Volume II Part 9 (1/2)

_Bar._ O, Heaven forbid I should have such a thought.

Pardon me though I weep: the Governor's son 260 Will, whether I will or no, have Abigail: He sends her letters, bracelets, jewels, rings.

_Math._ Does she receive them?

_Bar._ She? No, Mathias, no, but sends them back, And when he comes, she locks herself up fast; Yet through the keyhole will he talk to her, While she runs to the window looking out, When you should come and hale him from the door.

_Math._ O treacherous Lodowick!

_Bar._ Even now as I came home, he slipt me in, 270 And I am sure he is with Abigail.

_Math._ I'll rouse him thence.

_Bar._ 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.

_Enter_ LODOWICK _and_ ABIGAIL.

_Math._ What, hand in hand! I cannot suffer this.

_Bar._ Mathias, as thou lovest me, not a word. 280

_Math._ Well, let it pa.s.s, another time shall serve.

[_Exit._ _Lod._ Barabas, is not that the widow's son?

_Bar._ I, and take heed, for he hath sworn your death.

_Lod._ My death? what, is the base-born peasant mad?

_Bar._ No, no, but happily he stands in fear Of that which you, I think, ne'er dream upon, My daughter here, a paltry silly girl.

_Lod._ Why, loves she Don Mathias?

_Bar._ Doth she not with her smiling answer you?

_Abig._ He has my heart; I smile against my will. [_Aside._ 290

_Lod._ Barabas, thou know'st I've loved thy daughter long.

_Bar._ And so has she done you, even from a child.

_Lod._ And now I can no longer hold my mind.

_Bar._ Nor I the affection that I bear to you.

_Lod._ This is thy diamond, tell me shall I have it?

_Bar._ Win it, and wear it, it is yet unsoiled.

O! but I know your lords.h.i.+p would disdain To marry with the daughter of a Jew; And yet I'll give her many a golden cross[75]