slave.

LODOWICK. And, Barabas, I'll bear thee company.

BARABAS. Come, then; here's the market-place.--
What's the price of this slave? two hundred crowns! do the Turks
weigh so much?

FIRST OFFICER. Sir, that's his price.

BARABAS. What, can he steal, that you demand so much?
Belike he has some new trick for a purse;
An if he has, he is worth three hundred plates, [72]
So that, being bought, the town-seal might be got
To keep him for his life-time from the gallows:
The sessions-day is critical to thieves,
And few or none scape but by being purg'd.

LODOWICK. Rat'st thou this Moor but at two hundred plates?

FIRST OFFICER. No more, my lord.

BARABAS. Why should this Turk be dearer than that Moor?

FIRST OFFICER. Because he is young, and has more qualities.

BARABAS. What, hast the philosopher's stone? an thou hast, break
my head with it, I'll forgive thee.

SLAVE. [73] No, sir; I can cut and shave.

BARABAS. Let me see, sirrah; are you not an old shaver?

SLAVE. Alas, sir, I am a very youth!

BARABAS. A youth! I'll buy you, and marry you to Lady Vanity, [74]
if you do well.

SLAVE. I will serve you, sir.

BARABAS. Some wicked trick or other: it may be, under colour
of shaving, thou'lt cut my throat for my goods. Tell me,
hast thou thy health well?

SLAVE. Ay, passing well.

BARABAS. So much the worse: I must have one that's sickly, an't
be but for sparing victuals: 'tis not a stone of beef a-day
will maintain you in these chops.--Let me see one that's
somewhat leaner.

FIRST OFFICER. Here's a leaner; how like you him?

BARABAS. Where wast thou born?

ITHAMORE. In Thrace; brought up in Arabia.

BARABAS. So much the better; thou art for my turn.
An hundred crowns? I'll have him; there's the coin.
[Gives money.]

FIRST OFFICER. Then mark him, sir, and take him hence.

BARABAS. Ay, mark him, you were best; for this is he
That by my help shall do much villany.--
[Aside.]
My lord, farewell.--Come, sirrah; you are mine.--
As for the diamond, it shall be yours:
I pray, sir, be no stranger at my house;
All that I have shall be at your command.

Enter MATHIAS and KATHARINE. [75]

MATHIAS. What make the Jew and Lodowick so private?
I