Abig. In good time, father; here are letters come From Ormus, and the post stays here within.
Bar. Give me the letters.—Daughter, do you hear, Entertain Lodowick the Governor's son With all the courtesy you can afford; Provided that you keep your maidenhead.230 Use him as if he were a Philistine. Dissemble, swear, protest, vow love [72] to him, He is not of the seed of Abraham. I am a little busy, sir, pray pardon me. Abigail, bid him welcome for my sake. [Aside.
Abig. For your sake and his own he's welcome hither.
Bar. Daughter, a word more; kiss him, speak him fair, And like a cunning Jew so cast about, That ye be both made sure [73] ere you come out. [Aside.
Abig. O father! Don Mathias is my love.240
Bar. I know it: yet I say, make love to him; Do, it is requisite it should be so— Nay, on my life, it is my factor's hand— But go you in, I'll think upon the account. [Exeunt Abigail and Lodowick. The account is made, for Lodowick [he] [74] dies. My factor sends me word a merchant's fled That owes me for a hundred tun of wine: I weigh it thus much [snapping his fingers]; I have wealth enough. For now by this has he kissed Abigail; And she vows love to him, and he to her.250 As sure as heaven rained manna for the Jews, So sure shall he and Don Mathias die: His father was my chiefest enemy.
Enter Mathias.
Whither goes Don Mathias? stay awhile.
Math. Whither, but to my fair love Abigail?
Bar. Thou know'st, and Heaven can witness this is true, That I intend my daughter shall be thine.