[_Exeunt_. _Enter the Judge of Turkey with_ GERONTUS _and_ MERCATORE. [JUDGE.] Sir Gerontus, because you are the plaintiff, you first your mind shall say. Declare the cause you did arrest this merchant yesterday. GERONTUS. Then, learned judge, attend. This Mercatore, whom you see in place, Did borrow two thousand ducats of me but for a five weeks' space: Then, sir, before the day came, by his flattery he obtained one thousand more, And promis'd me at two[221] months' end I should receive my store: But before the time expired, he was closely fled away, So that I never heard of him at least this two years' day, Till at the last I met with him, and my money did demand, Who sware to me at five days' end he would pay me out of hand. The five days came, and three days more, then one day he requested: I, perceiving that he flouted me, have got him thus arrested. And now he comes in Turkish weeds to defeat me of my money, But, I trow, he will not forsake his faith: I deem he hath more honesty. JUDGE. Sir Gerontus, you know, if any man forsake his faith, king, country, and become a Mahomet, All debts are paid: 'tis the law of our realm, and you may not gainsay it. GERONTUS. Most true, reverend judge, we may not; nor I will not against our laws grudge. JUDGE. Signor Mercatore, is this true that Gerontus doth tell? MERCATORE. My lord judge, de matter and de circumstance be true, me know well; But me will be a Turk, and for dat cause me came here. JUDGE. Then, it is but folly to make many words.--Signor Mercatore, draw near: Lay your hand upon this book, and say after me. MERCATORE. With a good will, my lord judge; me be all ready. GERONTUS. Not for any devotion, but for Lucre's sake of my money. JUDGE. [MERCATORE _repeating after him_.] Say: I, Mercatore, do utterly renounce before all the world my duty to my Prince, my honour to my parents, and my good-will to my country.-- Furthermore, I protest and swear to be true to this country during life, and thereupon I forsake my Christian faith---- GERONTUS. Stay there, most puissant judge.--Signor Mercatore, consider what you do: Pay me the principal; as for the interest, I forgive it you. And yet the interest is allowed amongst you Christians, as well as in Turkey: Therefore, respect your faith, and do not seek[222] to deceive me. MERCATORE. No point da interest, no point da principal.[223] GERONTUS. Then pay me the one half, if you will not pay me all. MERCATORE. No point da half, no point denier: me will be a Turk, I say. Me be weary of my Christ's religion, and for dat me come away. GERONTUS. Well, seeing it is so, I would be loth to hear the people say, it was 'long of me Thou forsakest thy faith: wherefore I forgive thee frank and free; Protesting before the judge and all the world never to demand penny nor halfpenny. MERCATORE. O sir Gerontus, me take a your proffer, and tank you most heartily.