Gov. Here is my hand, believe me, Barabas, I will be there, and do as thou desirest; When is the time?
Bar. Governor, presently. For Calymath, when he hath viewed the town, Will take his leave and sail towards Ottoman.
Gov. Then will I, Barabas, about this coin, And bring it with me to thee in the evening.110
Bar. Do so, but fail not; now farewell, Ferneze: [Exit Governor. 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 effecting this device: First to surprise great Selim's soldiers,120 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. [Exit.
SCENE III.
Enter Calymath and Bassoes.
Caly. Thus have we viewed the city, seen the sack, And caused the ruins to be new repaired, Which with our bombards' [149] shot and basilisk[150] We rent in sunder at our entry: And now I see the situation, And how secure this conquered island stands Environed with the Mediterranean sea, Strong countermined with other petty isles; And, [151] toward Calabria, backed by Sicily, (Where Syracusian Dionysius reigned,)10 Two lofty turrets that command the town; I wonder how it could be conquered thus?
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. From Barabas, Malta's governor. I bring A message unto mighty Calymath; 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 leav'st the isle.
Caly. To banquet with him in his citadel?20 I fear me, messenger, to feast my train Within a town of war so lately pillaged, Will be too costly and too troublesome: Yet would I gladly visit Barabas, For well has Barabas deserved of us.