2
the outlaw.
Jail, But wilt thou swear?—[aside.] What oath can hold a robber?—What pledge givest thou of this forthcoming ransom'?
Hel. My word.
Jail. A goodly pledge, no doubt, and one most worthy; but———
Hel. Old man, I am an outlaw; yet I bear
A heart that throbs as thine hath never throbb'd;
And were my life a ransom for the falsehood,
I would, upon the scaffold, lay it down,
Rather than sully it—by a base lie!
Jail. Well, well! no need to put thee in a passion.
Five thousand marks are set upon thy head—
But that the soldiers who entrapp'd thee 'll share:—
So then, if thou wilt promise me, most truly,
To pay six thousand marks into my hands,
Three days at farthest, after thy release,
Our bargain's made.
Hel. I promise thee: Come, come, knock off the fetters!
Hel. My word.
Jail. A goodly pledge, no doubt, and one most worthy; but———
Hel. Old man, I am an outlaw; yet I bear
A heart that throbs as thine hath never throbb'd;
And were my life a ransom for the falsehood,
I would, upon the scaffold, lay it down,
Rather than sully it—by a base lie!
Jail. Well, well! no need to put thee in a passion.
Five thousand marks are set upon thy head—
But that the soldiers who entrapp'd thee 'll share:—
So then, if thou wilt promise me, most truly,
To pay six thousand marks into my hands,
Three days at farthest, after thy release,
Our bargain's made.
Hel. I promise thee: Come, come, knock off the fetters!
