“A captive to my sword and to my lance, noble Captain,” replied the Clerk of Copmanhurst ; “to my bow and to my halberd, I should rather say; and yet I have redeemed him by my divinity from a worse captivity. Speak, Jew⁠—have I not ransomed thee from Sathanas?⁠—have I not taught thee thy credo, thy pater, and thine Ave Maria?⁠—Did I not spend the whole night in drinking to thee, and in expounding of mysteries?”

“For the love of God!” ejaculated the poor Jew, “will no one take me out of the keeping of this mad⁠—I mean this holy man?”

“How’s this, Jew?” said the Friar, with a menacing aspect; “dost thou recant, Jew?⁠—Bethink thee, if thou dost relapse into thine infidelity, though thou are not so tender as a suckling pig⁠—I would I had one to break my fast upon⁠—thou art not too tough to be roasted! Be conformable, Isaac, and repeat the words after me. Ave Maria!⁠—”