Volume II Part 7 (2/2)
_Lod._ Good Barabas, glance not at our holy nuns.
_Bar._ No, but I do it through a burning zeal,-- Hoping ere long to set the house afire; 90 For though they do a while increase and multiply, I'll have a saying to[58] that nunnery.-- [_Aside._ As for the diamond, sir, I told you of, Come home and there's no price shall make us part, Even for your honourable father's sake.-- It shall go hard but I will see your death.-- [_Aside._ But now I must be gone to buy a slave.
_Lod._ And, Barabas, I'll bear thee company.
_Bar._ Come then--here's the market-place.
What's the price of this slave? Two hundred crowns!
Do the Turks weigh so much? 100
_1 Off._ Sir, that's his price.
_Bar._ What, can he steal that you demand so much?
Belike he has some new trick for a purse; And if he has, he is worth three hundred plates,[59]
So that, being bought, the town-seal might be got To keep him for his lifetime from the gallows: The sessions day is critical to thieves, And few or none 'scape but by being purged.
_Lod._ Rat'st thou this Moor but at two hundred plates?
_1 Off._ No more, my lord. 110
_Bar._ Why should this Turk be dearer than that Moor?
_1 Off._ Because he is young and has more qualities.
_Bar._ What, hast the philosopher's stone? and thou hast, break my head with it, I'll forgive thee.
_Slave._[60] No, sir; I can cut and shave.
_Bar._ Let me see, sirrah, are you not an old shaver?[61]
_Slave._[62] Alas, sir! I am a very youth.
_Bar._ A youth? I'll buy you, and marry you to Lady Vanity,[63] if you do well.
_Slave._ I will serve you, sir. 120
_Bar._ 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._ I, pa.s.sing well.
_Bar._ So much the worse; I must have one that's sickly, and 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.
_1 Off._ Here's a leaner, how like you him?
_Bar._ Where wast thou born? 130
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