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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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