ITHA. In Thrace; brought up in Arabia. BAR. So much the better, thou art for my turn, An hundred crowns, I'll have him; there's the coin. 1 OFF. Then mark him, sir, and take him hence. BAR. Aye, mark him, you were best, for this is he That by my help shall do much villany. I pray, sir, be no stranger at my house, MATH. What makes the Jew and Lodowick so private ? I fear me 'tis about fair Abigail. BAR. Yonder comes Don Mathias, let us stay; He loves my daughter, and she holds him dear: But I have sworn to frustrate both their hopes, And be reveng'd upon the governor. MOTH. This Moor is comeliest, is he not? speak son. MATH. No, this is the better, mother, view this well. BAR. Seem not to know me here before your mother Lest she mistrust the match that is in hand : When you have brought her home, come to my house; Think of me as thy father; son, farewell. MATH. But wherefore talk'd Don Lodowick with you? BAR. Tush! man, we talk'd of diamonds, not of Abigail. MOTH. 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 About the borrowing of a book or two. MOTH. Converse not with him, he is cast off from heaven. Thou hast thy crowns, fellow, come let's away. MATH. Sirrah, Jew, remember the book. BAR. Marry will I, sir. [Exeunt. OFF. Come, I have made a reasonable market, let's away: BAR. Now let me know thy name, and therewithal Thy birth, condition, and profession. ITHA. Faith, sir, my birth is but mean, my name's Ithamore, My profession what you please. BAR. Hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, And I will teach thee that shall stick by thee: Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear, ITHA. O brave master, I worship your nose for this." BAR. As for myself, I walk abroad a nights There I enrich'd the priests with burials, With digging graves and ringing dead men's knells: And in the wars 'twixt France and Germany, But mark how I am blest for plaguing them, *The Jew, it appears from Rowley's Search for Money, 1609, was represented on the stage with a large nose. VOL. I. 15 I have as much coin as will buy the town. But tell me now, how hast thou spent thy time? ITHA. 'Faith, master, in setting Christian villages on fire, Chaining of eunuchs, binding galley-slaves. And in the night time secretly would I steal BAR. Why this is something: make account of me As of thy fellow; we are villains both: Both circumcised, we hate Christians both: LOD. Oh Barabas well met; where is the diamond You told me of? BAR. I have it for you, sir; please you walk in with me: What, ho, Abigail; open the door I say. Enter ABIGAIL. 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? Entertain Lodowick the governor's son With all the courtesy you can afford; Provided, that you keep your maiden-head. Dissemble, swear, protest, vow to love him, [Aside. ABIG. For your sake and his own he's welcome hither. BAR. Daughter, a word more; kiss him, speak him fair, And like a cunning Jew so cast about, [Aside That ye be both made sure e'er you come out. But go you in, I'll think upon the account. [Exeunt Abigail and Lodowick. The account is inade, for Lodowick dies. And she vows love to him, and he to her. His father was my chiefest enemy. Whither goes Don Mathias? stay awhile. Enter MATHIAS. MATH. Whither, but to my fair love Abigail? |