SCENE II.

_Enter_[113] 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.

_Bar._ No, 'tis 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 _makes a noose in his girdle. They put it round the_ Friar's _neck._ Friar, awake!

_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[114] my life? 20

_Bar._ Pull hard, I say; you would have had my goods.

_Itha._ I, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. [_They strangle him._ 'Tis neatly done, sir, here's no print at all.

_Bar._ Then it is as it should be; take him up.

_Itha._ Nay, master, be ruled by me a little[_Stands up the body_]; so, let him lean upon his staff; excellent! he stands as if he were begging of bacon.

_Bar._ Who would not think but that this friar lived? What time o' night is't now, sweet Ithamore?

_Itha._ Towards one. 30

_Bar._ Then will not Jacomo be long from hence. [_Exeunt._