EDITEDBYTHEREV。ALEXANDERDYCE。
TheFamousTragedyofTheRichIewofMalta。AsitwasplaydbeforetheKingandQveene,inHisMajestiesTheatreatWhite—
Hall,byherMajestiesServantsattheCock—pit。WrittenbyChristopherMarlo。London;PrintedbyI。B。forNicholasVavasour,andaretobesoldathisShopintheInner—Temple,neeretheChurch。1633。4to。
TOMYWORTHYFRIEND,MASTERTHOMASHAMMON,ofGRAY’SINN,ETC。
Thisplay,composedbysoworthyanauthorasMasterMarlowe,andthepartoftheJewpresentedbysounimitableanactorasMasterAlleyn,beinginthislateragecommendedtothestage;
asIusheredituntothecourt,andpresentedittotheCock—pit,withtheseProloguesandEpilogueshereinserted,sonowbeingnewlybroughttothepress,IwasloathitshouldbepublishedwithouttheornamentofanEpistle;makingchoiceofyouuntowhomtodevoteit;thanwhom(ofallthosegentlemenandacquaintancewithinthecompassofmylongknowledge)thereisnonemoreabletotaxignorance,orattributerighttomerit。
Sir,youhavebeenpleasedtogracesomeofmineownworks
withyourcourteouspatronage:Ihopethiswillnotbetheworseaccepted,becausecommendedbyme;overwhomnonecanclaimmorepowerorprivilegethanyourself。Ihadnobetteranew—year’sgifttopresentyouwith;receiveitthereforeasacontinuanceofthatinviolableobligement,bywhichherestsstillengaged,who,asheeverhath,shallalwaysremain,Tuissimus,Tho。Heywood。
THEPROLOGUESPOKENATCOURT。
Graciousandgreat,thatwesoboldlydare(’Mongstotherplaysthatnowinfashionare)
Topresentthis,writmanyyearsagone,Andinthatagethoughtseconduntonone,Wehumblycraveyourpardon。WepursueThestoryofarichandfamousJewWholiv’dinMalta:youshallfindhimstill,Inallhisprojects,asoundMachiavill;
Andthat’shischaracter。HethathathpastSomanycensuresisnowcomeatlastTohaveyourprincelyears:graceyouhim;thenYoucrowntheaction,andrenownthepen。
EPILOGUESPOKENATCOURT。
Itisourfear,dreadsovereign,wehavebin
Tootedious;neithercan’tbelessthansinTowrongyourprincelypatience:ifwehave,Thuslowdejected,weyourpardoncrave;
And,ifaughthereoffendyourearorsight,Weonlyactandspeakwhatotherswrite。
THEPROLOGUETOTHESTAGE,ATTHECOCK—PIT。
Weknownothowourplaymaypassthisstage,ButbythebestofpoetsinthatageTHEMALTA—JEWhadbeingandwasmade;
Andhethenbythebestofactorsplay’d:
InHEROANDLEANDERonedidgainAlastingmemory;inTamburlaine,ThisJew,withothersmany,th’otherwanTheattributeofpeerless,beingamanWhomwemayrankwith(doingnoonewrong)
Proteusforshapes,andRosciusforatongue,——
Socouldhespeak,sovary;noris’thateTomeritinhimwhodothpersonateOurJewthisday;norisithisambitionToexceedorequal,beingofconditionMoremodest:thisisallthatheintends,(Andthattooattheurgenceofsomefriends,)
Toprovehisbest,and,ifnoneheregainsayit,Theparthehathstudied,andintendstoplayit。
EPILOGUETOTHESTAGE,ATTHECOCK—PIT。
IngravingwithPygmaliontocontend,OrpaintingwithApelles,doubtlesstheendMustbedisgrace:ouractordidnotso,——
Heonlyaim’dtogo,butnotout—go。
Northinkthatthisdayanyprizewasplay’d;
Herewerenobetsatall,nowagerslaid:
Alltheambitionthathisminddothswell,Isbuttohearfromyou(byme)’twaswell。
DRAMATISPERSONAE。
FERNEZE,governorofMalta。
LODOWICK,hisson。
SELIMCALYMATH,sontotheGrandSeignior。
MARTINDELBOSCO,vice—admiralofSpain。
MATHIAS,agentleman。
JACOMO,>
BARNARDINE,>friars。
BARABAS,awealthyJew。
ITHAMORE,aslave。
PILIA—BORZA,abully,attendanttoBELLAMIRA。
TwoMerchants。
ThreeJews。
Knights,Bassoes,Officers,Guard,Slaves,Messenger,andCarpentersKATHARINE,mothertoMATHIAS。
ABIGAIL,daughtertoBARABAS。
BELLAMIRA,acourtezan。
Abbess。
Nun。
MACHIAVELasProloguespeaker。
Scene,Malta。
THEJEWOFMALTA。
EnterMACHIAVEL。
MACHIAVEL。AlbeittheworldthinkMachiavelisdead,YetwashissoulbutflownbeyondtheAlps;
And,nowtheGuiseisdead,iscomefromFrance,Toviewthisland,andfrolicwithhisfriends。
Tosomeperhapsmynameisodious;
Butsuchasloveme,guardmefromtheirtongues,AndletthemknowthatIamMachiavel,Andweighnotmen,andthereforenotmen’swords。
Admir’dIamofthosethathatememost:
Thoughsomespeakopenlyagainstmybooks,Yetwilltheyreadme,andtherebyattainToPeter’schair;and,whentheycastmeoff,Arepoison’dbymyclimbingfollowers。
Icountreligionbutachildishtoy,Andholdthereisnosinbutignorance。
Birdsoftheairwilltellofmurderspast!
Iamasham’dtohearsuchfooleries。
Manywilltalkoftitletoacrown:
WhatrighthadCaesartotheempery?
Mightfirstmadekings,andlawswerethenmostsureWhen,liketheDraco’s,theywerewritinblood。
Hencecomesitthatastrong—builtcitadelCommandsmuchmorethanletterscanimport:
WhichmaximhadPhalarisobserv’d,H’adneverbellow’d,inabrazenbull,Ofgreatones’envy:o’thepoorpettywightsLetmebeenviedandnotpitied。
ButwhitheramIbound?Icomenot,I,ToreadalecturehereinBritain,ButtopresentthetragedyofaJew,Whosmilestoseehowfullhisbagsarecramm’d;
Whichmoneywasnotgotwithoutmymeans。
Icravebutthis,——gracehimashedeserves,Andlethimnotbeentertain’dtheworseBecausehefavoursme。
[Exit。]
ACTI。
BARABASdiscoveredinhiscounting—house,withheapsofgoldbeforehim。
BARABAS。Sothatofthusmuchthatreturnwasmade;
AndofthethirdpartofthePersianshipsTherewastheventuresumm’dandsatisfied。
AsforthoseSamnites,andthemenofUz,ThatboughtmySpanishoilsandwinesofGreece,HerehaveIpurs’dtheirpaltrysilverlings。
Fie,whatatrouble’tistocountthistrash!
WellfaretheArabians,whosorichlypayThethingstheytrafficforwithwedgeofgold,WhereofamanmayeasilyinadayTellthatwhichmaymaintainhimallhislife。
Theneedygroom,thatneverfinger’dgroat,Wouldmakeamiracleofthusmuchcoin;
Buthewhosesteel—barr’dcoffersarecramm’dfull,Andallhislife—timehathbeentired,Wearyinghisfingers’endswithtellingit,Wouldinhisagebeloathtolabourso,Andforapoundtosweathimselftodeath。
GivemethemerchantsoftheIndianmines,Thattradeinmetalofthepurestmould;
ThewealthyMoor,thatintheeasternrocksWithoutcontrolcanpickhisrichesup,Andinhishouseheappearllikepebble—stones,Receivethemfree,andsellthembytheweight;
Bagsoffieryopals,sapphires,amethysts,Jacinths,hardtopaz,grass—greenemeralds,Beauteousrubies,sparklingdiamonds,Andseld—seencostlystonesofsogreatprice,Asoneofthem,indifferentlyrated,Andofacaratofthisquantity,Mayserve,inperilofcalamity,Toransomgreatkingsfromcaptivity。
Thisisthewarewhereinconsistsmywealth;
AndthusmethinksshouldmenofjudgmentframeTheirmeansoftrafficfromthevulgartrade,And,astheirwealthincreaseth,soincloseInfiniterichesinalittleroom。
Butnowhowstandsthewind?
Intowhatcornerpeersmyhalcyon’sbill?
Ha!totheeast?yes。Seehowstandthevanes——
Eastandbysouth:why,then,IhopemyshipsIsentforEgyptandtheborderingislesAregottenupbyNilus’windingbanks;
MineargosyfromAlexandria,Loadenwithspiceandsilks,nowundersail,AresmoothlyglidingdownbyCandy—shoreToMalta,throughourMediterraneansea。——
Butwhocomeshere?
EnteraMERCHANT。
Hownow!
MERCHANT。Barabas,thyshipsaresafe,RidinginMalta—road;andallthemerchantsWithothermerchandisearesafearriv’d,AndhavesentmetoknowwhetheryourselfWillcomeandcustomthem。
BARABAS。Theshipsaresafethousay’st,andrichlyfraught?
MERCHANT。Theyare。
BARABAS。Why,then,gobidthemcomeashore,Andbringwiththemtheirbillsofentry:
Ihopeourcreditinthecustom—houseWillserveaswellasIwerepresentthere。
Gosend’emthreescorecamels,thirtymules,Andtwentywaggons,tobringuptheware。
Butartthoumasterinashipofmine,Andisthycreditnotenoughforthat?
MERCHANT。TheverycustombarelycomestomoreThanmanymerchantsofthetownareworth,Andthereforefarexceedsmycredit,sir。
BARABAS。Gotell’emtheJewofMaltasentthee,man:
Tush,whoamongst’emknowsnotBarabas?
MERCHANT。Igo。
BARABAS。So,then,there’ssomewhatcome。——
Sirrah,whichofmyshipsartthoumasterof?
MERCHANT。OftheSperanza,sir。
BARABAS。Andsaw’stthounotMineargosyatAlexandria?
ThoucouldstnotcomefromEgypt,orbyCaire,Butattheentrythereintothesea,WhereNiluspayshistributetothemain,ThouneedsmustsailbyAlexandria。
MERCHANT。Ineithersawthem,norinquir’dofthem:
Butthisweheardsomeofourseamensay,Theywonder’dhowyoudurstwithsomuchwealthTrustsuchacrazedvessel,andsofar。
BARABAS。Tush,theyarewise!Iknowherandherstrength。
Butgo,gothouthyways,dischargethyship,Andbidmyfactorbringhisloadingin。
[ExitMERCHANT。]
AndyetIwonderatthisargosy。
EnteraSecondMERCHANT。
SECONDMERCHANT。ThineargosyfromAlexandria,Know,Barabas,dothrideinMalta—road,Ladenwithriches,andexceedingstoreOfPersiansilks,ofgold,andorientpearl。
BARABAS。HowchanceyoucamenotwiththoseothershipsThatsail’dbyEgypt?
SECONDMERCHANT。Sir,wesaw’emnot。
BARABAS。BeliketheycoastedroundbyCandy—shoreAbouttheiroilsorotherbusinesses。
But’twasilldoneofyoutocomesofarWithouttheaidorconductoftheirships。
SECONDMERCHANT。Sir,wewerewaftedbyaSpanishfleet,Thatneverleftustillwithinaleague,ThathadthegalleysoftheTurkinchase。
BARABAS。O,theyweregoinguptoSicily。
Well,go,Andbidthemerchantsandmymendespatch,Andcomeashore,andseethefraughtdischarg’d。
SECONDMERCHANT。Igo。
[Exit。]
BARABAS。Thustrollsourfortuneinbylandandsea,Andthusareweoneverysideenrich’d:
Thesearetheblessingspromis’dtotheJews,AndhereinwasoldAbraham’shappiness:
WhatmoremayheavendoforearthlymanThanthustopouroutplentyintheirlaps,Rippingthebowelsoftheearthforthem,Makingthesea[s]theirservants,andthewindsTodrivetheirsubstancewithsuccessfulblasts?
Whohatethmebutformyhappiness?
Orwhoishonour’dnowbutforhiswealth?
RatherhadI,aJew,behatedthus,ThanpitiedinaChristianpoverty;
ForIcanseenofruitsinalltheirfaith,Butmalice,falsehood,andexcessivepride,Whichmethinksfitsnottheirprofession。
Haplysomehaplessmanhathconscience,Andforhisconsciencelivesinbeggary。
Theysayweareascatter’dnation:
Icannottell;butwehavescambledupMorewealthbyfarthanthosethatbragoffaith:
There’sKirriahJairim,thegreatJewofGreece,ObedinBairseth,NonesinPortugal,MyselfinMalta,someinItaly,ManyinFrance,andwealthyeveryone;
Ay,wealthierfarthananyChristian。
Imustconfesswecomenottobekings:
That’snotourfault:alas,ournumber’sfew!
Andcrownscomeeitherbysuccession,Orurg’dbyforce;andnothingviolent,OfthaveIheardtell,canbepermanent。
Giveusapeacefulrule;makeChristianskings,Thatthirstsomuchforprincipality。
Ihavenocharge,normanychildren,Butonesoledaughter,whomIholdasdearAsAgamemnondidhisIphigen;
AndallIhaveishers。——Butwhocomeshere?
EnterthreeJEWS。
FIRSTJEW。Tush,tellnotme;’twasdoneofpolicy。
SECONDJEW。Come,therefore,letusgotoBarabas;
Forhecancounselbestintheseaffairs:
Andherehecomes。
BARABAS。Why,hownow,countrymen!
Whyflockyouthustomeinmultitudes?
Whataccident’sbetidedtotheJews?
FIRSTJEW。Afleetofwarlikegalleys,Barabas,ArecomefromTurkey,andlieinourroad:
Andtheythisdaysitinthecouncil—houseToentertainthemandtheirembassy。
BARABAS。Why,let’emcome,sotheycomenottowar;
Orlet’emwar,sowebeconquerors。——
Nay,let’emcombat,conquer,andkillall,Sotheyspareme,mydaughter,andmywealth。
[Aside。]
FIRSTJEW。Wereitforconfirmationofaleague,Theywouldnotcomeinwarlikemannerthus。
SECONDJEW。Ifeartheircomingwillafflictusall。
BARABAS。Fondmen,whatdreamyouoftheirmultitudes?
Whatneedtheytreatofpeacethatareinleague?
TheTurksandthoseofMaltaareinleague:
Tut,tut,thereissomeothermatterin’t。
FIRSTJEW。Why,Barabas,theycomeforpeaceorwar。
BARABAS。Haplyforneither,buttopassalong,TowardsVenice,bytheAdriaticsea,Withwhomtheyhaveattemptedmanytimes,Butnevercouldeffecttheirstratagem。
THIRDJEW。Andverywiselysaid;itmaybeso。
SECONDJEW。Butthere’sameetinginthesenate—house,AndalltheJewsinMaltamustbethere。
BARABAS。Hum,——alltheJewsinMaltamustbethere!
Ay,likeenough:why,then,leteverymanProvidehim,andbethereforfashion—sake。
Ifanythingshallthereconcernourstate,AssureyourselvesI’lllook——untomyself。
[Aside。]
FIRSTJEW。Iknowyouwill。——Well,brethren,letusgo。
SECONDJEW。Let’stakeourleaves。——Farewell,goodBarabas。
BARABAS。Farewell,Zaareth;farewell,Temainte。
[ExeuntJEWS。]
And,Barabas,nowsearchthissecretout;
Summonthysenses,callthywitstogether:
Thesesillymenmistakethematterclean。
LongtotheTurkdidMaltacontribute;
Whichtributeallinpolicy,Ifear,TheTurkhasletincreasetosuchasumAsallthewealthofMaltacannotpay;
Andnowbythatadvantagethinks,belike,Toseizeuponthetown;ay,thatheseeks。
Howe’ertheworldgo,I’llmakesureforone,Andseekintimetointercepttheworst,WarilyguardingthatwhichIha’got:
Egomihimetsumsemperproximus:
Why,let’ementer,let’emtakethetown。
[Exit。]
EnterFERNEZEgovernorofMalta,KNIGHTS,andOFFICERS;
metbyCALYMATH,andBASSOESoftheTURK。
FERNEZE。Now,bassoes,whatdemandyouatourhands?
FIRSTBASSO。Know,knightsofMalta,thatwecamefromRhodes,>FromCyprus,Candy,andthoseotherislesThatliebetwixttheMediterraneanseas。
FERNEZE。What’sCyprus,Candy,andthoseotherislesTousorMalta?whatatourhandsdemandye?
CALYMATH。Thetenyears’tributethatremainsunpaid。
FERNEZE。Alas,mylord,thesumisover—great!
Ihopeyourhighnesswillconsiderus。
CALYMATH。Iwish,gravegovernor,’twereinmypowerTofavouryou;but’tismyfather’scause,WhereinImaynot,nay,Idarenotdally。
FERNEZE。Thengiveusleave,greatSelimCalymath。
CALYMATH。Standallaside,andlettheknightsdetermine;
Andsendtokeepourgalleysundersail,Forhappilyweshallnottarryhere。——
Now,governor,howareyouresolv’d?
FERNEZE。Thus;sinceyourhardconditionsaresuchThatyouwillneedshavetenyears’tributepast,WemayhavetimetomakecollectionAmongsttheinhabitantsofMaltafor’t。
FIRSTBASSO。That’smorethanisinourcommission。
CALYMATH。What,Callapine!alittlecourtesy:
Let’sknowtheirtime;perhapsitisnotlong;
And’tismorekinglytoobtainbypeaceThantoenforceconditionsbyconstraint。——
Whatrespiteaskyou,governor?
FERNEZE。Butamonth。
CALYMATH。Wegrantamonth;butseeyoukeepyourpromise。
Nowlaunchourgalleysbackagaintosea,Wherewe’llattendtherespiteyouhaveta’en,Andforthemoneysendourmessenger。
Farewell,greatgovernor,andbraveknightsofMalta。
FERNEZE。AndallgoodfortunewaitonCalymath!
[ExeuntCALYMATHandBASSOES。]
GooneandcallthoseJewsofMaltahither:
Weretheynotsummon’dtoappearto—day?
FIRSTOFFICER。Theywere,mylord;andheretheycome。
EnterBARABASandthreeJEWS。
FIRSTKNIGHT。Haveyoudetermin’dwhattosaytothem?
FERNEZE。Yes;givemeleave:——and,Hebrews,nowcomenear。
>FromtheEmperorofTurkeyisarriv’dGreatSelimCalymath,hishighness’son,Tolevyofustenyears’tributepast:
Now,then,hereknowthatitconcernethus。
BARABAS。Then,goodmylord,tokeepyourquietstill,Yourlordshipshalldowelltoletthemhaveit。
FERNEZE。Soft,Barabas!there’smore’longsto’tthanso。
Towhatthistenyears’tributewillamount,Thatwehavecast,butcannotcompassitByreasonofthewars,thatrobb’dourstore;
Andthereforearewetorequestyouraid。
BARABAS。Alas,mylord,wearenosoldiers!
Andwhat’souraidagainstsogreataprince?
FIRSTKNIGHT。Tut,Jew,weknowthouartnosoldier:
Thouartamerchantandamoney’dman,And’tisthymoney,Barabas,weseek。
BARABAS。How,mylord!mymoney!
FERNEZE。Thineandtherest;
For,tobeshort,amongstyou’tmustbehad。
FIRSTJEW。Alas,mylord,themostofusarepoor!
FERNEZE。Thenlettherichincreaseyourportions。
BARABAS。Arestrangerswithyourtributetobetax’d?
SECONDKNIGHT。Havestrangersleavewithustogettheirwealth?
Thenletthemwithuscontribute。
BARABAS。How!equally?
FERNEZE。No,Jew,likeinfidels;
Forthroughoursufferanceofyourhatefullives,Whostandaccursedinthesightofheaven,Thesetaxesandafflictionsarebefall’n,Andthereforethuswearedetermined。——
Readtherethearticlesofourdecrees。
OFFICER。[reads]FIRST,THETRIBUTE—MONEYOFTHETURKS
SHALLALLBELEVIEDAMONGSTTHEJEWS,ANDEACHOFTHEMTOPAY
ONEHALFOFHISESTATE。
BARABAS。How!halfhisestate!——Ihopeyoumeannotmine。
[Aside。]
FERNEZE。Readon。
OFFICER。[reads]SECONDLY,HETHATDENIESTOPAY,SHALL
STRAIGHT—BECOMEACHRISTIAN。
BARABAS。How!aChristian!——Hum,——what’sheretodo?
[Aside。]
OFFICER。[reads]LASTLY,HETHATDENIESTHIS,SHALLABSOLUTELY
LOSEALLHEHAS。
THREEJEWS。Omylord,wewillgivehalf!
BARABAS。Oearth—mettledvillains,andnoHebrewsborn!
AndwillyoubaselythussubmityourselvesToleaveyourgoodstotheirarbitrement?
FERNEZE。Why,Barabas,wiltthoubechristened?
BARABAS。No,governor,Iwillbenoconvertite。
FERNEZE。Thenpaythyhalf。
BARABAS。Why,knowyouwhatyoudidbythisdevice?
Halfofmysubstanceisacity’swealth。
Governor,itwasnotgotsoeasily;
NorwillIpartsoslightlytherewithal。
FERNEZE。Sir,halfisthepenaltyofourdecree;
Eitherpaythat,orwewillseizeonall。
BARABAS。CorpodiDio!stay:youshallhavehalf;
Letmebeus’dbutasmybrethrenare。
FERNEZE。No,Jew,thouhastdeniedthearticles,Andnowitcannotberecall’d。
[ExeuntOFFICERS,onasignfromFERNEZE]
BARABAS。Willyou,then,stealmygoods?
Istheftthegroundofyourreligion?
FERNEZE。No,Jew;wetakeparticularlythine,Tosavetheruinofamultitude:
Andbetteronewantforacommongood,Thanmanyperishforaprivateman:
Yet,Barabas,wewillnotbanishthee,ButhereinMalta,wherethougott’stthywealth,Livestill;and,ifthoucanst,getmore。
BARABAS。Christians,whatorhowcanImultiply?
Ofnaughtisnothingmade。
FIRSTKNIGHT。Fromnaughtatfirstthoucam’sttolittlewealth,>Fromlittleuntomore,frommoretomost:
Ifyourfirstcursefallheavyonthyhead,Andmaketheepoorandscorn’dofalltheworld,’Tisnotourfault,butthyinherentsin。
BARABAS。What,bringyouScripturetoconfirmyourwrongs?
Preachmenotoutofmypossessions。
SomeJewsarewicked,asallChristiansare:
ButsaythetribethatIdescendedofWereallingeneralcastawayforsin,ShallIbetriedbytheirtransgression?
Themanthatdealethrighteouslyshalllive;
Andwhichofyoucanchargemeotherwise?
FERNEZE。Out,wretchedBarabas!
Sham’stthounotthustojustifythyself,Asifweknewnotthyprofession?
Ifthourelyuponthyrighteousness,Bepatient,andthyricheswillincrease。
Excessofwealthiscauseofcovetousness;
Andcovetousness,O,’tisamonstroussin!
BARABAS。Ay,buttheftisworse:tush!takenotfromme,then,Forthatistheft;and,ifyourobmethus,Imustbeforc’dtosteal,andcompassmore。
FIRSTKNIGHT。Gravegovernor,listnottohisexclaims:
Converthismansiontoanunnery;
Hishousewillharbourmanyholynuns。
FERNEZE。Itshallbeso。
Re—enterOFFICERS。
Now,officers,haveyoudone?
FIRSTOFFICER。Ay,mylord,wehaveseiz’duponthegoodsAndwaresofBarabas,which,beingvalu’d,AmounttomorethanallthewealthinMalta:
Andoftheotherwehaveseizedhalf。
FERNEZE。Thenwe’lltakeorderfortheresidue。
BARABAS。Well,then,mylord,say,areyousatisfied?
Youhavemygoods,mymoney,andmywealth,Myships,mystore,andallthatIenjoy’d;
And,havingall,youcanrequestnomore,UnlessyourunrelentingflintyheartsSuppressallpityinyourstonybreasts,Andnowshallmoveyoutobereavemylife。
FERNEZE。No,Barabas;tostainourhandswithbloodIsfarfromusandourprofession。
BARABAS。Why,Iesteemtheinjuryfarless,TotakethelivesofmiserablemenThanbethecausersoftheirmisery。
Youhavemywealth,thelabourofmylife,Thecomfortofmineage,mychildren’shope;
Andthereforene’erdistinguishofthewrong。
FERNEZE。Contentthee,Barabas;thouhastnaughtbutright。
BARABAS。Yourextremerightdoesmeexceedingwrong:
Buttakeittoyou,i’thedevil’sname!
FERNEZE。Come,letusin,andgatherofthesegoodsThemoneyforthistributeoftheTurk。
FIRSTKNIGHT。’Tisnecessarythatbelook’dunto;
For,ifwebreakourday,webreaktheleague,Andthatwillprovebutsimplepolicy。
[ExeuntallexceptBARABASandthethreeJEWS。]
BARABAS。Ay,policy!that’stheirprofession,Andnotsimplicity,astheysuggest。——
TheplaguesofEgypt,andthecurseofheaven,Earth’sbarrenness,andallmen’shatred,Inflictuponthem,thougreatPrimusMotor!
Andhereuponmyknees,strikingtheearth,Ibantheirsoulstoeverlastingpains,Andextremetorturesofthefierydeep,Thatthushavedealtwithmeinmydistress!
FIRSTJEW。O,yetbepatient,gentleBarabas!
BARABAS。Osillybrethren,borntoseethisday,Whystandyouthusunmov’dwithmylaments?
Whyweepyounottothinkuponmywrongs?
WhypinenotI,anddieinthisdistress?
FIRSTJEW。Why,Barabas,ashardlycanwebrookThecruelhandlingofourselvesinthis:
Thouseesttheyhavetakenhalfourgoods。
BARABAS。Whydidyouyieldtotheirextortion?
Youwereamultitude,andIbutone;
Andofmeonlyhavetheytakenall。
FIRSTJEW。Yet,brotherBarabas,rememberJob。
BARABAS。WhattellyoumeofJob?IwothiswealthWaswrittenthus;hehadseventhousandsheep,Threethousandcamels,andtwohundredyokeOflabouringoxen,andfivehundredShe—asses:butforeveryoneofthose,Hadtheybeenvalu’datindifferentrate,Ihadathome,andinmineargosy,AndothershipsthatcamefromEgyptlast,Asmuchaswouldhaveboughthisbeastsandhim,Andyethavekeptenoughtoliveupon;
Sothatnothe,butI,maycursetheday,Thyfatalbirth—day,forlornBarabas;
Andhenceforthwishforaneternalnight,Thatcloudsofdarknessmayinclosemyflesh,Andhidetheseextremesorrowsfrommineeyes;
ForonlyIhavetoil’dtoinherithereThemonthsofvanity,andlossoftime,Andpainfulnights,havebeenappointedme。
SECONDJEW。GoodBarabas,bepatient。
BARABAS。Ay,Ipray,leavemeinmypatience。You,thatWerene’erpossess’dofwealth,arepleas’dwithwant;
Butgivehimlibertyatleasttomourn,Thatinafield,amidsthisenemies,Dothseehissoldiersslain,himselfdisarm’d,Andknowsnomeansofhisrecovery:
Ay,letmesorrowforthissuddenchance;
’TisinthetroubleofmyspiritIspeak:
Greatinjuriesarenotsosoonforgot。
FIRSTJEW。Come,letusleavehim;inhisirefulmoodOurwordswillbutincreasehisecstasy。
SECONDJEW。On,then:but,trustme,’tisamiseryToseeamaninsuchaffliction。——
Farewell,Barabas。
BARABAS。Ay,fareyouwell。
[ExeuntthreeJEWS。]
Seethesimplicityofthesebaseslaves,Who,forthevillainshavenowitthemselves,Thinkmetobeasenselesslumpofclay,Thatwillwitheverywaterwashtodirt!
No,Barabasisborntobetterchance,Andfram’doffinermouldthancommonmen,Thatmeasurenaughtbutbythepresenttime。
Areachingthoughtwillsearchhisdeepestwits,Andcastwithcunningforthetimetocome;
Forevilsareapttohappeneveryday。
EnterABIGAIL。
ButwhitherwendsmybeauteousAbigail?
O,whathasmademylovelydaughtersad?
What,woman!moannotforalittleloss;
Thyfatherhasenoughinstoreforthee。
ABIGAIL。Norformyself,butagedBarabas,Father,fortheelamentethAbigail:
ButIwilllearntoleavethesefruitlesstears;
And,urg’dtheretowithmyafflictions,Withfierceexclaimsruntothesenate—house,Andinthesenatereprehendthemall,Andrenttheirheartswithtearingofmyhair,Tilltheyreducethewrongsdonetomyfather。
BARABAS。No,Abigail;thingspastrecoveryArehardlycur’dwithexclamations:
Besilent,daughter;sufferancebreedsease,Andtimemayyieldusanoccasion,Whichonthesuddencannotservetheturn。
Besides,mygirl,thinkmenotallsofond
AsnegligentlytoforgosomuchWithoutprovisionforthyselfandme:
Tenthousandportagues,besidesgreatpearls,Richcostlyjewels,andstonesinfinite,Fearingtheworstofthisbeforeitfell,Icloselyhid。
ABIGAIL。Where,father?
BARABAS。Inmyhouse,mygirl。
ABIGAIL。Thenshalltheyne’erbeseenofBarabas;
Fortheyhaveseiz’duponthyhouseandwares。
BARABAS。Buttheywillgivemeleaveoncemore,Itrow,Togointomyhouse。
ABIGAIL。Thatmaytheynot;
ForthereIleftthegovernorplacingnuns,Displacingme;andofthyhousetheymeanTomakeanunnery,wherenonebuttheirownsect
Mustenterin;mengenerallybarr’d。
BARABAS。Mygold,mygold,andallmywealthisgone!——
Youpartialheavens,haveIdeserv’dthisplague?
What,willyouthusopposeme,lucklessstars,Tomakemedesperateinmypoverty?
And,knowingmeimpatientindistress,ThinkmesomadasIwillhangmyself,ThatImayvanisho’ertheearthinair,Andleavenomemorythate’erIwas?
No,Iwilllive;norloatheIthismylife:
And,sinceyouleavemeintheoceanthusTosinkorswim,andputmetomyshifts,I’llrousemysenses,andawakemyself。——
Daughter,Ihaveit:thouperceiv’sttheplightWhereintheseChristianshaveoppressedme:
Berul’dbyme,forinextremityWeoughttomakebarofnopolicy。
ABIGAIL。Father,whate’eritbe,toinjurethemThathavesomanifestlywrongedus,WhatwillnotAbigailattempt?
BARABAS。Why,so。
Thenthus:thoutold’stmetheyhaveturn’dmyhouseIntoanunnery,andsomenunsarethere?
ABIGAIL。Idid。
BARABAS。Then,Abigail,theremustmygirlEntreattheabbesstobeentertain’d。
ABIGAIL。How!asanun?
BARABAS。Ay,daughter;forreligionHidesmanymischiefsfromsuspicion。
ABIGAIL。Ay,but,father,theywillsuspectmethere。
BARABAS。Let’emsuspect;butbethousopreciseAstheymaythinkitdoneofholiness:
Entreat’emfair,andgivethemfriendlyspeech,Andseemtothemasifthysinsweregreat,Tillthouhastgottentobeentertain’d。
ABIGAIL。Thus,father,shallImuchdissemble。
BARABAS。Tush!
Asgooddissemblethatthounevermean’st,Asfirstmeantruthandthendissembleit:
AcounterfeitprofessionisbetterThanunseenhypocrisy。
ABIGAIL。Well,father,sayIbeentertain’d,Whatthenshallfollow?
BARABAS。Thisshallfollowthen。
TherehaveIhid,closeunderneaththeplankThatrunsalongtheupper—chamberfloor,ThegoldandjewelswhichIkeptforthee:——
Butheretheycome:becunning,Abigail。
ABIGAIL。Then,father,gowithme。
BARABAS。No,Abigail,inthisItisnotnecessaryIbeseen;
ForIwillseemoffendedwiththeefor’t:
Beclose,mygirl,forthismustfetchmygold。
[Theyretire。]
EnterFRIARJACOMO,FRIARBARNARDINE,ABBESS,andaNUN。
FRIARJACOMO。Sisters,Wenowarealmostatthenew—madenunnery。
ABBESS。Thebetter;forwelovenottobeseen:
’TisthirtywinterslongsincesomeofusDidstraysofaramongstthemultitude。
FRIARJACOMO。But,madam,thishouseAndwatersofthisnew—madenunneryWillmuchdelightyou。
ABBESS。Itmaybeso。——Butwhocomeshere?
[ABIGAILcomesforward。]
ABIGAIL。Graveabbess,andyouhappyvirgins’guide,Pitythestateofadistressedmaid!
ABBESS。Whatartthou,daughter?
ABIGAIL。ThehopelessdaughterofahaplessJew,TheJewofMalta,wretchedBarabas,Sometimestheownerofagoodlyhouse,Whichtheyhavenowturn’dtoanunnery。
ABBESS。Well,daughter,say,whatisthysuitwithus?
ABIGAIL。FearingtheafflictionswhichmyfatherfeelsProceedfromsinorwantoffaithinus,I’dpassawaymylifeinpenitence,Andbeanoviceinyournunnery,Tomakeatonementformylabouringsoul。
FRIARJACOMO。Nodoubt,brother,butthisproceedethofthespirit。
FRIARBARNARDINE。
Ay,andofamovingspirittoo,brother:butcome,Letusentreatshemaybeentertain’d。
ABBESS。Well,daughter,weadmityouforanun。
ABIGAIL。FirstletmeasanovicelearntoframeMysolitarylifetoyourstraitlaws,AndletmelodgewhereIwaswonttolie:
Idonotdoubt,byyourdivinepreceptsAndmineownindustry,buttoprofitmuch。
BARABAS。Asmuch,Ihope,asallIhidisworth。
[Aside。]
ABBESS。Come,daughter,followus。
BARABAS。[comingforward]Why,hownow,Abigail!
Whatmak’stthou’mongstthesehatefulChristians?
FRIARJACOMO。Hinderhernot,thoumanoflittlefaith,Forshehasmortifiedherself。
BARABAS。How!mortified!
FRIARJACOMO。Andisadmittedtothesisterhood。
BARABAS。Childofperdition,andthyfather’sshame!
Whatwiltthoudoamongthesehatefulfiends?
IchargetheeonmyblessingthatthouleaveThesedevilsandtheirdamnedheresy!
ABIGAIL。Father,forgiveme——
BARABAS。Nay,back,Abigail,Andthinkuponthejewelsandthegold;
Theboardismarkedthusthatcoversit。——
[AsidetoABIGAILinawhisper。]
Away,accursed,fromthyfather’ssight!
FRIARJACOMO。Barabas,althoughthouartinmisbelief,Andwiltnotseethineownafflictions,Yetletthydaughterbenolongerblind。
BARABAS。Blindfriar,Irecknotthypersuasions,——
Theboardismarkedthusthatcoversit——
[AsidetoABIGAILinawhisper。]
ForIhadratherdiethanseeherthus。——
Wiltthouforsakemetooinmydistress,Seduceddaughter?——Go,forgetnot。——
[Asidetoherinawhisper。]
BecomesitJewstobesocredulous?——
To—morrowearlyI’llbeatthedoor。——
[Asidetoherinawhisper。]
No,comenotatme;ifthouwiltbedamn’d,Forgetme,seemenot;andso,begone!——
Farewell;rememberto—morrowmorning。——
[Asidetoherinawhisper。]
Out,out,thouwretch!
[Exit,ononeside,BARABAS。Exeunt,ontheotherside,FRIARS,ABBESS,NUN,andABIGAIL:and,astheyaregoingout,]
EnterMATHIAS。
MATHIAS。Who’sthis?fairAbigail,therichJew’sdaughter,Becomeanun!herfather’ssuddenfallHashumbledher,andbroughtherdowntothis:
Tut,shewerefitterforataleoflove,Thantobetiredoutwithorisons;
Andbetterwouldshefarbecomeabed,Embracedinafriendlylover’sarms,Thanriseatmidnighttoasolemnmass。
EnterLODOWICK。
LODOWICK。Why,hownow,DonMathias!inadump?
MATHIAS。Believeme,nobleLodowick,IhaveseenThestrangestsight,inmyopinion,ThateverIbeheld。
LODOWICK。Whatwas’t,Iprithee?
MATHIAS。Afairyoungmaid,scarcefourteenyearsofage,ThesweetestflowerinCytherea’sfield,Croptfromthepleasuresofthefruitfulearth,Andstrangelymetamorphos’d[toa]nun。
LODOWICK。Butsay,whatwasshe?
MATHIAS。Why,therichJew’sdaughter。
LODOWICK。What,Barabas,whosegoodswerelatelyseiz’d?
Isshesofair?
MATHIAS。Andmatchlessbeautiful,As,hadyouseenher,’twouldhavemov’dyourheart,Thoughcountermin’dwithwallsofbrass,tolove,Or,attheleast,topity。
LODOWICK。Anifshebesofairasyoureport,’Tweretimewellspenttogoandvisither:
Howsayyou?shallwe?
MATHIAS。Imustandwill,sir;there’snoremedy。
LODOWICK。AndsowillItoo,oritshallgohard。
Farewell,Mathias。
MATHIAS。Farewell,Lodowick。
[Exeuntseverally。]
ACTII。
EnterBARABAS,withalight。
BARABAS。Thus,likethesad—presagingraven,thattollsThesickman’spassportinherhollowbeak,
AndintheshadowofthesilentnightDothshakecontagionfromhersablewings,Vex’dandtormentedrunspoorBarabasWithfatalcursestowardstheseChristians。
Theincertainpleasuresofswift—footedtimeHaveta’entheirflight,andleftmeindespair;
AndofmyformerrichesrestsnomoreButbareremembrance;likeasoldier’sscar,Thathasnofurthercomfortforhismaim。——
OThou,thatwithafierypillarledd’stThesonsofIsraelthroughthedismalshades,LightAbraham’soffspring;anddirectthehandOfAbigailthisnight!orletthedayTurntoeternaldarknessafterthis!——
Nosleepcanfastenonmywatchfuleyes,Norquietentermydistemper’dthoughts,TillIhaveanswerofmyAbigail。
EnterABIGAILabove。
ABIGAIL。NowhaveIhappilyespiedatimeTosearchtheplankmyfatherdidappoint;
Andhere,behold,unseen,whereIhavefoundThegold,thepearls,andjewels,whichhehid。
BARABAS。NowIrememberthoseoldwomen’swords,Whoinmywealthwouldtellmewinter’stales,AndspeakofspiritsandghoststhatglidebynightAbouttheplacewheretreasurehathbeenhid:
AndnowmethinksthatIamoneofthose;
For,whilstIlive,herelivesmysoul’ssolehope,And,whenIdie,hereshallmyspiritwalk。
ABIGAIL。Nowthatmyfather’sfortuneweresogoodAsbuttobeaboutthishappyplace!
’Tisnotsohappy:yet,whenwepartedlast,Hesaidhewouldattendmeinthemorn。
Then,gentleSleep,where’erhisbodyrests,GivechargetoMorpheusthathemaydreamAgoldendream,andofthesuddenwake,
ComeandreceivethetreasureIhavefound。
BARABAS。Buenoparatodosmiganadonoera:
Asgoodgoon,assitsosadlythus。——
Butstay:whatstarshinesyonderintheeast?
Theloadstarofmylife,ifAbigail。——
Who’sthere?
ABIGAIL。Who’sthat?
BARABAS。Peace,Abigail!’tisI。
ABIGAIL。Then,father,herereceivethyhappiness。
BARABAS。Hastthou’t?
ABIGAIL。Here。[throwsdownbags]Hastthou’t?
There’smore,andmore,andmore。
BARABAS。Omygirl,Mygold,myfortune,myfelicity,Strengthtomysoul,deathtomineenemy;
Welcomethefirstbeginnerofmybliss!
OAbigail,Abigail,thatIhadtheeheretoo!
Thenmydesireswerefullysatisfied:
ButIwillpracticethyenlargementthence:
Ogirl!Ogold!Obeauty!Omybliss!
[Hugsthebags。]
ABIGAIL。Father,itdrawethtowardsmidnightnow,And’boutthistimethenunsbegintowake;
Toshunsuspicion,therefore,letuspart。
BARABAS。Farewell,myjoy,andbymyfingerstakeAkissfromhimthatsendsitfromhissoul。
[ExitABIGAILabove。]
Now,Phoebus,opetheeye—lidsoftheday。
And,fortheraven,wakethemorninglark,ThatImayhoverwithherintheair,Singingo’erthese,asshedoeso’erheryoung。
Hermosoplacerdelosdineros。
[Exit。]
EnterFERNEZE,MARTINDELBOSCO,KNIGHTS,andOFFICERS。
FERNEZE。Now,captain,telluswhitherthouartbound?
Whenceisthyshipthatanchorsinourroad?
Andwhythoucam’stashorewithoutourleave?
MARTINDELBOSCO。GovernorofMalta,hitheramIbound;
Myship,theFlyingDragon,isofSpain,AndsoamI;DelBoscoismyname,Vice—admiraluntotheCatholicKing。
FIRSTKNIGHT。’Tistrue,mylord;thereforeentreathimwell。
MARTINDELBOSCO。
OurfraughtisGrecians,Turks,andAfricMoors;
ForlateuponthecoastofCorsica,Becausewevail’dnottotheTurkishfleet,Theircreepinggalleyshadusinthechase:
Butsuddenlythewindbegantorise,Andthenweluff’dandtack’d,andfoughtatease:
Somehavewefir’d,andmanyhavewesunk;
Butoneamongsttherestbecameourprize:
Thecaptain’sslain;therestremainourslaves,OfwhomwewouldmakesaleinMaltahere。
FERNEZE。MartindelBosco,Ihaveheardofthee:
WelcometoMalta,andtoallofus!
ButtoadmitasaleofthesethyTurks,Wemaynot,nay,wedarenotgiveconsent,Byreasonofatributaryleague。
FIRSTKNIGHT。DelBosco,asthoulov’standhonour’stus,PersuadeourgovernoragainsttheTurk:
Thistrucewehaveisbutinhopeofgold,Andwiththatsumhecravesmightwewagewar。
MARTINDELBOSCO。WillknightsofMaltabeinleaguewithTurks,Andbuyitbaselytooforsumsofgold?
Mylord,rememberthat,toEurope’sshame,TheChristianisleofRhodes,fromwhenceyoucame,Waslatelylost,andyouwerestatedhereTobeatdeadlyenmitywithTurks。
FERNEZE。Captain,weknowit;butourforceissmall。
MARTINDELBOSCO。WhatisthesumthatCalymathrequires?
FERNEZE。Ahundredthousandcrowns。
MARTINDELBOSCO。Mylordandkinghathtitletothisisle,Andhemeansquicklytoexpelyouhence;
Thereforeberul’dbyme,andkeepthegold:
I’llwriteuntohismajestyforaid,AndnotdepartuntilIseeyoufree。
FERNEZE。OnthisconditionshallthyTurksbesold。——
Go,officers,andsetthemstraightinshow。——
[ExeuntOFFICERS。]
Bosco,thoushaltbeMalta’sgeneral;
WeandourwarlikeknightswillfollowtheeAgainstthesebarbarousmisbelievingTurks。
MARTINDELBOSCO。Soshallyouimitatethoseyousucceed;
For,whentheirhideousforceenviron’dRhodes,Smallthoughthenumberwasthatkeptthetown,Theyfoughtitout,andnotamansurviv’dTobringthehaplessnewstoChristendom。
FERNEZE。Sowillwefightitout:come,let’saway。
ProuddaringCalymath,insteadofgold,We’llsendtheebulletswraptinsmokeandfire:
Claimtributewherethouwilt,weareresolv’d,——
Honourisboughtwithblood,andnotwithgold。
[Exeunt。]
EnterOFFICERS,withITHAMOREandotherSLAVES。
FIRSTOFFICER。Thisisthemarket—place;herelet’emstand:
Fearnottheirsale,forthey’llbequicklybought。
SECONDOFFICER。Everyone’spriceiswrittenonhisback,Andsomuchmusttheyyield,ornotbesold。
FIRSTOFFICER。
HerecomestheJew:hadnothisgoodsbeenseiz’d,He’dgiveuspresentmoneyforthemall。
EnterBARABAS。
BARABAS。Inspiteoftheseswine—eatingChristians,(Unchosennation,nevercircumcis’d,Poorvillains,suchaswerene’erthoughtuponTillTitusandVespasianconquer’dus,)
AmIbecomeaswealthyasIwas。
Theyhop’dmydaughterwouldha’beenanun;
Butshe’sathome,andIhaveboughtahouseAsgreatandfairasisthegovernor’s:
Andthere,inspiteofMalta,willIdwell,HavingFerneze’shand;whoseheartI’llhave,Ay,andhisson’stoo,oritshallgohard。
IamnotofthetribeofLevi,I,Thatcansosoonforgetaninjury。
WeJewscanfawnlikespanielswhenweplease;
Andwhenwegrinwebite;yetareourlooksAsinnocentandharmlessasalamb’s。
Ilearn’dinFlorencehowtokissmyhand,Heaveupmyshoulderswhentheycallmedog,Andduckaslowasanybare—footfriar;
Hopingtoseethemstarveuponastall,Orelsebegather’dforinoursynagogue,That,whentheoffering—basincomestome,EvenforcharityImayspitinto’t。——
HerecomesDonLodowick,thegovernor’sson,OnethatIloveforhisgoodfather’ssake。
EnterLODOWICK。
LODOWICK。IhearthewealthyJewwalkedthisway:
I’llseekhimout,andsoinsinuate,ThatImayhaveasightofAbigail,ForDonMathiastellsmesheisfair。
BARABAS。NowwillIshewmyselftohavemoreoftheserpentthanthedove;thatis,moreknavethanfool。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。Yond’walkstheJew:nowforfairAbigail。
BARABAS。Ay,ay,nodoubtbutshe’satyourcommand。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。Barabas,thouknow’stIamthegovernor’sson。
BARABAS。
Iwouldyouwerehisfathertoo,sir!that’salltheharmIwishyou。——Theslavelookslikeahog’scheeknew—singed。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。Whitherwalk’stthou,Barabas?
BARABAS。Nofurther:’tisacustomheldwithus,ThatwhenwespeakwithGentilesliketoyou,Weturnintotheairtopurgeourselves;
Foruntousthepromisedothbelong。
LODOWICK。Well,Barabas,cansthelpmetoadiamond?
BARABAS。O,sir,yourfatherhadmydiamonds:
YetIhaveoneleftthatwillserveyourturn。——
Imeanmydaughter;but,ereheshallhaveher,I’llsacrificeheronapileofwood:
Iha’thepoisonofthecityforhim,Andthewhiteleprosy。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。Whatsparkledoesitgivewithoutafoil?
BARABAS。ThediamondthatItalkofne’erwasfoil’d:——
But,whenhetouchesit,itwillbefoil’d。——
[Aside。]
LordLodowick,itsparklesbrightandfair。
LODOWICK。Isitsquareorpointed?pray,letmeknow。
BARABAS。Pointeditis,goodsir,——butnotforyou。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。Ilikeitmuchthebetter。
BARABAS。SodoItoo。
LODOWICK。Howshewsitbynight?
BARABAS。OutshinesCynthia’srays:——
You’lllikeitbetterfaro’nightsthandays。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。Andwhat’stheprice?
BARABAS。Yourlife,anifyouhaveit[Aside]。——Omylord,Wewillnotjarabouttheprice:cometomyhouse,AndIwillgive’tyourhonour——withavengeance。
[Aside。]
LODOWICK。No,Barabas,Iwilldeserveitfirst。
BARABAS。Goodsir,Yourfatherhasdeserv’ditatmyhands,Who,ofmerecharityandChristianruth,Tobringmetoreligiouspurity,And,asitwere,incatechisingsort,Tomakememindfulofmymortalsins,Againstmywill,andwhetherIwouldorno,Seiz’dallIhad,andthrustmeouto’doors,Andmademyhouseaplacefornunsmostchaste。
LODOWICK。Nodoubtyoursoulshallreapthefruitofit。
BARABAS。Ay,but,mylord,theharvestisfaroff:
AndyetIknowtheprayersofthosenunsAndholyfriars,havingmoneyfortheirpains,Arewondrous;——andindeeddonomangood;——
[Aside。]
And,seeingtheyarenotidle,butstilldoing,’Tislikelytheyintimemayreapsomefruit,Imean,infullnessofperfection。
LODOWICK。GoodBarabas,glancenotatourholynuns。
BARABAS。No,butIdoitthroughaburningzeal,——
Hopingerelongtosetthehousea—fire;
For,thoughtheydoawhileincreaseandmultiply,I’llhaveasayingtothatnunnery。——
[Aside。]
Asforthediamond,sir,Itoldyouof,Comehome,andthere’snopriceshallmakeuspart,Evenforyourhonourablefather’ssake,——
ItshallgohardbutIwillseeyourdeath。——
[Aside。]
ButnowImustbegonetobuyaslave。
LODOWICK。And,Barabas,I’llbeartheecompany。
BARABAS。Come,then;here’sthemarket—place。——
What’sthepriceofthisslave?twohundredcrowns!dotheTurksweighsomuch?
FIRSTOFFICER。Sir,that’shisprice。
BARABAS。What,canhesteal,thatyoudemandsomuch?
Belikehehassomenewtrickforapurse;
Anifhehas,heisworththreehundredplates,
Sothat,beingbought,thetown—sealmightbegotTokeephimforhislife—timefromthegallows:
Thesessions—dayiscriticaltothieves,Andfewornonescapebutbybeingpurg’d。
LODOWICK。Rat’stthouthisMoorbutattwohundredplates?
FIRSTOFFICER。Nomore,mylord。
BARABAS。WhyshouldthisTurkbedearerthanthatMoor?
FIRSTOFFICER。Becauseheisyoung,andhasmorequalities。
BARABAS。What,hastthephilosopher’sstone?anthouhast,breakmyheadwithit,I’llforgivethee。
SLAVE。No,sir;Icancutandshave。
BARABAS。Letmesee,sirrah;areyounotanoldshaver?
SLAVE。Alas,sir,Iamaveryyouth!
BARABAS。Ayouth!I’llbuyyou,andmarryyoutoLadyVanity,
ifyoudowell。
SLAVE。Iwillserveyou,sir。
BARABAS。Somewickedtrickorother:itmaybe,undercolourofshaving,thou’ltcutmythroatformygoods。Tellme,hastthouthyhealthwell?
SLAVE。Ay,passingwell。
BARABAS。Somuchtheworse:Imusthaveonethat’ssickly,an’tbebutforsparingvictuals:’tisnotastoneofbeefa—daywillmaintainyouinthesechops。——Letmeseeonethat’ssomewhatleaner。
FIRSTOFFICER。Here’saleaner;howlikeyouhim?
BARABAS。Wherewastthouborn?
ITHAMORE。InThrace;broughtupinArabia。
BARABAS。Somuchthebetter;thouartformyturn。
Anhundredcrowns?I’llhavehim;there’sthecoin。
[Givesmoney。]
FIRSTOFFICER。Thenmarkhim,sir,andtakehimhence。
BARABAS。Ay,markhim,youwerebest;forthisisheThatbymyhelpshalldomuchvillany。——
[Aside。]
Mylord,farewell。——Come,sirrah;youaremine。——
Asforthediamond,itshallbeyours:
Ipray,sir,benostrangeratmyhouse;
AllthatIhaveshallbeatyourcommand。
EnterMATHIASandKATHARINE。
MATHIAS。WhatmaketheJewandLodowicksoprivate?
Ifearme’tisaboutfairAbigail。
[Aside。]
BARABAS。[toLODOWICK。]YondercomesDonMathias;letusstay:
Helovesmydaughter,andsheholdshimdear;
ButIhavesworntofrustrateboththeirhopes,Andbereveng’duponthe——governor。
[Aside。]
[ExitLODOWICK。]
KATHARINE。ThisMooriscomeliest,ishenot?speak,son。
MATHIAS。No,thisisthebetter,mother,viewthiswell。
BARABAS。Seemnottoknowmeherebeforeyourmother,Lestshemistrustthematchthatisinhand:
Whenyouhavebroughtherhome,cometomyhouse;
Thinkofmeasthyfather:son,farewell。
MATHIAS。Butwhereforetalk’dDonLodowickwithyou?
BARABAS。Tush,man!wetalk’dofdiamonds,notofAbigail。
KATHARINE。Tellme,Mathias,isnotthattheJew?
BARABAS。AsforthecommentontheMaccabees,Ihaveit,sir,and’tisatyourcommand。
MATHIAS。Yes,madam,andmytalkwithhimwas
Abouttheborrowingofabookortwo。
KATHARINE。Conversenotwithhim;heiscastofffromheaven。——
Thouhastthycrowns,fellow。——Come,let’saway。
MATHIAS。SirrahJew,rememberthebook。
BARABAS。Marry,willI,sir。
第1章