The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume II Part 18

_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 write a 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.

_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._

SCENE V.

_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 s.h.a.ggy 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; 10 Who, when he speaks, grunts like a hog, and looks Like one that is employed in catzerie[130]

And crossbiting,[131]--such a rogue As is the husband to a hundred wh.o.r.es: 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!

_Enter_ PILIA-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 bid him come and fetch it; what he writes for you, ye shall have 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, G.o.d-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 whom Should I leave all but unto Ithamore?

_Pilia._ Here's many words, but no crowns: the crowns!

_Bar._ Commend me to him, sir, most humbly, 50 And 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. 60 [_Exit._ _Bar._ Nay, to thine own cost, villain, if thou com'st.

Was ever Jew tormented as I am?

To have a s.h.a.g-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 villainy He 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._

SCENE VI.

_Enter_[132] BELLAMIRA, ITHAMORE, _and_ PILIA-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?