The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta

Act: 5 Scene: 2
Barabas
Thankes, my Lord.
Barabas
May all good fortune follow Calymath.
And now, as entrance to our safety,
To prison with the Governour and these
Captaines, his consorts and confederates.
Barabas
Away, no more, let him not trouble me.
Thus hast thou gotten, by thy policie,
No simple place, no small authority,
I now am Governour of Malta; true,
But Malta hates me, and in hating me
My life's in danger, and what boots it thee
Poore Barabas, to be the Governour,
When as thy life shall be at their command ?
No, Barabas, this must be look'd into;
And since by wrong thou got'st Authority,
Maintaine it bravely by firme policy,
At least unprofitably lose it not:
For he that liveth in Authority,
And neither gets him friends, nor fils his bags,
Lives like the Asse that Aesope speaketh of,
That labours with a load of bread and wine,
And leaves it off to snap on Thistle tops:
But Barabas will be more circumspect.
Begin betimes, Occasion's bald behind,
Slip not shine opportunity, for feare too late
Thou seek'st for much, but canst not compasse it.
Within here.
Barabas
I, Lord, thus slaves will learne.
Now Governor—stand by there, wait within.—
[Exeunt guard.]
This is the reason that I sent for thee;
Thou seest thy life, and Malta's happinesse,
Are at my Arbitrament; and Barabas
At his discretion may dispose of both:
Now tell me, Governor, and plainely too,
What thinkst thou shall become of it and thee?
Barabas
Governor, good words, be not so furious;
'Tis not thy life which can availe me ought,
Yet you doe live, and live for me you shall:
And as for Malta's ruine, thinke you not
'Twere slender policy for Barabas
To dispossesse himselfe of such a place?
For sith, as once you said, within this Ile
In Malta here, that I have got my goods,
And in this City still have had successe,
And now at length am growne your Governor,
Your selves shall see it shall not be forgot:
For as a friend not knowne, but in distresse,
I'le reare up Malta now remedilesse.
Barabas
What wilt thou give me, Governor, to procure
A dissolution of the slavish Bands
Wherein the Turke hath yoak'd your land and you?
What will you give me if I render you
The life of Calymath, surprize his men,
And in an out-house of the City shut
His souldiers, till I have consum'd 'em all with fire?
What will you give him that procureth this?
Barabas
Nay, doe thou this, Ferneze, and be free;
Governor, I enlarge thee, live with me,
Goe walke about the City, see thy friends:
Tush, send not letters to 'em, goe thy selfe,
And let me see what mony thou canst make;
Here is my hand that I'le set Malta free:
And thus we cast it: To a solemne feast
I will invite young Selim-Calymath,
Where be thou present onely to performe
One stratagem that I'le impart to thee,
Wherein no danger shall betide thy life,
And I will warrant Malta free for ever.
Barabas
Governor, presently.
For Callymath, when he hath view'd the Towne,
Will take his leave and saile toward Ottoman.
Barabas
Doe so, but faire not; now farewell Ferneze:
[Exit Governor.]
And thus farre roundly goes the businesse:
Thus loving neither, will I live with both,
Making a profit of my policie;
And he from whom my most advantage comes,
Shall be my friend.
This is the life we Jewes are us'd to lead;
And reason too, for Christians doe the like:
Well, now about effecting this device:
First to surprize great Selims souldiers,
And then to make provision for the feast,
That at one instant all things may be done,
My policie detests prevention:
To what event my secret purpose drives,
I know; and they shall witnesse with their lives.