University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—The Pass of Smarrimento in the Mountains near the Convent of San Paolo.—Haggai and Sadoc.
Haggai.
There's more of moonshine than enough; but here
The shadows of the rocks fall black. Ay, here,
If we stand close, he comes forthright upon us
Without a glimpse to scare him.

Sadoc.
Three to one
Were better though than two. Should Shallum fail ...
But let me whistle once again.
[Whistles.
Lo! See—
He comes.

Enter Shallum.
Shallum.
My brethren, what is here to do?
Your messenger was instant and I came;
But truly for these mountains and this pass,
I like them not, and left my purse behind.

Sadoc.
Then thou hast nought to lose.

Shallum.
Except my life.

Haggai.
And hark you! much to win. Put on this cloak;
And when thou hear'st a step, upon thy face
Pull down this mask.

Shallum.
What, what! I will not—nay!
What's this ye have in hand?

Haggai.
Hush! not so loud.
Do as I bid thee and I'll tell thee all.
Ere long a traveller will this way wend
In Friar's weeds. That traveller is the King.
He brings the gold and jewels, got from us,
For some importunate and secret end,
Ten thousand ducats worth: with some few more
Deftly bestowed, I fathomed his intent;
(Yon Nitido would give his soul for gold)
'Tis from the Convent of San Paolo,
By traffic partly and by stratagem,
To wrest a Novice for his prey, whom else
They presently should cloister. Foul design
And monstrous! which to baffle we take back
The gold that in our ignorance we gave.

Shallum.
What! Haggai, would'st thou rob the King?

Haggai.
The King?
Yea, mine own father, were it for his good.

Shallum.
But nay, the very stones of every street
Should rise and join the hue and cry amain
To catch the robbers who had robbed the King.

Haggai.
But who shall say that he was robbed?
—not he;
To tell it were not more of harm to us
Than shame to him. No, no; he'll get him home
Discomfited, and hide his face. Look up!
Be of good courage; make a cheerful noise
Unto the God of Jacob; verily
I tell thee, when God put it in my heart
To think this thing, and that the gems and gold
At noon that left us should come back at night,
I was as one rejoicing in his own;
I skippéd like a ram.

Shallum.
I like not this;
I am an aged man; I am not bold
As one that gets his living on the road
With the strong hand.

Sadoc.
Hark!

Haggai.
Shallum, stand up here.

Shallum.
I cannot; my flesh trembleth—nay I cannot;
My belly cleaveth to the ground.

Sadoc.
Then, lo!
Get thee up yonder, and when we fall on,
Jump thou from rock to rock, and here cry “Ho!”
And there cry “Ha!” and “Smite him” on the right,
And “throttle him” on the left, that thou which art
But half a man, shall seem as thou wert ten.

Shallum.
Yea, I will get up yonder; I will jump.

Haggai.
Begone then, for I hear a step. Begone.

[Shallum climbs up the rocks.
The King enters, and is assailed by Haggai and Sadoc, with cries of “Booty! booty! Kill him! cut his throat! What! wilt thou? What! wilt thou? What! ten to one and stand out!” whilst Shallum shouts from the rocks overhead. Then enters Silisco.
Silisco.
What's here! a murder? Villains, take ye that.

[Stabs Haggai, who falls. Sadoc and Shallum fly.
Haggai.
I'm slain, slain, slain! Oh, woe is me! I die.
Oh, Sadoc, Shallum, cowards, traitors, knaves!
No manhood in you, none! I die, I die.

[Dies.
Silisco.
Sadoc and Shallum! As I live, this wretch
Is Haggai, the old Jew.

The King.
(taking the mask from the face).
Brave Pilgrim, yes;
I knew him, and 'tis he. But who art thou
To whom I owe my all unworthy life?

Silisco.
My name is Buonaiuto. Sir, for yours,
I am not so undutiful to ask
What, if the moonlight and my erring ears
Beguile me not, I may be bold to guess,
You loth to speak.

The King.
Sir, if you know me, this
You likewise know, that deep as is my debt
For this your service, I have power to pay.
Name what you will.

Silisco.
My Lord, when next we meet
It may be I shall ask you to remember
The business of to-night.

The King.
Meanwhile, good friend,
Be secret. In my tustle with those knaves
I got some hurts and strains. I pray you, Sir,
To help me hence, and find me, if you can,
A horse to take me to Palermo. So.
I walk but clumsily. I thank you. So.