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TO MY WORTHY FRIEND,
MR. THOMAS HAMMON,
OF GRAYES INNE, &c. The Prologue spoken at Court.The Prologue to the Stage, at the Cocke-pit.Act 1Act 2Act 3Act 4Act 5
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Christopher Marlowe, The Jew of Malta
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TO MY WORTHY FRIEND,
MR. THOMAS HAMMON,
OF GRAYES INNE, &c.
This Play, composed by1 so worthy an Authour as Master Marlo;
and the part of the Jew presented by so unimitable2 an Actor as
Master3 Allin, being in this later4 Age commended to the Stage: As
I usher'd it unto the Court, and presented it to the Cock-pit, with
these Prologues and Epilogues here inserted, so now being newly
brought to the Presse, I was loath it should be published without
the ornament of an Epistle; making choyce of you unto whom to
devote it; then whom (of all those Gentlemen and acquaintance,
within the compasse of my long knowledge) there is none more
able to taxe Ignorance, or attribute right to merit. Sir, you have bin
pleased to grace some of mine owne workes with your curteous
patronage; I hope this will not be the worse accepted, because
commended by mee; over whom, none can clayme more power or
privilege than your selfe. I had no better a New-yeares gift to
present you with; receive it therefore as a continuance of that
inviolable obliegement, by which, he rests still ingaged; who as he
ever hash, shall alwayes remaine, Tuissimus:
THOMAS HEYWOOD. The Prologue spoken at Court.Gracious and Great, that we so boldly dare,
('Mongst other Playes that now in fashion are)
To present this; writ many yeares agone,
And in that Age, thought second unto none;
We humbly crave your pardon: we pursue
The story of a rich and famous Jew
Who liv'd in Malta: you shall find him still,
In all his projects, a sound Machevill;
And that's his Character: He that hath past
So many Censures, is now come at last
To have your princely Eares;5 grace you him,6 then
You crowne the Action, and renowne the pen.
Epilogue.It is our feare (dread Soveraigne) we have bin
Too tedious; neither can't be lesse than sinne
To wrong your Princely patience: If we have,
(Thus low dejected) we your pardon crave:
And if ought here offend your eare or sight,
We onely Act, and Speake, what others write.
The Prologue to the Stage, at the Cocke-pit.We know not how our Play may passe this Stage,
But by the best of* Poets in that age
The Malta Jew had being, and was made;
And He, then by the best of* Actors play'd:
In Hero and Leander, one did gaine
A lasting memorie: in Tamberlaine9,
This Jew, with others many,10 th'other wan
The Attribute of peerelesse, being a man
Whom we may ranke with (doing no one wrong)
Proteus for shapes, and Roscius for a tongue,
So could he speake, so vary; nor is't hate
To merit in* him who doth personate
Our Jew this day, nor is it his ambition
To exceed, or equall, being of condition
More modest; this is all that he intends,
(And that too, at the urgence of some friends)
To prove his best, and if none here gaine-say it,
The part he hath studied, and intends to play it.
Epilogue.In Graving, with Pigmalion to contend;
Or Painting, with Apelles; doubtlesse the end
Must be disgrace: our Actor did not so,
He onely aym'd to goe, but not out-goe.
Nor thinke that this day any prize was plaid,
Here were no bests at all, no wagers laid;
All the ambition that his mind doth swell,
Is but to heare from you, (by me) 'twas well.
[DRAMATIS PERSONAE- MACHIAVEL: the Prologue
- BARABAS: the Jew
- FERNEZE: Governor of Malta
- CALYMATH: Son to the Grand Signior
- CALLAPINE: Bashaw to Calymath
- DON LODOWICK: the Governor's son
- DON MATHIAS
- ITHAMORE: a Turkish Slave
- DEL BOSCO: the Spanish Vice Admiral
- PILIA BORZA
- Merchant 1
- Merchant 2
- Jew 1
- Jew 2
- Jew 3
- Knight 1
- Knight 2
- Officer 1
- Officer 2
- Reader
- Messenger
- Carpenter
- Servant
- BASHAWS
- ABIGAIL: Daughter to Barabas
- KATHERINE: Mother to Mathias
- Two NUNS
- ABBESS
- BELLAMIRA: a Courtezan]
[Enter] Machevil [as Prologue].
Albeit the world thinke12 Machevill is dead,
Yet was his soule but flowne beyond the Alpes,
And now the Guize is dead, is come from France
To view this Land, and frolicke with his friends.
To some perhaps my name is odious,
But such as love me, yard me from their tongues,
And let them know that I am Machevill,
And weigh not men, and therefore not mens words.13
Admir'd I am of those that hate me most:14
Though some speake openly against my bookes,
Yet will they15 reade me, and thereby attaine
To Peters Chayre: And when they cast me off,16
Are poyson'd by my climing followers.
I count Religion but a childish Toy
And hold there is no sinne but Ignorance
Birds of the Aire will tell of murders past;
I am asham'd to heare such fooleries.17
Many will talke of Title to a Crowne:18
What right had Caesar to the Empery19?
Might first made Kings, and Lawes were then most sure
When like the Dracos20 they were writ in blood.
Hence comes it, that a strong built Citadell
Commands much more then letters can import:
Which maxime had21 Phaleris observ'd,
H'had never bellowed in a brasen Bull
Of great ones envy; o'th poore petty wites,
Let me be envy'd and not pittied!
But whither am I bound, I come not, I,
To reade a lecture here22 in Britanie23,
But to present the Tragedy of a Jew,
Who smiles to see how full his bags are cramb'd,24
Which mony was not got without my meanest
I crave but this, Grace him as he deserves,
And let him not be entertain'd the worse
Because he favours me.
[Exit.]
Act One, Scene One Enter Barabas in his Counting-house, with heapes of gold before him.
Barabas25
So that of thus much that returne was made:
And of the third part of the Persian26 ships,
There was the venture summ'd and satisfied.
As for those Samnites27 and the men of Uzz
That bought28 my Spanish Oyles, and Wines of Greece,
Here have I purst their paltry silverlings29.
Eye; what a trouble tis to count this trash.
Well fare the Arabians who so richly pay30
The things they traffique for with wedge of gold,
Whereof a man may easily in a day
Tell that which may maintaine him all his life.
The needy groome that never fingred groat,
Would make a miracle of thus much coyne:
But he whose steele-bard coffers are cramb'd full,
And31 all his life time hath bin tired,
Wearying32 his fingers ends with telling it,
Would in his age be loath to labour so,
And for a pound to sweat himselfe to death:
Give me the Merchants of the Indian Mynes,
That trade in mettall of the purest mould;
The wealthy Moore, that in the Easterne rockes
Without controule can picke his riches up,
And in his house heape pearle33 like pibble-stones,34
Receive them free, and sell them by the weight;35
Bags of fiery Opals, Saphires, Amatists,
Jacints, hard Topas, grasse-greene Emeraulds,
Beauteous Rubyes, sparkling Diamonds,
And seildsene costly stones of so great price,
As one of them indifferently rated,
And of a Carrect of this quantity36,
May serve in perill of37 calamity
To ransome great Kings from captivity.
This is the ware wherein consists my wealth:
And thus me thinkes should men of judgement frame
Their meanes of traffique from the vulgar trade,
And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose
Infinite riches in a little roome.
But now how stands the wind?
Into what corner peeres my Halcions bill?
Ha, to the East? yes: See how stands38 the Vanes?
East and by-South: why then I hope my ships
I sent for Egypt and the bordering Iles
Are gotten up by Nilus winding bankes:
Mine Argosie from Alexandria,
Loaden with Spice and Silkes, now under saile,
Are smoothly gliding downe by Candie shoare
To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea.
But who comes heare? How now.
Enter a Merchant.
1. Merchant39Merchant
Barabas,
Thy ships are safe,riding in Malta Rhode:
And all the Merchants with other Merchandize
Are safe arriv'd, and have sent me to know
Whether your selfe will come and custome them.
Barabas40
The ships are safe thou saist, and richly fraught.
1. Merchant41Merchant
They are.
Barabas42
Why then goe bid them come ashore,
And bring with them their bils of entry:
I hope our credit in the Custome-house
Will serve as well as I were present there.
Goe send 'um threescore Camels, thirty Mules,
And twenty Waggons to bring up the ware.
But art thou master in a ship of mine,
And is thy credit not enough for that?
1. Merchant43Merchant
The very Custome barely comes to more
Then many Merchants of the Towne are worth,
And therefore farre exceeds my credit, Sir.
Barabas44
Goe tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man:
Tush, who amongst45 'em knowes not Barrabas?
1. Merchant46Merchant
I goe.
Barabas47
So then, there's somewhat come.
Sirra, which of48 my ships art thou Master of?
1. Merchant49Merchant
Of the Speranza, Sir.
Barabas50
And saw'st thou not
Mine Argosie at Alexandria?
Thou couldst not come from Egypt, or by 51Caire5253
But at the entry there into the sea,
Where Nitus payes his tribute to the maine,54
Thou needs must saile by Alexandria.
1. Merchant55Merchant
I neither saw them, nor inquir'd of them.
But this we heard some of our sea-men say,
They wondred how you durst with so much wealth
Trust such a crazed56 Vessell, and so farre.
Barabas57
Tush,58 they are wise;59 I know her and her strength:
But60 goe, goe thou thy wayes, discharge thy Ship,
And bid my Factor bring his loading in.
[Exit 1. Merchant.]
And yet I wonder at this Argosie.
Enter a second Merchant.
2. Merchant.
Thine Argosie from Alexandria,
Know Barabas,61 cloth ride in Malta Rhode,62
Laden with riches, and exceeding store
Of Persian silkes, of gold, and Orient Perle.
Barabas63
How chance you came not with those other ships
That sail'd by Egypt?
2. Merchant
Sir we saw 'em not.
Barabas
Belike they coasted round by Candie shoare
About their Oyles, or other businesses.
But 'twas ill done of you to come so farre
Without the ayd or conduct of their ships.
2. Merchant
Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish Fleet
That never left us till within a league,
That had the Gallies of the Turke in chase.
Barabas
Oh they were going up to Sicily:
Well, goe
And bid the Merchants and my men dispatch
And come ashore, and see the fraught64 discharg'd.
2. Merchant
I goe.
Exit.
Barabas
Thus trowles our fortune in by land and Sea,
And thus are wee on every65 side inrich'd:
These are the Blessings promis'd to the Jewes,
And herein was old Abrams happinesse:
What more may Heaven doe for earthly man66
Then thus to powre out plenty in their laps,
Ripping the bowels of the earth for them,
Making the Sea67 their servant68, and the winds
To drive their substance with successefull blasts?
Who hateth me but for my happinesse?
Or who is honour'd now but for his wealth?
Rather had I a Jew be hated thus,
Then pittied in a Christian poverty:
For I can see no fruits in all their faith,
But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride?
Which me thinkes fits not their profession.
Happily some haplesse man hath conscience,
And for his conscience lives in beggery.
They say we are a scatter'd Nation:
I cannot tell, but we have scambled69 up
More wealth by farre then those that brag of faith.
There's Kirriah Jairim, the great Jew of Greece,
Obed in Bairseth, Bairseth in Portugall,
My selfe in Malta, some in Italy,
Many in France, and wealthy every one:
I, wealthier farre then any Christian.
I must confesse we come not to be Kings:
That's not our fault: Alas, our number's few,
And Crownes come either by succession,
Or urg'd by force; and nothing violent,
Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent.
Give us a peacefull rule, make Christians Kings,
That thirst so much for Principality.
I have no charge, nor many children,
But one sole Daughter, whom I hold as deare
As Agamemnon did his Iphigen:
And all I have is hers. But who comes here?
Enter three Jewes.
1. Jew70
Tush, tell not me 'twas done of policie.
2. Jew71
Come therefore let us goe to Barrabas;
For he can counsell best in these affaires;
And here he comes.
Barabas
Why, how now Countrymen?
Why flocke you thus to me in multitudes?
What accident's betided to the Jewes?
2. Jew72
A Fleet of warlike Gallyes, Barabas,
Are come from Turkey, and lye in our Rhode:
And they this day sit in the Counsell-house
To entertaine them and their Embassie.
Barabas
Why let 'em come, so they come not to warre;
Or let 'em warre, so we be conquerors:
Nay let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all,
Aside
So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth.
1. Jew73
Were it for confirmation of a League,
They would not come in warlike manner thus.
2. Jew74
I feare their comming will afflict us all.
Barabas
Fond men, what dreame you of their multitudes ?
What need they treat of peace that are in league?
The Turkes and those of Malta are in league.
Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't.
1. Jew75
Why, Barabas, they come for peace or warre.
Barabas
Happily for neither, but to passe along
Towards Venice by the Adriatick Sea;
With whom they have attempted many times,
But never could effect their Stratagem.
3. Jew76
And very wisely sayd, it may be so.
2. Jew77
But there's a meeting in the Senate-house,
And all the Jewes in Malta must be there.
Barabas
Umh; All the Jewes in Malta must be there?
I, like enough, why then let every man
Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake.
If any thing shall there concerne our state
Assure your selves I'le looke--78unto my selfe79.
Aside
1. Jew80
I know you will; well brethren let us goe.
2. Jew81
Let's take our leaves; Farewell good Barabas.
Barabas
Doe so82; Farewell Zaareth farewell Temainte.
[Exeunt three Jewes.]
And Barabas now search this secret out.
Summon thy sences, call thy wits together83:
These silly men mistake the matter cleane.
Long to the Turke did Malta contribute;
Which Tribute all in policie, I feare,
The Turkes have84 let increase to such a summe,
As all the wealth of85 Malta cannot pay;
And now by that advantage thinkes, belike,
To seize upon the Towne: I, that he seekes.
How ere the world goe, I'le make sure for one86,
And seeke in time to intercept the worst,
Warily yarding that which I ha got.
Ego mihimet sum semper proximus87.
Why let 'em enter, let 'em take the Towne.
[Exit.]
1 composed by: composedby Q
2 unimitable: inimitable Dd2 S Ri
3 Master: Mr. Q
4 later: latter Dd2 S Dd3
5 (semicolon): (comma) Dd2 S Ox R
6 (comma): (semicolon) Dd2 S Ox R* Marlo * Allin
9 Tamberlaine: Tamerlane Dd2 S Ox
10 (comma): (colon) Q * Perkins
12 thinke: thinks R C B K
13 (period): (colon) Q
14 (colon): (period) Q
15 will they: they will R C B K
16 (comma): (semicolon) Q
17 (period): (semicolon) Q
18 (colon): (period) Q
19 Empery: Empire Q R C K Rg
20 Dracos: Drancus Q
21 had: had but S Ox D C B M
22 here: to you here D2
23 Britanie: Britaine Q
24 (comma): om. Q
25 Barabas: Jew Q
26 Persian: Persian Q
27 Samnites: Samintes Q Dd2 S Ox TB: Sabans B: Saenites K: Scenites Q Rg
28 bought: brought M
29 silverlings: silverbings Q Dd2 S Ox Dd3: silverings Dd2 S Ox Dd3: silverlings Dd2 S Ox Dd3
30 pay: (comma) Q
31 And: And he who B
32 Wearying: Wearing S Ox
33 pearle: pearls B K
34 (comma): (semicolon) Q
35 (semicolon): (comma) Q
36 quantity: quality Br MS
37 of: or Coll MS
38 stands: stand Dd2-C
39 1. Merchant: om. Q
40 Barabas: Jew Q
41 1. Merchant: om. Q
42 Barabas: Jew Q
43 1. Merchant: om. Q
44 Barabas: Jew Q
45 amongst: amougst Q
46 1. Merchant: om. Q
47 Barabas: Jew Q
48 of: off Q
49 1. Merchant: om. Q
50 Barabas: Jew Q
51 om.: om. Q
52 Caire: Cairo Dd2 S Ox
53 om.: om. Q
54 (comma): (period) Q
55 1. Merchant: om. Q
56 crazed: crazy Dd2 S Ox Dd3
57 Barabas: Jew Q
58 (comma): (semicolon) Q
59 (semicolon): (period) Q
60 But: By Q: Bye Dd2 S Ox Dd3
61 (comma): om. Q
62 (comma): (period) Q
63 Barabas: Jew Q
64 fraught: freight Dd2 S Ox Dd3 R
65 every: enery Q
66 man: men Ox
67 Sea: seas D C B M K
68 servant: servants Q, Dd2 + Q
69 scambled: scrambled R C
70 1. Jew: 1. Q
71 2. Jew: 2. Q
72 2. Jew: 2. Q
73 1. Jew: 1. Q
74 2. Jew: 2. Q
75 1. Jew: 1. Q
76 3. Jew: 3. Q
77 2. Jew: 2. Q
78 --: om. Q
79 unto my selfe: unto't Dd3
80 1. Jew: 1. Q
81 2. Jew: 2. Q
82 Doe so: om. D3 C B: om. Dd2
83 together: togethre Q
84 Turkes have: Turk has R D C
85 of: in C
86 for one: of one Dd2 S Ox
87 proximus: proximas Q
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