The Works of Christopher Marlowe - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
_F. Jac._ Sisters, we now are almost at the new-made nunnery.
_Abb._[33] The better; for we love not to be seen: 'Tis thirty winters long since some of us Did stray so far amongst the mult.i.tude.
_F. Jac._ But, madam, this house And waters[34] of this new-made nunnery Will much delight you. 310
_Abb._[35] It may be so; but who comes here?
[ABIGAIL _comes forward._ _Abig._ Grave abbess, and you, happy virgins' guide, Pity the state of a distressed maid.
_Abb._ What art thou, daughter?
_Abig._ The hopeless daughter of a hapless Jew, The Jew of Malta, wretched Barabas; Sometimes[36] the owner of a goodly house, Which they have now turned to a nunnery.
_Abb._ Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us?
_Abig._ Fearing the afflictions which my father feels 320 Proceed from sin, or want of faith in us, I'd pa.s.s away my life in penitence, And be a novice in your nunnery, To make atonement for my labouring soul.
_F. Jac._ No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit.
_F. Barn._ I, and of a moving spirit too, brother; but come, Let us intreat she may be entertained.
_Abb._ Well, daughter, we admit you for a nun.
_Abig._ First let me as a novice learn to frame My solitary life to your strait laws, 330 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.
_Bar._ As much, I hope, as all I hid is worth. [_Aside._
_Abb._ Come, daughter, follow us.
_Bar._ Why, how now, Abigail, What makest thou amongst these hateful Christians?
_F. Jac._ Hinder her not, thou man of little faith, For she has mortified herself.
_Bar._ How! mortified?
_F. Jac._ And is admitted to the sisterhood.
_Bar._ Child of perdition, and thy father's shame! 340 What wilt thou do among these hateful fiends?
I charge thee on my blessing that thou leave These devils, and their d.a.m.ned heresy.
_Abig._ Father, give[37] me-- [_She goes to him._
_Bar._ Nay, back, Abigail, (_And think upon the jewels and the gold_, [_Whispers to her.
The board is marked thus that covers it._) Away, accursed, from thy father's sight.
_F. Jac._ Barabas, although thou art in misbelief, And wilt not see thine own afflictions, Yet let thy daughter be no longer blind. 350
_Bar._ Blind friar, I reck not thy persuasions, (_The board is marked thus[38] that covers it_.)
For I had rather die than see her thus.
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._
