Enter MATHIAS and his Mother KATHERINE. Math. What makes the Jew and Lodowick so private? 140 (Aside) I fear me 'tis about fair Abigail. Bar. Yonder comes Don Mathias, let us stay ;1 1 [Exit LODOWICK. He loves my daughter, and she holds him dear: Kath. This Moor is comeliest, is he not? speak, son. When you have brought her home, come to my house; 150 Think of me as thy father; son, farewell. Math. But wherefore talked Don Lodowick with you? Bar. Tush! man, we talked of diamonds, not of Abigail. Kath. Tell me, Mathias, is not that the Jew? Bar. As for the comment on the Maccabees, I have it, sir, and 'tis at your command. Math. Yes, madam, and my talk with him was but About the borrowing of a book or two. Kath. Converse not with him, he's cast off from heaven. Thou hast thy crowns, fellow; come, let's away. Math. Sirrah, Jew, remember the book. Bar. Marry will I, sir. 160 [Exeunt MATHIAS and his Mother. Off. Come, I have made reasonable market; let's away. [Exeunt Officers with Slaves. Bar. Now let me know thy name, and therewithal Thy birth, condition, and profession. 1 Break off our conversation. Itha. Faith, sir, my birth is but mean: my name's Bar. Hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear, But to thyself smile when the Christians moan. And now and then, to cherish Christian thieves, 3 There I enriched the priests with burials, And in the wars 'twixt France and Germany, And with extorting, cozening, forfeiting, 170 180 190 1 Barabas was represented with a large false nose. So Rowley, in his Search for Money (1609), alludes to the "artificiall Jewe of Maltaes nose." 2 In Titus Andronicus (v, 1,) there is a similar catalogue of villanies. 8 Use. I filled the jails with bankrupts in a year, But mark how I am blest for plaguing them; But tell me now, how hast thou spent thy time? In setting Christian villages on fire, Chaining of eunuchs, binding galley-slaves. And in the night-time secretly would I steal To travellers' chambers, and there cut their throats : I strewed powder on the marble stones, And therewithal their knees would rankle so, Bar. Why this is something: make account of me Both circumcised, we hate Christians both : Enter LODOWICK.2 Lod. O Barbaras, well met; Where is the diamond you told me of? 1 Heartily. 200 210 220 2 Dyce suggests that the scene is shifted to the outside of Barabas's house. Bar. I have it for you, sir; please you walk in with me: What ho, Abigail! open the door, I say. Enter ABIGAIL with letters. Abig. In good time, father; here are letters come From Ormus, and the post stays here within. Bar. Give me the letters. Daughter, do you hear, With all the courtesy you can afford; I am a little busy, sir, pray pardon me. 230 Abig. For your sake and his own he's welcome hither. Bar. (aside). Daughter, a word more; kiss him; speak him fair, And like a cunning Jew so cast about, That ye be both made sure1ere you come out. Abig. O father! Don Mathias is my love. Bar. (aside). I know it: yet I say, make love to him; Do, it is requisite it should be so Nay, on my life, it is my factor's hand But go you in, I'll think upon the account. 240 [Exeunt ABIGAIL and LODOWICK into the house. The account is made, for Lodowick he dies, My factor sends me word a merchant's fled That owes me for a hundred tun of wine: I weigh it thus much (snapping his fingers); I have wealth enough. For now by this has he kissed Abigail; 1 Betrothed. And she vows love to him, and he to her. As sure as Heaven rained manna for the Jews, His father was my chiefest enemy. Enter MATHIAS. Whither goes Don Mathias? stay awhile. Math. Whither, but to my fair love Abigail? 250 Bar. Thou know'st, and Heaven can witness this is true, That I intend my daughter shall be thine. Math. Ay, Barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much. .Bar. O, Heaven forbid I should have such a thought. Pardon me though I weep: the governor's son Will, whether I will or no, have Abigail : He sends her letters, bracelets, jewels, rings. Math. Does she receive them? Bar. She? No, Mathias, no, but sends them back, And when he comes, she locks herself up fast ; Yet through the keyhole will he talk to her, When you should come and hale him from the door. Bar. Even now as I came home, he slipt me in, Math. I'll rouse him thence. 260 Bar. Not for all Malta, therefore sheathe your sword; 270 If you love me, no quarrels in my house; But steal you in, and seem to see him not; I'll give him such a warning ere he goes |