 | The Famous Tragedy of The Rich Ievv of Malta |  |
Actus Quartus.
Enter Barabas. Itha.Bells within.
Bar.
There is no musicke to a Christians knell:
How sweet the Bels ring now the Nuns are dead
That sound at other times like Tinkers pans?
I was afraid the poyson had not wrought;
Or though it wrought, it would haue done no good,
For euery yeare they swell, and yet they liue;
Now all are dead, not one remaines aliue.
Ith.
That's braue, Mr. but think you it wil not be known
Bar.
How can it if we two be secret.
Ith.
For my part feare you not.
Bar.
I'de cut thy throat if I did.
Ith.
And reason too; but here's a royall Monastry hard
By, good master let me poyson all the Monks.
Bar.
Thou shalt not need, for now the Nuns are dead,
Ith.
Doe you not sorrow for your daughters death?
Bar.
No, but I grieue because she liu'd so long an Hebrew
Borne, and would become a Christian.
Cathodiabola.
Enter the two Fryars.
Ith.
Look, look, Mr. here come two religious Caterpillers.
Bar.
I smelt 'em e're they came.
Ith.
God-a-mercy nose; come let's begone.
2 Fry.
Stay wicked Few, repent, I say, and stay.
1 Fry.
Thou hast offended, therefore must be damn'd.
Bar.
I feare they know we sent the poyson'd broth.
Ith,
And so doe I, master, therefore speake 'em faire.
2.
Barabas, thou hast—
1.
I, that thou hast—
Bar.
True, I haue mony, what though I haue?
2.
Thou art a—
1.
I, that thou art a—
Bar.
What needs all this? I know I am a Iew.
2.
Thy daughter—
1.
I, thy daughter,—
Bar.
Oh speake not of her, then I dye with griefe.
2.
Remember that—
1.
I, remember that—
Bar.
I must needs say that I haue beene a great usurer.
2.
Thou hast committed—
Bar.
Fornication? but that was in another Country:
And besides, the Wench is dead.
2.
I, but Barabas remember Mathias and Don Lodowick.
Bar.
Why, what of them?
2.
I will not say that by a forged challenge they met.
Bar.
She has confest, and we are both vndone;
My bosome inmates, but I must dissemble.
aside.
Oh holy Fryars, the burthen of my sinnes
Lye heauy on my soule; then pray you tell me,
Is't not too late now to turne Christian?
I haue beene zealous in the Iewish faith,
Hard harted to the poore, a couetous wretch,
A hundred for a hundred I haue tane;
And now for store of wealth may I compare
With all the Iewes in Malta; but what is wealth?
I am a Iew, and therefore am I lost.
Would pennance serue for this my sinne,
I could afford to whip my selfe to death.
Ith.
And so could I; but pennance will not serue.
Bar.
To fast, to pray, and weare a shirt of haire,
And on my knees creepe to Ierusalem,
Cellers of Wine, and Sollers full of Wheat,
Ware-houses stuft with spices and with drugs,
Whole Chests of Gold, in Bulloine, and in Coyne,
Besides I know not how much weight in Pearle
Orient and round, haue I within my house;
At Alexandria, Merchandize vnsold;
But yesterday two ships went from this Towne,
Their voyage will be worth ten thousand Crownes.
In Florence, Venice, Antwerpe, London, Ciuill,
Frankeford, Lubecke, Mosco, and where not,
Haue I debts owing; and in most of these,
Great summes of mony lying in the bancho;
All this I'le giue to some religious house
So I may be baptiz'd and liue therein.
1.
Oh good Barabas come to our house.
2.
Oh no, good Barabas come to our house.
And Barabas, you know—
Bar.
I know that I haue highly sinn'd,
You shall conuert me, you shall haue all my wealth,
1.
Oh Barabas, their Lawes are strict.
Bar.
I know they are, and I will be with you.
1.
They weare no shirts, and they goe bare-foot too.
Bar.
Then 'tis not for me; and I am resolu'd
You shall confesse me, and haue all my goods.
1.
Good Barabas come to me.
Bar.
You see I answer him, and yet he stayes;
Rid him away, and goe you home with me.
I'le be with you to night.
Bar.
Come to my house at one a clocke this night.
1.
You heare your answer, and you may be gone.
2,
Why goe get you away.
1.
I will not goe for thee.
2.
Not, then I'le make thee goe.
1.
How, dost call me rogue?
Fight.
Ith.
Part 'em, master, part 'em.
Bar.
This is meere frailty, brethren, be content.
Fryar Barnardine goe you with Ithimore.
Ith.
You know my mind, let me alone with him;
Why does he goe to thy house, let him begone.
Bar.
I'le giue him something and so stop his mouth.
Exit.
I neuer heard of any man but he
Malign'd the order of the Iacobines:
But doe you thinke that I beleeue his words?
Why Brother you conuerted Abigall;
And I am bound in charitie to requite it,
And so I will, oh Iocome, faile not but come.
Fry,
But Barabas who shall be your godfathers,
For presently you shall be shriu'd.
Bar.
Marry the Turke shall be one of my godfathers,
But not a word to any of your Couent.
Fry.
I warrant thee, Barabas.
Exit
Bar.
So now the feare is past, and I am safe:
For he that shriu'd her is within my house,
What if I murder'd him e're Iocoma comes?
Now I haue such a plot for both their liues,
As neuer Iew nor Christian knew the like:
One turn'd my daughter, therefore he shall dye;
The other knowes enough to haue my life,
Therefore 'tis not requisite he should liue.
But are not both these wise men to suppose
That I will leaue my house, my goods, and all,
To fast and be well whipt; I'le none of that.
Now Fryar Bernardine I come to you,
And after that, I and my trusty Turke—
No more but so: it must and shall be done.
Ithimore, tell me, is the Fryar asleepe?
Enter Ithimore.
Ith.
Yes; and I know not what the reason is:
Doe what I can he will not strip himselfe,
Nor goe to bed, but sleepes in his owne clothes;
I feare me he mistrusts what we intend.
Bar.
No, 'tis an order which the Fryars vse:
Yet if he knew our meanings, could he scape?
Ith.
No, none can heare him, cry he ne're so loud.
Bar.
Why true, therefore did I place him there:
The other Chambers open towards the street.
Ith.
You loyter, master, wherefore stay we thus?
Oh how I long to see him shake his heeles.
Bar.
Come on, sirra, off with your girdle, make a hansom noose;
Fryar awake.
Fry.
What doe you meane to strangle me?
Ith.
Yes, 'cause you vse to confesse.
Bar.
Blame not vs but the prouerb, Confes & be hang'd
Pull hard.
Fry.
What, will you saue my life?
Bar.
Pull hard, I say, you would haue had my goods.
Ith.
I, and our liues too, therefore pull amaine.
'Tis neatly done, Sir, here's no print at all.
Bar.
Then is it as it should be, take him vp.
Ith.
Nay, Mr. be rul'd by me a little; so, let him leane
Vpon his staffe; excellent, he stands as if he were begging of Bacon.
Bar.
Who would not thinke but that this Fryar liu'd?
What time a night is't now, sweet Ithimore?
Ith.
Towards one.
Enter Iocoma.
Bar.
Then will not Iocoma be long from hence.
Ioco.
This is the houre wherein I shall proceed;
Oh happy houre, wherein I shall conuert
But soft, is not this Bernardine? it is;
And vnderstanding I should come this way,
Stands here a purpose, meaning me some wrong,
And intercept my going to the Iew; Bernardine;
Wilt thou not speake? thou think'st I see thee not;
Away, I'de wish thee, and let me goe by:
No, wilt thou not? nay then I'le force my way;
And see, a staffe stands ready for the purpose:
As thou lik'st that, stop me another time.
Strike him, he fals. Enter Barabas.
Bar.
Why how now Iocoma, what hast thou done?
Ioco.
Why stricken him that would haue stroke at me.
Bar.
Who is it Bernardine? now out alas, he is slaine.
Ith.
I, Mr. he's slain; look how his brains drop out on's nose.
Ioco.
Good sirs I haue don't, but no body knowes I but
You two, I may escape.
Bar.
So might my man and I hang with you for company.
Ith.
No, let vs beare him to the Magistrates.
Ioco.
Good Barabas let me goe.
Bar.
No, pardon me, the Law must haue his course.
I must be forc'd to giue in euidence,
That being importun'd by this Bernardine
To be a Christian, I shut him out,
And there he sate: now I to keepe my word,
And giue my goods and substance to your house,
Was vp thus early; with intent to goe
Vnto your Friery, because you staid.
Ith.
Fie vpon 'em, Mr. will you turne Christian, when
Holy Friars turne deuils and murder one another.
Bar.
No, for this example I'le remaine a Iew:
Heauen blesse me; what, a Fryar a murderer?
When shall you see a Iew commit the like?
Ith.
Why a Turke could ha done no more.
Bar.
To morrow is the Sessions; you shall to it.
Come Ithimore, let's helpe to take him hence.
Villaines, I am a sacred person, touch me not.
Bar.
The Law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we:
'Las I could weepe at your calamity.
Take in the staffe too, for that must be showne:
Law wils that each particular be knowne.
Exeunt.
Enter Curtezant, and Pilia-borza.
Curt.
Pilia-borza, didst thou meet with Ithimore?
Pil.
I did.
Curt.
And didst thou deliuer my letter?
Pil.
I did.
Curt.
And what think'st thou, will he come?
Pil.
I think so, and yet I cannot tell, for at the reading of
The letter, he look'd like a man of another world.
Curt.
Why so?
Pil.
That such a base slaue as he should be saluted by such
A tall man as I am, from such a beautifull dame as you.
Curt.
And what said he?
Pil.
Not a wise word, only gaue me a nod, as who shold
say, is it euen so; and so I left him, being driuen to a
Non-plus at the critical aspect of my terrible countenance.
Curt.
And where didst meet him?
Pil.
Vpon mine owne free-hold within 40 foot of the
Gallowes, conning his neck-verse I take it, looking of a
Fryars Execution, whom I saluted with an old hempen
prouerb, Hidie tibi, cras mihi, and so I left him to the mercy
Of the Hangman: but the Exercise being done, see where
He comes.
Enter Ithimore.
Ith.
I neuer knew a man take his death so patiently as
This Fryar; he was ready to leape off e're the halter was
About his necke; and when the Hangman had put on his
Hempen Tippet, he made such haste to his prayers, as if
Hee had had another Cure to serue; well, goe whither
He will, I'le be none of his followers in haste:
Met me with a muschatoes like a Rauens wing, and
A Dagger with a hilt like a warming-pan, and he
Saluting me in such sort as if he had meant to make
Cleane my Boots with his lips; the effect was, that
I should come to her house, I wonder what the reason is;
It may be she sees more in me than I can find in
My selfe: for she writes further, that she loues me
Euer since she saw me, and who would not require such
Louer? here's her house, and here she comes, and now
Would I were gone, I am not worthy to looke vpon her.
Pilia.
This is the Gentleman you writ to.
Ith.
Gentleman, he flouts me, what gentry can be in a
Poore Turke of ten pence? I'le be gone.
Curt.
Is't not a sweet fac'd youth, Pilia?
Ith.
Agen, sweet youth; did not you, Sir, bring the sweet
Youth a letter?
Pilia.
I did Sir, and from this Gentlewoman, who as my
Selfe, & the rest of the family, stand or fall at your seruice.
Curt.
Though womans modesty should hale me backe,
I can with-hold no longer; welcome sweet loue.
Ith.
Now am I cleane, or rather fouly out of the way.
Curt.
Whither so soone?
Ith.
I'le goe steale some mony from my Master to
Make me hansome:
Pray pardon me, I must goe see a ship discharg'd.
Curt.
Canst thou be so vnkind to leaue me thus?
Pilia.
And ye did but know how she loues you, Sir.
Ith.
Nay, I care not how much she loues me;
Sweet Allamira, would I had my Masters wealth for thy sake.
Pilia.
And you can haue it, Sir, and if you please.
Ith.
If 'twere aboue ground I could, and would haue it;
But hee hides and buries it vp as Partridges doe
Their egges, vnder the earth.
Pil.
And is't not possible to find it out?
Ith.
By no meanes possible.
Curt.
What shall we doe with this base villaine then?
Pil.
Let me alone, doe but you speake him faire:
Reueal'd, would doe him harme.
Ith.
I, and such as—Goe to, no more,
I'le make him send me half he has, & glad he scapes so too.
Pen and Inke:
I'le write vnto him, we'le haue mony strait.
Pil,
Send for a hundred Crownes at least.
He writes.
Ith.
Ten hundred thousand crownes,—Mr. Barabas.
Pil.
Write not so submissiuely, but threatning him.
Ith.
Sirra Barabas, send me a hundred crownes.
Pil.
Put in two hundred at least.
Ith.
I charge thee send me 300 by this bearer, and this
Shall be your warrant; if you doe not, no more but so.
Pil.
Tell him you will confesse.
Ith.
Otherwise I'le confesse all, vanish and returne in a
Twinckle.
Pil.
Let me alone, I'le vse him in his kinde.
Ith.
Hang him Iew.
Curt.
Now, gentle Ithimore, lye in my lap.
Where are my Maids? prouide a running Banquet;
Send to the Merchant, bid him bring me silkes,
Shall Ithimore my loue goe in such rags?
Ith.
And bid the Ieweller come hither too.
Curt.
I haue no husband, sweet, I'le marry thee.
Ith.
Content, but we will leaue this paltry land,
And saile from hence to Greece, to louely Greece,
I'le be thy Iason, thou my golden Fleece;
Where painted Carpets o're the meads are hurl'd,
And Bacchus vineyards ore-spread the world:
Where Woods and Forrests goe in goodly greene,
I'le be Adonis, thou shalt be Loues Queene.
The Meads, the Orchards, and the Primrose lanes,
Instead of Sedge and Reed, beare Sugar Canes:
Thou in those Groues, by Dis aboue,
Shalt liue with me and be my loue.
Curt.
Whither will I not goe with gentle Ithimore?
Ith.
How now? hast thou the gold?
Pil.
Yes.
Ith.
But came it freely, did the Cow giue down her milk freely?
Pil.
At reading of the letter, he star'd & stamp'd, & turnd
Aside, I tooke him by the sterd, & look'd vpon him thus;
Told him he were best to send it, then he hug'd & imbrac'd me.
Ith.
Rather for feare then loue.
Pil.
Then like a Iew he laugh'd & jeer'd, and told me he
lou'd me for your sake, & said what a faithfull seruant you had bin.
Ith.
The more villaine he to keep me thus:
Here's goodly 'parrell, is there not?
Pil.
To conclude, he gaue me ten crownes.
Ith.
But ten? I'le not leaue him worth a gray groat, giue
Me a Reame of paper, we'll haue a kingdome of gold for't.
Pil.
Write for 500 Crownes.
Ith.
Sirra Iew, as you loue your life send me 500 crowns,
And giue the Bearer 100. Tell him I must hau't.
Pil.
I warrant your worship shall hau't.
Ith,
And if he aske why I demand so much, tell him,
I scorne to write a line vnder a hundred crownes.
Pil.
You'd make a rich Poet, Sir. I am gone.
Exit.
Ith.
Take thou the mony, spend it for my sake.
Curt.
'Tis not thy mony, but thy selfe I weigh:
Thus Bellamira esteemes of gold;
But thus of thee.— Kisse him.
—
Ith.
That kisse againe; she runs diuision of my lips.
What an eye she casts on me?
It twinckles like a Starre.
Curt.
Come my deare loue, let's in and sleepe together.
Ith.
Oh that ten thousand nights were put in one,
That wee might sleepe seuen yeeres together afore
We wake.
Curt.
Come Amorous wag first banquet and then sleep.
Enter Barabas reading a letter.
Bar.
Barabas send me 300 Crownes.
Plaine Barabas: oh that wicked Curtezane!
Or else I will confesse: I, there it goes:
But if I get him Coupe de Gorge, for that
He sent a shaggy totter'd staring slaue,
That when he speakes, drawes out his grisly beard,
And winds it twice or thrice about his eare;
Whose face has bin a grind-stone for mens swords,
His hands are hackt, some fingers cut quite off;
Who when he speakes, grunts like a hog, and looks
Like one that is imploy'd in Catzerie,
And crosbiting such a Rogue
As is the husband to a hundred whores:
And I by him must send three hundred crownes.
Well, my hope is, he will not stay there still;
And when he comes: Oh that he were but here!
Enter Pilia-borza.
Pil.
Iew, I must ha more gold.
Bar.
Why wantst thou any of thy tale?
Pil.
No; but 300 will not serue his turne.
Bar.
Not serue his turne, Sir?
Pil.
No Sir; and therefore I must haue 500 more.
Bar.
I'le rather—
Pil.
Oh good words, Sir, and send it you were best, see,
There's his letter.
Bar.
Might he not as well come as send; pray bid him
Come & fetch it, what hee writes for you, ye shall haue streight.
Pil.
I, and the rest too, or else—
Bar.
I must make this villaine away: please you dine
With me, Sir, & you shal be most hartily poyson'd.
aside
Pil.
No god-a-mercy, shall I haue these crownes?
Bar.
I cannot doe it, I haue lost my keyes.
Pil.
Oh, if that be all, I can picke ope your locks.
Bar.
Or climbe vp to my Counting-house window:
You know my meaning.
Pil.
I know enough, and therfore talke not to me of your
Counting-house, the gold, or know Iew it is in my power to hang thee.
Bar.
I am betraid.
I am not mou'd at that: this angers me,
That he who knowes I loue him as my selfe
Should write in this imperious vaine? why Sir,
You know I haue no childe, and vnto whom
Should I leaue all but vnto Ithimore?
Pil.
Here's many words but no crownes; the crownes.
Bar.
Commend me to him, Sir, most humbly,
And vnto your good mistris as vnknowne.
Pil.
Speake, shall I haue 'vm, Sir?
Bar.
Sir here they are.
Oh that I should part with so much gold!
Here take 'em, fellow, with as good a will—
—As I wud see thee hang'd; oh, loue stops my breath:
Neuer lou'd man seruant as I doe Ithimore.
Pil.
I know it, Sir.
Bar.
Pray when, Sir, shall I see you at my house?
Pil.
Soone enough to your cost, Sir:
Fare you well.
Exit.
Bar.
Nay to thine owne cost, villaine, if thou com'st.
Was euer Iew tormented as I am?
To haue a shag-rag knaue to come
300 Crownes, and then 500 Crownes?
Well, I must seeke a meanes to rid 'em all,
And presently: for in his villany
He will tell all he knowes and I shall dye for't. I haue it.
I will in some disguize goe see the slaue,
And how the villaine reuels with my gold.
Exit.
Enter Curtezane. Ithimore. Pilia-borza.
Curt.
I'le pledge thee, loue, and therefore drinke it off.
Ith.
Saist thou me so? haue at it; and doe you heare?
Curt.
Goe to, it shall be so.
Ith.
Of that condition I wil drink it vp; here's to thee.
Pil.
Nay, I'le haue all or none.
Ith.
There, if thou lou'st me doe not leaue a drop.
Curt.
Loue thee, fill me three glasses.
Ith.
Three and fifty dozen, I'le pledge thee,
Knauely spoke, and like a Knight at Armes.
Ith.
Hey Riuo Castiliano, a man's a man.
Curt.
Now to the Iew.
Ith.
Ha to the Iew, and send me mony you were best.
Pil.
What wudst thou doe if he should send thee none?
Ith.
Doe nothing; but I know what I know,
He's a murderer.
Curt.
I had not thought he had been so braue a man.
Ith.
You knew Mathias and the Gouernors son, he and
I kild 'em both, and yet neuer touch'd 'em.
Pil.
Oh brauely done.
Ith.
I carried the broth that poyson'd the Nuns, and he
And I snicle hand too fast, strangled a Fryar.
Curt.
You two alone.
Ith.
We two, and 'twas neuer knowne, nor neuer shall
Be for me.
Pil.
This shall with me vnto the Gouernor.
Curt.
And fit it should: but first let's ha more gold.
Come gentle Ithimore, lye in my lap.
Ith.
Loue me little, loue me long, let musicke rumble,
Whilst I in thy incoomy lap doe tumble.
Enter Barabas with a Lute, disguis'd.
Curt.
A French Musician, come let's heare your skill?
Bar.
Must tuna my Lute for sound, twang twang first.
Ith.
Wilt drinke French-man, here's to thee with a—
Pox on this drunken hick-vp.
Bar.
Gramercy Mounsier.
Curt.
Prethe, Pilia-borza, bid the Fidler giue me
The posey in his hat there.
Pil.
Sirra, you must giue my mistris your posey.
Bar.
A voustre commandemente Madam.
Curt.
How sweet, my Ithimore, the flowers smell.
Ith.
Like thy breath, sweet-hart, no violet like 'em.
Pil.
Foh, me thinkes they stinke like a Holly-Hoke.
Bar.
So, now I am reueng'd vpon 'em all.
The scent there of was death, I poyson'd it.
Ith.
Play, Fidler, or I'le cut your cats guts into chitterlins
Ith.
Giue him a crowne, and fill me out more wine.
Pil.
There's two crownes for thee, play.
Bar.
How liberally the villain giues me mine own gold.
aside.
Pil.
Me thinkes he fingers very well.
Bar.
So did you when you stole my gold.
aside
Pil.
How swift he runnes.
Bar.
You run swifter when you threw my gold out of
My Window.
aside.
Curt.
Musician, hast beene in Malta long?
Bar.
Two, three, foure month Madam.
Ith.
Dost not know a Iew, one Barabas?
Bar.
Very mush, Mounsier, you no be his man.
Pil:
His man?
Ith.
I scorne the Peasant, tell him so.
Bar.
He knowes it already.
Ith.
'Tis a strange thing of that Iew, he liues vpon
Pickled Grashoppers, and sauc'd Mushrumbs.
Bar.
What a slaue's this?
The Gouernour feeds not as I doe.
aside.
Ith.
He neuer put on cleane shirt since he was circumcis'd
Bar.
Oh raskall! I change my selfe twice a day.
aside
Ith.
The Hat he weares, Iudas left vnder the Elder
When he hang'd himselfe.
Bar.
'Twas sent me for a present from the great Cham.
aside
Pil.
A masty slaue he is;
Whether now, Fidler?
Bar.
Pardona moy, Mounsier, we be no well.
Exit.
Pil.
Farewell Fidler: One letter more to the Iew.
Curt.
Prethe sweet loue, one more, and write it sharp.
Ith.
No, I'le send by word of mouth now;
Bid him deliuer thee a thousand Crownes, by the same
Token, that the Nuns lou'd Rice, that Fryar Bernardine
Slept in his owne clothes,
Any of 'em will doe it.
Let me alone to vrge it now I know the meaning.
Ith.
The meaning has a meaning; come let's in:
To vndoe a Iew is charity, and not sinne.
Exeunt.
| The Famous Tragedy of The Rich Ievv of Malta | |