The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Publisher's Notice
• To My Worthy Friend , Master Thomas Hammon, of Gray's Inn , &c.
• Persons Represented.
• The Jew of Malta.
• Act the First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Act the Second.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Act the Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act the Fourth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act the Fifth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Edward the Second.
• Act the First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act the Second.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Act the Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Act the Fourth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act the Fifth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• The Massacre At Paris.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Scene VII.
• Scene VIII.
• Scene IX.
• Scene X.
• Scene XI.
• Scene XII.
• Scene XIII.
• Scene XIV.
• Scene XV.
• Scene XVI.
• Scene XVII.
• Scene XVIII.
• Scene XIX.
• Scene XX.
• Scene XXI.
• Scene XXII.
• Scene XXIII.
• Scene XXIV.
• The Tragedy of Dido, Queen of Carthage.
• Act I.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Act II.
• Scene I.
• Act III.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act IV.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene Iii
• Scene IV.
• Scene V
• Act V.
• Scene I.

SCENE III.

Enter1 Friar Jacomo.

F. Jac.

• This is the hour wherein I shall proceed;
• O happy hour,2 wherein I shall convert
• An infidel, and bring his gold into our treasury!
• But soft, is not this Barnardine? it is;
• And, understanding I should come this way,
• Stands here a purpose, meaning me some wrong,
• And intercept my going to the Jew.
• Barnardine!
• Wilt thou not speak? thou think'st I see thee not;
• Away, I'd wish thee, and let me go by:

  10

• No, wilt thou not? nay, then, I'll force my way;
• And see, a staff stands ready for the purpose:
• As thou lik'st that, stop me another time.
• [Strikes him and he falls.
• EnterBarabasandIthamore.

Bar.

• Why, how now, Jacomo, what hast thou done?

F. Jac.

• Why, stricken him that would have struck at me.

Bar.

• Who is it?
• Barnardine? now out, alas! he's slain.

Itha.

• Ay, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop out on's nose.

F. Jac.

• Good sirs, I have done 't, but nobody knows it but you two—I may escape.

  21

Bar.

• So might my man and I hang with you for company.

Itha.

• No, let us bear him to the magistrates.

F. Jac.

• Good Barabas, let me go.

Bar.

• No, pardon me; the law must have its course.
• I must be forced to give in evidence,
• That being importuned by this Barnardine
• To be a Christian, I shut him out,
• And there he sat: now I, to keep my word,

  30

• And give my goods and substance to your house,
• Was up thus early; with intent to go

Itha.

• Fie upon 'em, master; will you turn Christian when holy friars turn devils and murder one another?

Bar.

• No, for this example I'll remain a Jew:
• Heaven bless me; what! a friar a murderer?
• When shall you see a Jew commit the like?

Itha.

• Why, a Turk could ha' done no more.

Bar.

• To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it.

  40

• Come, Ithamore, let's help to take him hence.

F. Jac.

• Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not.

Bar.

• The law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we:
• 'Las I could weep at your calamity.
• Take in the staff too, for that must be shown:
• Law wills that each particular be known.
• [Exeunt.

[1]Scene the front of Barabas' house.

[2]I am tempted to arrange the verse thus:—

• “O happy hour,
• Wherein I shall convert an infidel,
• And bring his gold into our treasury!”