Scene + 

II + 

Enter Barabas and Ithamore. + 

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 have 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. + 

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. + 