Actus Quintus.
Enter Governor. Knights. Martin Del-Bosco.
Gov. NOw, Gentlemen, betake you to your Armes,
And see that Malta be well fortifi'd;
And it behoves you to be resolute;
For Calymath having hover'd here so long,
Will winne the Towne, or dye before the wals.
Kni.
And dye he shall, for we will never yeeld.
Enter Curtezane, Pilia-borza.
Curt.
Oh bring us to the Governor.
Gov.
Away with her, she is a Curtezane.
Curt.
What e're I am, yet Governor heare me speake;
I bring thee newes by whom thy sonne was slaine:
Mathias did it not, it was the Jew
Pil.
Who, besides the slaughter of these Gentlemen,
Poyson'd his owne daughter and the Nuns,
Strangled a Fryar, and I know not what
Mischiefe beside.
Gov.
Had we but proofe of this.
Curt.
Strong proofe, my Lord, his man's now at my
Lodging that was his Agent, he'll confesse it all.
Gov.
Goe fetch him straight, I alwayes fear'd that Jew
Enter Jew, Ithimore.
Bar.
I'le goe alone, dogs do not hale me thus.
Ith.
Nor me neither, I cannot out-run you Constable, oh my belly.
Bar.
One dram of powder more had made all sure,
What a damn'd slave was I?
Gov.
Make fires, heat irons, let the racke be fetch'd.
Kni.
Nay stay, my Lord, 'tmay be he will confesse.
Bar.
Confesse; what meane you, Lords, who should confesse?
Gov.
Thou and thy Turk; 'twas you that slew my son.
Ith.
Gilty, my Lord, I confesse; your sonne and Mathias
Were both contracted unto Abigall,
Forg'd a counterfeit challenge.
Jew.
Who carried that challenge?
Ith.
I carried it, I confesse, but who writ it?
Marry even he that strangled Bernardine, poyson'd the
Nuns, and his owne daughter.
Gov.
Away with him, his sight is death to me.
Bar.
For what, you men of Malta, heare me speake;
Shee is a Curtezane and he a theefe,
And he my bondman, let me have law,
For none of this can prejudice my life:
Gov.
Once more away with him; you shall haue law.
Bar.
Devils doe your worst, I live in spite of you.
As these have spoke so be it to their soules:
I hope the poyson'd flowers will worke anon.Exit.
Enter Mater.
Mater.
Was my Mathias murder'd by the Jew?
Ferneze, 'twas thy sonne that murder'd him.
Gov.
Be patient, gentle Madam, it was he,
He forged the daring challenge made them fight.
Mat.
Where is the Jew, where is that murderer?
Gov.
In prison till the Law has past on him.
Enter Officer.
Offi.
My Lord, the Curtezane and her man are dead;
So is the Turke, and Barabas the Jew.
Gov.
Dead?
Offi.
Dead, my Lord, and here they bring his body.
Bosco.
This sudden death of his is very strange.
Gov.
Wonder not at it, Sir, the heavens are just:
Their deaths were like their lives, then think not of 'em
Since they are dead, let them be buried.
For the Jewes body, throw that o're the wals,
To be a prey for Vultures and wild beasts.
So, now away and fortifie the Towne.Exeunt.
Bar.
What, all alone? well fare sleepy drinke.
I'le be reveng'd on this accursed Towne;
For by my meanes Calymath shall enter in.
I'le helpe to slay their children and their wives,
To fire the Churches, pull their houses downe,
Take my goods too, and seize upon my lands:
I hope to see the Governour a slave,
And, rowing in a Gally, whipt to death.
Enter Calymath, Bashawes, Turkes.
Caly.
Whom have we there, a spy?
Bar.
Yes, my good Lord, one that can spy a place
Where you may enter, and surprize the Towne:
My name is Barabas; I am a Jew.
Caly.
Art thou that Jew whose goods we heard were sold
For Tribute-mony?
Bar.
The very same, my Lord:
And since that time they have hir'd a slave my man
To accuse me of a thousand villanies:
I was imprison'd, but scap'd their hands.
Caly.
Didst breake prison?
Bar.
No, no:
I dranke of Poppy and cold mandrake juyce;
And being asleepe, belike they thought me dead,
And threw me o're the wals: so, or how else,
The Jew is here, and rests at your command.
Caly.
'Twas bravely done: but tell me, Barabas,
Canst thou, as thou reportest, make Malta ours?
Bar.
Feare not, my Lord, for here against the Truce,
The rocke is hollow, and of purpose digg'd,
To make a passage for the running streames
And common channels of the City.
Now whilst you give assault unto the wals,
I'le lead 500 souldiers through the Vault,
And rise with them i'th middle of the Towne,
Open the gates for you to enter in,
And by this meanes the City is your owne.
Caly.
If this be true, I'le make thee Governor.
Jew.
And if it be not true, then let me dye.
Caly.
Thou'st doom'd thy selfe, assault it presently.Exeunt.
Alarmes. Enter Turkes, Barabas, Governour,
and Knights prisoners.
Caly.
Now vaile your pride you captive Christians,
And kneele for mercy to your conquering foe:
Now where's the hope you had of haughty Spaine?
Ferneze, speake, had it not beene much better
To kept thy promise then be thus surpriz'd?
Gov.
What should I say, we are captives and must yeeld.
Caly.
I, villains, you must yeeld, and under Turkish yokes
Shall groning beare the burthen of our ire;
And Barabas, as erst we promis'd thee,
For thy desert we make the Governor,
Use them at thy discretion.
Bar.
Thankes, my Lord.
Gov.
Oh fatall day to fall into the hands
Of such a Traitor and unhallowed Jew!
What greater misery could heaven inflict?
Caly.
'Tis our command: and Barabas, we give
To guard thy person, these our Janizaries:
Intreat them well, as we haue vsed thee.
And now, brave Bashawes, come, wee'll walke about
The ruin'd Towne, and see the wracke we made:
Farewell brave Jew, farewell great Barabas.Exeunt.
Bar.
May all good fortune follow Calymath.
And now, as entrance to our safety,
To prison with the Governour and these
Captaines, his consorts and confederates.
Gov.
Oh villaine, Heaven will be reveng'd on thee.Exeunt.
Bar.
A way, no more, let him not trouble me.
Thus hast thou gotten, by thy policie,
No simple place, no small authority,
I now am Governour of Malta; true,
But Malta hates me, and in hating me
My life's in danger, and what boots it thee
Poore Barabas, to be the Governour,
When as thy life shall be at their command?
No, Barabas, this must be look'd into;
And since by wrong thou got'st Authority,
Maintaine it bravely by firme policy,
At least unprofitably lose it not:
For he that liveth in Authority,
And neither gets him friends, nor fils his bags,
Lives like the Asse that Æsope speaketh of,
That labours with a load of bread and wine,
And leaves it off to snap on Thistle tops:
But Barabas will be more circumspect.
Begin betimes, Occasion's bald behind,
Slip not thine oportunity, for feare too late
Thou seek'st for much, but canst not compasse it
Within here.
Enter Governor with a guard.
Gov.
My Lord?
Bar.
I, Lord, thus slaves will learne.
Now Governor stand by there, wait within,
This is the reason that I sent for thee;
Thou seest thy life, and Malta's happinesse,
Are at my Arbitrament; and Barabas
At his discretion may dispose of both:
Now tell me, Governor, and plainely too,
What thinkst thou shall become of it and thee?
Gov.
This; Barabas, since things are in thy power,
I see no reason but of Malta's wracke,
Nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty,
Nor feare I death, nor will I flatter thee.
Bar.
Governor, good words, be not so furious;
'Tis not thy life which can availe me ought,
Yet you doe live, and live for me you shall:
And as for Malta's ruine, thinke you not
'Twere slender policy for Barabas
To dispossesse himselfe of such a place?
For sith, as once you said, within this Ile
In Malta here, that I have got my goods,
And in this City still have had successe,
And now at length am growne your Governor,
Your selves shall see it shall not be forgot:
For as a friend not knowne, but in distresse,
I'le reare up Malta now remedilesse.
Gov.
Will Barabas recover Malta's losse?
Will Barabas be good to Christians?
Bar.
What wilt thou give me, Governor, to procure
A dissolution of the slavish Bands
Wherein the Turke hath yoak'd your land and you?
What will you give me if I render you
The life of Calymath, surprize his men,
And in an out house of the City shut
His souldiers, till I have consum'd 'em all with fire?
What will you give him that procureth this?
Gov.
Doe but bring this to passe which thou pretendest,
Deale truly with us as thou intimatest,
And I will send amongst the Citizens
And by my letters privately procure
Great summes of mony for thy recompence:
Nay more, doe this, and live thou Governor still.
Bar.
Nay, doe thou this, Ferneze, and be free;
Governor, I enlarge thee, live with me,
Goe walke about the City, see thy friends:
Tush, send not letters to 'em, goe thy selfe,
And let me see what mony thou canst make;
Here is my hand that I'le set Malta free:
And thus we cast it: To a solemne feast
I will invite young Selim-Calymath,
Where be thou present onely to performe
One stratagem that I'le impart to thee,
Wherein no danger shall betide thy life,
And I will warrant Malta free for ever.
Gov.
Here is my hand, beleeue me, Barabas,
I will be there, and doe as thou desirest;
When is the time?
Bar.
Governor, presently.
For Callymath, when he hath view'd the Towne,
Will take his leave and saile toward, Ottoman,
Gov.
Then will I, Barabas, about this coyne,
And bring it with me to thee in the evening.
Bar.
Doe so, but faile not; now farewell Ferneze
And thus farre roundly goes the businesse:
Thus loving neither, will I live with both,
Making a profit of my policie;
And he from whom my most advantage comes,
Shall be my friend.
This is the life we Jewes are us'd to lead;
And reason too, for Christians doe the like:
Well, now about effecting this device:
First to surprize great Selims souldiers,
And then to make provision for the feast,
That at one instant all things may be done,
My policie detests prevention:
To what event my secret purpose drives,
I know; and they shall witnesse with their lives.Exit.
Enter Calymath, Bashawes.
Caly.
Thus haue we view'd the City, seene the sacke,
And caus'd the ruines to be new repair'd,
Which with our Bombards shot and Basiliske,
We rent in sunder at our entry:
And now I see the Scituation,
And how secure this conquer'd Iland stands
Inviron'd with the mediterranean Sea,
Strong contermin'd with other petty Iles;
And toward Calabria back'd by Sicily,
Two lofty Turrets that command the Towne.
When Siracusian Dionisius reign'd;
I wonder how it could be conquer'd thus?
Enter a messenger.
Mess.
From Barabas, Malta's Governor, I bring
A message unto mighty Calymath;
Hearing his Soveraigne was bound for Sea,
To saile to Turkey, to great Ottamon,
He humbly would intreat your Majesty
To come and see his homely Citadell,
And banquet with him e're thou leav'st the Ile.
Caly.
To banquet with him in his Citadell,
I feare me, Messenger, to feast my traine
Within a Towne of warre so lately pillag'd,
Will be too costly and too troublesome:
Yet would I gladly visit Barabas.
For well has Barabas desern'd of us.
Mess.
Selim, for that, thus saith the Governor,
That he hath in store a Pearle so big,
So precious, and withall so orient,
As be it valued but indifferently,
The price thereof will serve to entertaine
Selim and all his souldiers for a month;
Therefore he humbly would intreat your Highnesse
Not to depart till he has feasted you.
Caly.
I cannot feast my men in Malta wals,
Except he place his Tables in the streets.
Mess.
Know, Selim, that there is a monastery
Which standeth as an out-house to the Towne;
There will he banquet them, but thee at home,
With all thy Bashawes and brave followers.
Caly.
Well, tell the Governor we grant his suit,
Wee'll in this Summer Evening feast with him.
Mess.
I shall, my Lord, Exit.
Caly.
And now, bold Bashawes, let us to our Tents,
And meditate how we may grace us best
To solemnize our Governors great feast.Exeunt.
Enter Governor, Knights, Del-bosco.
Gov.
In this, my Countrimen, be rul'd by me,
Haue speciall care that no man sally forth
Till you shall heare a Culverin discharg'd
By him that beares the Linstocke, kindled thus;
Then issue out and come to rescue me,
For happily I shall be in distresse,
Or you released of this servitude.
1 Kni.
Rather then thus to live as Turkish thrals,
What will we not adventure?
Gov.
On then, begone.
Kni:
Farewell grave Governor.
Enter with a Hammar about, very busie.
Bar.
How stand the cords? How hang these hinges, fast?
Are all the Cranes and Pulleyes sure?
Serv.
All fast.
Bar.
Leave nothing loose, all leveld to my mind.
Why now I see that you have Art indeed.
There, Carpenters, divide that gold amongst you:
Goe swill in bowles of Sacke and Muscadine:
Downe to the Celler, taste of all my wines.
Carp.
We shall, my Lord, and thanke you: Exeunt.
Bar.
And if you like them, drinke your fill and dye:
For so I live, perish may all the world.
Now Selim-Calymath returne me word
That thou wilt come, and I am satisfied.
Now sirra, what, will he come?
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
He will; and has commanded all his men
To come ashore, and march through Malta streets,
That thou maist feast them in thy Citadell.
Bar.
Then now are all things as my wish wud have 'em,
There wanteth nothing but the Governors pelfe,
And see he brings it: Now, Governor, the summe.
Enter Gouernour.
Gou.
With free consent a hundred thousand pounds.
Bar.
Pounds saist thou, Goveruor, wel since it is no more
I'le satisfie my selfe with that; nay, keepe it still,
For if I keepe not promise, trust not me.
And Governour, now partake my policy:
First for his Army, they are sent before,
Enter'd the Monastery, and underneath
In severall places are field-pieces pitch'd,
Bombards, whole Barrels full of Gunpowder,
That on the sudden shall dissever it,
And batter all the stones about their eares,
Whence none can possibly escape alive:
Now as for Calymath and his consorts,
Here have I made a dainty Gallery,
The floore whereof, this Cable being cut,
Doth fall asunder; so that it doth sinke
Into a deepe pit past recovery.
Here, hold that knife, and when thou seest he comes,
And with his Bashawes shall be blithely set,
A warning-peece shall be shot off from the Tower,
To give thee knowledge when to cut the cord,
And fire the house; say, will not this be brave?
Gov.
Oh excellent! here, hold thee, Barabas,
I trust thy word, take what I promis'd thee.
Bar.
No, Governor, I'le satisfie thee first,
Thou shalt not live in doubt of any thing.
Stand close, for here they come: why, is not this
A kingly kinde of trade to purchase Townes
By treachery, and sell 'em by deceit?
Now tell me, worldlings, underneath the summe,
If greater falshood ever has bin done.
Enter Calymath and Bashawes.
Caly.
Come, my Companion-Bashawes, see I pray
How busie Barrabas is there above
To entertaine us in his Gallery;
Let us salute him, Save thee, Barabas.
Bar.
Welcome great Calymath.
Gov.
How the slave jeeres at him?
Bar.
Will't please thee, mighty Selim-Calymath,
To ascend our homely stayres?
Caly.
I, Barabas, come Bashawes, attend.
Gov.
Stay, Calymath;
For I will shew thee greater curtesie
Then Barabas would have affoorded thee.
Kni.
Sound a charge there. A charge, the cable cut, A Caldron discovered.
Cal.
How now, what means this
Bar.
Helpe, helpe me, Christians, helpe.
Gov.
See Calymath, this was devis'd for thee.
Caly.
Treason, treason Bashawes, flye.
Gov.
No, Selim, doe not flye;
See his end first, and flye then if thou canst.
Bar.
Oh helpe me, Selim, helpe me, Christians.
Governour, why stand you all so pittilesse?
Gov.
Should I in pitty of thy plaints or thee,
Accursed Barabas; base Jew relent:
No, thus I'le see thy treachery repaid,
But wish thou hadst behav'd thee otherwise.
Bar.
You will not helpe me then?
Gov.
No, villaine, no.
Bar.
And villaines, know you cannot helpe me now.
Then Barabas breath forth thy latest fate,
And in the fury of thy torments, strive
To end thy life with resolution:
Know, Governor, 'twas I that slew thy sonne;
I fram'd the challenge that did make them meet.
Know, Calymath, I aym'd thy overthrow,
And had I but escap'd this stratagem,
I would have brought confusion on you all,
Damn'd Christians, dogges, and Turkish Infidels;
But now begins the extremity of heat
To pinch me with intolerable pangs:
Dye life, flye soule, tongue curse thy fill and dye:
Caly.
Tell me, you Christians, what doth this portend?
Gov.
This traine he laid to have intrap'd thy life;
Now Selim note the unhallowed deeds of Jewes:
Thus he determin'd to have handled thee,
But I have rather chose to save thy life.
Caly.
Was this the banquet he prepar'd for us?
Let's hence, lest further mischiefe be pretended.
Gov.
Nay, Selim, stay, for since we have thee here,
We will not let thee part so suddenly:
Besides, if we should let thee goe, all's one,
For with thy Gallyes couldst thou not get hence,
Without fresh men to rigge and furnish them.
Caly.
Tush, Governor, take thou no care for that,
My men are all aboord,
And doe attend my comming there by this.
Gov.
Why hardst thou not the trumpet sound a charge?
Caly.
Yes, what of that?
Gov.
Why then the house was fir'd,
Blowne up, and all thy souldiers massacred.
Caly.
Oh monstrous treason!
Gov.
A Jewes curtesie:
For he that did by treason worke our fall,
By treason hath delivered thee to us:
Know therefore, till thy father hath made good
The ruines done to Malta and to us,
Thou canst not part: for Malta shall be freed,
Or Selim ne're returne to Ottamen.
Caly.
Nay rather, Christians, let me goe to Turkey
In person there to meditate your peace;
To keepe me here will nought advantage you.
Gov.
Content thee, Calymath, here thou must stay,
And live in Malta prisoner; for come call the world
To rescue thee, so will we guard us now,
As sooner shall they drinke the Ocean dry,
Then conquer Malta, or endanger us.
So march away, and let due praise be given
Neither to Fate nor Fottune, but to Heaven.
FINIS.