_Bar._ No, pardon me; the law must have its course. I must be forced to give in evidence, That being importuned by this Barnardine To be a Christian, I shut him out, And there he sat: now I, to keep my word, 30 And give my goods and substance to your house, Was up thus early; with intent to go Unto your friary, because you stayed. _Itha._ Fie upon 'em, master; will you turn Christian when holy friars turn devils and murder one another? _Bar._ No, for this example I'll remain a Jew: Heaven bless me; what! a friar a murderer? When shall you see a Jew commit the like? _Itha._ Why, a Turk could ha' done no more. _Bar._ To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it. 40 Come, Ithamore, let's help to take him hence. _F. Jac._ Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not. _Bar._ The law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we: 'Las I could weep at your calamity. Take in the staff too, for that must be shown: Law wills that each particular be known. [_Exeunt._ SCENE IV. _Enter_[117] BELLAMIRA _and_ PILIA-BORSA. _Bell._ Pilia-Borsa, did'st thou meet with Ithamore? _Pilia._ I did. _Bell._ And didst thou deliver my letter? _Pilia._ I did. _Bell._ And what think'st thou? will he come? _Pilia._ I think so, but yet I cannot tell; for at the reading of the letter he look'd like a man of another world. _Bell._ Why so? _Pilia._ That such a base slave as he should be saluted by such a tall man as I am, from such a beautiful dame as you. 12 _Bell._ And what said he? _Pilia._ Not a wise word, only gave me a nod, as who should say, "Is it even so;" and so I left him, being driven to a non-plus at the critical aspect of my terrible countenance. _Bell._ And where didst meet him? _Pilia._ Upon mine own freehold, within forty feet of the gallows, conning his neck-verse,[118] I take it, looking of a friar's execution, 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[119] being done, see where he comes. 24 _Enter_ ITHAMORE.