The Jew of Malta | Page 6

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 to be tax'd?
SECOND KNIGHT. Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? Then let them with us contribute.
BARABAS. How! equally?
FERNEZE. No, Jew, like infidels; For through our sufferance of your hateful lives, Who stand accursed in the sight of heaven, These taxes and afflictions are befall'n, And therefore thus we are determined.-- Read there the articles of our decrees.
OFFICER.<37> [reads] FIRST, THE TRIBUTE-MONEY OF THE TURKS SHALL ALL BE LEVIED AMONGST THE JEWS, AND EACH OF THEM TO PAY ONE HALF OF HIS ESTATE.
BARABAS. How! half his estate!--I hope you mean not mine. [Aside.]
FERNEZE. Read on.
OFFICER. [reads] SECONDLY, HE THAT DENIES<38> TO PAY, SHALL STRAIGHT-BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
BARABAS. How! a Christian!--Hum,--what's here to do? [Aside.]
OFFICER. [reads] LASTLY, HE THAT DENIES THIS, SHALL ABSOLUTELY LOSE ALL HE HAS.
THREE JEWS. O my lord, we will give half!
BARABAS. O earth-mettled villains, and no Hebrews born! And will you basely thus submit yourselves To leave your goods to their arbitrement?
FERNEZE. Why, Barabas, wilt thou be