The Jew of Malta | Page 6

They would not
come in warlike manner thus.
SECOND JEW. I fear their coming will afflict us all.
BARABAS. Fond<27> men, what dream you of their multitudes?
What need they treat of peace that are in league? The Turks and those
of Malta are in league: Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't.
FIRST JEW. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war.
BARABAS. Haply for neither, but to pass along, Towards Venice, by
the Adriatic sea, With whom they have attempted many times, But
never could effect their stratagem.
THIRD JEW. And very wisely said; it may be so.
SECOND JEW. But there's a meeting in the senate-house, And all the
Jews in Malta must be there.
BARABAS. Hum,--all the Jews in Malta must be there! Ay, like

enough: why, then, let every man Provide him, and be there for
fashion-sake. If any thing shall there concern our state, Assure
yourselves I'll look--unto myself. [Aside.]<28>
FIRST JEW. I know you will.--Well, brethren, let us go.
SECOND JEW. Let's take our leaves.--Farewell, good Barabas.
BARABAS.<29> Farewell, Zaareth; farewell, Temainte. [Exeunt
JEWS.] And, Barabas, now search this secret out; Summon thy senses,
call thy wits together: These silly men mistake the matter clean. Long
to the Turk did Malta contribute; Which tribute all in policy, I fear, The
Turk has<30> let increase to such a sum As all the wealth of Malta
cannot pay; And now by that advantage thinks, belike, To seize upon
the town; ay, that he seeks. Howe'er the world go, I'll make sure for one,
And seek in time to intercept the worst, Warily guarding that which I
ha' got: Ego mihimet sum semper proximus:<31> Why, let 'em enter,
let 'em take the town. [Exit.]<32>
Enter FERNEZE governor of Malta, KNIGHTS, and OFFICERS; met
by CALYMATH, and BASSOES of the TURK.
FERNEZE. Now, bassoes,<33> what demand you at our hands?
FIRST BASSO. Know, knights of Malta, that we came from Rhodes,
>From Cyprus, Candy, and those other isles That lie betwixt the
Mediterranean seas.
FERNEZE. What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other isles To us or Malta?
what at our hands demand ye?
CALYMATH. The ten years' tribute that remains unpaid.
FERNEZE. Alas, my lord, the sum is over-great! I hope your highness
will consider us.
CALYMATH. I wish, grave governor,<34> 'twere in my power To
favour you; but 'tis my father's cause, Wherein I may not, nay, I dare
not dally.
FERNEZE. Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath.
CALYMATH. Stand all aside,<35> and let the knights determine; And
send to keep our galleys under sail, For happily<36> we shall not tarry
here.-- Now, governor, how are you resolv'd?
FERNEZE. Thus; since your hard conditions are such That you will
needs have ten years' tribute past, We may have time to make
collection Amongst the inhabitants of Malta for't.
FIRST BASSO. That's more than is in our commission.

CALYMATH. What, Callapine! a little courtesy: Let's know their time;
perhaps it is not long; And 'tis more kingly to obtain by peace Than to
enforce conditions by constraint.-- What respite ask you, governor?
FERNEZE. But a month.
CALYMATH. We grant a month; but see you keep your promise. Now
launch our galleys back again to sea, Where we'll attend the respite you
have ta'en, And for the money send our messenger. Farewell, great
governor, and brave knights of Malta.
FERNEZE. And all good fortune wait on Calymath! [Exeunt
CALYMATH and BASSOES.] Go one and call those Jews of Malta
hither: Were they not summon'd to appear to-day?
FIRST OFFICER. They were, my lord; and here they come.
Enter BARABAS and three JEWS.
FIRST KNIGHT. Have you determin'd what to say to them?
FERNEZE. Yes; give me leave:--and, Hebrews, now come near.
>From the Emperor of Turkey is arriv'd Great Selim Calymath, his
highness' son, To levy of us ten years' tribute past: Now, then, here
know that it concerneth us.
BARABAS. Then, good my lord, to keep your quiet still, Your lordship
shall do well to let them have it.
FERNEZE. Soft, Barabas! there's more 'longs to't than so. To what this
ten years' tribute will amount, That we have cast, but cannot compass it
By reason of the wars, that robb'd our store; And therefore are we to
request your aid.
BARABAS. Alas, my lord, we are no soldiers! And what's our aid
against so great a prince?
FIRST KNIGHT. Tut, Jew, we know thou art no soldier: Thou art a
merchant and a money'd man, And 'tis thy money, Barabas, we seek.
BARABAS. How, my lord! my money!
FERNEZE. Thine and the rest; For, to be short, amongst you't must be
had.
FIRST JEW. Alas, my lord, the most of us are poor!
FERNEZE. Then let the rich increase your portions.
BARABAS. Are strangers with your tribute