The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume II Part 8

_Itha._ In Thrace; brought up in Arabia.

_Bar._ So much the better, thou art for my turn, An hundred crowns, I'll have him; there's the coin.

_1 Off._ Then mark him, sir, and take him hence.

_Bar._ I, mark him, you were best, for this is he That by my help shall do much villainy. [_Aside._ My lord, farewell: Come, sirrah, you are mine.

As for the diamond, it shall be yours; I pray, sir, be no stranger at my house, All that I have shall be at your command. 140

_Enter_ MATHIAS _and his_ Mother.[64]

_Math._ What makes the Jew and Lodowick so private?

I fear me 'tis about fair Abigail.

_Bar._ Yonder comes Don Mathias, let us stay;[65]

[_Exit_ LODOWICK.

He loves my daughter, and she holds him dear: But I have sworn to frustrate both their hopes, And be revenged upon the Governor.

_Moth._ This Moor is comeliest, is he not? speak, son.

_Math._ No, this is the better, mother; view this well.

_Bar._ Seem not to know me here before your mother, Lest she mistrust the match that is in hand: 150 When you have brought her home, come to my house; Think of me as thy father; son, farewell.

_Math._ But wherefore talked Don Lodowick with you?

_Bar._ Tush! man, we talked of diamonds, not of Abigail.

_Moth._ Tell me, Mathias, is not that the Jew?

_Bar._ As for the comment on the Maccabees, I have it, sir, and 'tis at your command.

_Math._ Yes, madam, and my talk with him was [but][66]

About the borrowing of a book or two.

_Moth._ Converse not with him, he's cast off from heaven. 160 Thou hast thy crowns, fellow; come, let's away.

_Math._ Sirrah, Jew, remember the book.

_Bar._ Marry will I, sir.

[_Exeunt_ MATHIAS _and his_ Mother.

_Off._ Come, I have made A reasonable market; let's away.

[_Exeunt_ Officers _with slaves._ _Bar._ Now let me know thy name, and therewithal Thy birth, condition, and profession.

_Itha._ Faith, sir, my birth is but mean: my name's Ithamore, my profession what you please.

_Bar._ Hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, 170 And I will teach [thee] that shall stick by thee: First be thou void of these affections, Compa.s.sion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear, Be moved at nothing, see thou pity none, But to thyself smile when the Christians moan.

_Itha._ O brave! master, I worship your nose[67] for this

_Bar._ As[68] for myself, I walk abroad o' nights And kill sick people groaning under walls: Sometimes I go about and poison wells; And now and then, to cherish Christian thieves, 180 I am content to lose some of my crowns, That I may, walking in my gallery, See 'em go pinioned along by my door.

Being young, I studied physic, and began To practise first upon the Italian; There I enriched the priests with burials, And always kept the s.e.xtons' arms in ure[69]

With digging graves and ringing dead men's knells: And after that was I an engineer, And in the wars 'twixt France and Germany, 190 Under pretence of helping Charles the Fifth, Slew friend and enemy with my stratagems.

Then after that was I an usurer, And with extorting, cozening, forfeiting, And tricks belonging unto brokery, I filled the jails with bankrupts in a year, And with young orphans planted hospitals, And every moon made some or other mad, And now and then one hang himself for grief, Pinning upon his breast a long great scroll 200 How I with interest tormented him.

But mark how I am blest for plaguing them; I have as much coin as will buy the town.

But tell me now, how hast thou spent thy time?

_Itha._ 'Faith, master, In setting Christian villages on fire, Chaining of eunuchs, binding galley-slaves.

One time I was an hostler in an inn, And in the night time secretly would I steal To travellers' chambers, and there cut their throats: 210 Once at Jerusalem, where the pilgrims kneeled, I strewed powder on the marble stones, And therewithal their knees would rankle so That I have laughed a-good[70] to see the cripples Go limping home to Christendom on stilts.

_Bar._ Why this is something: make account of me As of thy fellow; we are villains both: Both circ.u.mcised, we hate Christians both: Be true and secret, thou shalt want no gold.

But stand aside, here comes Don Lodowick. 220

_Enter_ LODOWICK.

_Lod._ O 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![71] 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 maidenhead. 230 Use him as if he were a Philistine.

Dissemble, swear, protest, vow love[72] to him, He is not of the seed of Abraham.

I am a little busy, sir, pray pardon me.

Abigail, bid him welcome for my sake. [_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[73] ere you come out. [_Aside._

_Abig._ O father! Don Mathias is my love. 240

_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 made, for Lodowick [he][74] 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; And she vows love to him, and he to her. 250 As sure as heaven rained manna for the Jews, So sure shall he and Don Mathias die: His father was my chiefest enemy.

_Enter_ MATHIAS.

Whither goes Don Mathias? stay awhile.

_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._ I, Barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much.