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BAR. The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly

fraught.

MERCH. They are.

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,
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.

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 couldst 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 inquir'd of them: But this we heard some of our seamen say,

VOL. I.

13

They wondered how you durst with so much wealth
Trust such a crazed vessel, and so far.

BAR. Tush! they are wise, I know her and her strength.

But 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. BAR. How chance you came not with those other ships

That sail'd by Egypt?

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 gallies of the Turk in chase,

BAR. Oh they were going up to Sicily: well, go And bid the merchants and my men dispatch And come ashore, and see the freight discharg'd. 2 MERCH. I go. BAR. Thus trowls our fortune in by land and

[Erit.

sea,

And thus are we on every side enrich'd: These are the blessings promis'd to the Jews, And herein was old Abram's happiness : What more may heaven do for earthly man Than thus to pour out plenty in their laps, Ripping the bowels of the earth for them, Making the sea their servants, and the winds To drive their substance with successful blasts? Who hateth me but for my happiness? Or who is honour'd' now but for his wealth? Rather had I a Jew be hated thus, Than pitied in a Christian poverty: For I can see no fruits in all their faith, But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride, Which methinks fits not their profession. Hapily some hapless man hath conscience, And for his conscience lives in beggary. They say we are a scatter'd nation : I cannot tell, but we have scrambled up More wealth by far than those that brag of faith. There's Kirriah Jairim, the great Jew of Greece, Obed in Bairseth, Nones in Portugal, Myself in Malta, some in Italy, Many in France, and wealthy every one; Aye, wealthier far than any Christian. I must confess we come not to be kings: That's not our fault : Alas, our number's few, And crowns come either by succession, Or urg'd by force; and nothing violent, Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent. Give us a peaceful rule, make Christians kings,

That thirst so much for principality.
I have no charge, nor many children,
But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear
As Agamemnon did his Iphigene:
And all I have is hers. But who comes here?

Enter three Jews,
1 Jew. Tush! tell not me 'twas done of policy.

2 Jew. Come therefore let us go to Barabas; For he can counsel best in these affairs; And here he comes.

BAR. Why how now countrymen ? Why flock you thus to me in multitudes? What accident's betided to the Jews ?

1 Jew. A fleet of warlike gallies, Barabas, Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road : And they this day sit in the council-house To entertain them and their embassy.

Bar. Why let 'em come, so they come not to war; Or let 'em war, so we be conquerors : Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all, So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth.

[Aside. 1 Jew. Were it for confirmation of a league, They would not come in warlike manner thus.

2 Jew. I fear their coming will afflict us all.

Bar.Fond men! what dream you of their multitudes, What need they treat of peace that are in league? The Turks and those of Malta are in league. Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't.

1 Jew. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war.

Bar. Happily for neither, but to pass along
Towards Venice by the Adriatick sea;
With whom they have attempted many times,
But never could effect their stratagem.

3 Jew. And very wisely said, it may be so.

2 Jew. But there's a meeting in the senate-house, And all the Jews in Malta must be there.

BAR. Hum ; all the Jews in Malta must be there? Aye, 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.

1 Jew. I know you will; well brethren let us go.
2 Jew. Let's take our leaves ; farewell good

Barabas,
Bar. Do so; farewell Zaareth, farewell Temainte.

[Ereunt 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 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: Aye, 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 have got.
Ego mihimet sum semper proximus.
Why let 'em enter, let 'em take the town.

[Erit.

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