BAR. The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught. MERCH. They are. BAR. Why then go bid them come ashore, MERCH. The very custom barely comes to more 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 BAR. Tush! they are wise, I know her and her strength. But go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship, 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. Enter three Jews, 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 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. Barabas, [Ereunt Jews. [Erit. |