who should confess?

FERNEZE. Thou and thy Turk; 'twas that slew my son.

ITHAMORE. Guilty, my lord, I confess. Your son and Mathias
were both contracted unto Abigail: [he] forged a counterfeit
challenge.

BARABAS. Who carried that challenge?

ITHAMORE.
I carried it, I confess; but who writ it? marry, even he that
strangled Barnardine, poisoned the nuns and his own daughter.

FERNEZE. Away with him! his sight is death to me.

BARABAS. For what, you men of Malta? hear me speak.
She is a courtezan, and he a thief,
And he my bondman: let me have law;
For none of this can prejudice my life.

FERNEZE. Once more, away with him!--You shall have law.

BARABAS. Devils, do your worst!--I['ll] live in spite of you.--
[Aside.]
As these have spoke, so be it to their souls!--
I hope the poison'd flowers will work anon.
[Aside.]
[Exeunt OFFICERS with BARABAS and ITHAMORE; BELLAMIRA,
and PILIA-BORZA.]

Enter KATHARINE.

KATHARINE. Was my Mathias murder'd by the Jew?
Ferneze, 'twas thy son that murder'd him.

FERNEZE. Be patient, gentle madam: it was he;
He forg'd the daring challenge made them fight.

KATHARINE. Where is the Jew? where is that murderer?

FERNEZE. In prison, till the law has pass'd on him.

Re-enter FIRST OFFICER.

FIRST OFFICER. My lord, the courtezan and her man are dead;
So is the Turk and Barabas the Jew.

FERNEZE. Dead!

FIRST OFFICER. Dead, my lord, and here they bring his body.

MARTIN DEL BOSCO. This sudden death of his is very strange.

Re-enter OFFICERS, carrying BARABAS as dead.

FERNEZE. Wonder not at it, sir; the heavens are just;
Their deaths were like their lives; then think not of 'em.--
Since they are dead, let them be buried:
For the Jew's body, throw that o'er the walls,
To be a prey for vultures and wild beasts.--
So, now away and fortify the town.

Exeunt all, leaving BARABAS on the floor. [181]

BARABAS. [rising] What, all alone! well fare, sleepy drink!
I'll be reveng'd on this accursed town;
For by my means Calymath shall enter in:
I'll help to slay their children and their wives,
To fire the churches, pull their houses down,
Take my goods too, and seize upon my lands.
I hope to