; whom I saluted with an old hempen proverb,
Hodie tibi, cras mihi, and so I left him to the mercy of the
hangman: but, the exercise [149] being done, see where he comes.

Enter ITHAMORE.

ITHAMORE. I never knew a man take his death so patiently as
this friar; he was ready to leap off ere the halter was about
his neck; and, when the hangman had put on his hempen tippet,
he made such haste to his prayers, as if he had had another
cure to serve. Well, go whither he will, I'll be none of his
followers in haste: and, now I think on't, going to the
execution, a fellow met me with a muschatoes [150] like a raven's
wing, and a dagger with a hilt like a warming-pan; and he gave
me a letter from one Madam Bellamira, saluting me in such sort
as if he had meant to make clean my boots with his lips; the
effect was, that I should come to her house: I wonder what the
reason is; it may be she sees more in me than I can find in
myself; for she writes further, that she loves me ever since she
saw me; and who would not requite such love? Here's her house;
and here she comes; and now would I were gone! I am not worthy
to look upon her.

PILIA-BORZA. This is the gentleman you writ to.

ITHAMORE. Gentleman! he flouts me: what gentry can be in a poor
Turk of tenpence? [151] I'll be gone.
[Aside.]

BELLAMIRA. Is't not a sweet-faced youth, Pilia?

ITHAMORE. Again, sweet youth! [Aside.]--Did not you, sir, bring
the sweet youth a letter?

PILIA-BORZA. I did, sir, and from this gentlewoman, who, as
myself and the rest of the family, stand or fall at your service.

BELLAMIRA. Though woman's modesty should hale me back,
I can withhold no longer: welcome, sweet love.

ITHAMORE. Now am I clean, or rather foully, out of the way.
[Aside.]

BELLAMIRA. Whither so soon?

ITHAMORE. I'll go steal some money from my master to make me
handsome [Aside].--Pray, pardon me; I must go see a ship
discharged.

BELLAMIRA. Canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus?

PILIA-BORZA. An ye did but know how she loves you, sir!

ITHAMORE. Nay, I care not how much she loves me.--Sweet
Bellamira, would I had my master's wealth for thy sake!

PILIA-BORZA. And you can have it, sir, an if you please.

ITHAMORE. If 'twere above gro