University of Virginia Library

Macheuil.
Albeit the world thinke Macheuill is dead,
Yet was his soule but flowne beyond the Alpes,
And now the Guize is dead, is come from France
To view this Land, and frolicke with his friends.
To some perhaps my name is odious,
But such as loue me, gard me from their tongues,
And let them know that I am Macheuill,
And weigh not men, and therefore not mens words:
Admir'd I am of those that hate me most.
Though some speake openly against my bookes,
Yet will they reade me, and thereby attaine
To Peters Chayre: And when they cast me off;
Are poyson'd by my climing followers.
I count Religion but a childish Toy,
And hold there is no sinne but Ignorance.
Birds of the Aire will tell of murders past;
I am asham'd to heare such fooleries:
Many will talke of Title to a Crowne.
What right had Cæsar to the Empire?
Might first made Kings, and Lawes were then most sure
When like the Drancus they were writ in blood.
Hence comes it, that a strong built Citadell
Commands much more then letters can import:
Which maxime had Phaleris obseru'd,
H'had neuer bellowed in a brasen Bull
Of great ones enuy; o'th poore petty wites,
Let me be enuy'd and not pittied!
But whither am I bound, I come not, I,
To reade a lecture here in Britaine,
But to present the Tragedy of a Iew,
Who smiles to see how full his bags are cramb'd
Which mony was not got without my meanes.
I craue but this, Grace him as he deserues,
And let him not be entertain'd the worse
Because he fauours me.

Enter Barabas in his Counting-house, with heapes of gold before him.
Iew,
So that of thus much that returne was made:
And of the third part of the Persian ships,
There was the venture summ'd and satisfied.
As for those Samintes, and the men of Vzz,
That bought my Spanish Oyles, and Wines of Greece,
Here haue I purst their paltry siluerbings.
Fye; what a trouble tis to count this trash.
Well fare the Arabians, who so richly pay,
The things they traffique for with wedge of gold,
Whereof a man may easily in a day
Tell that which may maintaine him all his life.
The needy groome that neuer fingred groat,
Would make a miracle of thus much coyne:
But he whose steele-bard coffers are cramb'd full,
And all his life time hath bin tired,
Wearying his fingers ends with telling it,
Would in his age be loath to labour so,
And for a pound to sweat himselfe to death:
Giue me the Merchants of the Indian Mynes,
That trade in mettall of the purest mould;
The wealthy Moore, that in the Easterne rockes
Without controule can picke his riches vp,
And in his house heape pearle like pibble-stones:
Receiue them free, and sell them by the weight,
Bags of fiery Opals, Saphires, Amatists,
Iacints, hard Topas, grasse-greene Emeraulds,
Beauteous Rubyes, sparkling Diamonds,
And seildsene costly stones of so great price,
As one of them indifferently rated,
And of a Carrect of this quantity,
May serue in perill of calamity
To ransome great Kings from captiuity.
This is the ware wherein consists my wealth:
And thus me thinkes should men of iudgement frame
Their meanes of traffique from the vulgar trade,
And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose
In white riches in a little roome.
But now how stands the wind?
Into what corner peeres my Halcions bill?
Ha, to the East? yes: See how stands the Vanes?
East and by-South: why then I hope my ships
I sent for Egypt and the bordering Iles
Are gotten vp by Nilus winding bankes:
Mine Argosie from Alexandria,
Loaden with Spice and Silkes, now vnder saile,
Are smoothly gliding downe by Candie shoare
To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea.
But who comes heare? How now.

Enter a Merchant.
Merch.
Barabas, thy ships are safe,
Riding in Malta Rhode: And all the Merchants
With other Merchandize are safe arriu'd,
And haue sent me to know whether your selfe
Will come and custome them.

Iew.
The ships are safe thou saist, and richly fraught.

Merch.
They are.

Iew.
VVhy then goe bid them come ashore,
And bring with them their bils of entry:
I hope our credit in the Custome-house
Will serue as well as I were present there.
Goe send 'vm threescore Camels, thirty Mules,
And twenty Waggons to bring vp the ware.
But art thou master in a ship of mine,
And is thy credit not enough for that?

Merch.
The very Custome barely comes to more
Then many Merchants of the Towne are worth,
And therefore farre exceeds my credit, Sir.

Iew.
Goe tell 'em the Iew of Malta sent thee, man:
Tush, who amongst 'em knowes not Barrabas?

Merch.
I goe.

Iew.
So then, there's somewhat come.
Sirra, which of my ships art thou Master off?

Merch.
Of the Speranza, Sir.

Iew.
And saw'st thou not mine Argosie at Alexandria
Thou couldst not come from Egypt, or by Cairo
But at the entry there into the sea,
Where Nilus payes his tribute to the maine,
Thou needs must saile by Alexandria.

Merch.
I neither saw them, nor inquir'd of them.
But this we heard some of our sea-men say,
They wondred how you durst with so much wealth
Trust such a crazed Vessell, and so farre.

Iew.
Tush; they are wise, I know her and her strength:
By goe, goe thou thy wayes, discharge thy Ship,
And bid my Factor bring his loading in.
And yet I wonder at this Argosie,

Enter a second Merchant.
2. Merch.
Thine Argosie from Alexandria,
Know Barabas doth ride in Malta Rhode.
Laden with riches, and exceeding store
Of Persian silkes, of gold, and Orient Perle:

Iew.
How chance you came not with those other ships
That sail'd by Egypt?

2. Merch.
Sir we saw 'em not.

Iew.
Belike they coasted round by Candie shoare
About their Oyles, or other businesses.
But 'twas ill done of you to come so farre
Without the ayd or conduct of their ships.

2. Merch.
Sir, we were wasted by a Spanish Fleet
That neuer left vs till within a league,
That had the Gallies of the Turke in chase.

Iew.
Oh they were going vp to Sicily: well, goe
And bid the Merchants and my men dispatch
And come ashore, and see the fraught discharg'd.

Merch.
I goe.

Exit.
Iew.
Thus trowles our fortune in by land and Sea,
And thus are wee on enery side inrich'd:
These are the Blessings promis'd to the Iewes,
And herein was old Abrams happinesse:
What more may Heaven doe for earthly man
Then thus to powre out plenty in their laps,
Ripping the bowels of the earth for them,
Making the Sea their seruants, and the winds
To driue their substance with successefull blasts?
Who hateth me but for my happinesse?
Or who is honour'd now but for his wealth?
Rather had I a Iew be hated thus,
Then pittied in a Christian pouerty:
For I can see no fruits in all their faith,
But malice, falshood, and excessiue pride,
Which me thinkes fits not their profession.
Happily some haplesse man hath conscience,
And for his conscience liues in beggery.
They say we are a scatter'd Nation:
I cannot tell, but we haue scambled vp
More wealth by farre then those that brag of faith.
There's Kirriab Iairim, the great Iew of Greece,
Obed in Bairseth, Nones in Portugall,
My selfe in Malta, some in Italy,
Many in France, and wealthy euery one:
I, wealthier farre then any Christian.
I must confesse we come not to be Kings:
That's not our fault: Alas, our number's few,
And Crownes come either by succession
Or vrg'd by force; and nothing violent,
Oft haue I heard tell, can be permanent.
Giue vs a peacefull rule, make Christians Kings,
That thirst so much for Principality.
I haue no charge, nor many children,
But one sole Daughter, whom I hold as deare
As Agamemnon did his Iphigen:
And all I haue is hers. But who comes here?

Enter three Iewes.
1.
Tush, tell not me 'twas done of policie.

2.
Come therefore let vs goe to Barrabas;
For he can counsell best in these affaires;
And here he comes.

Iew.
Why how now Countrymen?
Why flocke you thus to me in multitudes?
What accident's betided to the Iewes?

1.
A Fleet of warlike Gallyes, Barabas,
Are come from Turkey, and lye in our Rhode:
And they this day sit in the Counsell-house
To entertaine them and their Embassie.

Iew.
Why let 'em come, so they come not to warre;
Or let 'em warre, so we be conquerors:
Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all,
Aside.
So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth.

1.
Were it for confirmation of a League,
They would not come in warlike manner thus.

2.
I feare their comming will afflict vs all.

Iew.
Fond men, what dreame you of their multitudes?
What need they treat of peace that are in league?
The Turkes and those of Malta are in league.
Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't.

1.
Why, Barabas, they come for peace or warre.

Iew.
Happily for neither, but to passe along
Towards Venice by the Adriatick Sea;
With whom they haue attempted many times,
But neuer could effect their Stratagem.

3.
And very wisely sayd, it may be so.

2.
But there's a meeting in the Senate-house,
And all the Iewes in Malta must be there.

Iew.
Vmh; All the Iewes in Malta must be there?
I, like enough, why then let euery man
Prouide him, and be there for fashion-sake.
If any thing shall there concerne our state
Assure your selues I'le looke vnto my selfe.

aside,
1.
I know you will; well brethren let vs goe.

2.
Let's take our leaues; Farewell good Barabas.

Iew.
Doe so; Farewell Zaareth, farewell Temainte,
And Barabas now search this secret out.
Summon thy sences, call thy wits togethre:
These silly men mistake the matter cleane.
Long to the Turke did Malta contribute;
Which Tribute all in policie, I feare,
The Turkes haue let increase to such a summe,
As all the wealth of Malta cannot pay;
And now by that aduantage thinkes, belike,
To seize vpon the Towne: I, that he seekes.
How ere the world goe, I'le make sure for one,
And seeke in time to intercept the worst,
Warily garding that which I ha got.
Ego mihimet sum semper proximas.
Why let 'em enter, let 'em take the Towne.

Enter Gouernors of Malta, Knights met by Bassoes of the Turke; Calymath.
Gouer.
Now Bassoes, what demand you at our hands?

Bass.
Know Knights of Malta, that we came from Rhodes
From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Iles
That lye betwixt the Mediterranean seas.

Gov.
What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other Iles
To vs, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?

Calim.
The ten yeares tribute that remaines vnpaid.

Gov.
Alas, my Lord, the summe is ouergreat,
I hope your Highnesse will consider vs.

Calim.
I wish, graue Gouernours 'twere in my power
To fauour you, but 'tis my fathers cause,
Wherein I may not, nay I dare not dally.

Gov.
Then giue vs leaue, great Selim-Calymath.

Caly.
Stand all aside, and let the Knights determine,
And send to keepe our Gallies vnder-saile,
For happily we shall not tarry here:
Now Gouernours how are you resolu'd?

Gov.
Thus: Since your hard conditions are such
That you will needs haue ten yeares tribute past,
We may haue time to make collection
Amongst the Inhabitants of Malta for't.

Bass.
That's more then is in our Commission.

Caly.
What Callapine a little curtesie.
Let's know their time, perhaps it is not long;
And 'tis more Kingly to obtaine by peace
Then to enforce conditions by constraint.
What respit aske you Gouernours?

Gov.
But a month.

Caly.
We grant a month, but see you keep your promise.
Now lanch our Gallies backe againe to Sea,
VVhere wee'll attend the respit you haue tane,
And for the mony send our messenger.
Farewell great Gouernors, and braue Knights of Malta.

Exeunt.
Gov.
And all good fortune wait on Calymath.
Goe one and call those Iewes of Malta hither:
Were they not summon'd to appeare to day.

Officer.
They were, my Lord, and here they come.

Enter Barabas, and three Iewes.
1 Knight.
Haue you determin'd what to say to them?

Gov.
Yes, giue me leaue, and Hebrwes now come neare.
From the Emperour of Turkey is arriu'd
Great Selim-Calymath, his Highnesse sonne,
To leuie of vs ten yeares tribute past,
Now then here know that it concerneth vs:

Bar.
Then good my Lord, to keepe your quiet still,
Your Lordship shall doe well to let them haue it.

Gov.
Soft Barabas, there's more longs too't than so
To what this ten yeares tribute will amount
That we haue cast, but cannot compasse it
By reason of the warres, that robb'd our store;
And therefore are we to request your ayd.

Bar.
Alas, my Lord, we are no souldiers:
And what's our aid against so great a Prince?

1 Kni.
Tut, Iew, we know thou art no souldier;
Thou art a Merchant, and a monied man,
And 'tis thy mony, Barabas, we seeke.

Bar.
How, my Lord, my mony?

Gov.
Thine and the rest.
For to be short, amongst you 'tmust be had,

Iew.
Alas, my Lord, the most of vs are poore.

Gov.
Then let the rich increase your portions:

Bar.
Are strangers with your tribute to be tax'd?

2 Kni.
Haue strangers leaue with vs to get their wealth?
Then let them with vs contribute.

Bar.
How, equally?

Gov.
No, Iew, like infidels.
For through our sufferance of your hatefull liues,
Who stand accursed in the sight of heauen,
These taxes and afflictions are befal'ne,
And therefore thus we are determined;
Reade there the Articles of our decrees.

Reader.
First, the tribute mony of the Turkes shall all be
Leuyed amongst the Iewes, and each of them to pay one
Halfe of his estate.

Bar.
How, halfe his estate? I hope you meane not mine.

Gov.
Read on.

Read.
Secondly, hee that denies to pay, shal straight become
A Christian.

Bar.
How a Christian? Hum, what's here to doe?

Read.
Lastly, he that denies this, shall absolutely lose al he has.

All 3 Iewes.
Oh my Lord we will giue halfe.

Bar.
Oh earth-mettall'd villaines, and no Hebrews born!
And will you basely thus submit your selues
To leaue your goods to their arbitrament?

Gov.
Why Barabas wilt thou be christned?

Bar.
No, Gouernour, I will be no conuertite.

Gov,
Then pay thy halfe.

Bar.
Why know you what you did by this deuice?
Halfe of my substance is a Cities wealth.
Governour, it was not got so easily;
Nor will I part so slightly therewithall.

Gov.
Sir, halfe is the penalty of our decree,
Either pay that, or we will seize on all.

Bar.
Corpo di deo; stay, you shall haue halfe,
Let me be vs'd but as my brethren are.

Gov.
No, Iew, thou hast denied the Articles,
And now it cannot be recall'd.

Bar,
Will you then steale my goods?
Is theft the ground of your Religion?

Gov.
No, Iew, we take particularly thine
To saue the ruine of a multitude:
And better one want for a common good,
Then many perish for a priuate man:
Yet Barrabas we will not banish thee,
But here in Malta, where thou gotst thy wealth,
Liue still; and if thou canst, get more.

Bar.
Christians; what, or how can I multiply?
Of nought is nothing made.

1 Knight.
From nought at first thou camst to little welth,
From little vnto more, from more to most:
If your first curse fall heauy on thy head,
And make thee poore and scorn'd of all the world,
'Tis not our fault, but thy inherent sinne.

Bar.
What? bring you Scripture to confirm your wrongs?
Preach me not out of my possessions.
Some Iewes are wicked, as all Christians are:
But say the Tribe that I descended of
Were all in generall cast away for sinne,
Shall I be tryed by their transgression?
The man that dealeth righteously shall liue:
And which of you can charge me otherwise?

Gov.
Out wretched Barabas, sham'st thou not thus
To iustifie thy selfe, as if we knew not
Thy profession? If thou rely vpon thy righteousnesse,
Be patient and thy riches will increase.
Excesse of wealth is cause of covetousnesse:
And couetousnesse, oh 'tis a monstrous sinne.

Bar.
I, but theft is worse: tush, take not from me then,
For that is theft; and if you rob me thus,
I must be forc'd to steale and compasse more.

1 Kni.
Graue Gouernors, list not to his exclames:
Conuert his mansion to a Nunnery,
Enter Officers.
His house will harbour many holy Nuns.

Gov.
It shall be so: now Officers haue you done?

Offic.
I, my Lord, we haue seiz'd vpon the goods
And wares of Barabas, which being valued
Amount to more then all the wealth in Malta.
And of the other we haue seized halfe.
Then wee'll take order for the residue.

Bar.
Well then my Lord, say, are you satisfied?
You haue my goods, my mony, and my wealth,
My ships, my store, and all that I enioy'd;
And hauing all, you can request no more;
Vnlesse your vnrelenting flinty hearts
Suppresse all pitty in your stony breasts,
And now shall move you to bereave my life.

Gov.
No, Barabas, to staine our hands with blood
Is farre from vs and our profession.

Bar.
Why I esteeme the iniury farre lesse,
To take the liues of miserable men,
Then be the causers of their misery,
You haue my wealth the labour of my life,
The comfort of mine age, my childrens hope,
And therefore ne're distinguish of the wrong.

Gov.
Content thee, Barabas, thou hast nought but right.

Bar.
Your extreme right does me exceeding wrong:
But take it to you i'th deuils name.

Gov.
Come, let vs in, and gather of these goods
The mony for this tribute of the Turke.

1 Knight,
'Tis necessary that be look'd vnto:
For if we breake our day, we breake the league,
And that will proue but simple policie.

Exeunt,
Bar.
I, policie? that's their profession,
And not simplicity, as they suggest.
The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of heauen,
Earths barrennesse, and all mens hatred
Inflict vpon them, thou great Primas Motor.
And here vpon my knees, striking the earth,
I banne their soules to everlasting paines
And extreme tortures of the fiery deepe,
That thus haue dealt with me in my distresse.

1 Iew.
Oh yet be patient, gentle Barabas.

Bar.
Oh silly brethren, borne to see this day!
Why stand you thus vnmou'd with my laments?
Why weepe you not to thinke vpon my wrongs?
Why pine not I, and dye in this distresse?

1 Iew.
Why, Barabas, as hardly can we brooke
The cruell handling of our selues in this:
Thou seest they haue taken halfe our goods.

Bar.
Why did you yeeld to their extortion?
You were a multitude, and I but one,
And of me onely haue they taken all.

1 Iew.
Yet brother Barabas remember Iob.

Bar.
What tell you me of Iob? I wot his wealth
Was written thus: he had seuen thousand sheepe,
Three thousand Camels, and two hundred yoake
Of labouring Oxen, and fiue hundred
Shee Asses: but for euery one of those,
Had they beene valued at indifferent rate,
I had at home, and in mine Argosie
And other ships that came from Egypt last,
As much as would haue bought his beasts and him,
And yet haue kept enough to liue vpon;
So that not he, but I may curse the day,
Thy fatall birth-day, forlorne Barabas;
And henceforth wish for an eternall night,
That clouds of darkenesse may inclose my flesh,
And hide these extreme sorrowes from mine eyes:
For onely I haue toyl'd to inherit here
The months of vanity and losse of time,
And painefull nights haue bin appointed me.

2 Iew.
Good Barabas be patient.

Bar.
I, I pray leave me in my patience.
You that were ne're possest of wealth, are pleas'd with want.
But giue him liberty at least to mourne,
That in a field amidst his enemies,
Doth see his souldiers slaine, himselfe disarm'd,
And knowes no meanes of his recouerie:
I, let me sorrow for this sudden chance,
'Tis in the trouble of my spirit I speake;
Great iniuries, are not so soone forgot.

1 Iew.
Come, let vs leaue him in his Irefull mood,
Our words will but increase his extasie.

2 Iew.
On then: but trust me 'tis a misery
To see a man in such affliction:
Farewell Barabas.

Exeunt.
Bar.
I, fare you well.
See the simplicitie of these base slaues,
Who for the villaines haue no wit themselues,
Thinke me to be a senselesse lumpe of clay
That will with euery water wash to dirt:
No, Barabas is borne to better chance,
And fram'd of finer mold then common men,
That measure nought but by the present time.
A reaching thought will search his deepest wits,
And cast with cunning for the time to come:
For euils are apt to happen euery day
But whither wends my beauteous Abigall?
Enter Abigall the Iewes daughter.
Oh what has made my louely daughter sad?
What? woman, moane not for a little losse:
Thy father has enough in store for thee.

Abig.
Not for my selfe, but aged Barabas:
Father, for thee lamenteth Abigaile:
But I will learne to leaue these fruitlesse teares.
And vrg'd thereto with my afflictions,
With fierce exclaimes run to the Senate-house,
And in the Senate reprehend them all,
And rent their hearts with tearing of my haire,
Till they reduce the wrongs done to my father.

Bar.
No, Abigail, things past recouery
Are hardly cur'd with exclamations.
Be silent, Daughter, sufferance breeds ease,
And time may yeeld vs an occasion
Which on the sudden cannot serue the turne.
Besides, my girle, thinke me not all so fond
As negligently to forgoe so much
Without prouision for thy selfe and me.
Ten thousand Portagnes, besides great Perles,
Rich costly Iewels, and Stones infinite,
Fearing the worst of this before it fell,
I closely hid.

Abig.
Where father?

Bar.
In my house my girle.

Abig.
Then shall they ne're be seene of Barrabas:
For they haue seiz'd vpon thy house and wares.

Bar.
But they will giue me leaue once more, I trow,
To goe into my house.

Abig.
That may they not:
For there I left the Gouernour placing Nunnes,
Displacing me; and of thy house they meane
To make a Nunnery, where none but their owne sect
Must enter in; men generally barr'd.

Bar.
My gold, my gold, and all my wealth is gone.
You partiall heauens, haue I deseru'd this plague?
What will you thus oppose me, lucklesse Starres,
To make me desperate in my pouerty?
And knowing me impatient in distresse
Thinke me so mad as I will hang my selfe,
That I may vanish ore the earth in ayre,
And leaue no memory that e're I was.
No, I will liue; nor loath I this my life:
And since you leaue me in the Ocean thus
To sinke or swim, and put me to my shifts,
I'le rouse my senses, and awake my selfe.
Daughter, I haue it: thou perceiu'st the plight
Wherein these Christians haue oppressed me:
Be rul'd by me, for in extremitie
We ought to make barre of no policie.

Abig.
Father, what e're it be to iniure them
That haue so manifestly wronged vs,
What will not Abigall attempt?

Bar.
Why so; then thus, thou toldst me they haue turn'd my house
Into a Nunnery, and some Nuns are there.

Abig.
I did.

Bar.
Then Abigall, there must my girle
Intreat the Abbasse to be entertain'd.

Abig.
How, as a Nunne?

Bar.
I, Daughter, for Religion
Hides many mischiefes from suspition.

Abig.
I, but father they will suspect me there.

Bar.
Let 'em suspect, but be thou so precise
As they may thinke it done of Holinesse.
Intreat 'em faire, and giue them friendly speech,
And seeme to them as if thy sinnes were great,
Till thou hast gotten to be entertain'd.

Abig.
Thus father shall I much dissemble.

Bar.
Tush, as good dissemble that thou neuer mean'st
As first meane truth, and then dissemble it,
A counterfet profession is better
Then vnseene hypocrisie.

Abig.
Well father, say I be entertain'd,
What then shall follow?

Bar.
This shall follow then;
There haue I hid close underneath the plancke
That runs along the vpper chamber floore,
The gold and Iewels which I kept for thee.
But here they come; be cunning Abigall.

Abig.
Then father goe with me.

Bar.
No, Abigall, in this
It is not necessary I be seene.
For I will seeme offended with thee for't.
Be close, my girle, for this must fetch my gold.

Enter three Fryars and two Nuns.
1 Fry.
Sisters, we now are almost at the new made Nunnery.

1 Nun.
The better; for we loue not to be seene:
'Tis 30 winters long since some of vs
Did stray so farre amongst the multitude.

1 Fry.
But, Madam, this house
And waters of this new made Nunnery
Will much delight you.

Nun.
It may be so: but who comes here?

Abig.
Grave Abbasse, and you happy Virgins guide,
Pitty the state of a distressed Maid.

Abb.
What art thou daughter?

Abig.
The hopelesse daughter of a haplesse Iew,
The Iew of Malta, wretched Barabas;
Sometimes the owner of a goodly house,
Which they haue now turn'd to a Nunnery.

Abb.
Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with vs?

Abig.
Fearing the afflictions which my father feeles,
Proceed from sinne, or want of faith in vs,
I'de passe away my life in penitence,
And be a Nouice in your Nunnery,
To make attonement for my labouring soule.

1. Fry.
No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit.

2 Fry.
I, and of a moving spirit too, brother; but come,
Let vs intreat she may be entertain'd.

Abb.
Well, daughter, we admit you for a Nun.

Abig.
First let me as a Novice learne to frame
My solitary life to your streight lawes,
And let me lodge where I was wont to lye,
I doe not doubt by your divine precepts
And mine owne industry, but to profit much.

Bar.
As much I hope as all I hid is worth.

aside.
Abb.
Come daughter, follow vs.

Bar.
Why how now Abigall, what mak'st thou
Amongst these hateful Christians?

1 Fry.
Hinder her not, thou man of little faith,
For she has mortified her selfe.

Bar.
How, mortified!

1 Fry.
And is admitted to the Sister-hood.

Bar.
Child of perdition, and thy fathers shame,
What wilt thou doe among these hatefull fiends?
I charge thee on my blessing that thou leaue
These diuels, and their damned heresie.

Abig.
Father giue me—

Bar.
Nay backe, Abigall,
And thinke vpon the Iewels and the gold,
Whispers to her.
The boord is marked thus that couers it.
Away accursed from thy fathers sight.

1 Fry.
Barabas, although thou art in mis-beleefe,
And wilt not see thine owne afflictions,
Yet let thy daughter be no longer blinde.

Bar.
Blind, Fryer, I wrecke not thy perswasions.
The boord is marked thus ✗ that couers it,
For I had rather dye, then see her thus.
Wilt thou forsake mee too in my distresse,
Seduced Daughter, Goe forget net.
aside to her.
Becomes it Iewes to be so credulous,
To morrow early Il'e be at the doore.
aside to her.
No come not at me, if thou wilt be damn'd,
Forget me, see me not, and so be gone.
Farewell, Remember to morrow morning.
aside.
Out, out thou wretch.

Enter Mathias.
Math.
Whose this? Faire Abigall the rich Iewes daughter
Become a Nun, her fathers sudden fall
Has humbled her and brought her downe to this:
Tut, she were fitter for a tale of loue
Then to be tired out with Orizons:
And better would she farre become a bed
Embraced in a friendly louers armes,
Then rise at midnight to a solemne masse.

Enter Lodowicke.
Lod.
Why how now Don Mathias, in a dump?

Math.
Beleeue me, Noble Lodowicke, I haue seene
The strangest sight, in my opinion,
That euer I beheld.

Lod.
What wast I prethe?

Math.
A faire young maid scarce 14 yeares of age,
The sweetest flower in Citherea's field,
Cropt from the pleasures of the fruitfull earth,
And strangely metamorphis'd Nun.

Lod.
But say, What was she?

Math.
Why the rich Iewes daughter.

Lod.
What Barabas, whose goods were lately seiz'd?
Is she so faire?

Math.
And matchlesse beautifull;
As had you seene her 'twould haue mou'd your heart,
Tho countermin'd with walls of brasse, to loue,
Or at the least to pitty.

Lod.
And if she be so faire as you report,
'Twere time well spent to goe 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 goe hard.
Farewell Mathias.

Mat.
Farewell Lodowicke.

[Exeunt.