Act 5 — [Scene IV.][591]

Caly. Thus have we view’d the city, seen the sack And caus’d the ruins to be new-repair’d. Which with our bombards’[592] shot and basilisk We rent in sunder at our entry: And now I see the situation, 5 And how secure this conquer’d island stands Environ’d with the Mediterranean Sea, Strong-countermin’d with other petty isles; And, toward Calabria, back’d by Sicily, Where Syracusian Dionysius reign’d, 10 Two lofty turrets that command the town. I wonder how it could be conquer’d thus.

Mess. From Barabas, Malta’s governor, I bring A message unto mighty Calymath; Hearing his sovereign was bound for sea,15 To sail to Turkey, to great Ottoman, He humbly would entreat your majesty To come and see his homely citadel, And banquet with him ere thou leav’st the isle. Caly. To banquet with him in his citadel?20 I fear me, messenger, to feast my train Within a town of war so lately pillag’d Will be too costly and too troublesome: Yet would I gladly visit Barabas, For well has Barabas deserv’d of us.25 Mess. Selim, for that, thus saith the governor, That he hath in his store a pearl so big, So precious, and withal so orient, As, be it valued but indifferently, The price thereof will serve to entertain30 Selim and all his soldiers for a month; Therefore he humbly would entreat your highness Not to depart till he has feasted you. Caly. I cannot feast my men in Malta-walls, Except he place his tables in the streets.35 Mess. Know, Selim, that there is a monastery Which standeth as an outhouse to the town: There will he banquet them; but thee at home, With all thy bassoes and brave followers. Caly. Well, tell the governor we grant his suit,40 We’ll in this summer evening feast with him. Mess. I shall, my lord. Exit. Caly. And now, bold bassoes, let us to our tents, And meditate how we may grace us best To solemnize our governor’s great feast. 45 Exeunt.