The Jew of Malta
Christians,      (Unchosen nation, never circumcis'd, Poor villains, such as were 67 ne'er thought upon Till Titus and Vespasian conquer'd us,)      Am I become as wealthy as I was. They hop'd 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, Ay, 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; And when we grin we bite; yet are our looks As innocent and harmless as a lamb's. I learn'd in Florence how to kiss my hand, Heave up my shoulders when they call me dog, And duck as low as any bare-foot friar; Hoping to see them starve upon a stall, Or else be gather'd 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, One that I love for his good father's sake. Enter LODOWICK. LODOWICK. I hear the wealthy Jew walked 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. BARABAS. Now will I shew myself to have more of the serpent than the dove; that is, more knave than fool.           [Aside.]       LODOWICK. Yond' walks the Jew:  now for fair Abigail. BARABAS. Ay, ay, no doubt but she's at your command.           [Aside.]       LODOWICK. Barabas, thou know'st I am the governor's son. BARABAS. I would you were his father too, sir! that's all the harm I wish you.—The slave looks like a hog's cheek new-singed.           [Aside.]       LODOWICK. Whither walk'st thou, Barabas? BARABAS. No further:  'tis a custom held with us, That when we speak with Gentiles like to you, We turn into 68 the air to purge ourselves; For unto us the promise doth belong. LODOWICK. Well, Barabas, canst help me to a diamond? BARABAS. O, sir, your father had my diamonds:      Yet I have one left that will serve your turn.—      I mean my daughter; but, ere he shall have her, I'll sacrifice her on a pile of wood:      I ha' the poison of the city 69 for him, And the white leprosy.           [Aside.]       LODOWICK. What sparkle does it give without a foil? BARABAS. The diamond that I talk of ne'er was foil'd:—      But, when he touches it, it will be foil'd.— 70           [Aside.]      Lord Lodowick, it sparkles bright and fair. LODOWICK. Is it square or pointed? pray, let me know. BARABAS. Pointed it is, good sir,—but not for you.         
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