_Caly._ 'Tis our command: and, Barabas, we give To guard thy person these our Janizaries: Intreat them well, as we have usèd thee. And now, brave bassoes, come, we'll walk about The ruined town, and see the wreck we made: 20 Farewell, brave Jew; farewell, great Barabas! [_Exeunt_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes. _Bar._ May all good fortune follow Calymath. And now, as entrance to our safety, To prison with the Governor and these Captains, his consorts and confederates.
_Gov._ O villain, Heaven will be revenged on thee. [_Exeunt._
_Bar._ Away, no more, let him not trouble me. Thus[147] hast thou gotten, by thy policy, No simple place, no small authority, I now am governor of Malta; true, 30 But Malta hates me, and in hating me My life's in danger, and what boots it thee, Poor Barabas, to be the governor, Whenas thy life shall be at their command? No, Barabas, this must be looked into; And since by wrong thou got'st authority, Maintain it bravely by firm policy. At least unprofitably lose it not: For he that liveth in authority, And neither gets him friends, nor fills his bags, 40 Lives like the ass that Æsop speaketh of, That labours with a load of bread and wine, And leaves it off to snap on thistle tops: But Barabas will be more circumspect. Begin betimes; occasion's bald behind, Slip not thine opportunity, for fear too late Thou seek'st for much, but canst not compass it. Within here!
_Bar._ I, _lord_; thus slaves will learn. 50 Now, Governor, stand by there:--wait within. [_Exit_ Guard. This is the reason that I sent for thee; Thou seest thy life and Malta's happiness Are at my arbitrement; and Barabas At his discretion may dispose of both: Now tell me, Governor, and plainly too, What think'st thou shall become of it and thee?
_Gov._ This, Barabas; since things are in thy power, I see no reason but of Malta's wreck, Nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty; 60 Nor fear I death, nor will I flatter thee.
_Bar._ Governor, good words; be not so furious. 'Tis not thy life which can avail me aught, Yet you do live, and live for me you shall: And, as for Malta's ruin, think you not 'Twere slender policy for Barabas To dispossess himself of such a place? For sith, as once you said, 'tis in this isle, In Malta here, that I have got my goods, And in this city still have had success, 70 And now at length am grown your governor, Yourselves shall see it shall not be forgot: For as a friend not known, but in distress, I'll rear up Malta, now remediless.