________________________________________________
_ ACT IV - SCENE III
[Enter FRIAR JACOMO.] [142]
[Footnote 142: Enter FRIAR JACOMO: The scene is now before Barabas's house,--the audience having had to SUPPOSE that the body of Barnardine, which Ithamore had set upright, was standing outside the door.]
FRIAR JACOMO.
This is the hour wherein I shall proceed; [143]
O happy hour, wherein I shall convert
An 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 o' 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:
No, 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!
[Takes the staff, and strikes down the body.]
[Enter BARABAS and ITHAMORE.]
[Footnote 143: proceed: Seems to be used here as equivalent to--succeed.]
BARABAS.
Why, how now, Jacomo! what hast thou done?
FRIAR JACOMO.
Why, stricken him that would have struck at me.
BARABAS.
Who is it? Barnardine! now, out, alas, he is slain!
ITHAMORE.
Ay, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop out
on's [144] nose.
[Footnote 144: on's: i.e. of his.]
FRIAR JACOMO.
Good sirs, I have done't: but nobody knows it but
you two; I may escape.
BARABAS.
So might my man and I hang with you for company.
ITHAMORE.
No; let us bear him to the magistrates.
FRIAR JACOMO.
Good Barabas, let me go.
BARABAS.
No, pardon me; the law must have his 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 sate: now I, to keep my word,
And give my goods and substance to your house,
Was up thus early, with intent to go
Unto your friary, because you stay'd.
ITHAMORE.
Fie upon 'em! master, will you turn Christian, when
holy friars turn devils and murder one another?
BARABAS.
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?
ITHAMORE.
Why, a Turk could ha' done no more.
BARABAS.
To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it.--
Come, Ithamore, let's help to take him hence.
FRIAR JACOMO.
Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not.
BARABAS.
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.] _
Read next: Act 4 - Scene 4
Read previous: Act 4 - Scene 2
Table of content of Jew of Malta
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
Post your review
Your review will be placed after the table of content of this book
