But perish underneath my bitter curse, Like Cain by Adam, for his brother's death. Bar. Ithamore, entreat not for her, I am moved, And 'less thou yield to this that I entreat, I cannot think but that thou hat'st my life. Itha. Who, I, master? Why, I'll run to some rock, And throw myself headlong into the sea; Why, I'll do anything for your sweet sake. Bar. O trusty Ithamore, no servant, but my friend: I here adopt thee for mine only heir, All that I have is thine when I am dead, Here take my keys, I'll give 'em thee anon: But first go fetch me in the pot of rice 40 That for our supper stands upon the fire. 50 Itha. I hold my head my master's hungry. I go, sir. Bar. Thus every villain ambles after wealth, Although he ne'er be richer than in hope: [Exit. But, husht! Enter ITHAMORE with the pot. Itha. Here 'tis, master. Bar. Well said, Ithamore; what, hast thou brought The ladle with thee too? 1 Old ed. "least." Itha. Yes, sir, the proverb says he that eats with the devil had need of a long spoon.1 I have brought you a ladle. Bar. Very well, Ithamore, then now be secret; That thou may'st freely live to be my heir. 60 Itha. Why, master, will you poison her with a mess of rice porridge? that will preserve life, make her round and plump, and batten more than you are aware. Bar. I, but, Ithamore, seest thou this? Itha. How, master? Bar. Thus, Ithamore. This even they use in Malta here,-'tis called Bar. Belike there is some ceremony in't. 70 80 1 A very old proverb; it is found in Chaucer's Squieres Tale, John Heywood's Proverbs, Comedy of Errors, &c. There, Ithamore, must thou go place this pot!1 Itha. Pray do, and let me help you, master. Pray let me taste first. Bar. Prythee do: what say'st thou now? Itha. Troth, master, I'm loth such a pot of pottage should be spoiled. Bar. Peace, Ithamore, 'tis better so than spared. Assure thyself thou shalt have broth by the eye.2 My purse, my coffer, and myself is thine. Itha. Well, master, I go. Bar. Stay, first let me stir it, Ithamore. That like a fiend hath left her father thus. 90 100 1 Old ed. "plot." 21.e. in abundance. Dyce compares Beaumont and Fletcher's Knight of the Burning Pestle, ii, 2:—“ Here's money and gold by th' eye, my boy." 3 Briefly. The juice of ebony (variously written "hebon" or "hebenon ") was thought to be a strong poison. Cf. Hamlet, i. 5 :— "Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial." Itha. What a blessing has he given 't! was ever pot of rice porridge so sauced! What shall I do with it? Bar. O, my sweet Ithamore, go set it down, And come again so soon as thou hast done, For I have other business for thee. Itha. Here's a drench to poison a whole stable of Flanders mares: I'll carry 't to the nuns with a powder. Bar. And the horse pestilence to boot; away. Itha. I am gone. Pay me my wages, for my work is done. [Exit. Bar. I'll pay thee with a vengeance, Ithamore. [Exit. SCENE V. Enter1 Governor, DEL BOSCO, Knights, Basso. Gov. Welcome, great Basso; 2 how fares Calymath, What wind thus drives you into Malta Road? Bas. The wind that bloweth all the world besides, Desire of gold. Gov. Desire of gold, great sir? That's to be gotten in the Western Ind: In Malta are no golden minerals. Bas. To you of Malta thus saith Calymath : 1 Scene: the Senate-house. IO 2 Old ed. "Bashaws." (I have kept the spelling "Basso" throughout.) Gov. Basso, in brief, 'shalt have no tribute here, Shall overflow it with their refluence. Bas. Well, Governor, since thou hast broke the league By flat denial of the promised tribute, Talk not of razing down your city walls, You shall not need trouble yourselves so far, For Selim Calymath shall come himself, For these intolerable wrongs of yours; Gov. Farewell: And now, ye men of Malta, look about, 20 |