I have as much coin as will buy the town. Chaining of eunuchs, binding galley-slaves. And in the night time secretly would I steal 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. [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, That ye be both made sure e'er you come out. ABIG. Oh, father! Don Mathias is [Aside my love. BAR. 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. [Exeunt Abigail and Lodowick. The account is inade, for Lodowick dies. MATH. Whither, but to my fair love Abigail? BAR. Thou know'st, and heaven can witness this is true, That I intend my daughter shall be thine. MATH. Aye, Barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much. BAR. Oh, heaven forbid I should have such a Pardon me though I weep; the governor's son BAR. She? No, Mathias, no, but sends them And when he comes, she locks herself up fast ; 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. MATH. I'll rouze him thence. BAR. Not for all Malta, therefore sheath your sword; If you love me, no quarrels in my house; Enter LODOWICK, ABIGAIL. MATH. What hand in hand, I cannot suffer this. BAR. Mathias, as thou lov'st me, not a word. MATH. Well, let it pass, another time shall serve. LOD. Barabas, is not that the widow's son? [Exit. BAR. Aye, and take heed, for he hath sworn your death. LOD. My death? what is the base born peasant mad? BAR. No, no, but hapily he stands in fear Of that which you, I think, ne'er dream upon, My daughter here, a paltry silly girl. LOD. Why, loves she Don Mathias? BAR. Doth she not with her smiling answer you ? ABIG. He has my heart, I smile against my will. LOD. Barabas, thou know'st I have lov'd thy daughter long. BAR. And so has she done you, even from a child. LOD. And now I can no longer hold my mind. BAR. Nor I the affection that I bear to you. And yet I'll give her many a golden cross BAR. And mine you have, yet let me talk to her; This offspring of Cain, this Jebusite, That never tasted of the Passover, Nor e'er shall see the land of Canaan, [Aside. But keep thy heart till Don Mathias comes. This follows well, and therefore, daughter, fear not. [To Lodowick. LOD. Then, gentle Abigail, plight thy faith to me. ABIG. I cannot chase, seeing my father bids: Nothing but death shall part my love and me. LOD. Now have I that for which my soul hath long'd. BAR. So have not I, but yet I hope I shall. [Aside. ABIG. Oh wretched Abigail, what hast thou done? LOD. Why on the sudden is your colour chang'd? ABIG. I know not, but farewell, I must be gone. BAR. Stay her, but let her not speak one word more. LOD. Mute o' the sudden; here's a sudden change. BAR. Oh, muse not at it, 'tis the Hebrew's guise, That maidens new betroth'd should weep awhile: |