_1 Jew._ Tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy.

_2 Jew._ Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas, For he can counsel best in these affairs; And here he comes.

_Bar._ Why, how now, countrymen!

Why flock you thus to me in mult.i.tudes?

What accident's betided to the Jews?

_1 Jew._ A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, 150 Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road: And they this day sit in the council-house To entertain them and their emba.s.sy.

_Bar._ 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._

_1 Jew._ Were it for confirmation of a league, They would not come in warlike manner thus.

_2 Jew._ I fear their coming will afflict us all. 160

_Bar._ Fond men! what dream you of their mult.i.tudes.

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.

_1 Jew._ Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war.

_Bar._ Haply for neither, but to pa.s.s along Towards Venice by the Adriatic Sea; With whom they have attempted many times, But never could effect their stratagem.

_3 Jew._ And very wisely said. It may be so. 170

_2 Jew._ But there's a meeting in the senate-house, And all the Jews in Malta must be there.

_Bar._ Hum; all the Jews in Malta must be there?

I, like enough, why then let every man Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake.

If anything shall there concern our state, a.s.sure yourselves I'll look--unto myself. [_Aside._

_1 Jew._ I know you will; well, brethren, let us go.

_2 Jew._ Let's take our leaves; farewell, good Barabas.

_Bar._ Farewell,[19] Zaareth; farewell, Temainte. 180 [_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 Turks have let increase to such a sum As all the wealth in Malta cannot pay; And now by that advantage thinks belike To seize upon the town: I, that he seeks.

Howe'er the world go, I'll make sure for one, 190 And seek in time to intercept the worst, Warily guarding that which I ha' got.

_Ego mihimet sum semper proximus._[20]

Why, let 'em enter, let 'em take the town.

[_Exit._

SCENE II.

_Enter_[21] _Governor of_ Malta, Knights, _and_ Officers; _met by_ Ba.s.soes _of the_ Turk, CALYMATH.

_Gov._ Now, Ba.s.soes, what demand you at our hands?

_1 Bas._ Know, Knights of Malta, that we come from Rhodes, From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas.

_Gov._ What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles To us, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?

_Cal._ The ten years' tribute that remains unpaid.

_Gov._ Alas! my lord, the sum is over-great, I hope your highness will consider us. 10

_Cal._ I wish, grave governor, 'twere in my power To favour you, but 'tis my father's cause, Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally.

_Gov._ Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath.

[_Consults apart with the_ Knights.

_Cal._ Stand all aside, and let the Knights determine, And send to keep our galleys under sail, For happily we shall not tarry here; Now, governor,[22] [say,] how are you resolved?

_Gov._ Thus: since your hard conditions are such That you will needs have ten years' tribute past, 20 We may have time to make collection Amongst the inhabitants of Malta for't.

_1 Bas._ That's more than is in our commission.

_Cal._ What, Callipine! 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?[1]

_Gov._ But a month.

_Cal._ We grant a month, but see you keep your promise.

Now launch our galleys back again to sea, 30 Where we'll attend the respite you have ta'en, And for the money send our messenger.

Farewell, great governor[23] and brave Knights of Malta.

_Gov._ And all good fortune wait on Calymath!

[_Exeunt_ CALYMATH _and_ Ba.s.soes.

Go one and call those Jews of Malta hither: Were they not summoned to appear to-day?

_Off._ They were, my lord, and here they come.

_Enter_ BARABAS _and three_ Jews.

_1 Knight._ Have you determined what to say to them?

_Gov._ Yes, give me leave:--and, Hebrews, now come near.

From the Emperor of Turkey is arrived 40 Great Selim Calymath, his highness' son, To levy of us ten years' tribute past, Now then, here know that it concerneth us--

_Bar._ Then, good my lord, to keep your quiet still, Your lordship shall do well to let them have it.

_Gov._ Soft, Barabas, there's more 'longs to 't than so.

To what this ten years' tribute will amount, That we have cast, but cannot compa.s.s it By reason of the wars that robbed our store; And therefore are we to request your aid. 50