Volume II Part 5 (2/2)

Wilt thou forsake me too in my distress, Seduced daughter? (_Go, forget not, go._[39]) Becomes it Jews to be so credulous?

(_To-morrow early I'll be at the door._) No, come not at me; if thou wilt be d.a.m.ned, Forget me, see me not, and so be gone.

(_Farewell, remember to-morrow morning._) 360 Out, out, thou wretch!

[_Exeunt, on one side_ Barabas, _on the other side_ Friars, Abbess, Nun _and_ Abigail; _as they are going out_,

_Enter_ MATHIAS.

_Math._ Who's this? fair Abigail, the rich Jew's daughter, Become a nun! her father's sudden fall Has humbled her and brought her down to this: Tut, she were fitter for a tale of love, Than to be tired out with orisons: And better would she far become a bed, Embraced in a friendly lover's arms, Than rise at midnight to a solemn ma.s.s.

_Enter_ LODOWICK.

_Lod._ Why, how now, Don Mathias! in a dump? 370

_Math._ Believe me, n.o.ble Lodowick, I have seen The strangest sight, in my opinion, That ever I beheld.

_Lod._ What was't, I prythee?

_Math._ A fair young maid, scarce fourteen years of age, The sweetest flower in Cytherea's field, Cropt from the pleasures of the fruitful earth, And strangely metamorphos'd to a nun.

_Lod._ But say, what was she?

_Math._ Why, the rich Jew's daughter.

_Lod._ What, Barabas, whose goods were lately seized?

Is she so fair?

_Math._ And matchless beautiful; 380 As had you seen her 'twould have moved your heart, Though countermined with walls of bra.s.s, to love, Or at the least to pity.

_Lod._ And if she be so fair as you report, 'Twere time well spent to go 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 go hard.

Farewell, Mathias.

_Math._ Farewell, Lodowick.

[_Exeunt severally._

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_Enter_[40] BARABAS _with a light._

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