MALATESTA. Keep Guido in your eye; And if you see him looking over-long On any weakness of our walls, just file Your bulkiest fellows round him; or get up A scuffle with the people; anything-- Even if you break a head or two--to draw His vision off. But where our strength is great, Take heed to make him see it. You conceive?
CAPTAIN. Trust me, my lord. [_Exit with_ GUARDS.
PEPE. Room, room! A hall; a hall! I pray you, good man, has the funeral passed?
PEPE. Pepe of Padua, A learned doctor of uncivil law.
PEPE. You are weak of wit. Francesca of Ravenna's borne to church, And never issues thence.
PEPE. Now, for a citizen of Rimini, You're sadly dull. Does she not issue thence Fanny of Rimini? A glorious change,-- kind of resurrection in the flesh!
MALATESTA. [_Laughing._] Ha! ha! thou cunning villain! I was caught. I own it, doctor.
PEPE. [_Aside._] This old fool would laugh To see me break a straw, because the bits Were of unequal lengths. My character Carries more dulness, in the guise of wit, Than would suffice to break an ass's back.
Hark! here comes Jeptha's daughter, jogging on With timbrels and with dances.
MALATESTA. [_Laughing._] Ho! ho! You'll burst my belt! O! you outrageous wretch, To jest at Scripture!
PEPE. You outlandish heathen, Tis not in Scripture!
PEPE. No more Than you are in heaven. Mere Hebrew history. She went up to the mountains, to bewail The too-long keeping of her honesty. There's woman for you! there's a character! What man would ever think of such a thing? Ah! we of Rimini have little cause For such a sorrow. Would she'd been my wife! I'll marry any woman in her case.
PEPE. Why? because, in two months' time, Along comes father Jeptha with his knife, And there's an end. Where is your sacrifice? Where's Isaac, Abraham? Build your altar up: One pile will do for both.
PEPE. Then I'm a ram, and you may slaughter me In Isaac's stead.
MALATESTA. Here comes the vanguard. Where, Where is that laggard?
PEPE. At the mirror, uncle, Making himself look beautiful. He comes, [_Looking out._] Fresh as a bridegroom! Mark his doublet's fit Across the shoulders, and his hose!-- By Jove, he nearly looks like any other man!
MALATESTA. You'd best not let him hear you. Sirrah, knave, I have a mind to swinge you! [_Seizes his ear._