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, But first go fetch me in the pot of rice 40 50 Itha. (aside). 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! Re-enter ITHAMORE with the pot. Itha. Here 'tis, master. Bar. Well said, Ithamore; what, hast thou brought The ladle with thee too? Itha. Yes, sir, the proverb1 says he that eats with the devil had need of a long spoon. I have brought you a ladle. Bar. Very well, Ithamore, then now be secret; And for thy sake, whom I so dearly love, Now shalt thou see the death of Abigail, That thou may'st freely live to be my heir. 60 1 This proverb is found in Chaucer's Squiere's Tale, in A Comedy of Errors, etc. 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. Ay, but, Ithamore, seest thou this? Bar. Thus, Ithamore. 20 70 This even they use in Malta here, Saint Jacques' Even, and then I say they use To send their alms into the nunneries: Bar. Belike there is some ceremony in't. 89 Itha. Pray do, and let me help you, master. Pray let me taste first. Bar. Prythee do (ITHAMORE tastes): 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,1 My purse, my coffer, and myself is thine. 1 In abundance. 90 Itha. Well, master, I go. Bar. Stay, first let me stir it, Ithamore. 2 That like a fiend hath left her father thus. 100 Itha. (aside). 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. 110 Itha. Here's a drench to poison a whole stable of Flan ders 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. Bar. I'll pay thee with a vengeance, Ithamore. [Exit. [Exit. Enter FERNEZE, MARTIN DEL Bosco, Knights, and Basso Fern. Welcome, great basso; how fares Calymath? What wind drives you thus into Malta-road? Bas. The wind that bloweth all the world besides, Desire of gold. 1 In short. 2 The juice of ebony, regarded as a deadly poison. Fern. 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: Fern. Basso, in brief, 'shalt have no tribute here, Whose billows beating the resistless 1 banks, Shall overflow it with their refluence. ΤΟ Bas. Well, Governor, since thou hast broke the league 20 By flat denial of the promised tribute, Talk not of razing down your city walls, You shall not need trouble yourselves so far, And with brass bullets batter down your towers, For these intolerable wrongs of yours; Fern. Farewell: And now, ye men of Malta, look about, 1 Unable to resist. [Exit Basso. 30 2 Immense cannon. And naught is to be looked for now but wars, [Exeunt. F. Jac. O, brother, brother, all the nuns are sick, And physic will not help them: they must die. F. Barn. The abbess sent for me to be confessed: O, what a sad confession will there be ! F. Jac. And so did fair Maria send for me: I'll to her lodging: hereabouts she lies. Enter ABIGAIL. F. Barn. What, all dead, save only Abigail? F. Barn. O, he is gone to see the other nuns. Chaste, and devout, much sorrowing for my sins; F. Barn. What then? Abig. I did offend high Heaven so grievously, As I am almost desperate for my sins: And one offence torments me more than all. You knew Mathias and Don Lodowick? F. Barn. Yes, what of them? Abig. My father did contract me to 'em both : First to Don Lodowick; him I never loved; [Exit. IC 20 |