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. 3 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. 3 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 circumcisèd, 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, Entertain Lodowick the governor's son 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, 1 That ye be both made sure 1 ere 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 ; While she runs to the window looking out, When you should come and hale him from the door. Bar. Even now as I came home, he slipt me in, And I am sure he is with Abigail. If Math. I'll rouse him thence. 260 Bar. Not for all Malta, therefore sheathe your sword; 270 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 As he shall have small hopes of Abigail. Re-enter LODOWICK and ABIGAIL. Math. What, hand in hand! I cannot suffer this. [Exit into the house. Lod. Barabas, is not that the widow's son? Bar. Ay, and take heed, for he hath sworn your death. 280 Of that which you, I think, ne'er dream upon, Lod. Why, loves she Don Mathias? Bar. Doth she not with her smiling answer you? Abig. (aside). He has my heart; I smile against my will. Lod. This is thy diamond, tell me shall I have it? 1 Lod. 'Tis not thy wealth, but her that I esteem. Yet crave I thy consent. Bar. And mine you have, yet let me talk to her. (Aside) This offspring of Cain, this Jebusite,3 290 300 1 A coin with a cross stamped on one side, like the Portuguese cruzado. 2 Mottoes. 8 The Jebusites were one of the seven Canaanitish nations which, according to the writers of the Old Testament, were doomed to destruction. |