Itha. 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 [120] 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. This is the gentleman you writ to.41
Itha. Gentleman! he flouts me; what gentry can be in a poor Turk of tenpence? [121] I'll be gone. [Aside.
Bell. Is't not a sweet-faced youth, Pilia?
Itha. Again, "sweet youth;" [Aside]—did not you, sir, bring the sweet youth a letter?
Pilia. I did, sir, and from this gentlewoman, who, as myself, and the rest of the family, stand or fall at your service.
Bell. Though woman's modesty should hale me back,51 I can withhold no longer; welcome, sweet love.
Itha. Now am I clean, or rather foully out of the way. [Aside.
Bell. Whither so soon?
Itha. I'll go steal some money from my master to make me handsome [Aside]:
Pray pardon me, I must go and see a ship discharged.
Bell. Canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus?