1 Off. This is the market-place, here let 'em stand: Fear not their sale, for they'll be quickly bought.
2 Off. Every one's price is written on his back, And so much must they yield or not be sold.
1 Off. Here comes the Jew; had not his goods been seized, He'd given us present money for them all.
Enter Barabas.
Bar. In spite of these swine-eating Christians,— Unchosen nation, never circumcised, Such [56] as (poor villains!) were ne'er thought upon Till Titus and Vespasian conquered us,—10 Am I become as wealthy as I was: They hoped my daughter would ha' been a nun; But she's at home, and I have bought a house As great and fair as is the Governor's; And there in spite of Malta will I dwell: Having Ferneze's hand, whose heart I'll have; I, and his son's too, or it shall go hard. I am not of the tribe of Levi, I, That can so soon forget an injury. We Jews can fawn like spaniels when we please:20 And when we grin we bite, yet are our looks As innocent and harmless as a lamb's. I learned in Florence how to kiss my hand, Heave up my shoulders when they call me dog, [57] And duck as low as any barefoot friar; Hoping to see them starve upon a stall, Or else be gathered for in our Synagogue, That, when the offering-basin comes to me, Even for charity I may spit into't. Here comes Don Lodowick, the Governor's son,30 One that I love for his good father's sake.
Enter Lodowick.
Lod. I hear the wealthy Jew walkèd this way: I'll seek him out, and so insinuate, That I may have a sight of Abigail; For Don Mathias tells me she is fair.
Bar. Now will I show myself To have more of the serpent than the dove; That is—more knave than fool.
Lod. Yond' walks the Jew; now for fair Abigail.
Bar. I, I, no doubt but she's at your command.40 [Aside. Lod. Barabas, thou know'st I am the Governor's son.