The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta

Front matter

The Famous TRAGEDY OF THE RICH IEVV OF MALTA.

AS IT VVAS PLAYD BEFORE THE King AND Qveene, IN HIS MAJESTIES Theatre at White-Hall, by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit.

Written by Christopher Marlo.

Epistle Dedicatory

TO MY WORTHY FRIEND, Mr. Thomas Hammon, OF GRAYES INNE, &c.

THis Play, composed by so worthy an Authour as Mr. Marlo; and the part of the Jew presented by so unimitable an Actor as Mr. Allin, being in this later Age commended to the Stage: As I usher'd it unto the Court, and presented it to the Cock-pit, with these Prologues and Epilogues here inserted, so now being newly brought to the Presse, I was loath it should be published without the ornament of an Epistle; making choyce of you unto whom to devote it; then whom (of all those Gentlemen and acquaintance within, the compasse of my long knowledge) there is none more able to taxe ignorance, or attribute right to merit. Sir, you have bin pleased to grace some of mine owne workes with your curteous patronage; I hope this will not be the worse accepted, because commended by mee; over whom, none can clayme more power or privilege than your selfe. I had no better a New-yeares gift to present you with; receive it therefore as a continuance of that inviolable obliegement, by which, he rests still ingaged; who as he ever hath, shall alwayes remaine,

Tuissimus:

Tho. Heywood.

The Prologue Spoken at Court

The Prologue spoken at Court.

GRacious and Great, that we so boldly dare, (Mongst other Playes that now in fashion are) To present this; writ many yeares agone, And in that Age, thought second unto none; We humbly crave your pardon: we pursue The story of a rich and famous Jew Who liv'd in Malta: you shall find him still, In all his projects, a sound Machevill; And that's his Character: He that hath past So many Censures, is now come at last To have your princely Eares, grace you him; then You crowne the Action, and renowne the pen.

Epilogue

Epilogue.

I is our feare (dread Soveraigne) we have bin Too tedious; neither can't be lesse than sinne To wrong your Princely patience: If we have, (Thus low dejected) we your pardon crave: And if ought here offend your eare or sight, We onely Act, and Speake, what others write.

The Prologue to the Stage, at the Cocke-Pit

The Prologue to the Stage, at the Cocke-Pit.

W know not how our Play may passe this Stage, But by the best of Poets in that age The Malta Jew had being, and was made; And He, then by the best of Actors play'd: In Hero and Leander, one did gaine A lasting memorie: in Tamberlaine, This Jew, with others many: th' other wan The Attribute of peerelesse, being a man Whom we may ranke with (doing no one wrong) Proteus for shapes, and Roscius for a tongue, So could he speake, so vary; nor is't hate To merit: in him who doth personate Our Jew this day; nor is it his ambition To exceed, or equall, being of condition More modest; this is all that he intends, (And that too, at the urgence of some friends) To prove his best, and if none here gaine-say it, The part he hath studied, and intends to play it.

Epilogue

Epilogue.

I Graving, with Pigmalion to contend; Or Painting, with Apelles, doubtlesse the end Must be disgrace: our Actor did not so, He onely aym'd to goe, but not out-goe. Nor thinke that this day any prize was plaid, Here were no betts at all, no wagers laid; All the ambition that his mind doth swell, Is but to heare from you, (by me) 'twas well.

Act 1

THE JEW OF MALTA.

Machevil.

ALbeit the world think Machevill is dead,

Yet was his soule but flowne beyond the Alpes, And, now the Guize is dead, is come from France To view this Land, and frolicke with his friends. To some perhaps my name is odious, But such as love me, gard me from their tongues, And let them know that I am Machevill, And weigh not men, and therefore not mens words: Admir'd I am of those that hate me most. Though some speake openly against my bookes, Yet will they reade me, and thereby attaine To Peters Chayre: And, when they cast me off; Are poyson'd by my climing followers. I count Religion but a childish Toy, And hold there is no sinne but Ignorance. Birds of the Aire will tell of murders past; I am asham'd to heare such fooleries: Many will talke of Title to a Crowne. What right had Cæsar to the Empire? Might first made Kings, and Lawes were then most sure When like the Drancus they were writ in blood.

Hence comes it, that a strong built Citadell Commands much more then letters can import: Which maxime had Phaleris observ'd, H'had never bellowed in a brasen Bull Of great ones envy; o'th poore petty wites, Let me be envy'd and not pittied! But whither am I bound, I come not, I, To reade a lecture here in Britaine, But to present the Tragedy of a Jew, Who smiles to see how full his bags are cramb'd Which mony was not got without my meanes. I crave but this, Grace him as he deserves, And let him not be entertain'd the worse Because he favours me.

Enter Barabas in his Counting-house, with heapes of gold before him.

Jew, So that of thus much that returne was made: And of the third part of the Persian ships, There was the venture summ'd and satisfied. As for those Samintes, and the men of Vzz, That bought my Spanish Oyles, and Wines of Greece, Here have I purst their paltry silverbings. Fye; what a trouble tis to count this trash. Well fare the Arabians, who so richly pay, The things they traffique for with wedge of gold, Whereof a man may easily in a day Tell that which may maintaine him all his life. The needy groome that never fingred groat, Would make a miracle of thus much coyne: But he whose steele-bard coffers are cramb'd full, And all his life time hath bin tired, Wearying his fingers ends with telling it, Would in his age be loath to labour so, And for a pound to sweat himselfe to death: Give me the Merchants of the Indian Mynes, That trade in mettall of the purest mould; The wealth Moore, that in the Easterne rockes

Without controule can picke his riches up, And in his house heape pearle like pibble-stones: Receive them free, and sell them by the weight, Bags of fiery Opals, Saphires, Amatists, Iacints, hard Topas, grasse-greene Emeraulds, Beauteous Rubyes, sparkling Diamonds, And seildsene costly stones of so great price, As one of them indifferently rated, And of a Carrect of this quantity, May serve in perill of calamity To ransome great Kings from captivity. This is the ware wherein consists my wealth: And thus me thinkes should men of judgement frame Their meanes of traffique from the vulgar trade, And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose Infinite riches in a little roome. But now how stands the wind? Into what corner peeres my Halcions bill? Ha, to the East? yes: See how stands the Vanes? East and by-South: why then I hope my ships I sent for Egypt and the bordering Iles Are gotten up by Nilus winding bankes: Mine Argosie from Alexandria, Loaden with Spice and Silkes, now under saile, Are smoothly gliding downe by Candie shoare To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea. But who comes heare? How now.

Enter a Merchant.

Merch. Barabas, thy ships are safe, Riding in Malta Rhode: And all the Merchants With other Merchandize are safe arriv'd, And have sent me to know whether your selfe Will come and custome them.

Iew. The ships are safe thou saist, and richly fraught.

Merch. They are.

Jew. Why then goe bid them come ashore, And bring with them their bils of entry:

I hope our credit in the Custome-house Will serve as well as I were present there. Goe send 'um threescore Camels, thirty Mules, And twenty Waggons to bring up the ware. But art thou master in a ship of mine, And is thy credit not enough for that?

Merch. The very Custome barely comes to more Then many Merchants of the Towne are worth, And therefore farre exceeds my credit, Sir.

Jew. Goe tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man. Tush, who amongst 'em knowes not Barrabas?

Merch. I goe.

Jew. So then, there's somewhat come. Sirra, which of my ships art thou Master off?

Merch. Of the Speranza, Sir.

Jew. And saw'st thou not mine Argosie at Alexandria? Thou couldst not come from Egypt, or by Caire But at the entry there into the sea, Where Nilus payes his tribute to the maine, Thou needs must saile by Alexandria.

Merch. I neither saw them, nor inquir'd of them. But this we heard some of our sea-men say, They wondred how you durst with so much wealth Trust such a crazed Vessell, and so farre.

Jew. Tush; they are wise, I know her and her strength: By goe, goe thou thy wayes, discharge thy Ship, And bid my Factor bring his loading in. And yet I wonder at this Argosie,

Enter a second Merchant.

2. Merch. Thine Argosie from Alexandria, Know Barabas doth ride in Malta Rhode. Laden with riches, and exceeding store Of Persian silkes, of gold, and Orient Perle.

Jew. How chance you came not with those other ships That sail'd by Egypt?

2 Merch. Sir we saw 'em not.

Jew. Belike they coasted round by Candie shoare

About their Oyles, or other businesses. But 'twas ill done of you to come so farre Without the ayd or conduct of their ships.

2. Merch. Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish Fleet That never left us till within a league, That had the Gallies of the Turke in chase.

Jew. Oh they were going up to Sicily: well, goe And bid the Merchants and my men dispatch And come ashore, and see the fraught discharg'd.

Merch. I goe.

Exit.

Jew. Thus trowles our fortune in by land and Sea, And thus are wee on enery side inrich'd: These are the Blessings promis'd to the Jewes, And herein was old Abrams happinesse: What more may Heaven doe for earthly man Then thus to powre out plenty in their laps, Ripping the bowels of the earth for them, Making the Sea their servants, and the winds To drive their substance with successefull blasts? Who hateth me but for my happinesse? Or who is honour'd now but for his wealth? Rather had I a Jew be hated thus, Then pittied in a Christian poverty: For I can see no fruits in all their faith, But malice, falshood, and excessive pride, Which me thinkes fits not their profession. Happily some haplesse man hath conscience, And for his conscience lives in beggery. They say we are a scatter'd Nation: I cannot tell, but we have scambled up More wealth by farre then those that brag of faith. There's Kirriab Jairim, the great Jew of Greece, Obed in Bairseth, Nones in Portugall, My selfe in Malta, some in Italy, Many in France, and wealthy every one: I, wealthier farre then any Christian. I must confesse we come not to be Kings:

That's not our fault: Alas, our number's few, And Crownes come either by succession Or urg'd by force; and nothing violent, Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent. Give us a peacefull rule, make Christians Kings, That thirst so much for Principality. I have no charge, nor many children, But one sole Daughter, whom I hold as deare As Agamemnon did his Iphigen: And all I have is hers. But who comes here?

Enter three Jewes.

1. Tush, tell not me 'twas done of policie.

2. Come therefore let us goe to Barrabas; For he can counsell best in these affaires; And here he comes.

Jew. Why how now Countrymen? Why flocke you thus to me in multitudes? What accident's betided to the Jewes?

1. A Fleet of warlike Gallyes, Barabas, Are come from Turkey, and lye in our Rhode: And they this day sit in the Counsell-house To entertaine them and their Embassie.

Jew. Why let 'em come, so they come not to warre; Or let 'em warre, so we be conquerors: Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all,

aside.

So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth.

1. Were it for confirmation of a League, They would not come in warlike manner thus.

2.

I feare their comming will afflict us all.

Jew. Fond men, what dreame you of their multitudes? What need they treat of peace that are in league? The Turkes and those of Malta are in league. Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't.

1. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or warre.

Jew. Happily for neither, but to passe along Towards Venice by the Adriatick Sea; With whom they have attempted many times,

But never could effect their Stratagem.

3. And very wisely sayd, it may be so.

2. But there's a meeting in the Senate-house, And all the Jewes in Malta must be there.

Jew. Umh; All the Jewes in Malta must be there? I, like enough, why then let every man Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake. If any thing shall there concerne our state Assure your selves I'le looke unto my selfe.

aside,

1. I know you will; well brethren let us goe.

2. Let's take our leaves; Farewell good Barabas.

Jew. Doe so; Farewell Zaareth, farewell Temainte. And Barabas now search this secret out. Summon thy sences, call thy wits togethre: These silly men mistake the matter cleane. Long to the Turke did Malta contribute; Which Tribute all in policie, I feare, The Turkes have let increase to such a summe, As all the wealth of Malta cannot pay; And now by that advantage thinkes, belike, To seize upon the Towne: I, that he seekes. How ere the world goe, I'le make sure for one, And seeke in time to intercept the worst, Warily garding that which I ha got. Ego mihimet sum semper proximas. Why let 'em enter, let 'em take the Towne.

Enter Governors of Malta, Knights met by Bassoes of the Turke; Calymath.

Gover. Now Bassoes, what demand you at our hands?

Bass. Know Knights of Malta, that we came from Rhodes From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Iles That lye betwixt the Mediterranean seas.

Gov. What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other Iles To us, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?

Calim. The ten yeares tribute that remaines unpaid.

Gov. Alas, my Lord, the summe is overgreat, I hope your Highnesse will consider us.

Calim. I wish, grave Governours 'twere in my power To favour you, but 'tis my fathers cause, Wherein I may not, nay I dare not dally.

Gov. Then give us leave, great Selim-Calymath.

Caly. Stand all aside, and let the Knights determine, And send to keepe our Gallies under-saile, For happily we shall not tarry here: Now Governours how are you resolv'd?

Gov. Thus: Since your hard conditions are such That you will needs have ten yeares tribute past, We may have time to make collection Amongst the Inhabitants of Malta for't.

Bass. That's more then is in our Commission.

Caly. What Callapine a little curtesie. Let's know their time, perhaps it is not long; And 'tis more Kingly to obtaine by peace Then to enforce conditions by constraint. What respit aske you Governours?

Gov. But a month.

Caly. We grant a month, but see you keep your promise. Now lanch our Gallies backe againe to Sea, Where wee'll attend the respit you have tane, And for the mony send our messenger. Farewell great Governors, and brave Knights of Malta.

Exeunt.

Gov. And all good fortune wait on Calymath. Goe one and call those Jewes of Malta hither: Were they not summon'd to appeare to day.

Officer. They were, my Lord, and here they come.

Enter Barabas, and three Jewes.

1 Knight. Have you determin'd what to say to them?

Gov. Yes, give me leave, and Hebrwes now come neare. From the Emperour of Turkey is arriv'd Great Selim-Calymath, his Highnesse sonne, To levie of us ten yeares tribute past, Now then here know that it concerneth us:

Bar. Then good my Lord, to keepe your quiet still,

Your Lordship shall doe well to let them have it.

Gov. Soft Barabas, there's more longs too't than so. To what this ten yeares tribute will amount That we have cast, but cannot compasse it By reason of the warres, that robb'd our store; And therefore are we to request your ayd.

Bar. Alas, my Lord, we are no souldiers: And what's our aid against so great a Prince?

1 Kni. Tut, Jew, we know thou art no souldier; Thou art a Merchant, and a monied man, And 'tis thy mony, Barabas, we seeke.

Bar. How, my Lord, my mony?

Gov. Thine and the rest. For to be short, amongst you 'tmust be had,

Jew. Alas, my Lord, the most of us are poore.

Gov. Then let the rich increase your portions:

Bar. Are strangers with your tribute to be tax'd?

2 Kni. Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? Then let them with us contribute.

Bar. How, equally?

Gov. No, Jew, like infidels. For through our sufferance of your hatefull lives, Who stand accursed in the sight of heaven, These taxes and afflictions are befal'ne, And therefore thus we are determined; Reade there the Articles of our decrees.

Reader. First, the tribute mony of the Turkes shall all be Levyed amongst the Jewes, and each of them to pay one Halfe of his estate.

Bar. How, halfe his estate? I hope you meane not mine.

Gov. Read on.

Read. Secondly, hee that denies to pay, shal straight become A Christian.

Bar. How a Christian? Hum, what's here to doe?

Read. Lastly, he that denies this, shall absolutely lose al he has.

All 3 Jewes. Oh my Lord we will give halfe.

Bar. Oh earth-mettall'd villaines, and no Hebrews born!

And will you basely thus submit your selves To leave your goods to their arbitrament?

Gov. Why Barabas wilt thou be christned?

Bar. No, Governour, I will be no convertite.

Gov, Then pay thy halfe.

Bar. Why know you what you did by this device? Halfe of my substance is a Cities wealth. Governour, it was not got so easily; Nor will I part so slightly therewithall.

Gov. Sir, halfe is the penalty of our decree, Either pay that, or we will seize on all.

Bar. Corpo di deo; stay, you shall have halfe, Let me be us'd but as my brethren are.

Gov. No, Jew, thou hast denied the Articles, And now it cannot be recall'd.

Bar, Will you then steale my goods? Is theft the ground of your Religion?

Gov. No, Jew, we take particularly thine To save the ruine of a multitude: And better one want for a common good, Then many perish for a private man: Yet Barrabas we will not banish thee, But here in Malta, where thou gotst thy wealth, Live still; and if thou canst, get more.

Bar. Christians; what, or how can I multiply? Of nought is nothing made.

1 Knight. From nought at first thou canst to little welth, From little unto more, from more to most: If your first curse fall heavy on thy head, And make thee poore and scorn'd of all the world, 'Tis not our fault, but thy inherent sinne.

Bar. What? bring you Scripture to confirm your wronge? Preach me not out of my possessions. Some Jewes are wicked, as all Christians are: But say the Tribe that I descended of Were all in generall cast away for sinne, Shall I be tryed by their transgression?

The man that dealeth righteously shall live: And which of you can charge me otherwise?

Gov. Out wretched Barabas, sham'st thou not thus To justifie thy selfe, as if we knew not Thy profession? If thou rely upon thy righteousnesse, Be patient and thy riches will increase. Excesse of wealth is cause of covetousnesse: And covetousnesse, oh 'tis a monstrous sinne.

Bar. I, but theft is worse: tush, take not from me then, For that is theft; and if you rob me thus, I must be forc'd to steale and compasse more.

1 Kni. Grave Governors, list not to his exclames: Convert his mansion to a Nunnery,

Enter Officers.

His house will harbour many holy Nuns.

Gov. It shall be so: now Officers have you done?

Offic. I, my Lord, we have seiz'd upon the goods And wares of Barabas, which being valued Amount to more then all the wealth in Malta. And of the other we have seized halfe. Then wee'll take order for the residue.

Bar. Well then my Lord, say, are you satisfied? You have my goods, my mony, and my wealth, My ships, my store, and all that I enjoy'd; And having all, you can request no more; Unlesse your unrelenting flinty hearts Suppresse all pitty in your stony breasts, And now shall move you to bereave my life.

Gov. No, Barabas, to staine our hands with blood Is farre from us and our profession.

Bar. Why I esteeme the injury farre lesse, To take the lives of miserable men, Then be the causers of their misery, You have my wealth the labour of my life, The comfort of mine age, my childrens hope, And therefore ne're distinguish of the wrong.

Gov. Content thee, Barabas, thou hast nought but right.

Bar. Your extreme right does me exceeding wrong:

But take it to you i'th devils name.

Gov. Come, let us in, and gather of these goods The mony for this tribute of the Turke.

1 Knight, 'Tis necessary that be look'd unto: For if we breake our day, we breake the league, And that will prove but simple policie.

Exeunt.

Bar. I, policie? that's their profession, And not simplicity, as they suggest. The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of heaven, Earths barrennesse, and all mens hatred Inflict upon them, thou great Primas Motor. And here upon my knees, striking the earth, I banne their soules to everlasting paines And extreme tortures of the fiery deepe, That thus have dealt with me in my distresse.

1 Jew. Oh yet be patient, gentle Barabas.

Bar. Oh silly brethren, borne to see this day! Why stand you thus unmou'd with my laments? Why weepe you not to thinke upon my wrongs? Why pine not I, and dye in this distresse?

1 Jew. Why, Barabas, as hardly can we brooke The cruell handling of our selves in this: Thou seest they have taken halfe our goods.

Bar. Why did you yeeld to their extortion? You were a multitude, and I but one, And of me onely have they taken all.

1 Jew. Yet brother Barabas remember Job,

Bar. What tell you me of Job? I wot his wealth Was written thus: he had seven thousand sheepe, Three thousand Camels, and two hundred yoake Of labouring Oxen, and five hundred Shee Asses: but for every one of those, Had they beene valued at indifferent rate, I had at home, and in mine Argosie And other ships that came from Egypt last, As much as would have bought his beasts and him, And yet have kept enough to live upon;

So that not he, but I may curse the day, Thy fatall birth-day, forlorne Barabas; And henceforth wish for an eternall night, That clouds of darknesse may inclose my flesh, And hide these extreme sorrowes from mine eyes: For onely I have toyl'd to inherit here The months of vanity and losse of time, And painefull nights have bin appointed me.

2 Jew. Good Barabas be patient.

Bar. I, I pray leave me in my patience. You that were ne're possest of wealth, are pleas'd with want. But give him liberty at least to mourne, That in a field amidst his enemies, Doth see his souldiers slaine, himselfe disarm'd, And knowes no meanes of his recoverie: I, let me sorrow for this sudden chance, 'Tis in the trouble of my spirit I speake; Great injuries are not so soone forgot.

1 Jew. Come, let us leave him in his irefull mood, Our words will but increase his extasie.

2 Jew. On then: but trust me 'tis a misery To see a man in such affliction: Farewell Barabas.

Exeunt.

Bar. I, fare you well. See the simplicitie of these base slaves, Who for the villaines have no wit themselves, Thinke me to be a senselesse lumpe of clay That will with every water wash to dirt: No, Barabas is borne to better chance, And fram'd of finer mold then common men, That measure nought but by the present time. A reaching thought will search his deepest wits, And cast with cunning for the time to come: For evils are apt to happen every day But whither wends my beauteous Abigall?

Enter Abigall the Jewes daughter.

Oh what has made my lovely daughter sad?

What? woman, moane not for a little losse: Thy father has enough in store for thee.

Abig. Not for my selfe, but aged Barabas: Father, for thee lamenteth Abigaile: But I will learne to leave these fruitlesse teares. And urg'd thereto with my afflictions, With fierce exlaimes run to the Senate-house, And in the Senate reprehend them all, And rent their hearts with tearing of my haire, Till they reduce the wrongs done to my father.

Bar. No, Abigail, things past recovery Are hardly cur'd with exclamations. Be silent, Daughter, sufferance breeds ease, And time may yeeld us an occasion Which on the sudden cannot serve the turne. Besides, my girle, thinke me not all so fond As negligently to forgoe so much Without provision for thy selfe and me. Ten thousand Portagnes, besides great Perles, Rich costly Jewels, and Stones infinite, Fearing the worst of this before it fell, I closely hid.

Abig. Where father?

Bar. In my house my girle.

Abig. Then shall they ne're be seene of Barrabas: For they have seiz'd upon thy house and wares.

Bar. But they will give me leave once more, I trow, To goe into my house.

Abig. That may they not: For there I left the Governour placing Nunnes, Displacing me; and of thy house they meane To make a Nunnery, where none but their owne sect Must enter in; men generally barr'd.

Bar. My gold, my gold, and all my wealth is gone. You partiall heavens, have I deserv'd this plague? What will you thus oppose me, lucklesse Starres, To make me desperate in my poverty?

And knowing me impatient in distresse Thinke me so mad as I will hang my selfe, That I may vanish ore the earth in ayre, And leave no memory that e're I was. No, I will live; nor loath I this my life: And since you leave me in the Ocean thus To sinke or swim, and put me to my shifts, I'le rouse my senses, and awake my selfe. Daughter, I have it: thou perceiv'st the plight Wherein these Christians have oppressed me: Be rul'd by me, for in extremitie We ought to make barre of no policie.

Abig. Father, what e're it be to injure them That have so manifestly wronged us, What will not Abigall attempt?

Bar. Why so; then thus, thou toldst me they have turn'd my house Into a Nunnery, and some Nuns are there.

Abig. I did.

Bar. Then Abigall, there must my girle Intreat the Abbasse to be entertain'd.

Abig. How, as a Nunne?

Bar. I, Daughter, for Religion Hides many mischiefes from suspition.

Abig. I, but father they will suspect me there.

Bar. Let 'em suspect, but be thou so precise As they may thinke it done of Holinesse. Intreat 'em faire, and give them friendly speech, And seeme to them as if thy sinnes were great, Till thou hast gotten to be entertain'd.

Abig. Thus father shall I much dissemble.

Bar. Tush, as good dissemble that thou never mean'st As first meane truth, and then dissemble it, A counterfet profession is better Then unseene hypocrisie.

Abig. Well father, say I be entertain'd, What then shall follow?

Bar. This shall follow then;

There have I hid close underneath the plancke That runs along the upper chamber floore, The gold and Jewels which I kept for thee. But here they come; be cunning Abigall.

Abig. Then father goe with me.

Bar. No, Abigall, in this It is not necessary I be seene. For I will seeme offended with thee for't. Be close, my girle, for this must fetch my gold.

Enter three Fryars and two Nuns.

1 Fry. Sisters, we now are almost at the new made Nunnery.

1 Nun. The better; for we love not to be seene: 'Tis 30 winters long since some of us Did stray so farre amongst the multitude.

1 Fry. But, Madam, this house And waters of this new made Nunnery Will much delight you.

Nun. It may be so: but who comes here?

Abig. Grave Abbasse, and you happy Virgins guide, Pitty the state of a distressed Maid.

Abb. What art thou daughter?

Abig. The hopelesse daughter of a haplesse Jew, The Jew of Malta, wretched Barabas; Sometimes the owner of a goodly house, Which they have now turn'd to a Nunnery.

Abb. Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us?

Abig. Fearing the afflictions which my father feeles, Proceed from sinne, or want of faith in us, I'de passe away my life in penitence, And be a Novice in your Nunnery, To make attonement for my labouring soule.

1. Fry. No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit.

2 Fry. I, and of a moving spirit too, brother; but come, Let us intreat she may be entertain'd.