Enter LODOWICK.(82)
LODOWICK. O, Barabas, well met; Where is the diamond you told me of?
BARABAS. I have it for you, sir: please you walk in with me.-- What, ho, Abigail! open the door, I say!
Enter ABIGAIL, with letters.
ABIGAIL. In good time, father; here are letters come )From Ormus, and the post stays here within.
BARABAS. 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: Use him as if he were a Philistine; Dissemble, swear, protest, vow love to him:(83) He is not of the seed of Abraham.-- [Aside to her.] I am a little busy, sir; pray, pardon me.-- Abigail, bid him welcome for my sake.
ABIGAIL. For your sake and his own he's welcome hither.
BARABAS. Daughter, a word more: kiss him, speak him fair, And like a cunning Jew so cast about, That ye be both made sure(84) ere you come out. [Aside to her.]
ABIGAIL. O father, Don Mathias is my love!
BARABAS. I know it: yet, I say, make love to him; Do, it is requisite it should be so.-- [Aside to her.] Nay, on my life, it is my factor's hand; But go you in, I'll think upon the account. [Exeunt ABIGAIL and LODOWICK into the house.] The account is made, for Lodovico(85) 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 kiss'd Abigail, And she vows love to him, and he to her. As sure as heaven rain'd 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 a while.
MATHIAS. Whither, but to my fair love Abigail?
BARABAS. Thou know'st, and heaven can witness it is true, That I intend my daughter shall be thine.
MATHIAS. Ay, Barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much.
BARABAS. O, heaven forbid I should have such a thought! Pardon me though I weep: the governor's son Will, whether I will or no, have Abigail; He sends her letters, bracelets, jewels, rings.
MATHIAS. Does she receive them?
BARABAS. She! no, Mathias, no, but sends them back; And, when he comes, she locks herself up fast; Yet through the key-hole will he talk to her, While she runs to the window, looking out When you should come and hale him from the door.
MATHIAS. O treacherous Lodowick!
BARABAS. Even now, as I came home, he slipt me in, And I am sure he is with Abigail.
MATHIAS. I'll rouse him thence.
BARABAS. Not for all Malta; therefore sheathe your sword; If you love me, no quarrels in my house; But steal you in, and seem to see him not: I'll give him such a warning ere he goes, As he shall have small hopes of Abigail. Away, for here they come.
Re-enter LODOWICK and ABIGAIL.
MATHIAS. What, hand in hand! I cannot suffer this.
BARABAS. Mathias, as thou lov'st me, not a word.
MATHIAS. Well, let it pass; another time shall serve. [Exit into the house.]
LODOWICK. Barabas, is not that the widow's son?
BARABAS. Ay, and take heed, for he hath sworn your death.
LODOWICK. My death! what, is the base-born peasant mad?
BARABAS. No, no; but happily(86) he stands in fear Of that which you, I think, ne'er dream upon,-- My daughter here, a paltry silly girl.
LODOWICK. Why, loves she Don Mathias?
BARABAS. Doth she not with her smiling answer you?
ABIGAIL. He has my heart; I smile against my will. [Aside.]
LODOWICK. Barabas, thou know'st I have lov'd thy daughter long.
BARABAS. And so has she done you, even from a child.
LODOWICK. And now I can no longer hold my mind.
BARABAS. Nor I the affection that I bear to you.
LODOWICK. This is thy diamond; tell me, shall I have it?
BARABAS. Win it, and wear it; it is yet unsoil'd.(87) O, but I know your lordship would disdain To marry with the daughter of a Jew: And yet I'll give her many a golden cross(88) With Christian posies round about the ring.
LODOWICK. 'Tis not thy wealth, but her that I esteem; Yet crave I thy consent.