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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta

Act: 1 Scene: 2

Now Bassoes, what demand you at our hands?

What's Cyprus, Cyprus, and those other Iles

To us, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?

Alas, my Lord, the summe is overgreat,

I hope your Highnesse will consider us.

Then give us leave, great Selim-Calymath.

Thus: Since your hard conditions are such

That you will needs have ten yeares tribute past,

We may have time to make collection

Amongst the Inhabitants of Malta for't.

But a month.

And all good fortune wait on Calymath.

Goe one and call those Jewes of Malta hither:

Were they not summon'd to appeare to day?

Yes, give me leave, and Hebrews now come neare.

From the Emperour of Turkey is arriv'd

Great Selim-Calymath, his Highnesse sonne,

To levie of us ten yeares tribute past,

Now then here know that it concerneth us—

Soft Barabas, there's more longs too't than so.

To what this ten yeares tribute will amount

That we have cast, but cannot compasse it

By reason of the warres, that robb'd our store;

And therefore are we to request your ayd.

Thine and the rest.

For to be short, amongst you 'tmust be had.

Then let the rich increase your portions.

No, Jew, like infidels.

For through our sufferance of your hatefull lives,

Who stand accursed in the sight of heaven,

These taxes and affiictions are befal'ne,

And therefore thus we are determined;

Reade there the Articles of our decrees.

Read on.

Why Barabas wilt thou be christened?

Then pay thy halfe.

Sir, halfe is the penalty of our decree,

Either pay that, or we will seize on all.

No, Jew, thou has denied the Articles

And now it cannot be recall'd.

No, Jew, we take particularly thine

To save the wine of a multitude:

And better one want for a common good,

Then many perish for a private man:

Yet Barrabas we will not banish thee,

But here in Malta, where thou gotst thy wealth,

Live still; and if thou canst, get more.

Out wretched Barabas,

Sham'st thou not thusto justifie thy selfe,

As if we knew not thy profession?

If thou rely upon thy righteousnesse,

Be patient and thy riches will increase.

Excesse of wealth is cause of covetousnesse:

And covetousnesse, oh 'tis a monstrous sinne.

It shall be so: now Officers have you done?

Then wee'll take order for the residue.

No, Barabas, to staine our hands with blood

Is farre from us and our profession.

Content thee, Barabas, thou hast nought but right.

Come, let us in, and gather of these goods

The mony for this tribute of the Turke.