How swift he runs.
Bar.You ran swifter when you threw my gold out of my window. [Aside.
Bell.Musician, hast been in Malta long?
Bar.Two, three, four month, madam.
Itha.Dost not know a Jew, one Barabas?
Bar.Very mush; monsieur, you no be his man?60
Pilia.His man?
Itha.I scorn the peasant; tell him so.
Bar.He knows it already. [Aside.
Itha.'Tis a strange thing of that Jew, he lives upon pickled grasshoppers and sauced mushrooms.
Bar.What a slave's this? the Governor feeds not as I do. [Aside.Itha.He never put on clean shirt since he was circumcised.Bar.O rascal! I change myself twice a day. [Aside.70Itha.The hat he wears, Judas left under the elder[137]when he hanged himself.Bar.'Twas sent me for a present from the great Cham. [Aside.Pilia.A musty[138]slave he is; whither now, fiddler?Bar.Pardonnez moi, monsieur, me[139]be no well. [Exit.Pilia.Farewell, fiddler: one letter more to the Jew.Bell.Prythee, sweet love, one more, and write it sharp.
Bar.What a slave's this? the Governor feeds not as I do. [Aside.
Itha.He never put on clean shirt since he was circumcised.
Bar.O rascal! I change myself twice a day. [Aside.70
Itha.The hat he wears, Judas left under the elder[137]when he hanged himself.
Bar.'Twas sent me for a present from the great Cham. [Aside.
Pilia.A musty[138]slave he is; whither now, fiddler?
Bar.Pardonnez moi, monsieur, me[139]be no well. [Exit.
Pilia.Farewell, fiddler: one letter more to the Jew.
Bell.Prythee, sweet love, one more, and write it sharp.
Itha.No, I'll send by word of mouth now; bid him deliver thee a thousand crowns, by the same token, that the nuns loved rice,— that Friar Barnardine slept in his own clothes; any of 'em will do it.
Pilia.Let me alone to urge it, now I know the meaning.82
Pilia.Let me alone to urge it, now I know the meaning.82
Itha.The meaning has a meaning; come let's in:To undo a Jew is charity, and not sin.
[Exeunt.
[Exeunt.
Enter[140]Governor, Knights,andMartin Del Bosco.Gov.Now, gentlemen, betake you to your arms,And see that Malta be well fortified;And it behoves you to be resolute;For Calymath, having hovered here so long,Will win the town or die before the walls.Knights.And die he shall, for we will never yield.EnterBellamiraandPilia-Borsa.Bell.O, bring us to the Governor.Gov.Away with her; she is a courtesan.Bell.Whate'er I am, yet, Governor, hear me speak;I bring thee news by whom thy son was slain:10Mathias did it not; it was the Jew.Pilia.Who, besides the slaughter of these gentlemen,Poisoned his own daughter and the nuns,Strangled a friar, and I know not whatMischief besides.Gov.Had we but proof of this——Bell.Strong proof, my lord; his man's now at my lodging,That was his agent; he'll confess it all.Gov.Go fetch him straight [ExeuntOfficers];I always feared that Jew.20EnterOfficerswithBarabasandIthamore.Bar.I'll go alone; dogs, do not hale me thus.Itha.Nor me neither, I cannot outrun you, constable: O my belly!Bar.One dram of powder more had made all sure;What a damned slave was I! [Aside.Gov.Make fires, heat irons, let the rack be fetched.Knights.Nay, stay, my lord, 't may be he will confess?Bar.Confess! what mean you, lords, who should confess?Gov.Thou and thy Turk; 'twas you that slew my son.30
Enter[140]Governor, Knights,andMartin Del Bosco.
Gov.Now, gentlemen, betake you to your arms,And see that Malta be well fortified;And it behoves you to be resolute;For Calymath, having hovered here so long,Will win the town or die before the walls.
Knights.And die he shall, for we will never yield.
EnterBellamiraandPilia-Borsa.
Bell.O, bring us to the Governor.
Gov.Away with her; she is a courtesan.
Bell.Whate'er I am, yet, Governor, hear me speak;I bring thee news by whom thy son was slain:10Mathias did it not; it was the Jew.
Pilia.Who, besides the slaughter of these gentlemen,Poisoned his own daughter and the nuns,Strangled a friar, and I know not whatMischief besides.
Gov.Had we but proof of this——
Bell.Strong proof, my lord; his man's now at my lodging,That was his agent; he'll confess it all.
Gov.Go fetch him straight [ExeuntOfficers];I always feared that Jew.20
EnterOfficerswithBarabasandIthamore.
Bar.I'll go alone; dogs, do not hale me thus.
Itha.Nor me neither, I cannot outrun you, constable: O my belly!
Bar.One dram of powder more had made all sure;What a damned slave was I! [Aside.
Gov.Make fires, heat irons, let the rack be fetched.
Knights.Nay, stay, my lord, 't may be he will confess?
Bar.Confess! what mean you, lords, who should confess?
Gov.Thou and thy Turk; 'twas you that slew my son.30
Itha.Guilty, my lord, I confess: your son and Mathias were both contracted unto Abigail; [he] forged a counterfeit challenge.
Bar.Who carried that challenge?
Bar.Who carried that challenge?
Itha.I carried it, I confess; but who writ it? Marry, even he that strangled Barnardine, poisoned the nuns, and his own daughter.
Gov.Away with him, his sight is death to me.Bar.For what, you men of Malta? hear me speak:She is a courtesan, and he a thief,And he my bondman. Let me have law,For none of this can prejudice my life.40Gov.Once more, away with him; you shall have law.Bar.Devils, do your worst, I live in spite of you. [Aside.As these have spoke, so be it to their souls!—I hope the poisoned flowers will work anon. [Aside.[Exeunt.Enter theMotherofMathias.Mother.Was my Mathias murdered by the Jew?Ferneze, 'twas thy son that murdered him.Gov.Be patient, gentle madam, it was he.He forged the daring challenge made them fight.Mother.Where is the Jew? where is that murderer?Gov.In prison till the law has past on him.50EnterOfficer.Off.My lord, the courtesan and her man are dead:So is the Turk and Barabas the Jew.Gov.Dead!Off.Dead, my lord, and here they bring his body.Bosco.This sudden death of his is very strange.Re-enterOfficerscarryingBarabasas dead.Gov.Wonder not at it, sir, the heavens are just;Their deaths were like their lives, then think not of 'em;Since they are dead, let them be buried.For the Jew's body, throw that o'er the walls,To be a prey for vultures and wild beasts.60So now away, and fortify the town.[Exeunt all, leavingBarabason the floor.[141]Bar.[Rising.] What, all alone? well fare, sleepy drink.I'll be revenged on this accursèd town;For by my means Calymath shall enter in.I'll help to slay their children and their wives,To fire the churches, pull their houses down,Take my goods too, and seize upon my lands:I hope to see the Governor a slave,And, rowing in a galley, whipt to death.EnterCalymath, Bassoes,andTurks.Caly.Whom have we here, a spy?70Bar.Yes, my good lord, one that can spy a placeWhere you may enter, and surprise the town:My name is Barabas: I am a Jew.Caly.Art thou that Jew whose goods we heard were soldFor tribute-money?Bar.The very same, my lord:And since that time they have hired a slave, my man,To accuse me of a thousand villanies:I was imprisoned, but escaped their hands.Caly.Did'st break prison?80Bar.No, no;I drank of poppy and cold mandrake juice:[142]And being asleep, belike they thought me dead,And threw me o'er the walls: so, or how else,The Jew is here, and rests at your command.Caly.'Twas bravely done: but tell me, Barabas,Canst thou, as thou report'st, make Malta ours?Bar.Fear not, my lord, for here against the sluice,[143]The rock is hollow, and of purpose digged,To make a passage for the running streams90And common channels of the city.Now, whilst you give assault unto the walls,I'll lead five hundred soldiers through the vault,And rise with them i' the middle of the town,Open the gates for you to enter in,And by this means the city is your own.Caly.If this be true, I'll make thee governor.Bar.And if it be not true, then let me die.Caly.Thou'st doomed thyself. Assault it presently.[Exeunt.
Gov.Away with him, his sight is death to me.
Bar.For what, you men of Malta? hear me speak:She is a courtesan, and he a thief,And he my bondman. Let me have law,For none of this can prejudice my life.40
Gov.Once more, away with him; you shall have law.
Bar.Devils, do your worst, I live in spite of you. [Aside.As these have spoke, so be it to their souls!—I hope the poisoned flowers will work anon. [Aside.[Exeunt.
Enter theMotherofMathias.
Mother.Was my Mathias murdered by the Jew?Ferneze, 'twas thy son that murdered him.
Gov.Be patient, gentle madam, it was he.He forged the daring challenge made them fight.
Mother.Where is the Jew? where is that murderer?
Gov.In prison till the law has past on him.50
EnterOfficer.
Off.My lord, the courtesan and her man are dead:So is the Turk and Barabas the Jew.
Gov.Dead!
Off.Dead, my lord, and here they bring his body.
Bosco.This sudden death of his is very strange.
Re-enterOfficerscarryingBarabasas dead.
Gov.Wonder not at it, sir, the heavens are just;Their deaths were like their lives, then think not of 'em;Since they are dead, let them be buried.For the Jew's body, throw that o'er the walls,To be a prey for vultures and wild beasts.60So now away, and fortify the town.[Exeunt all, leavingBarabason the floor.[141]
Bar.[Rising.] What, all alone? well fare, sleepy drink.I'll be revenged on this accursèd town;For by my means Calymath shall enter in.I'll help to slay their children and their wives,To fire the churches, pull their houses down,Take my goods too, and seize upon my lands:I hope to see the Governor a slave,And, rowing in a galley, whipt to death.
EnterCalymath, Bassoes,andTurks.
Caly.Whom have we here, a spy?70
Bar.Yes, my good lord, one that can spy a placeWhere you may enter, and surprise the town:My name is Barabas: I am a Jew.
Caly.Art thou that Jew whose goods we heard were soldFor tribute-money?
Bar.The very same, my lord:And since that time they have hired a slave, my man,To accuse me of a thousand villanies:I was imprisoned, but escaped their hands.
Caly.Did'st break prison?80
Bar.No, no;I drank of poppy and cold mandrake juice:[142]And being asleep, belike they thought me dead,And threw me o'er the walls: so, or how else,The Jew is here, and rests at your command.
Caly.'Twas bravely done: but tell me, Barabas,Canst thou, as thou report'st, make Malta ours?
Bar.Fear not, my lord, for here against the sluice,[143]The rock is hollow, and of purpose digged,To make a passage for the running streams90And common channels of the city.Now, whilst you give assault unto the walls,I'll lead five hundred soldiers through the vault,And rise with them i' the middle of the town,Open the gates for you to enter in,And by this means the city is your own.
Caly.If this be true, I'll make thee governor.
Bar.And if it be not true, then let me die.
Caly.Thou'st doomed thyself. Assault it presently.[Exeunt.