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, 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.