The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3)Marlowe, Christopher
General
The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3)
Marlowe, Christopher
English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Bar._ Why then go bid them come ashore,
And bring with them their bills of entry:
I hope our credit in the custom-house
Will serve as well as I were present there.
Go send 'em threescore camels, thirty mules, 60
And twenty waggons to bring up the ware.
But art thou master in a ship of mine,
And is thy credit not enough for that?
_Merch._ The very custom barely comes to more
Than many merchants of the town are worth,
And therefore far exceeds my credit, sir.
_Bar._ Go tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man:
Tush! who amongst 'em knows not Barabas?
_Merch._ I go.
_Bar._ So then, there's somewhat come. 70
Sirrah, which of my ships art thou master of?
_Merch._ Of the Speranza, sir.
_Bar._ And saw'st thou not
Mine argosy at Alexandria?
Thou could'st not come from Egypt, or by Caire,
But at the entry there into the sea,
Where Nilus pays his tribute to the main,
Thou needs must sail by Alexandria.
_Merch._ I neither saw them, nor inquired of them:
But this we heard some of our seamen say, 80
They wondered how you durst with so much wealth
Trust such a crazèd vessel, and so far.
_Bar._ Tush, they are wise! I know her and her strength.
But[16] go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship,
And bid my factor bring his loading in. [_Exit_ Merch.
And yet I wonder at this argosy.
_Enter a second Merchant._
_2 Merch._ Thine argosy from Alexandria,
Know, Barabas, doth ride in Malta Road,
Laden with riches, and exceeding store
Of Persian silks, of gold, and orient pearl. 90
_Bar._ How chance you came not with those other ships
That sailed by Eygpt?
_2 Merch._ Sir, we saw 'em not.
_Bar._ Belike they coasted round by Candy shore
About their oils, or other businesses.
But 'twas ill done of you to come so far
Without the aid or conduct of their ships.
_2 Merch._ Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish fleet,
That never left us till within a league,
That had the galleys of the Turk in chase. 100
_Bar._ O!--they were going up to Sicily:--
Well, go,
And bid the merchants and my men despatch
And come ashore, and see the fraught discharged.
_2 Merch._ I go. [_Exit._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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