Scene
III
Enter Friar Jacomo.
Friar Jacomo
This is the hour wherein I shall proceed;
O happy hour wherein I shall convert
An infidel, and bring his gold into our treasury!
But soft, is not this Barnardine? it is;
And, understanding I should come this way,
Stands here a purpose, meaning me some wrong,
And intercept my going to the Jew.—
Barnardine!
Wilt thou not speak? thou think’st I see thee not;
Away, I’d wish thee, and let me go by:
No, wilt thou not? nay, then, I’ll force my way;
And see, a staff stands ready for the purpose:
As thou lik’st that, stop me another time.
Takes the staff, and strikes down the body, which falls down.
Enter Barabas and Ithamore.
Barabas
Why, how now, Jacomo, what hast thou done?
Friar Jacomo
Why, stricken him that would have struck at me.
Barabas
Who is it? Barnardine! now out, alas, he’s slain!
Ithamore
Ay, master, he’s slain; look how his brains drop out on’s nose.
Friar Jacomo
Good sirs, I have done’t, but nobody knows it but you two—I may escape.
Barabas
So might my man and I hang with you for company.
Ithamore
No, let us bear him to the magistrates.
Friar Jacomo
Good Barabas, let me go.
Barabas
No, pardon me; the law must have his course
I must be forced to give in evidence,
That being importuned by this Barnardine
To be a Christian, I shut him out,
And there he sat: now I, to keep my word,
And give my goods and substance to your house,
Was up thus early, with intent to go
Unto your friary, because you stayed.
Ithamore
Fie upon ’em! master; will you turn Christian, when holy friars turn devils and murder one another?
Barabas
No, for this example I’ll remain a Jew:
Heaven bless me! what, a friar a murderer?
When shall you see a Jew commit the like?
Ithamore
Why, a Turk could ha’ done no more.
Barabas
To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it.
Come, Ithamore, let’s help to take him hence.
Friar Jacomo
Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not.
Barabas
The law shall touch you, we’ll but lead you, we:
’Las, I could weep at your calamity!
Take in the staff too, for that must be shown:
Law wills that each particular be known.
Exeunt.