And therefore thus we are determined:
“First, the tribute money of the Turks shall all be levied amongst the Jews, and each of them to pay one-half of his estate.
“Secondly, he that denies to pay shall straight become a Christian.
“Lastly, he that denies this shall absolutely lose all he has.”
How truly mediaeval the whole scene is!
The other Jews consent to give up one-half of their estates. Barabas upbraids them for their cowardice, and stoutly refuses to comply. But his refusal of half only leads to the confiscation of the whole of his property. In return for this sacrifice Barabas is cheerfully told that he will be suffered to live in Malta, and, “if he can,” make another fortune. The Hebrew argues: “How can I multiply? of naught is nothing made.” But the Christian retorts: “From naught at first thou com’st to little wealth, from little unto more, from more to most.”
But what need have we of argument?
“If your first curse fall heavy on thy head,
And make thee poor and scorned of all the world,
’Tis not our fault, but thy inherent sin.”