Bar. Away, no more, let him not trouble me. Thus [147] hast thou gotten, by thy policy, No simple place, no small authority, I now am governor of Malta; true,30 But Malta hates me, and in hating me My life's in danger, and what boots it thee, Poor Barabas, to be the governor, Whenas thy life shall be at their command? No, Barabas, 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,40 Lives like the ass that Æsop 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 opportunity, for fear too late Thou seek'st for much, but canst not compass it. Within here!
Enter Governor, with a Guard.
Gov. My lord?
Bar. I, lord; thus slaves will learn.50 Now, Governor, stand by there:—wait within. [Exit Guard. This is the reason that I sent for thee; Thou seest thy life and Malta's happiness Are at my arbitrement; and Barabas At his discretion may dispose of both: Now tell me, Governor, and plainly too, What think'st thou shall become of it and thee?
Gov. This, Barabas; since things are in thy power, I see no reason but of Malta's wreck, Nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty;60 Nor fear I death, nor will I flatter thee.
Bar. Governor, good words; be not so furious. 'Tis not thy life which can avail me aught, Yet you do live, and live for me you shall: And, as for Malta's ruin, think you not 'Twere slender policy for Barabas To dispossess himself of such a place? For sith, as once you said, 'tis in this isle, In Malta here, that I have got my goods, And in this city still have had success,70 And now at length am grown your governor, Yourselves shall see it shall not be forgot: For as a friend not known, but in distress, I'll rear up Malta, now remediless.
Gov. Will Barabas recover Malta's loss? Will Barabas be good to Christians?
Bar. What wilt thou give me, Governor, to procure A dissolution of the slavish bands Wherein the Turk hath yoked your lands and you? What will you give me if I render you80 The life of Calymath, surprise his men And in an outhouse of the city shut His soldiers, till I have consumed 'em all with fire? What will you give him that procureth this?
Gov. Do but bring this to pass which thou pretend'st, [148] 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.90
Bar. Nay, do thou this, Ferneze, and be free; Governor, I enlarge thee; live with me, Go walk about the city, see thy friends: Tush, send not letters to 'em, 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 Selim Calymath, Where be thou present only to perform One stratagem that I'll impart to thee,100 Wherein no danger shall betide thy life, And I will warrant Malta free for ever.