 Act V of the Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe, edited by the reverend Alexander Dice. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Enter for nays, nights, Martyn de Bosco and officers. Now, gentlemen, but take you to your arms and see that Malta be well fortified, and it behoves you to be resolute, for Kalimoth, having hovered here so long, will win the town or die before the walls. And die, he shall, for we will never yield. Enter Belomir and Piliaborza. Oh, bring us to the governor. Away with her. She's a courtesan. What heir I am? Yet governor, hear me speak. I bring thee news by whom thy son was slain. Mathias did it not. It was the Jew. Who, besides a slaughter of these gentlemen, poisoned his own daughter and the nuns, strangled a fire and I know not what missed you beside. Had we but proof of this? Strong proof, my lord. His man's now at my lodging that was his agent. He'll confess it all. Go fetch him straight. Excellent officers. I always fear that you... We enter officers with Varavis and Ithamore. I'll go alone. Dogs, do not hail me thus. Nor me neither. I cannot have run you constable. Oh, my belly! One dram of powder moor had made all sure. What a damned slave was I? Make fires, heat irons, let the rack be fetched. Nay, stay, my lord. To maybe he will confess. Confess? What mean you lords? Who should confess? Thou and thy terp towards that slew my son. Guilty, my lord. I confess. Your son and Mathias were both contracted unto Abigail. He forged a counterfeit challenge. Who carried that challenge? I carried it. I confess. But who writ it? Mary, even he that strangled Bernadine poisoned the nuns and his own daughter. Away with him. His sight is death to me. For what? You men of Malta? Hear me speak. She is a courtesan, and he a thief, and he my bondman. Let me have law, for none of this can prejudice my life. Once more. Away with him. You shall have law. Devils, do your worst. I'll live in spite of you. As these have spoke, so be it to their souls. I hope the poisoned flowers were working on. Excellent officers with Varabas and Ithamore, Velomira and Pilioborza, enter Catherine. Was my Mathias murdered by the Jew? Feneza, it was thy son that murdered him. Be patient, gentle madam. It was he. He forged the daring challenge, made them fight. Where is the Jew? Where is that murderer? In prison, till the law has passed on him. Reender first officer. My lord, the courtesan and her man are dead. Who is the Turk and Varabas the Jew? Dead. Dead, my lord. And here they bring his body. The sudden death of his is very strange. Reenter officers, carrying Varabas is dead. Wonder not at it, sir. The heavens are just. Their deaths were like their lives. Then think not of them. Since they are dead, let them be buried. For the Jew's body throw that over the walls. To be a prey for vultures and wild beasts. So now, away and fortify the town. Excellent all, leaving Varabas on the floor. What, all alone? Rising. Well, fair sleepy drink. I'll be revenged on this accursed town. For by my means Calimath shall enter in. I'll help to slay their children and their wives. To fire the churches. To fire their houses down. Take my goods too and seize upon my lands. I hope to see the governor a slave. And rowing in a galley whipped to death. Enter Calimath, Bassos and Turks. Whom have we there? A spy? Yes, my good lord. One that can spy a place where you may enter. And surprise the town. My name is Varabas. I am a Jew. How thou that Jew whose goods we heard were sold for tribute money? The very same, my lord. And since that time they have hired a slave, my man, to accuse me of a thousand villainies. I was imprisoned, but escaped their hands. Didst break prison? No, no. I drank of poppy and cold mandrake juice. And being asleep, be like they thought me dead and threw me over the walls. So, or how else did you was here and rest at your command? It was bravely done, but tell me, Varabas, as thou, as thou reports'd, make multi-hours. Fear not, my lord, for here against the trench the rock is hollow, and of purpose dig'd. To make a passage for the running streams and common channels of the city. Now, whilst you give assault onto the walls, I'll lead five hundred soldiers through the vault, and rise with them eye the middle of the town, open the gates for you to enter in. And by this means the city is your own. If this be true, I'll make the governor. And, if it be not true, then let me die. Thou's doomed thyself. Assault it, presently. Excellent. Alarums within. Enter Calimath, Bassos, Turks, and Varabas, with Fenez and Knight's prisoners. Now veil your pride, you captive Christians, and kneel for mercy to your conquering foe. Now where's the hope you had of haughty Spain? Had it not been much better to kept thy promise than be surprized? What should I say? We are captives, and must yield. Aye, villains, you must yield, and under Turkish yokes shall groaning bear the burden of our ire. And Varabas, as erst we promised thee, for thy desert we make the governor. Use them at thy discretion. Thanks, my lord. O fatal day to fall into the hands of such a traitor and unhallowed Jew. What greater misery could heaven inflict? Tis our command, and Varabas, we give to guard thy person these our genisaries. Intreat them well as we have used thee. And now, brave Bassos, come, we'll walk about the ruined town and see the wreck we made. Farewell, brave Jew. Farewell, great Varabas. May all good fortune follow Calimath. Exuant Calimath and Bassos. And now, as entrance to our safety, to prison with the governor and these captains, his consorts and confederates. O villain, heaven will be revenged on thee. Away, no more, let him not trouble me. Exuant Turks with Frenes and Knights. Thus hast thou gotten by thy policy no simple place, no small authority. I now am governor of Malta, true, but Malta hates me, and in hating me my life's in danger. And what boots it thee, poor Varabas, to be the governor, when as thy life shall be at their command? No, Varabas, this must be looked into, and since by wrong thou got'st authority, maintain it bravely by firm policy, at least unprofitably lose it not, for he that liveth in authority, and neither gets him friends nor fills his bags, lives like the ass that Aesop speaketh of, that labors with a load of bread and wine, and leaves it off to snap on thistle tops, but Varabas will be more circumspect. Begin betimes, occasions bald behind. Slip not thine opportunity, for fear too late thou seeks for much, but can'ts not compass it. Within here. Enter Frenes with a guard. My lord. Aye, lord, thus slaves will learn. Now, governor, stand by there, wait within. Exuant guard. This is the reason that I sent for thee. Thou seest thy life, and Malta's happiness are at my arbitrement. And Varabas at his discretion may dispose of both. Now tell me, governor, and plainly too, what thinks thou shall become of it and thee? This, Varabas, since things are in thy power, I see no reason but of Malta's wreck, nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty, nor fear I death, nor will I flatter thee. Governor, good words, be not so furious. Does not thy life which can avail me ought? Yet you do live, and live for me you shall. And as for Malta's ruin, think you not, where slender policy for Varabas to dispossess himself of such a place? For sith, as once you said within this isle, and Malta here, that I have got my goods, and in this city still have had success, and now at length I am grown your governor, yourself shall see it shall not be forgot. For, as a friend not known but in distress, I will rear up Malta now, remedy-less. Will Varabas recover Malta's loss? Will Varabas be good to Christians? What will thou give me, governor, to procure a dissolution of the slavish bonds wherein the Turk hath yoked your land and you? What will you give me if I render you the life of Calimath, surprise his men, and in an outhouse of the city shut his soldiers till I have consumed them all with fire? What will you give him that procures this? Do but bring this to pass which thou pretendest, deal truly with us as thou intimatest, and I will send amongst the citizens and by my letters privately procure great sums of money for thy recompense. Nay, more, do this and live thou governor still. Nay, do thou this, Phinese, and be free. Governor, I enlarge thee, live with me. Go walk about the city, see thy friends. Tush, send not letters to them, go thyself. And let me see what money thou canst make. Here is my hand that I'll set Malta free, and thus we cast it to a solemn feast. I will invite young Selam Calimath, where be thou present, only to perform one stratagem that I'll impart to thee, where no danger shall but tie thy life, and I will warrant Malta free, forever. Here is my hand, believe me, Barabas, I will be there and do as thou desiresest. When is the time? Governor, presently, for Calimath, when he hath viewed the town, will take his leave and sail toward Ottoman. Then will I Barabas about this coin, and bring it with me to thee in the evening. Do so, but fail not. Now, farewell, Phinese. Exit Phinese. And thus far roundly goes the business. Thus loving neither will I live with both, making a profit of my policy, and he from whom my most advantage comes shall be my friend. This is the life we Jews are used to lead, and reason too for Christians do the like. Well, now about affecting this device. First to surprise great Selam soldiers, and then to make provision for the feast, that at one instant all things may be done. My policy detests prevention. To what event my secret purpose drives I know, and they shall witness with their lives. Excellent. Enter Calimath and Vassals. Thus have we viewed the city, seen the sack, and caused the ruins to be new repaired, which with our bombard, shot, and vassalists we rent in sundar at our entry. And now I see the situation, and how secure this conquered island stands, environed with the Mediterranean Sea, strong countermind with other petty isles, and towards Calabria backed by Sicily, where Syracuse and Dionysius reigned. Two lofty turrets that command the town. I wonder how it could be conquered thus. Enter a messenger. From Barabas, Malta's governor, I bring a message unto mighty Calimath. Hearing his sovereign was bound for sea, to sail to Turkey, to great Ottoman, he humbly would entreat your majesty, to come and see his homely citadel, and banquet with him ere thou leavest the isle. To banquet with him in his citadel? I fear me, messenger, to feast my train within a town of war so lately pillaged will be too costly and too troublesome. Yet I would gladly visit Barabas, for well has Barabas deserved of us. Selim, for that, thus saith the governor, that he hath in his store a pearl so big, so precious and with all so orient, as be it valued but indifferently, the price thereof will serve to entertain Selim and all his soldiers for a month. Therefore he humbly would entreat your highness not depart till he has feasted you. I cannot feast my men in Malta walls, except he places tables on the streets. No, Selim, that there is a monastery, which standeth as an outhouse to the town. There will he banquet them, but thee at home, with all thy bassoes and brave followers. Well, tell the governor we grant his suit. We all in this summer evening feast with him. I shall, my lord. Exit. And now, bold bassoes, let us to our tents, and meditate how we may grace us best to solemnize our governor's great feast. Exit. Enter Furnace, Knights and Martin de Bosco. In this, my countrymen, be ruled by me. Have special care that no man selleth forth, till you shall hear a culverine discharged by him that bears the linestock, candle, thus. Then issue out and come to rescue me, for happily I shall be in distress, or you released of this servitude. Rather than thus to live as Turkish thralls, what will we not adventure? On then, be gone. Farewell, brave governor. Exit. On one side, Knights and Martin de Bosco. On the other, Furnace. Enter above, Barabbas with a hammer, very busy, and carpenters. How stand the cords? How hang these hinges? Fast? Are all the cranes and polies sure? All fast. Leave nothing loose, all level to my mind. Why, now I see that you have art indeed. There, carpenters, divide that gold amongst you. Giving money. Go, swillin' bowls of sack and muscadine. Down to the cellar. Taste of all my wines. We shall, my lord, and thank you. Excellent carpenters. And if you like them, drink your fill and die, for so I live, perish may all the world. Now, Selim Calimath, return me word that thou wilt come, and I am satisfied. Enter, messenger. Now, Serah, what will he come? He will, and has commanded all his men to come ashore, and march through Malta streets, that thou mayest feast them in thy citadel. Then now are all things as my wish would have them. There wanteth nothing but the governor's pelf, and see he brings it. Adjir for Nez. Now, governor, the sum? With free consent, a hundred thousand pounds. Pounds, sayest thou, governor? Well, since it is no more, I'll satisfy myself with that. Nay, keep it still, for if I keep not promised, trust not me. And governor, now partake my policy. First, for his army. They are sent before, entered the monastery, and underneath, in several places, are field pieces pitched. Bombards, whole barrels full of gunpowder, that on the sudden shall desever it, and batter all the stones about their ears, whence none can possibly escape alive. Now, as for Calimath and his consorts, here have I made a dainty gallery, the floor whereof this cable being cut doth fall asunder, so that it doth sink into a deep pit past recovery. Here, hold that knife, and when thou seest he comes, Throws down a knife, and with his beso shall be blightly set. A warning piece shall be shut off from the tower, to give thee knowledge when to cut the cord, and fire the house. Say, will not this be brave? O excellent, here, hold thee, Baravas. I trust thy word, take what I promised thee. No, governor, I'll satisfy thee first. Thou shall not live in doubt of anything. Stand close, for here they come. For now's retires. Why is not this a kingly kind of trade, to purchase towns by treachery, and sell them by deceit? Now tell me, worldlings, underneath the sun, if greater falsehood ever has been done. Enter Calimath and Bassos. Come, my companion Bassos, see I pray how busy Baravas is there above, to entertain us in his gallery. Let us salute him. Save thee, Baravas! Welcome, great Calimath. How the slave jeers at him. Will please thee, mighty Selam Calimath, to ascend our homely stairs? Aye, Baravas! Come, Bassos, ascend. Coming forward. Stay, Calimath, for I will shoe the greater cord to see, than Baravas would have afforded thee. Within. Sound a charge there. A charge sounded within. For now's cuts the cord. The floor of the gallery gives way, and Baravas falls into a cauldron placed in a pit. Enter Knights and Martin de Bosco. How now? What means this? Help! Help me, Christians, help! See, Calimath, this was devised for thee. Treason? Treason! Bassos, fly! No, Selim, do not fly. See his end first, and fly then, if thou canst. Oh, help me, Selim. Help me, Christians! Governor, why stand you also pitiless? Should I impity thy plains, or thee? A cursed Baravas-based you relent? No, thus I'll see thy treachery repaid, but wish thou hadst behaved thee otherwise. You will not help me then? No, villain, no. And villains, no you cannot help me now. Then, Baravas, breathe forth thy latest fate, and in the fury of thy torments strive to end thy life with resolution. No, governor, twas I that slew thy son. I framed the challenge that did make them meet. No, Calimath, I aimed thy overthrow, and had I but escaped this stratagem, I would have brought confusion on you all. Damned Christian dogs and Turkish infidels, but now begins the extremity of heat that pinced me with intolerable pangs. Die, life! Fly, soul! Tongue, curse thy fill, and die! Dies. Tell me, you Christians, what doth this pretend? This train he laid to have entrapped thy life. Now, Salim, note the unhallowed deeds of Jews. Thus he determined to have handled thee, but I have rather choose to save thy life. Was this the banquet he prepared for us? That's hence. Let further mischief be pretended. Nay, Salim, stay, for since we have thee here, we will not let thee part so suddenly. Besides, if we should let thee go, all's one, for with thy gullies couldst thou not get hence, without fresh men to rig and furnish them. Tush, governor, take no care for that. My men are all aboard, and do attend my coming there by this. Why, hurdest thou not the trumpet sound a charge? Yes, what of that? Why, then the house was fired, blown up, and all thy soldiers massacred. Oh, monstrous treason! A Jews courtesy, for he that did by treason work our fall, by treason hath delivered thee to us. Know therefore till thy father hath made good the ruins done to Malta and to us. Thou canst not part, for Malta shall be freed, or Salim never return to Ottoman. Nay, rather, Christians, let me go to Turkey, in person there to mediate your peace. To keep me here will not advantage you. Contenty kalimath, here thou must stay, and live in Malta prisoner, for come all the world, to rescue thee, so will we guard us now. As sooner shall they drink the ocean dry, then conquer Malta, or endanger us. So march away, and let you praise be given, neither to fate nor fortune, but to heaven. Excellent. End of Act 5 End of the Jew of Malta by Christopher Merlo, edited by the Reverend Alexander Dice.