Overview
- Female: 2
- Male: 3
Context
Barabas and his daughter Abigail have had their home unjustly seized by the government of Malta in order to pay tribute to the invading Turks. Barabas has a cache of jewels and gold hidden under the floorboards of the house, but the governor has ordered the building to be converted into a nunnery. In order to reclaim the hidden cache and save themselves from financial ruin, Abigail goes to the nunnery requesting to join the sisterhood, with Barabas accompanying her to complete the ruse.
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[Enter FRIAR JACOMO, FRIAR BARNARDINE, ABBESS, and a NUN.]
FRIAR JACOMO. Sisters,
We now are almost at the new-made nunnery.
ABBESS. The better; for we love not to be seen:
'Tis thirty winters long since some of us
Did stray so far amongst the multitude.
FRIAR JACOMO. But, madam, this house
And waters of this new-made nunnery
Will much delight you.
ABBESS. It may be so.---But who comes here?
[ABIGAIL comes forward.]
ABIGAIL. Grave abbess, and you happy virgins' guide,
Pity the state of a distressed maid!
ABBESS. What art thou, daughter?
ABIGAIL. The hopeless daughter of a hapless Jew,
The Jew of Malta, wretched Barabas,
Sometimes the owner of a goodly house,
Which they have now turn'd to a nunnery.
ABBESS. Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us?
ABIGAIL. Fearing the afflictions which my father feels
Proceed from sin or want of faith in us,
I'd pass away my life in penitence,
And be a novice in your nunnery,
To make atonement for my labouring soul.
FRIAR JACOMO. No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of
the spirit.
FRIAR BARNARDINE.
Ay, and of a moving spirit too, brother: but come,
Let us entreat she may be entertain'd.
ABBESS. Well, daughter, we admit you for a nun.
ABIGAIL. First let me as a novice learn to frame
My solitary life to your strait laws,
And let me lodge where I was wont to lie:
I do not doubt, by your divine precepts
And mine own industry, but to profit much.
BARABAS. As much, I hope, as all I hid is worth.
[Aside.]
ABBESS. Come, daughter, follow us.
BARABAS. [coming forward] Why, how now, Abigail!
What mak'st thou 'mongst these hateful Christians?
FRIAR JACOMO. Hinder her not, thou man of little faith,
For she has mortified herself.
BARABAS. How! mortified!
FRIAR JACOMO. And is admitted to the sisterhood.
BARABAS. Child of perdition, and thy father's shame!
What wilt thou do among these hateful fiends?
I charge thee on my blessing that thou leave
These devils and their damned heresy!
ABIGAIL. Father, forgive me---
BARABAS. Nay, back, Abigail,
And think upon the jewels and the gold;
The board is marked thus that covers it.---
[Aside to ABIGAIL in a whisper.]
Away, accursed, from thy father's sight!
FRIAR JACOMO. Barabas, although thou art in misbelief,
And wilt not see thine own afflictions,
Yet let thy daughter be no longer blind.
BARABAS. Blind friar, I reck not thy persuasions,---
The board is marked thus that covers it---
[Aside to ABIGAIL in a whisper.]
For I had rather die than see her thus.---
Wilt thou forsake me too in my distress,
Seduced daughter?---Go, forget not.---
[Aside to her in a whisper.]
Becomes it Jews to be so credulous?---
To-morrow early I'll be at the door.---
[Aside to her in a whisper.]
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 to her in a whisper.]
Out, out, thou wretch!
[Exit, on one side, BARABAS. Exeunt, on the other side, FRIARS, ABBESS, NUN, and ABIGAIL]
Marlowe, Christopher. The Jew of Malta. Act 1, sc 2
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