_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_ Bassoes. 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 compass it By reason of the wars that robbed our store; And therefore are we to request your aid. 50 _Bar._ Alas, my lord, we are no soldiers: And what's our aid against so great a prince? _1 Knight._ Tut, Jew, we know thou art no soldier; Thou art a merchant and a moneyed man, And 'tis thy money, Barabas, we seek. _Bar._ How, my lord! my money? _Gov._ Thine and the rest. For, to be short, amongst you't must be had. _1 Jew._ Alas, my lord, the most of us are poor. _Gov._ Then let the rich increase your portions. _Bar._ Are strangers with your tribute to be taxed? 60 _2 Knight._ Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? Then let them with us contribute. _Bar._ How! equally? _Gov._ No, Jew, like infidels. For through our sufferance of your hateful lives, Who stand accursèd in the sight of Heaven, These taxes and afflictions are befallen, And therefore thus we are determinèd. Read there the articles of our decrees. _Reader. 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._ 70 _Bar._ How, half his estate? I hope you mean not mine. [_Aside._ _Gov._ Read on. _Reader. Secondly, he that denies to pay shall straight become a Christian._ _Bar._ How! a Christian? Hum, what's here to do? [_Aside._