Ha! to the east? yes: see, how stands the vanes? 40 I sent for Egypt and the bordering isles Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail, Enter a Merchant. Merch. Barabas, thy ships are safe, Will come and custom1 them. 50 Bar. The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught. Merch. They are. Bar. Why then go bid them come ashore, And bring with them their bills of entry : 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. 60 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: They wondered how you durst with so much wealth 70 80 Bar. Tush, they are wise! I know her and her strength. But1 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, Bar. How chance you came not with those other ships That sailed by Egypt? 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 2 Merch. I go. 90 100 [Exit. Bar. Thus trowls our fortune in by land and sea, Or who is honoured now but for his wealth? I cannot tell, but we have scambled1 up More wealth by far than those that brag of faith. Myself in Malta, some in Italy, Many in France, and wealthy every one; 120 I must confess we come not to be kings; That's not our fault: alas, our number's few, 130 And crowns come either by succession, Or urged by force; and nothing violent, Give us a peaceful rule, make Christians kings, I have no charge, nor many children, And all I have is hers. But who comes here? 1 A recognised form of "scrambled." Cf. Henry V., i, 1 :— "But that the scambling and unquiet time Did push it out of farther question." Enter three Jews.1 1 Jew. Tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy. 2 Jew. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas, For he can counsel best in these affairs; And here he comes. Bar. Why, how now, countrymen ! Why flock you thus to me in multitudes ? What accident's betided to the Jews? 1 Jew. A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road : And they this day sit in the council-house To entertain them and their embassy. Bar. Why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; Or let 'em war, so we be conquerors— Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all ! 140 149 So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth. [Aside. I Jew. Were it for confirmation of a league, They would not come in warlike manner thus. 2 Jew. I fear their coming will afflict us all. Bar. Fond men! what dream you of their multitudes. I Jew. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war. VOL. II. 1 The scene is shifted to the Exchange. B 160 |