قراءة كتاب The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3)
تنويه: تعرض هنا نبذة من اول ١٠ صفحات فقط من الكتاب الالكتروني، لقراءة الكتاب كاملا اضغط على الزر “اشتر الآن"
اللغة: English
The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3)
الصفحة رقم: 4
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. Haply for neither, but to pass along Towards Venice by the Adriatic Sea; With whom they have attempted many times, But never could effect their stratagem.
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? I, like enough, why then let every man Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake. 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. Farewell, [19] Zaareth; farewell, Temainte. [Exeunt Jews.180 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 Turks have let increase to such a sum As all the wealth in Malta cannot pay; And now by that advantage thinks belike To seize upon the town: I, that he seeks. Howe'er the world go, I'll make sure for one,190 And seek in time to intercept the worst, Warily guarding that which I ha' got. Ego mihimet sum semper proximus. [20] Why, let 'em enter, let 'em take the town. [Exit.
SCENE II.
Enter [21] Governor of Malta, Knights, and Officers; met by Bassoes of the Turk, Calymath.
Gov. Now, Bassoes, what demand you at our hands?
1 Bas. Know, Knights of Malta, that we come from Rhodes, From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas.
Gov. What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles To us, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?
Cal. The ten years' tribute that remains unpaid.
Gov. Alas! my lord, the sum is over-great, I hope your highness will consider us.10
Cal. I wish, grave governor, 'twere in my power To favour you, but 'tis my father's cause, Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally.
Gov. Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath. [Consults apart with the Knights.
Cal. Stand all aside, and let the Knights determine, And send to keep our galleys under sail, For happily we shall not tarry here; Now, governor,[22] [say,] how are you resolved?
Gov. Thus: since your hard conditions are such That you will needs have ten years' tribute past,20 We may have time to make collection Amongst the inhabitants of Malta for't.
Cal. What, Callipine! a little courtesy. Let's know their time, perhaps it is not long; And 'tis more kingly to obtain by peace Than to enforce conditions by constraint. What respite ask you, governor?
Gov. But a month.
Cal. We grant a month, but see you keep your promise. Now launch our galleys back again to sea,30 Where we'll attend the respite you have ta'en, And for the money send our messenger. Farewell, great governor [23] and brave Knights of Malta.
Gov. 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?
Off. They were, my lord, and here they come.
Enter Barabas and three Jews.
1 Knight. Have you determined what to say to them?
Gov. Yes, give me leave:—and, Hebrews, now come near. From the Emperor of Turkey is arrived40 Great Selim Calymath, his highness' son, To levy of us ten years' tribute past, Now then, here know that it concerneth us—