BARABAS. This shall follow then.
There have I hid, close underneath the plank
That runs along the upper-chamber floor,
The gold and jewels which I kept for thee:--
But here they come: be cunning, Abigail.

ABIGAIL. Then, father, go with me.

BARABAS. No, Abigail, in this
It is not necessary I be seen;
For I will seem offended with thee for't:
Be close, my girl, for this must fetch my gold.
[They retire.]

Enter FRIAR JACOMO, [47] FRIAR BARNARDINE, ABBESS, and a NUN.

FRIAR JACOMO. Sisters,
We now are almost at the new-made nunnery.

ABBESS. [48] The better; for we love not to be seen:
'Tis thirty winters long since some of us
Did stray so far amongst the multitude.

FRIAR JACOMO. But, madam, this house
And waters of this new-made nunnery
Will much delight you.

ABBESS. It may be so.--But who comes here?

[ABIGAIL comes forward.]

ABIGAIL. Grave abbess, and you happy virgins' guide,
Pity the state of a distressed maid!

ABBESS. What art thou, daughter?

ABIGAIL. The hopeless daughter of a hapless Jew,
The Jew of Malta, wretched Barabas,
Sometimes [49] the owner of a goodly house,
Which they have now turn'd to a nunnery.

ABBESS. Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us?

ABIGAIL. Fearing the afflictions which my father feels
Proceed from sin or want of faith in us,
I'd pass away my life in penitence,
And be a novice in your nunnery,
To make atonement for my labouring soul.

FRIAR JACOMO. No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of
the spirit.

FRIAR BARNARDINE.
Ay, and of a moving spirit too, brother: but come,
Let us entreat she may be entertain'd.

ABBESS. Well, daughter, we admit you for a nun.

ABIGAIL. First let me as a novice learn to frame
My solitary life to your strait laws,
And let me lodge where I was wont to lie:
I do not doubt, by your divine precepts
And mine own industry, but to profit much.

BARABAS. As much, I hope, as all I hid is worth.
[Aside.]

ABBESS. Come, daughter, follow us.

BARABAS. [coming forward] Why, how now, Abigail!
What mak'st thou 'mongst these hateful Christians?

FRIAR JACOMO. Hinder her not, thou man of little faith,
For she has mortified herself.

BARAB