1 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.
1 Jew. Yet, brother Barabas, remember Job.180
Bar. What tell you me of Job? I wot his wealth Was written thus: he had seven thousand sheep, Three thousand camels, and two hundred yoke Of labouring oxen, and five hundred 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, And yet have kept enough to live upon: 190 So that not he, but I may curse the day, Thy fatal birth-day, forlorn Barabas; And henceforth wish for an eternal night, That clouds of darkness may inclose my flesh, And hide these extreme sorrows from mine eyes: For only I have toiled to inherit here The months of vanity and loss of time, And painful nights, have been appointed me.
2 Jew. Good Barabas, be patient.
Bar. I, I; pray leave me in my patience.200 You that were[27] ne'er possessed of wealth, are pleased with want; But give him liberty at least to mourn, That in a field amidst his enemies Doth see his soldiers slain, himself disarmed, And knows no means of his recovery: I, let me sorrow for this sudden chance; 'Tis in the trouble of my spirit I speak; Great injuries are not so soon forgot.
1 Jew. Come, let us leave him; in his ireful mood Our words will but increase his ecstasy.210
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 simplicity of these base slaves, Who, for the villains have no wit themselves, Think me to be a senseless lump of clay That will with every water wash to dirt: No, Barabas is born to better chance, And framed of finer mould than common men, That measure naught but by the present time.220 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 Abigail?
Enter Abigail, the Jew's daughter.