Give me a ream of paper: we'll have a kingdom of gold for't.(157)
PILIA-BORZA. Write for five hundred crowns.
ITHAMORE. [writing] SIRRAH JEW, AS YOU LOVE YOUR LIFE, SEND ME FIVE HUNDRED CROWNS, AND GIVE THE BEARER A HUNDRED.--Tell him I must have't.
PILIA-BORZA. I warrant, your worship shall have't.
ITHAMORE. And, if he ask why I demand so much, tell him I scorn to write a line under a hundred crowns.
PILIA-BORZA. You'd make a rich poet, sir. I am gone. [Exit with the letter.]
ITHAMORE. Take thou the money; spend it for my sake.
BELLAMIRA. 'Tis not thy money, but thyself I weigh: Thus Bellamira esteems of gold; [Throws it aside.] But thus of thee. [Kisses him.]
ITHAMORE. That kiss again!--She runs division(158) of my lips. What an eye she casts on me! it twinkles like a star. [Aside.]
BELLAMIRA. Come, my dear love, let's in and sleep together.
ITHAMORE. O, that ten thousand nights were put in one, that we might sleep seven years together afore we wake!
BELLAMIRA. Come, amorous wag, first banquet, and then sleep. [Exeunt.]
Enter BARABAS,(159) reading a letter.
BARABAS. BARABAS, SEND ME THREE HUNDRED CROWNS;-- Plain Barabas! O, that wicked courtezan! He was not wont to call me Barabas;-- OR ELSE I WILL CONFESS;--ay, there it goes: But, if I get him, coupe de gorge for that. He sent a shaggy, tatter'd,(160) staring slave, That, when he speaks, draws out his grisly beard, And winds it twice or thrice about his ear; Whose face has been a grind-stone for men's swords; His hands are hack'd, some fingers cut quite off; Who, when he speaks, grunts like a hog, and looks Like one that is employ'd in catzery(161) And cross-biting;(162) such a rogue As 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!
Enter PILIA-BORZA.
PILIA-BORZA. Jew, I must ha' more gold.
BARABAS. Why, want'st thou any of thy tale?(163)
PILIA-BORZA. No; but three hundred will not serve his turn.
BARABAS. Not serve his turn, sir!
PILIA-BORZA. No, sir; and therefore I must have five hundred more.
BARABAS. I'll rather----
PILIA-BORZA. O, good words, sir, and send it you were best! see, there's his letter. [Gives letter.]
BARABAS. Might he not as well come as send? pray, bid him come and fetch it: what he writes for you,(164) ye shall have straight.
PILIA-BORZA. Ay, and the rest too, or else----
BARABAS. I must make this villain away [Aside].--Please you dine with me, sir--and you shall be most heartily poisoned. [Aside.]
PILIA-BORZA. No, God-a-mercy. Shall I have these crowns?
BARABAS. I cannot do it; I have lost my keys.
PILIA-BORZA. O, if that be all, I can pick ope your locks.
BARABAS. Or climb up to my counting-house window: you know my meaning.
PILIA-BORZA. 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.
BARABAS. I am betray'd.-- [Aside.] 'Tis not five hundred crowns that I esteem; I am not mov'd 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-BORZA. Here's many words, but no crowns: the crowns!
BARABAS. Commend me to him, sir, most humbly, And unto your good mistress as unknown.
PILIA-BORZA. Speak, shall I have 'em, sir?
BARABAS. Sir, here they are.-- [Gives money.] O, that I should part(165) 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 lov'd man servant as I do Ithamore.
PILIA-BORZA. I know it, sir.
BARABAS. Pray, when, sir, shall I see you at my house?
PILIA-BORZA. Soon enough to your cost, sir. Fare you well. [Exit.]
BARABAS. 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 [force from me] Three hundred crowns, and then five hundred crowns! Well; I must seek a means to rid(166) 'em all, And presently; for in his villany He will tell all he knows, and I shall die for't. I have it: I will in some disguise go see the slave, And how the villain revels with my gold. [Exit.]
Enter BELLAMIRA,(167) ITHAMORE, and PILIA-BORZA.