The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta


Act: 3 Scene: 3
Why, how now Ithimore, why laugh'st thou so?
Why what ayl'st thou?
Ha.
Say, knave, why rail'st upon my father thus?
Wherein?
Why, no.
No, what was it?
And was my father furtherer of their deaths?
Yes.
Well, Ithimore, let me request thee this,
Goe to the new made Nunnery, and inquire
For any of the Fryars of Saint Jaques ,
And say, I pray them come and speake with me.
Well, sirra, what is't?
Go to, sirra sauce, is this your question? get ye gon.
Hard-hearted Father, unkind Barabas,
Was this the pursuit of thy policie?
To make me shew them favour severally,
That by my favour they should both be slaine?
Admit thou lov'dst not Lodowicke for his sire,
Yet Don Mathias ne're offended thee:
But thou wert set upon extreme revenge,
Because the Pryor dispossess thee once,
And couldst not venge it, but upon his sonne,
Nor on his sonne, but by Mathias meanes;
Nor on Mathias, but by murdering me.
But I perceive there is no love on earth,
Pitty in Jewes, nor piety in Turkes.
But here comes cursed Ithimore with the Fryar.
Welcome grave Fryar; Ithamore begon,
[Exit Ithimore]
Know, holy Sir, I am bold to sollicite thee.
To get me be admitted for a Nun.
Then were my thoughts so fraile and unconfirm'd,
And I was chain'd to follies of the world:
But now experience, purchased with griefe,
Has made me see the difference of things.
My sinfull soule, alas, hath pac'd too long
The fatall Labyrinth of misbeleefe,
Farre from the Sonne that gives eternall life.
The Abbasse of the house
Whose zealous admonition I embrace:
Oh therefore, Jacomo , let me be one,
Although unworthy of that Sister-hood.
That was my father's fault.
Nay, you shall pardon me: oh Barabas,
[Aside.]
Though thou deservest hardly at my hands,
Yet never shall these lips bewray thy life.
My duty waits on you.