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 christened?
BARABAS. No, governor, I will be no convertite.(39)
FERNEZE. Then pay thy half.
BARABAS. Why, know you what you did by this device? Half of my substance is a city's wealth. Governor, it was not got so easily; Nor will I part so slightly therewithal.
FERNEZE. Sir, half is the penalty of our decree; Either pay that, or we will seize on all.
BARABAS. Corpo di Dio! stay: you shall have half; Let me be us'd but as my brethren are.
FERNEZE. No, Jew, thou hast denied the articles, And now it cannot be recall'd. [Exeunt OFFICERS, on a sign from FERNEZE]
BARABAS. Will you, then, steal my goods? Is theft the ground of your religion?
FERNEZE. No, Jew; we take particularly thine, To save the ruin of a multitude: And better one want for a common good, Than many perish for a private man: Yet, Barabas, we will not banish thee, But here in Malta, where thou gott'st thy wealth, Live still; and, if thou canst, get more.
BARABAS. Christians, what or how can I multiply? Of naught is nothing made.
FIRST KNIGHT. From naught at first thou cam'st to little wealth, )From little unto more, from more to most: If your first curse fall heavy on thy head, And make thee poor and scorn'd of all the world, 'Tis not our fault, but thy inherent sin.
BARABAS. What, bring you Scripture to confirm your wrongs? Preach me not out of my possessions. Some Jews are wicked, as all Christians are: But say the tribe that I descended of Were all in general cast away for sin, Shall I be tried by their transgression? The man that dealeth righteously shall live; And which of you can charge me otherwise?
FERNEZE. Out, wretched Barabas! Sham'st thou not thus to justify thyself, As if we knew not thy profession? If thou rely upon thy righteousness, Be patient, and thy riches will increase. Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness; And covetousness, O, 'tis a monstrous sin!
BARABAS.