Entreat the abbess to be entertained. Abig. How, as a nun? Bar. Ay, daughter, for religion Hides many mischiefs from suspicion. Abig. Ay, but, father, they will suspect me there. Abig. Thus, father, shall I much dissemble. As good dissemble that thou never mean'st, As first mean truth and then dissemble it, A counterfeit profession is better Than unseen hypocrisy.1 Abig. Well, father, say that I be entertained, What then shall follow? Bar. This shall follow then; There have I hid, close underneath the plank Bar. No, Abigail, in this It is not necessary I be seen: For I will seem offended with thee for't: 290 300 Be close, my girl, for this must fetch my gold. [They retire. Enter Friar JACOMO, Friar BARNARDINE, Abbess, and a Nun. 1 F. Jac. Sisters, we now are almost at the new-made nunnery. 1 This passage is corrupt. Abb. The better; for we love not to be seen: 'Tis thirty winters long since some of us Did stray so far amongst the multitude. F. Jac. But, madam, this house And waters of this new-made nunnery Will much delight you. Abb. It may be so; but who comes here? 310 [ABIGAIL comes forward. Abig. Grave abbess, and you, happy virgins' guide, Pity the state of a distressèd maid. Abb. What art thou, daughter? Abig. The hopeless daughter of a hapless Jew, Which they have now turned to a nunnery. Abb. Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us? Abig. Fearing the afflictions which my father feels Proceed from sin, or want of faith in us, I'd pass away my life in penitence, And be a novice in your nunnery, To make atonement for my labouring soul. 320 F. Jac. No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit. F. Barn. Ay, and of a moving spirit too, brother; but come, Let us entreat she may be entertained. Abb. Well, daughter, we admit you for a nun. Abig. First let me as a novice learn to frame My solitary life to your strait laws, And let me lodge where I was wont to lie, 1 Bullen suggests cloisters. 330 And mine own industry, but to profit much. Bar. (aside). As much, I hope, as all I hid is worth. Bar. (coming forward). Why, how now, Abigail, Bar. How! mortified? F. Jac. And is admitted to the sisterhood. Bar. Child of perdition, and thy father's shame! Abig. Father, give me Bar. Nay, back, Abigail. (And think upon the jewels and the gold; 340 [She goes to him. [Aside to ABIGAIL in a whisper. The board is markèd thus that covers it.) F. Jac. Barabas, although thou art in mischief, Bar. Blind friar, I reck not thy persuasions, (The board is markèd thus1 that covers it.) 350 [Aside to ABIGAIL in a whisper. For I had rather die than see her thus. (To-morrow early I'll be at the door.) [Aside in a whisper. 1 The original edition has † inserted here, to indicate the sign Barabas was to make. No, come not at me; if thou wilt be damned, Out, out, thou wretch ! 360 [Aside in a whisper. [Exeunt, on one side BARABAS, on the other side Friars, Abbess, Nun, and ABIGAIL; as they are going out, Enter MATHIAS. Math. Who's this? fair Abigail, the rich Jew's daughter, Become a nun! her father's sudden fall Has humbled her and brought her down to this: Tut, she were fitter for a tale of love, Than to be tired out with orisons. Enter LODOWICK. Lod. Why, how now, Don Mathias! in a dump? The strangest sight, in my opinion, That ever I beheld. Lod. What was't, I prithee? Math. A fair young maid, scarce fourteen years of age, The sweetest flower in Cytherea's field, Cropt from the pleasures of the fruitful earth, And strangely metamorphosed nun. Lod. But say, what was she? Math. Why, the rich Jew's daughter. Lod. What, Barabas, whose goods were lately seized? Is she so fair? Math. And matchless beautiful; As, had you seen her, 'twould have moved your heart, 370 Though countermined with walls of brass, to love, Or at the least to pity. Lod. And if she be so fair as you report, "Twere time well spent to go and visit her : How say you, shall we? Math. I must and will, sir; there's no remedy. Lod. And so will I too, or it shall go hard. Farewell, Mathias. Math. Farewell, Lodowick. 380 [Exeunt severally. ACT II. SCENE I.- Before BARABAS'S House, now a Nunnery. Enter BARABAS with a light. Bar. Thus, like the sad presaging raven that tolls The sick man's passport in her hollow beak, And in the shadow of the silent night O thou, that with a fiery pillar led'st The sons of Israel through the dismal shades, 10 |