far than any Christian. I must confess we come not to be kings:      That's not our fault:  alas, our number's few! And crowns come either by succession, Or urg'd by force; and nothing violent, Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent. Give us a peaceful 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 dear As Agamemnon did his Iphigen; And all I have is hers.—But who comes here? Enter three JEWS. 26 FIRST JEW. Tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy. SECOND JEW. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas; For he can counsel best in these affairs:      And here he comes. BARABAS. Why, how now, countrymen! Why flock you thus to me in multitudes? What accident's betided to the Jews? FIRST JEW. A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road:      And they this day sit in the council-house To entertain them and their embassy. BARABAS. Why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; Or let 'em war, so we be conquerors.—      Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all, So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth.           [Aside.]       FIRST JEW. Were it for confirmation of a league, They would not come in warlike manner thus. SECOND JEW. I fear their coming will afflict us all. BARABAS. Fond 27 men, what dream you of their multitudes? What need they treat of peace that are in league? The Turks and those of Malta are in league:      Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't. FIRST JEW. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war. BARABAS. Haply for neither, but to pass along, Towards Venice, by the Adriatic sea, With whom they have attempted many times, But never could effect their stratagem. THIRD JEW. And very wisely said; it may be so. SECOND JEW. But there's a meeting in the senate-house, And all the Jews in Malta must be there. BARABAS. Hum,—all the Jews in Malta must be there! Ay, like enough:  why, then, let every man Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake. If any thing shall there concern our state, Assure yourselves I'll look—unto myself.           [Aside.] 28 FIRST JEW. I know you will.—Well, brethren, let us go. SECOND JEW. Let's take our leaves.—Farewell, good Barabas. BARABAS. 29 Farewell, Zaareth; farewell, Temainte.           [Exeunt JEWS.]      And, Barabas, now search this secret out; Summon thy senses, call thy wits together:      These silly men mistake the matter clean. Long to the Turk did Malta contribute; Which tribute all in policy, I fear, The Turk has 30 let 

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