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?
_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.
_Mess._ Selim, for that, thus saith the Governor, That he hath in [his] store a pearl so big, So precious, and withal so orient, As, be it valued but indifferently, The price thereof will serve to entertain 30 Selim and all his soldiers for a month; Therefore he humbly would entreat your highness Not to depart till he has feasted you.
_Caly._ I cannot feast my men in Malta walls, Except he place his tables in the streets.
_Mess._ Know, Selim, that there is a monastery Which standeth as an outhouse to the town: There will he banquet them, but thee at home, With all thy bassoes and brave followers.
_Caly._ Well, tell the Governor we grant his suit, 40 We'll in this summer evening feast with him.
_Caly._ And now, bold bassoes, let us to our tents, And meditate how we may grace us best To solemise our Governor's great feast. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_[152] Governor, Knights, _and_ DEL BOSCO.
_Gov._ In this, my countrymen, be ruled by me, Have special care that no man sally forth Till you shall hear a culverin discharged By him that bears the linstock,[153] kindled thus; Then issue out and come to rescue me, For happily I shall be in distress, Or you released of this servitude.
_Knight._ Rather than thus to live as Turkish thralls What will we not adventure?
_Knight_. Farewell, grave Governor! [_Exeunt._ 11
_Enter,_[154] _above,_ BARABAS, _with a hammer, very busy; and_ Carpenters.
_Bar._ How stand the cords? How hang these hinges? fast? Are all the cranes and pulleys sure?
_Bar._ Leave nothing loose, all levelled to my mind. Why now I see that you have art indeed. There, carpenters, divide that gold amongst you: Go swill in bowls of sack and muscadine! Down to the cellar, taste of all my wines.