Act 1 — Scene I.]

Bar. So that of thus much that return was made: And of the third part of the Persian ships, There was the venture summ’d and satisfied. As for those Samnites,[468] and the men of Uz, That bought my Spanish oils and wines of Greece,5 Here have I purs’d their paltry silverlings. Fie, what a trouble ’t is to count this trash! Well fare the Arabians, who so richly pay The things they traffic for with wedge of gold. Whereof a man may easily in a day10 Tell[469] that which may maintain him all his life. The needy groom that never fing’red groat, Would make a miracle of thus much coin; But he whose steel-barr’d coffers are cramm’d full, And all his lifetime hath been tired,15 Wearying his fingers’ ends with telling it, Would in his age be loth to labour so, And for a pound to sweat himself to death. Give me the merchants of the Indian mines, That trade in metal of the purest mould;20 The wealthy Moor, that in the eastern rocks Without control can pick his riches up, And in his house heap pearl like pebble-stones, Receive them free, and sell them by the weight; Bags of fiery opals, sapphires, amethysts,25 Jacinths, hard topaz, grass-green emeralds, Beauteous rubies, sparkling diamonds, And seld-seen[470] costly stones of so great price As one of them indifferently rated, And of a carat of this quantity,30 May serve in peril of calamity To ransom great kings from captivity. This is the ware wherein consists my wealth; And thus methinks should men of judgment frame Their means of traffic from the vulgar trade,35 And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose Infinite riches in a little room. But now how stands the wind? Into what corner peers my halcyon’s bill?[471] Ha! to the east? Yes. See, how stands the vanes?40 East and by south: why, then, I hope my ships I sent for Egypt and the bordering isles Are gotten up by Nilus’ winding banks; Mine argosy from Alexandria, Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail,45 Are smoothly gliding down by Candy shore To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea. But who comes here? How now?

Merch. Barabas, thy ships are safe. Riding in Malta-road: and all the merchants50 With other merchandise are safe arriv’d, And have sent me to know whether yourself Will come and custom[472] them. 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.56 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.60 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.65 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?71 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.75 Merch. I neither saw them, nor inquir’d of them: But this we heard some of our seamen say, They wond’red 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.80 [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.

2 Merch. Thine argosy from Alexandria, Know, Barabas, doth ride in Malta-road,85 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 shore90 About their oils, or other businesses. But ’t was 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,95 That had the galleys of the Turk in chase. 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 discharg’d.100 2 Merch. I go. Exit. Bar. Thus trowls our fortune in by land and sea, And thus are we on every side enrich’d. These are blessings promis’d to the Jews, And herein was old Abram’s happiness.105 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 servant,[473] and the winds To drive their substance with successful blasts? Who hateth me but for my happiness?111 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,115 But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride, Which methinks fits not their profession. Haply some hapless man hath conscience, And for his conscience lives in beggary. They say we are a scatter’d nation:120 I cannot tell, but we have scambled[474] 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,125 Many in France, and wealthy every one; Ay, 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,130 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,[475] nor many children,135 But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear As Agamemnon did his Iphigen; And all I have is hers. But who comes here?

1 Jew. Tush, tell not me; ’t was done of policy. 2 Jew. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas,140 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 galleys, Barabas,145 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:—150 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[477] men! what dream you of their multitudes?156 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.160 Bar. Haply for neither, but to pass along Towards Venice by the Adriatic Sea; With[478] 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,166 And all the Jews in Malta must be there. Bar. Hum; all the Jews in Malta must be there? Ay, like enough. Why, then, let every man Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake,170 If anything shall there concern our state, Assure yourselves I’ll look—unto myself. Aside. 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. 175 [Exeunt 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,180 The Turks have 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: ay, that he seeks. Howe’er the world go, I’ll make sure for one, And seek in time to intercept the worst,185 Warily guarding that which I ha’ got. Ego mihimet sum semper proximus.[479] Why, let ’em enter, let ’em take the town. [Exit.]