Act 4 — [Scene II.][556]
Reading edition
[Scene II.][556]
Enter [Barabas and] Ithamore.
Bar. Ithamore, tell me, is the friar asleep? Itha. 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.5 Bar. No, ’t is an order which the friars use. Yet, if he knew our meanings, could he scape? Itha. No, none can hear him, cry he ne’er so loud. Bar. Why, true, therefore did I place him there. The other chambers open towards the street.10 Itha. You loiter, master; wherefore stay we thus? O how I long to see him shake his heels. Bar. Come on, sirrah. Off with your girdle, make a handsome noose. [Ithamore takes off his girdle and ties a noose in it.] Friar, awake!15 [They put the noose round the Friar’s neck.] F. Barn. What, do you mean to strangle me? Itha. Yes, ’cause you use to confess.
Bar. Blame not us but the proverb, “Confess and be hanged.” Pull hard!
F. Barn. What, will you [have][557] my life?20
Bar. Pull hard, I say.—You would have had my goods.
Itha. Ay, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. [They strangle him.] ’T is neatly done, sir, here ’s no print at all.
Bar. Then is it as it should be; take him up.
Itha. Nay, master, be rul’d by me a little,25 [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.[558]
Bar. Who would not think but that this friar liv’d?30 What time o’ night is’t now, sweet Ithamore? Itha. Towards one. Bar. Then will not Jacomo be long from hence. [Exeunt.]