The Jew of Malta · Act IV · Scene II

Scene II
Enter Barabas and Ithamore.66
Barabas Ithamore, tell me, is the friar asleep?
Ithamore Yes; and I know not what the reason is Do what I can he will not strip himself, Nor go to bed, but sleeps in his own clothes; I fear me he mistrusts what we intend.
Barabas No; ’tis an order which the friars use: Yet, if he knew our meanings, could he ’scape?
Ithamore No, none can hear him, cry he ne’er so loud.
Barabas Why, true, therefore did I place him there: The other chambers open towards the street.
Ithamore You loiter, master; wherefore stay we thus? O, how I long to see him shake his heels!
Barabas Come on, sirrah. Off with your girdle, make a handsome noose. Ithamore takes off his girdle, and ties a noose on it. Friar, awake! *They put the noose round the Friar’s* neck.
Friar Barnadine What, do you mean to strangle me?
Ithamore Yes, ’cause you use to confess.
Barabas Blame not us, but the proverb, Confess and be hanged; pull hard.
Friar Barnadine What, will you have67 my life?
Barabas Pull hard, I say; you would have had my goods.
Ithamore Ay, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. They strangle him. ’Tis neatly done, sir, here’s no print at all.
Barabas Then is it as it should be; take him up.
Ithamore Nay, master, be ruled by me a little. Stands the body upright against the wall, and puts a staff in its hand. So, let him lean upon his staff; excellent! he stands as if he were begging of bacon.68
Barabas Who would not think but that this friar lived? What time o’ night is’t now, sweet Ithamore?
Ithamore Towards one.
Barabas Then will not Jacomo be long from hence.
Exeunt.