F. Jac. Hinder her not, thou man of little faith, For she has mortified herself.
Bar. How! mortified?
F. Jac. And is admitted to the sisterhood.
Bar. Child of perdition, and thy father's shame!340 What wilt thou do among these hateful fiends? I charge thee on my blessing that thou leave These devils, and their damnèd heresy.
Abig. Father, give [37] me— [She goes to him.
Bar. Nay, back, Abigail, (And think upon the jewels and the gold, [Whispers to her. The board is markèd thus that covers it.) Away, accursèd, from thy father's sight.
F. Jac. Barabas, although thou art in misbelief, And wilt not see thine own afflictions, Yet let thy daughter be no longer blind.350
Bar. Blind friar, I reck not thy persuasions, (The board is markèd thus [38] that covers it.) For I had rather die than see her thus. Wilt thou forsake me too in my distress, Seducèd daughter? (Go, forget not, go. [39]) Becomes it Jews to be so credulous? (To-morrow early I'll be at the door.) No, come not at me; if thou wilt be damned, Forget me, see me not, and so be gone. (Farewell, remember to-morrow morning.)360 Out, out, thou wretch! [Exeunt, on one side Barabas, on the other side Friars, Abbess, Nun and Abigail; as they are going out,
Enter Mathias.
Math. Who's this? fair Abigail, the rich Jew's daughter, Become a nun! her father's sudden fall Has humbled her and brought her down to this: Tut, she were fitter for a tale of love, Than to be tired out with orisons: And better would she far become a bed, Embracèd in a friendly lover's arms, Than rise at midnight to a solemn mass.