SCENE I.
Reading edition
Enter [77] Bellamira, a courtesan. Bell. Since this town was besieged, my gain grows cold: The time has been that, but for one bare night, A hundred ducats have been freely given: But now against my will I must be chaste; And yet I know my beauty doth not fail. From Venice merchants, and from Padua Were wont to come rare-witted gentlemen, Scholars I mean, learnèd and liberal; And now, save Pilia-Borza, comes there none, And he is very seldom from my house;10 And here he comes. Enter Pilia-Borza. Pilia. Hold thee, wench, there's something for thee to spend. Bell. 'Tis silver. I disdain it. Pilia. I, but the Jew has gold, And I will have it, or it shall go hard. Court. Tell me, how cam'st thou by this?
Pilia. 'Faith, walking the back lanes, through the gardens, I chanced to cast mine eye up to the Jew's counting-house, where I saw some bags of money, and in the night I clambered up with my hooks, and, as I was taking my choice, I heard a rumbling in the house; so I took only this, and run my way: but here's the Jew's man.
24 Bell. Hide the bag. Enter Ithamore.
Pilia. Look not towards him, let's away: zoon's, what a looking thou keep'st; thou'lt betray 's anon. [Exeunt Courtesan and Pilia-Borza.
Itha. O the sweetest face that ever I beheld! I know she is a courtesan by her attire: now would I give a hundred of the Jew's crowns that I had such a concubine. Well,31 I have delivered the challenge in such sort, As meet they will, and fighting die; brave sport.
[Exit.