ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. Enter BARABAS in his counting-house, with heaps of gold before him. Bar. So that of thus much that return was made: IO 1 Old ed. "Samintes," for which the modern editors give "Samnites." Between the "Samnites" and the "men of Uz" there can be no possible connection. My emendation suits the context. We have Saba for Sabæa in Faustus, xii. 25, &c. 2 Old ed. "silverbings." Dyce observes that the word "silverling" occurs in Isaiah (vii. 23):—“A thousand vines at a thousand silverlings." Would make a miracle of thus much coin: But he whose steel-barred coffers are crammed full, And of a carat of this quantity, May serve in peril of calamity To ransom great kings from captivity. This is the ware wherein consists my wealth; And thus methinks should men of judgment frame And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose But now how stands the wind? 1 Into what corner peers my halcyon's 1 bill? 20 330 1 It was a common belief that a stuffed halcyon (i.e., kingfisher), suspended by the bill, showed from what quarter the wind blew. Shakespeare alludes to the superstition in Lear, ii. 2,— Ha! to the east? yes: see how stands the vanes? Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail, Enter a Merchant. Merch. Barabas, thy ships are safe, 40 50 Bar. The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught. Bar. Why then go bid them come ashore, 60 "Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks With every gale and vary of their master." Sir Thomas Browne, who discusses the subject in Vulgar Errors (iii. 10), says that "the eldest custom of hanging up these birds was founded upon a tradition that they would renew their feathers every year as though they were alive." 1 Pay the duty on them. And twenty waggons to bring up the ware. And is thy credit not enough for that? Merch. The very custom barely comes to more Than many merchants of the town are worth, And therefore far exceeds my credit, sir. Bar. Go tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man : Tush! who amongst 'em knows not Barabas? Merch. I go. Bar. So then, there's somewhat come. Sirrah, which of my ships art thou master of? Bar. And saw'st thou not Mine argosy at Alexandria? Thou could'st not come from Egypt, or by Caire, Where Nilus pays his tribute to the main, Thou needs must sail by Alexandria. Merch. I neither saw them, nor inquired of them : But this we heard some of our seamen say, 70 80 They wondered how you durst with so much wealth Bar. Tush, they are wise! I know her and her strength. 1 But go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship, And bid my factor bring his loading in. And yet I wonder at this argosy. [Exit Merch. ་་ 1 Old ed. "By" (which might perhaps be defended, as meaning "good-bye." Cf. Shirley's Constant Maid, i. 1,—" Buoy, Close, buoy, honest Close: we are blanks, blanks.") Enter a second Merchant. 2 Merch. Thine argosy from Alexandria, Know, Barabas, doth ride in Malta Road, Laden with riches, and exceeding store Of Persian silks, of gold, and orient pearl. 90 Bar. How chance you came not with those other ships That sailed by Eygpt? 2 Merch. Sir, we saw 'em not. Bar. Belike they coasted round by Candy shore About their oils, or other businesses. But 'twas ill done of you to come so far Without the aid or conduct of their ships. 2 Merch. Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish fleet, That never left us till within a league, That had the galleys of the Turk in chase. Bar. O-they were going up to Sicily:Well, go, And bid the merchants and my men despatch And come ashore, and see the fraught discharged. 2 Merch. I go. 100 [Exit. Bar. Thus trowls our fortune in by land and sea, ΠΟ |