Fear not their sale, for they'll be quickly bought. 2 OFF. Every one's price is written on his back, And so much must they yield or not be sold. 1 OFF. Here comes the Jew, had not his goods been seiz'd, He'd give us present money for them all. Enter BARABAS. Bar. In spite of these swine-eating Christians, (Unchosen nation, never circumcis'd; Such as poor villains were ne'er thought upon Till Titus and Vespasian conquer'd us.) Am I become as wealthy as I was: They hop'd my daughter would have been a pun; But she's at home, and I have bought a house As great and fair as is the governor's ; And there in spite of Malta will I dwell: Having Ferneze's hand, whose heart I'll have; Aye, and his son's too, or it shall go hard. I am not of the tribe of Levi, I, That can so soon forget an injury. We Jews can fawn like spaniels when we please; And when we grin we bite, yet are our looks As innocent and harmless as a lamb's. I learn’d in Florence how to kiss my hand, Here comes Don Lodowick the governor's son, LOD. I hear the wealthy Jew walked this way; I'll seek him out, and so insinuate, That I may have a sight of Abigail; For Don Mathias tells me she is fair. BAR. Now will I shew myself to have more of the serpent Than the dove; that is, more knave than fool. LOD. Yond' walks the Jew, now for fair Abigail. BAR. Aye, aye, no doubt but she's at your command. LOD. Barabas, thou know'st I am the governor's son. BAR. I would you were his father too, sir, that's all the harm I wish you the slave looks like a hog's cheek, new singed. LOD. Whither walk'st thou, Barabas? [Aside. BAR. No further: 'tis a custom held with us, LOD. Well, Barabas, canst help me to a diamond? Yet I have one left that will serve your turn: I have the poison of the city for him, and the White leprosy. [Aside. LOD. What sparkle does it give without a foil? BAR. The diamond that I talk of, ne'er was foil'd: But when he touches it, it will be foil'd : Lord Lodowick, it sparkles bright and fair. LOD. Is it square or pointed, pray let me know. BAR. Pointed it is, good sir,--but not for you. LOD. I like it much the better. BAR. So do I too. LOD. How shows it by night? BAR. Outshines Cynthia's rays: [Aside. You'll like it better far a nights than days. [Aside. LOD. And what's the price? BAR. Your life and if you have it. Oh my Lord We will not jar about the price; come to my house And I will give't your honour-with a vengeance. LOD. No, Barabas, I will deserve it first. [Aside. BAR. Good sir, your father has deserv'd it at my hands, Who of mere charity and Christian truth, To bring me to religious purity, And as it were in catechising sort, To make me mindful of my mortal sins, Against my will, and whether I would or no, And yet I know the prayers of those nuns And holy friars, having money for their pains, LOD. Good Barabas glance not at our holy nuns. BAR. No, but I do it through a burning zeal. Hoping ere long to set the house a-fire; For though they do a while increase and multiply, I'll have a saying to that nunnery. As for the diamond, sir, I told you of, [Aside. Come home and there's no price shall make us part, It shall go hard but I will see your death, [Aside. LOD. And, Barabas, I'll bear thee company. Of this slave, two hundred crowns? Do the Turks weigh so much? OFF. Sir, that's his price. BAR. What, can he steal that you demand so much? Belike he has some new trick for a purse; And if he has, he is worth three hundred plates. LOD. Ratest thou this Moor but at two hundred plates? 1 OFF. No more, my lord. BAR. Why should this Turk be dearer than that Moor? OFF. Because he is young and has more qualities. BAR. What, hast the philosopher's stone? and thou hast, Break my head with it, I'll forgive thee. If SLAVE. No sir, I can cut and shave. BAR. Let me see, sirrah, are you not an old shaver ? SLAVE. Alas, sir, I am a very youth. BAR. A youth? I'll buy you, and marry you to Lady Vanity, you do well. SLAVE. I will serve you, sir. BAR. Some wicked trick or other. It may be under colour Of shaving, thou'lt cut my throat for my goods. SLAVE. Aye, passing well. BAR. So much the worse; I must have one that's sickly; And be but for sparing victuals: 'tis not a stone of beef a day Will maintain you in these chops; let me see one That's somewhat leaner. 1 OFF. Here's a leaner, how like BAR. Where wast thou born? you him? |