Bosc. Governor of Malta, hither am I bound; KNI. 'Tis true, my lord, therefore intreat him well. Bosc. Our fraught is Grecians, Turks, and Africk Moors. For late upon the coast of Corsica, Because we vail'd not to the Spanish fleet, And then we left, and took, and fought at ease: But to admit a sale of these thy Turks We may not, nay we dare not give consent By reason of a tributary league. 1 KNI. Del Bosco, as thou lov'st and honour'st us, Persuade our governor against the Turk; This truce we have is but in hope of gold, And with that sum he craves might we wage war. Bosc. Will knights of Malta be in league with Turks, And buy it basely too for sums of gold? My lord, remember that to Europe's shame, The Christian Isle of Rhodes, from whence you came, Gov. Captain we know it, but our force is small. Bosc. What is the sum that Calymath requires? Gov. A hundred thousand crowns. Bos. My lord and king hath title to this Isle, And he means quickly to expel you hence; Therefore be rul'd by me, and keep the gold: I'll write unto his majesty for aid, And not depart until I see you free. Gov. On this condition shall thy Turks be sold. Go officers and set them straight in shew. Bosco, thou shalt be Malta's general; We and our warlike knights will follow thee Against these barabarous mis-believing Turks. Bosc. So shall you imitate those you succeed: For when their hideous force environ'd Rhodes, Small though the number was that kept the town, They fought it out, and not a man surviv'd To bring the hapless news to Christendom. Gov. So will we fight it out; come, let's away: Proud daring Calymath, instead of gold, We'll send thee bullets wrapt in smoke and fire: Claim tribute where thou wilt, we are resolv'd, Honor is bought with blood and not with gold. Enter OFFICERS with slaves. [Exeunt. 1 OFF. This is the Market-place, here let 'em stand: Fear not their sale, for they'll be quickly bought. 2 OFF. Every one's price is written on his back, And so much must they yield or not be sold. 10FF. Here comes the Jew, had not his goods been seiz'd, He'd give us present money for them all. Enter BARABAS. BAR. In spite of these swine-eating Christians, They hop'd my daughter would have been a nun; And there in spite of Malta will I dwell: That can so soon forget an injury. We Jews can fawn like spaniels when we please; And when we grin we bite, yet are our looks As innocent and harmless as a lamb's. I learn'd in Florence how to kiss my hand, Here comes Don Lodowick the governor's son, LOD. I hear the wealthy Jew walked this way; That I may have a sight of Abigail; For Don Mathias tells me she is fair. BAR. Now will I shew myself to have more of the serpent Than the dove; that is, more knave than fool. LOD. Yond' walks the Jew, now for fair Abigail. BAR. Aye, aye, no doubt but she's at your command. LOD. Barabas, thou know'st I am the governor's son. BAR. I would you were his father too, sir, that's all the harm I wish you the slave looks like a hog's cheek, new singed. LOD. Whither walk'st thou, Barabas? [Aside. BAR. No further: 'tis a custom held with us, That when we speak with Gentiles like to you, We turn into the air to purge ourselves : For unto us the promise doth belong. LOD. Well, Barabas, canst help me to a diamond? BAR. Oh, sir, your father had my diamonds. Yet I have one left that will serve your turn: I mean my daughter : but e'er he shall have her I'll sacrifice her on a pile of wood. I have the poison of the city for him, and the White leprosy. [Aside. LOD. What sparkle does it give without a foil? BAR. The diamond that I talk of, ne'er was foil'd: But when he touches it, it will be foil'd: Lord Lodowick, it sparkles bright and fair. LOD. Is it square or pointed, pray let me know. BAR, Pointed it is, good sir,-but not for you. LOD. I like it much the better. [Aside. BAR. So do I too. LOD. How shows it by night? BAR. Outshines Cynthia's rays: You'll like it better far a nights than days. [Aside. LOD. And what's the price? BAR. Your life and if you have it. Oh my Lord We will not jar about the price; come to my house And I will give't your honour-with a vengeance. LOD. No, Barabas, I will deserve it first. [Aside. BAR. Good sir, your father has deserv'd it at my hands, Who of mere charity and Christian truth, To bring me to religious purity, And as it were in catechising sort, To make me mindful of my mortal sins, |