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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta

Act: 4 Scene: 2<<

Enter Curtezane, and Pilia- borza.

Pilia-borza, didst thou meet with Ithimore?

I did.

And didst thou deliver my letter?

I did.

And what think'st thou, will he come?

I think so, and yet I cannot tell, for at the reading of the letter, he look'd like a man of another world.

Why so?

That such a base slave as he should be saluted by such a tall man as I am, from such a beautifull dame as you.

And what said he?

Not a wise word, only gave me a nod, as who shold say, Is it even so; and so I left him, being driven to a non- plus at the critical aspect of my terrible countenance.

And where didst meet him?

Upon mine owne free hold within fortie foot of the gallowes, conning his neck-verse I take it, looking of a Fryars Execution, whom I saluted with an old hempen proverb, Hodie tibi, cras mihi, and so I left him to the mercy of the Hangman: but the Exercise being done, see where he comes.

Enter Ithimore.

I never knew a man take his death so patiently as this Fryar: he was ready to leape off e're the halter was about his necke; and when the Hangman had put on his hempen Tippet, he made such haste to his prayers, as if hee had had another Cure to serve; well, goe whither he will, I'le be none of his followers in haste: And now I thinke on's, going to the execution, a fellow met me with a muschatoes like a Ravens wing, and a Dagger with a hilt like a warming-pan, and he gave me a letter from one Madam Bellamira, saluting me in such sort as if he had meant to make cleane my Boots with his lips; the effect was, that I should come to her house. I wonder what the reason is. It may be she sees more in me than I can find in my selfe: for she writes further, that she loves me ever since she saw me, and who would not requite such love? here's her house, and here she comes, and now would I were gone, I am not worthy to looke upon her.

This is the Gentleman you writ to.

Gentleman, he flouts me, what gentry can be in a pooreTurke of ten pence? I'le be gone. [Aside.]

Is't not a sweet fac'd youth, Pilia?

Agen, sweet youth; did not you, Sir, bring the sweet youth a letter?

I did Sir, and from this Gentlewoman, who as my selfe, and the rest of the family, stand or fall at your service.

Though womans modesty should hale me backe, I can with-hold no longer; welcome sweet love.

[Kisse him.]

Now am I cleane, or rather fouly out of the way.

[Aside.]

Whither so soone?

I'le goe steale some mony from my Master to make me hansome: [Aside.] Pray pardon me, I must goe see a ship discharg'd.

Canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus?

And ye did but know how she loves you, Sir.

Nay, I care not how much she loves me;

Sweet Bellamira , would I had my Masters wealth for thy sake.

And you can have it, Sir, and if you please.

If 'twere above ground I could, and would have it; but tree hides and buries it up as Partridges doe their egges, under the earth.

And is't not possible to find it out?

By no meanes possible.

What shall we doe with this base villaine then?

[Aside to Pilia-borza.]

Let me alone, doe but you speake him faire:

But you know some secrets of the Jew,

Which if they were reveal'd, would doe him harme.

I, and such as— Goe to, no more,

I'le make him send me half he has, and glad he scapes so too.

Pen and Inke:

I'le write unto him, we're have mony strait.

Send for a hundred Crownes at least.

Ten hundred thousand crownes, Master Barabas.

He writes

Write not so submissively, but threatning him.

Sirra Barabas, send me a hundred crownes.

Put in two hundred at least.

I charge thee send me three hundredby this bearer, and this shall be your warrant; if you doe not, no more but so.

Tell him you will confesse.

Otherwise I'le confesse all:—

Vanish and returne in a twinckle.

Let me alone, I'le use him in his kinde.

[Exit.]

Hang him, Jew.

Now, gentle Ithimore, lye in my lap.

Where are my Maids? provide a running Banquet;

Send to the Merchant, bid him bring me silkes,

Shall Ithimore my love goe in such rags?

And bid the Jeweller come hither too.

I have no husband, sweet, I'le marry thee.

Content, but we will leave this paltry land,

And saile from hence to Greece, to lovely Greece,

I'le be thy Jason, thou my golden Fleece;

Where painted Carpets o're the meads are hurl'd,

And Bacchus vineyards over-spread the world:

Where Woods and Forrests goe in goodly greene,

I'le be Adonis, thou shalt be Loves Queene.

The Meads, the Orchards, and the Primrose lanes,

Instead of Sedge and Reed, beare Sugar Canes:

Thou in those Groves, by Dis above,

Shalt live with me and be my love.

Whither will I not goe with gentle Ithimore?

Enter Pilea-borza.

How now? hast thou the gold?

Yes.

[Gives him bag.]

But came it freely, did the Cow give down her milk freely?

At reading of the letter, he star'd and stamp'd, and turnd aside. I tooke him by the beard, and look'd upon him thus; told him he were best to send it; then he hug'd and imbrac'd me.

Rather for feare then love.

Then like a Jew he laugh'd and jeer'd, and told me he lov'd me for your sake, and said what a faithfull servant you had bin.

The more villaine he to keep me thus:

Here's goodly 'parrell, is there not?

To conclude, he gave me ten crownes.

But ten? I'le not leave him worth a gray groat. Give me a Reame of paper, we'll have a kingdome of gold for't.

Write for five hundred Crownes.

Sirra Jew, as you love your life send me five hundred crowns, and give the Bearer one hundred. Tell him I must hav't.

I warrant your worship shall hav't.

And if he aske why I demand so much, tell him, I scorne to write a line under a hundred crownes.

You'd make a rich Poet, Sir. I am gone.

Exit.

Take thou the mony, spend it for my sake.

Tis not thy mony, but thy selfe I weigh: Thus Bellamira esteemes of gold; [Throw it aside.] But thus of thee

Kisse him.

That kisse againe; she runs division of my lips. What an eye she casts on me? It twinckles like a Starre.

Come my deare love, let's in and sleepe together.

Oh that ten thousand nights were put in one, That wee might sleepe seven yeeres together afore we wake.

Come Amorous wag, first banquet and then sleep.

[Exeunt.]

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