_Gov._ Thine and the rest. For, to be short, amongst you't must be had.
_1 Jew._ Alas, my lord, the most of us are poor.
_Gov._ Then let the rich increase your portions.
_Bar._ Are strangers with your tribute to be taxed? 60
_2 Knight._ Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? Then let them with us contribute.
_Gov._ No, Jew, like infidels. For through our sufferance of your hateful lives, Who stand accursèd in the sight of Heaven, These taxes and afflictions are befallen, And therefore thus we are determinèd. Read there the articles of our decrees.
_Reader. 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._ 70
_Bar._ How, half his estate? I hope you mean not mine. [_Aside._
_Reader. Secondly, he that denies to pay shall straight become a Christian._
_Bar._ How! a Christian? Hum, what's here to do? [_Aside._
_Reader. Lastly, he that denies this shall absolutely lose all he has._
_All 3 Jews._ O my lord, we will give half.
_Bar._ O earth-mettled villains, and no Hebrews born! And will you basely thus submit yourselves 80 To leave your goods to their arbitrament?
_Gov._ Why, Barabas, wilt thou be christenèd?
_Bar._ No, governor, I will be no convertite.[24]
_Bar._ Why, know you what you did by this device? Half of my substance is a city's wealth. Governor, it was not got so easily; Nor will I part so slightly therewithal.
_Gov._ Sir, half is the penalty of our decree, Either pay that, or we will seize on all.
_Bar. Corpo di Dio!_ stay! you shall have the half; 90 Let me be used but as my brethren are.
_Gov._ No, Jew, thou hast denied the articles, And now it cannot be recalled.
_Bar._ Will you then steal my goods? Is theft the ground of your religion?
_Gov._ No, Jew, we take particularly thine To save the ruin of a multitude: And better one want for the common good Than many perish for a private man: Yet, Barabas, we will not banish thee, 100 But here in Malta, where thou gott'st thy wealth, Live still; and, if thou canst, get more.
_Bar._ Christians, what or how can I multiply? Of naught is nothing made.
_1 Knight._ From naught at first thou cam'st to little wealth, From little unto more, from more to most: 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.