The Jew of Malta.
Your Lordship shall doe well to let them have it.
Gov.
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.
Bar.
Alas, my Lord, we are no souldiers:
And what's our aid against so great a Prince?
1 Kni.
Tut, Jew, we know thou art no souldier;
Thou art a Merchant, and a monied man,
And 'tis thy mony, Barabas, we seeke.
Bar.
How, my Lord, my mony?
Gov.
Thine and the rest.
For to be short, amongst you 'tmust be had,
Jew.
Alas, my Lord, the most of us are poore.
Gov.
Then let the rich increase your portions:
Bar.
Are strangers with your tribute to be tax'd?
2 Kni.
Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth?
Then let them with us contribute.
Bar.
How, equally?
Gov.
No, Jew, like infidels.
For through our sufferance of your hatefull lives,
Who stand accursed in the sight of heaven,
These taxes and afflictions are befal'ne,
And therefore thus we are determined;
Reade there the Articles of our decrees.
Reader.
First, the tribute mony of the Turkes shall all be
Levyed amongst the Jewes, and each of them to pay one
Halfe of his estate.
Bar.
How, halfe his estate? I hope you meane not mine.
Gov.
Read on.
Read.
Secondly, hee that denies to pay, shal straight become
A Christian.
Bar.
How a Christian? Hum, what's here to doe?
Read.
Lastly, he that denies this, shall absolutely lose al he has.
All 3 Jewes.
Oh my Lord we will give halfe.
Bar.
Oh earth-mettall'd villaines, and no Hebrews born!
And
