And wares of Barabas, which being valued, Fern. Then we'll take order for the residue. Bar. Well then, my lord, say, are you satisfied? And now shall move you to bereave my life. Fern. No, Barabas, to stain our hands with blood Is far from us and our profession. Bar. Why, I esteem the injury far less To take the lives of miserable men Than be the causers of their misery. You have my wealth, the labour of my life, And therefore ne'er distinguish of the wrong. 140 150 Fern. Content thee, Barabas, thou hast naught but right. Bar. Your extreme right does me exceeding wrong: But take it to you, i' the devil's name. Fern. Come, let us in, and gather of these goods The money for this tribute of the Turk. 1st Knight. 'Tis necessary that be looked unto : For if we break our day, we break the league, And that will prove but simple1 policy. 160 [Exeunt all except BARABAS and the Jews. Bar. Ay, policy! that's their profession, And not simplicity, as they suggest. The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of Heaven, 1 Foolish. Earth's barrenness, and all men's hatred 1st Jew. Why, Barabas, as hardly can we brook The cruel handling of ourselves in this ; Thou seest they have taken half our goods. Bar. Why did you yield to their extortion? You were a multitude, and I but one: And of me only have they taken all. 1st Jew. Yet, brother Barabas, remember Job. She-asses: but for every one of those, Had they been valued at indifferent rate, I had at home, and in mine argosy, And other ships that came from Egypt last, As much as would have bought his beasts and him, So that not he, but I may curse the day, 170 180 190 And hide these extreme sorrows from mine eyes: For only I have toiled to inherit here The months of vanity and loss of time, 200 And painful nights, have been appointed me. 2d Jew. Good Barabas, be patient. Bar. Ay, I pray, leave me in my patience. You, Were ne'er possessed of wealth, are pleased with want; That in a field amidst his enemies Doth see his soldiers slain, himself disarmed, Ay, let me sorrow for this sudden chance; 1st Jew. Come, let us leave him; in his ireful mood Our words will but increase his ecstasy.1 2d Jew. On, then; but trust me 'tis a misery To see a man in such affliction. Farewell, Barabas ! Bar. Ay, fare you well. 210 [Exeunt the three Jews.2 See the simplicity of these base slaves, 1 Violent emotion. 220 2 Dyce suggests that the scene is now shifted to a street near Barabas' house. Enter ABIGAIL. But whither wends my beauteous Abigail? Abig. Not for myself, but agèd Barabas : And rend their hearts with tearing of my hair, Till they reduce1 the wrongs done to my father. Are hardly cured with exclamations. Be silent, daughter, sufferance breeds ease, 230 240 Which on the sudden cannot serve the turn. Ten thousand portagues, besides great pearls, Fearing the worst of this before it fell, I closely hid. Abig. Where, father? Bar. In my house, my girl. Abig. Then shall they ne'er be seen of Barabas : For they have seized upon thy house and wares. 1 Lessen, diminish. Dyce suggests redress. 2 Portuguese gold coins. 250 Bar. But they will give me leave once more, Το go into my house. Abig. That may they not: For there I left the governor placing nuns, Displacing me; and of thy house they mean I trow, To make a nunnery, where none but their own sect' Bar. My gold! my gold! and all my wealth is gone! What, will you thus oppose me, luckless stars, We ought to make bar of no policy. Abig. Father, whate'er it be to injure them That have so manifestly wrongèd us, What will not Abigail attempt? Bar. Why, so ; Then thus, thou told'st me they have turned my house Into a nunnery, and some nuns are there? Abig. I did. Bar. Then, Abigail, there must my girl 260 270 280 1 Sex. |