Mathias was the man that I held dear, F. Barn. So, say how was their end? Abig. Both jealous of my love, envied1 each other, And by my father's practice, which is there Set down at large, the gallants were both slain. F. Barn. O monstrous villainy ! [Gives a written paper. Abig. To work my peace, this I confess to thee; Reveal it not, for then my father dies. F. Barn. Know that confession must not be revealed, The canon law forbids it, and the priest That makes it known, being degraded first, Shall be condemned, and then sent to the fire. Abig. So I have heard; pray, therefore keep it close. Death seizeth on my heart: ah gentle friar, Convert my father that he may be saved, And witness that I die a Christian. [Dies. F. Barn. Ay, and a virgin too; that grieves me most: But I must to the Jew and exclaim on him, And make him stand in fear of me. Re-enter Friar JACOMO. 30 40 F. Jac. O brother, all the nuns are dead, let's bury them. F. Barn. First help to bury this, then go with me And help me to exclaim against the Jew. F. Jac. Why, what has he done? F. Barn. A thing that makes me tremble to unfold. F. Jac. What, has he crucified a child?3 1 Hated; the accent is on the second syllable. 2 Artifice. 3 The Jews were often accused of this crime, especially when the king was in need of money. F. Barn. No, but a worse thing: 'twas told to me in shrift, Thou know'st 'tis death an if it be revealed. 50 Come, let's away. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.. A Street. Enter BARABAS and ITHAMORE. Bells within. Bar. There is no music to1 a Christian's knell: How sweet the bells ring now the nuns are dead, That sound at other times like tinker's pans ! I was afraid the poison had not wrought; Or though it wrought, it would have done no good: Now all are dead, not one remains alive. Itha. That's brave, master, but think you it will not be known? Bar. How can it, if we two be secret? Itha. For my part fear you not. Bar. I'd cut thy throat if I did. Itha. And reason too. But here's a royal monastery hard by ; Good master, let me poison all the monks. Bar. Thou shalt not need, for now the nuns are dead They'll die with grief. Itha. Do you not sorrow for your daughter's death? Bar. No, but I grieve because she lived so long. An Hebrew born, and would become a Christian! Cazzo, diabolo. 1 Equal to. 10 Enter Friar JACOMO and Friar BARNARDINE. Itha. Look, look, master, here come two religious caterpillars. Bar. I smelt 'em ere they came. Itha. God-a-mercy, nose! come, let's be gone. F. Jac. Ay, that thou hast Bar. True, I have money, what though I have? F. Jac. Ay, that thou art, a Bar. What needs all this? I know I am a Jew. F. Barn. Thy daughter F. Jac. Ay, thy daughter Bar. O speak not of her! then I die with grief. F. Jac. Ay, remember that Bar. I must needs say that I have been a great usurer. F. Barn. Thou hast committed Bar. Fornication but that was in another country; And besides, the wench is dead. F. Barn. Ay, but, Barabas, Remember Mathias and Don Lodowick. Bar. Why, what of them? 21 30 40 F. Barn. I will not say that by a forged challenge they met. Bar. (aside). She has confest, and we are both undone, My bosom inmate ! but I must dissemble. O holy friars, the burthen of my sins Lie heavy on my soul; then pray you tell me, 50 60 Itha. And so could I ; but penance will not serve. And on my knees creep to Jerusalem. 70 1 Attics, or lofts (Latin solarium); still used in some parts of England, and in legal documents. 2 Dyce suggests untold. F. Jac. O good Barabas, come to our house. F. Barn. O no, good Barabas, come to our house; And, Barabas, you know Bar. I know that I have highly sinned. You shall convert me, you shall have all my wealth. Bar. I know they are, and I will be with you. 80 F. Barn. They wear no shirts, and they go barefoot too. Bar. (to BARN.). Then 'tis not for me; and I am resolved You shall confess me, and have all my goods. F. Jac. Good Barabas, come to me. Bar. You see I answer him, and yet he stays; Rid him away, and go you home with me. F. Jac. I'll be with you to-night. Bar. Come to my house at one o'clock this night. F. Jac. You hear your answer, and you may be gone. F. Jac. I will not go for thee. F. Barn. Not! then I'll make thee go. F. Jac. How, dost call me rogue? Itha. Part 'em, master, part 'em. 90 [They fight. Bar. This is mere frailty, brethren; be content. (Aside to BARN.) Friar Barnardine, go you with Ithamore: 100 You know my mind, let me alone with him. F. Jac. Why does he go to thy house? let him be gone. Bar. I'll give him something and so stop his mouth. [Exit ITHAMORE with Friar BARNARDINE. I never heard of any man but he Maligned the order of the Jacobins : But do you think that I believe his words? |