Pilia. How swift he runs! Bara. You run swifter when you threw my gold out of my window. Bell. Musician, hast been in Malta long! [Aside. Bara. Very mush; monsieur, you no be his man? Itha. I scorn the peasant; tell him so. Bara. He knows it already. [Aside. Itha. 'Tis a strange thing of that Jew, he lives upon pickled grasshoppers and sauced mushrooms. Bara. What a slave's this! the governor feeds not as I do. [Aside. 1tha. He never put on clean shirt since he was circumcised. Bara. Oh rascal! I change myself twice a-day. [Aside. Itha. The hat he wears, Judas left under the elder when he hanged himself. Bara. 'Twas sent me for a present from the Great Cham. [Aside. Pilia. A nasty slave he is.-Whither now, fiddler ? Bara. Pardonnez moi, monsieur; me be no well. Pilia. Farewell, fiddler. [Exit BARABAS.] One letter more to the Jew. Bell. Prithee, 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. Itha. The meaning has a meaning. Come, let's in: To undo a Jew is charity, and not sin. Enter GAVESTON, reading a letter from the king. Gav. My father is deceased! Come, Gaveston, And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend. Ah! words that make me surfeit with delight! What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston, Than live and be the favourite of a king! Sweet prince, I come; these, these thy amorous lines So thou would'st smile, and take me in thine arms. That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away Enter three poor Men. Men. Such as desire your worship's service. 1 Man. I can ride. Gav. But I have no horse. What art thou? 2 Man. A traveller. Gav. Let me see-thou would'st do well To wait at my trencher, and tell me lies at dinnertime; And as I like your discoursing, I'll have you. And what art thou? 8 Man. A soldier, that hath served against the Scot. Gav. Why, there are hospitals for such as you; I have no war; and therefore, sir, be gone. 3 Man. Farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand, That would'st reward them with an hospital. Gav. Aye, aye, these words of his move me as much As if a goose would play the porcupine, And dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast. I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope. [Aside. And yet I have not viewed my lord the king; If I speed well, I'll entertain you all. Omnes. We thank your worship. Gav. I have some business. Leave me to myself. I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits, Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night, 1. And running in the likeness of an hart, By yelping hounds pull'd down, shall seem to die : By'r lord! here comes the king and the nobles Enter the KING, LANCASTER, MORTIMER, senior, MORTIMER, junior, EDMUND Earl of Kent, GUY Earl of Warwick, etc. Edw. Lancaster! Lan. My lord. Gav. That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor. [Aside. Edw. Will you not grant me this? In spite of them I'll have my will; and these two Mortimers, That cross me thus, shall know I am displeased. E. Mor. If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston. Gav. That villain Mortimer, I'll be his death! [Aside. Y. Mor. Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself, Were sworn unto your father at his death, That he should ne'er return into the realm: And know, my lord, ere I will break my oath, This sword of mine, that should offend your foes, Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need, And underneath thy banners march who will, For Mortimer will hang his armour up. Gav. Mort Dieu ! [Aside. Edw. Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words. Beseems it thee to contradict thy king? Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster? The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows. (D) |