The Jew of Malta Christopher Marlowe (top non fiction books of all time txt) đ
- Author: Christopher Marlowe
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Now, Bassoes,14 what demand you at our hands?
First BassoKnow, Knights of Malta, that we came from Rhodes,
From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles
That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas.
Whatâs Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles
To us or Malta? what at our hands demand ye?
The ten yearsâ tribute that remains unpaid.
FernezeAlas! my lord, the sum is over-great!
I hope your highness will consider us.
I wish, grave governor, âtwere in my power
To favour you; but âtis my fatherâs cause,
Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally.
Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath.
Consults apart with the Knights.
CalymathStand all aside, and let the knights determine,
And send to keep our galleys under sail,
For happily15 we shall not tarry here;
Now, governor, say, how are you resolved?
Thus: since your hard conditions are such
That you will needs have ten yearsâ tribute past,
We may have time to make collection
Amongst the inhabitants of Malta forât.
Thatâs more than is in our commission.
CalymathWhat, Callapine! a little courtesy.
Letâs know their time, perhaps it is not long;
And âtis more kingly to obtain by peace
Than to enforce conditions by constraint.
What respite ask you, governor?
But a month.
CalymathWe grant a month, but see you keep your promise.
Now launch our galleys back again to sea,
Where weâll attend the respite you have taâen,
And for the money send our messenger.
Farewell, great governor and brave Knights of Malta.
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?
They were, my lord, and here they come.
Enter Barabas and three Jews. First KnightHave you determined what to say to them?
FernezeYes, give me leave:â âand, Hebrews, now come near.
From the Emperor of Turkey is arrived
Great Selim Calymath, his highnessâ son,
To levy of us ten yearsâ tribute past,
Now, then, here know that it concerneth usâ â
Then, good my lord, to keep your quiet still,
Your lordship shall do well to let them have it.
Soft, Barabas, thereâs more âlongs to ât than so.
To what this ten yearsâ 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.
Alas, my lord, we are no soldiers:
And whatâs our aid against so great a prince?
Tut, Jew, we know thou art no soldier;
Thou art a merchant and a moneyed man,
And âtis thy money, Barabas, we seek.
How, my lord! my money?
FernezeThine and the rest,
For, to be short, amongst youât must be had.
Alas, my lord, the most of us are poor.
FernezeThen let the rich increase your portions.
BarabasAre strangers with your tribute to be taxed?
Second KnightHave strangers leave with us to get their wealth?
Then let them with us contribute.
How! equally?
FernezeNo, Jew, like infidels.
For through our sufferance of your hateful lives,
Who stand accursed in the sight of Heaven,
These taxes and afflictions are befallen,
And therefore thus we are determined.â â
Read there the articles of our decrees.
Reads. âFirst, the tribute-money of the Turks shall all be levied amongst the Jews, and each of them to pay one half of his estate.â
BarabasHow! half his estate? I hope you mean not mine. Aside.
FernezeRead on.
OfficerReading. âSecondly, he that denies16 to pay, shall straight become a Christian.â
BarabasHow! a Christian? Hum, whatâs here to do? Aside.
OfficerReading. âLastly, he that denies this, shall absolutely lose all he has.â
Three JewsO my lord, we will give half.
BarabasO earth-mettled villains, and no Hebrews born!
And will you basely thus submit yourselves
To leave your goods to their arbitrement?
Why, Barabas, wilt thou be christened?
BarabasNo, governor, I will be no convertite.17
FernezeThen pay thy half.
BarabasWhy, know you what you did by this device?
Half of my substance is a cityâs wealth.
Governor, it was not got so easily;
Nor will I part so slightly therewithal.
Sir, half is the penalty of our decree;
Either pay that, or we will seize on all.
Corpo di Dio! stay! you shall have half;
Let me be used but as my brethren are.
No, Jew, thou hast denied the articles,
And now it cannot be recalled.
Will you, then, steal my goods?
Is theft the ground of your religion?
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 gottâst thy wealth,
Live still; and, if thou canst, get more.
Christians, what or how can I multiply?
Of naught is nothing made.
From naught at first thou camâst 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 scorned of all the world,
âTis not our fault, but thy inherent sin.
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?
Out, wretched Barabas!
Shamâst 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, âtis a monstrous sin.
Ay, but theft is worse: tush! take
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