1 FRI. Oh good Barabas come to our house. 2 FRI. Oh no, good Barabas, come to our house; And Barabas, you know— BAR. I know that I have highly sinn'd, You shall convert me, you shall have all my wealth. 1 FRI. Oh Barabas, their laws are strict. too. BAR. Then 'tis not for me; and I am resolv'd You shall confess me, and have all my goods. 1 FRI. Good Barabas come to me. BAR. You see I answer him, and yet he stays; Rid him away, and go you home with me. 2. FRI. I'll be with you to night. BAR. Come to my house at one o'clock this night. 1 FRI. You hear your answer, and you may be gone. 2 FRI. Why, go get you away. 1 FRI. I will not go for thee. 2 FRI. Not, then I'll make thee go. ITHA. Part 'em, master, part 'em. [They fight. BAR. This is mere frailty, brethren, be content. Friar Barnardine, go you with Ithamore. ITHA. You know my mind, let me alone with him; Why does he go to thy house, let him begone. BAR. I'll give him something and so stop his [Exit Ithamore, with the friar. mouth. I never heard of any man but he But do you think that I believe his words? And I am bound in charity to requite it, And so I will. Oh Jacomo, fail not but come. BAR. Marry the Turk shall be one of my god fathers, But not a word to any of your convent. FRI. I warrant thee, Barabas. [Exit. BAR. So, now the fear is past, and I am safe: For he that shriv'd her is within my house, What if I murder'd him e'er Jacomo comes? I'll feast you, lodge you, give you fair words, No more but so: it must and shall be done. [Exit. SCENE II. Enter BARABAS and ITHA MORE. 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 BAR. No, 'tis an order which the friars use: BAR. Why true, therefore did I place him there: The other chambers open towards the street. ITHA. You loiter, master, wherefore stay me thus ? Off with your girdle, make a handsome noose; FRI. What do you mean to strangle me? ITHA. Yes, 'cause you use to confess. BAR. Blame not us but the proverb, confess and be hang'd pull hard. FRI. What, will you have my life? BAR. Pull hard, I say, you would have had my goods. ITHA. Aye, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. "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 rul'd by me a little; 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 liv'd? What time o' night is't now, sweet Ithamore? ITHA. Towards one. BAR. Then will not Jacomo be long from hence. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Enter JACOMO. JACO. This is the hour wherein I shall proceed; No, wilt thou not? nay then I'll force my way; [Strikes him, and he falls. Enter BARABAS and ITHAMORE. BAR. Why, how now Jacomo, what hast thou done? JACO. Why stricken him that would have struck at me. BAR. Who is it? Barnardine? now out, alas, he's slain. ITHA. Aye, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop out on's nose. JACO. Good sirs I have done't, but nobody knows it but you two-I may escape. BAR. So might my man and I hang with you for company. ITHA. No, let us bear him to the magistrates. BAR. No, pardon me, the law must have its course. I must be forc'd to give in evidence, That being importun'd by this Barnardine To be a Christian, I shut him out, And there he sat: now I to keep my word, And give my goods and substance to your house, Unto your friary, because you stay'd. 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 it the like? ITHA. Why a Turk could have done no more. BAR. To morrow is the sessions; you shall to it. Come Ithamore, let's help to take him hence. JACO. Villains, I am a sacred person, touch me not. BAR. The law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we: |