Volume II Part 6 (1/2)

_Bar._ Thus,[41] like the sad presaging raven, that tolls The sick man's pa.s.sport in her hollow beak, And in the shadow of the silent night Doth shake contagion from her sable wings; Vexed and tormented runs poor Barabas With fatal curses towards these Christians The uncertain pleasures of swift-footed time Have ta'en their flight, and left me in despair; And of my former riches rests no more But bare remembrance, like a soldier's scar, 10 That has no further comfort for his maim.

O thou, that with a fiery pillar led'st The sons of Israel through the dismal shades, Light Abraham's offspring; and direct the hand Of Abigail this night; or let the day Turn to eternal darkness after this: No sleep can fasten on my watchful eyes, Nor quiet enter my distempered thoughts, Till I have answer of my Abigail.

_Enter_ ABIGAIL _above._

_Abig._ Now have I happily espied a time 20 To search the plank my father did appoint; And here behold, unseen, where I have found The gold, the pearls, and jewels, which he hid.

_Bar._ Now I remember those old women's words, Who in my wealth would tell me winter's tales,[42]

And speak of spirits and ghosts that glide by night About the place where treasure hath been hid:[43]

And now methinks that I am one of those: For whilst I live, here lives my soul's sole hope, And, when I die, here shall my spirit walk. 30

_Abig._ Now that my father's fortune were so good As but to be about this happy place; 'Tis not so happy: yet when we parted last, He said he would attend me in the morn.

Then, gentle sleep, where'er his body rests, Give charge to Morpheus that he may dream A golden dream, and of the sudden wake,[44]

Come and receive the treasure I have found.

_Bar._ _Bueno para todos mi ganado no era_:[45]

As good go on as sit so sadly thus. 40 But stay, what star s.h.i.+nes yonder in the east?[46]

The loadstar of my life, if Abigail.

Who's there?

_Abig._ Who's that?

_Bar._ Peace, Abigail, 'tis I.

_Abig._ Then, father, here receive thy happiness.

[_Throws down bags._

_Bar._ Hast thou't?

_Abig._ Here, [_throws down the bags_] hast thou't?

There's more, and more, and more.

_Bar._ O my girl, My gold, my fortune, my felicity!

Strength to my soul, death to mine enemy!

Welcome the first beginner of my bliss!

O Abigail, Abigail, that I had thee here too! 50 Then my desires were fully satisfied: But I will practise thy enlargement thence: O girl! O gold! O beauty! O my bliss!

[_Hugs his bags._ _Abig._ Father, it draweth towards midnight now, And 'bout this time the nuns begin to wake; To shun suspicion, therefore, let us part.

_Bar_. Farewell, my joy, and by my fingers take A kiss from him that sends it from his soul.

[_Exit_ ABIGAIL _above._ Now Phoebus ope the eyelids[47] of the day, And for the raven wake the morning lark, 60 That I may hover with her in the air; Singing o'er these, as she does o'er her young.

_Hermoso[48] Piarer de les Denirch._ [_Exit._

SCENE II.

_Enter_[49] Governor, MARTIN DEL BOSCO, _and_ Knights.

_Gov._ Now, captain, tell us whither thou art bound?