SCENE I.

_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._