ner thus.
SECOND JEW. I fear their coming will afflict us all.
BARABAS. Fond [27] men, what dream you of their 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.
FIRST JEW. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war.
BARABAS. 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.
THIRD JEW. And very wisely said; it may be so.
SECOND JEW. But there's a meeting in the senate-house,
And all the Jews in Malta must be there.
BARABAS. 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.
If any thing shall there concern our state,
Assure yourselves I'll look--unto myself.
[Aside.] [28]
FIRST JEW. I know you will.--Well, brethren, let us go.
SECOND JEW. Let's take our leaves.--Farewell, good Barabas.
BARABAS. [29] Farewell, Zaareth; farewell, Temainte.
[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,
The Turk has [30] 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,
Warily guarding that which I ha' got:
Ego mihimet sum semper proximus: [31]
Why, let 'em enter, let 'em take the town.
[Exit.] [32]
Enter FERNEZE governor of Malta, KNIGHTS, and OFFICERS;
met by CALYMATH, and BASSOES of the TURK.
FERNEZE. Now, bassoes, [33] what demand you at our hands?
FIRST BASSO. Know, knights of Malta, that we came from Rhodes,
]From Cyprus, Candy, and those other isles
That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas.
FERNEZE. What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other isles
To us or Malta? what at our hands demand ye?
CALYMATH. The ten years' tribute that remains unpaid.
FERNEZE. Alas, my lord, the sum is over-great!
I hope your
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