The Jew of Malta | Page 5

custom them.<22>
BARABAS. The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught?
MERCHANT. They are.
BARABAS. Why, then, go bid them come ashore, And bring with
them their bills of entry: I hope our credit in the custom-house Will
serve as well as I were present there. Go send 'em threescore camels,
thirty mules, And twenty waggons, to bring up the ware. But art thou
master in a ship of mine, And is thy credit not enough for that?
MERCHANT. The very custom barely comes to more Than many
merchants of the town are worth, And therefore far exceeds my credit,
sir.
BARABAS. Go tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man: Tush, who
amongst 'em knows not Barabas?
MERCHANT. I go.
BARABAS. So, then, there's somewhat come.-- Sirrah, which of my
ships art thou master of?
MERCHANT. Of the Speranza, sir.
BARABAS. And saw'st thou not Mine argosy at Alexandria? Thou
couldst not come from Egypt, or by Caire, But at the entry there into

the sea, Where Nilus pays his tribute to the main, Thou needs must sail
by Alexandria.
MERCHANT. I neither saw them, nor inquir'd of them: But this we
heard some of our seamen say, They wonder'd how you durst with so
much wealth Trust such a crazed vessel, and so far.
BARABAS. Tush, they are wise! I know her and her strength. But<23>
go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship, And bid my factor bring his
loading in. [Exit MERCHANT.] And yet I wonder at this argosy.
Enter a Second MERCHANT.
SECOND MERCHANT. Thine argosy from Alexandria, Know,
Barabas, doth ride in Malta-road, Laden with riches, and exceeding
store Of Persian silks, of gold, and orient pearl.
BARABAS. How chance you came not with those other ships That
sail'd by Egypt?
SECOND MERCHANT. Sir, we saw 'em not.
BARABAS. Belike they coasted round by Candy-shore About their oils
or other businesses. But 'twas ill done of you to come so far Without
the aid or conduct of their ships.
SECOND MERCHANT. Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish fleet, That
never left us till within a league, That had the galleys of the Turk in
chase.
BARABAS. O, they were going up to Sicily. Well, go, And bid the
merchants and my men despatch, And come ashore, and see the
fraught<24> discharg'd.
SECOND MERCHANT. I go. [Exit.]
BARABAS. Thus trolls our fortune in by land and sea, And thus are we
on every side enrich'd: These are the blessings promis'd to the Jews,
And herein was old Abraham's happiness: What more may heaven do
for earthly man Than thus to pour out plenty in their laps, Ripping the
bowels of the earth for them, Making the sea[s] their servants, and the
winds To drive their substance with successful blasts? Who hateth me
but for my happiness? Or who is honour'd now but for his wealth?
Rather had I, a Jew, be hated thus, Than pitied in a Christian poverty;
For I can see no fruits in all their faith, But malice, falsehood, and
excessive pride, Which methinks fits not their profession. Haply some
hapless man hath conscience, And for his conscience lives in beggary.
They say we are a scatter'd nation: I cannot tell; but we have

scambled<25> up More wealth by far than those that brag of faith:
There's Kirriah Jairim, the great Jew of Greece, Obed in Bairseth,
Nones in Portugal, Myself in Malta, some in Italy, Many in France, and
wealthy every one; Ay, wealthier far than any Christian. I must confess
we come not to be kings: That's not our fault: alas, our number's few!
And crowns come either by succession, Or urg'd by force; and nothing
violent, Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent. Give us a peaceful rule;
make Christians kings, That thirst so much for principality. I have no
charge, nor many children, But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear
As Agamemnon did his Iphigen; And all I have is hers.--But who
comes here?
Enter three JEWS.<26>
FIRST JEW. Tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy.
SECOND JEW. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas; For he can
counsel best in these affairs: And here he comes.
BARABAS. Why, how now, countrymen! Why flock you thus to me in
multitudes? What accident's betided to the Jews?
FIRST JEW. A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, Are come from
Turkey, and lie in our road: And they this day sit in the council-house
To entertain them and their embassy.
BARABAS. Why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; Or let 'em
war, so we be conquerors.-- Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all,
So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth. [Aside.]
FIRST JEW. Were it for confirmation of a league,