TheStationersRegister

The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta

Act: 1 Scene: 2

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 exclaimes 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.

Where father?

Then shall they ne're be seene of Barrabas:

For they have seiz'd upon thy house and wares.

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.

Father, what e're it be to injure them

That have so manifestly wronged us,

What will not Abigall attempt?

I did.

How, as a Nunne?

I, but father they will suspect me there.

Thus father shall I much dissemble.

Well father, say I be entertain'd,

What then shall follow?

Then father, goe with me.

Grave Abbasse, and you happy Virgins guide,

Pitty the state of a distressed Maid.

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.

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.

First let me as a Novice learne to frame

My solitary life to your streight lawes,

And let me lodge where I was wont to lye.

I doe not doubt by your divine precepts

And mine owne industry, but to profit much.

Father, give me—