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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta

Act: 1 Scene: 2

Whose this? Faire Abigall the rich Jewes daughter

Become a Nun? her fathers sudden fall

Has humbled her and brought her downe to this:

Tut, she were fitter for a tale of love

Then to be tired Out with Orizons:

And better would she farre become a bed

Embraced in a friendly lovers armes,

Then rise at midnight to a solemne masse.

Beleeve me, Noble Lodowicke, I have seene

The strangest sight, in my opinion,

That ever I beheld.

A faire young maid scarce fourteene yeares of age,

The sweetest flower in Citherea's field,

Cropt from the pleasures of the fruitfull earth,

And strangely metamorphis'd Nun.

Why, the rich Jewes daughter.

And matchlesse beautifull;

As had you seene her 'twould have mov'd your heart,

Tho countermin'd with walls of brasse, to love,

Or at the least to pitty.

I must and will, Sir, there's no remedy.

Farewell Lodowicke.

Act: 2 Scene: 3

What makes the Jew and Lodowicke so private?

I feare me 'tis about faire Abigall.

No, this is the better, mother, view this well.

But wherefore talk'd Von Lodowick with you?

Yes, Madam, and my talke with him was but

About the borrowing of a booke or two.

Sirra, Jew, remember the booke.

Whither but to my faire love Abigall?

I, Barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much.

Does she receive them?

Oh treacherous Lodowicke!

I'le rouze him thence.

What, hand in hand, I cannot suffer this.

Well, let it passe, another time shall serve.

Suffer me, Barabas, but to follow him.

For this I'le have his heart.

What greater gift can poore Mathias have?

Shall Lodowicke rob me of so faire a love?

My life is not so deare as Abigall.

What, is he gone unto my mother?

I cannot stay; for if my mother come,

Shee'll dye with griefe.

Act: 3 Scene: 2

This is the place, now Abigall shall see

Whether Mathias holds her deare or no.

I did it, and revenge it if thou dar'st.