This Jew, with others many, th' other wan Whom we may rank with (doing no one wrong) *him] "Perkins." Marg. note in old ed.-"This was Richard Perkins, one of the performers belonging to the Cock pit theatre in Drury-Lane. His name is printed among those who acted in Hannibal and Scipio by Nabbes, The Wedding by Shirley, and The Fair Maid of the West by Heywood. After the play-houses were shut up on account of the confusion arising from the civil wars, Perkins and Sumner, who belonged to the same house, lived together at Clerkenwell, where they died and were buried. They both died some years before the Restoration. See The Dialogue on Plays and Players [Dodsley's Old Plays, 1. clii., last ed.]." REED (apud Dodsley's O. P.). Perkins acted a prominent part in Webster's White Devil, when it was first brought on the stage,-perhaps Brachiano (for Burbadge, who was celebrated in Brachiano, does not appear to have played it originally): in a notice to the reader at the end of that tragedy Webster says; "In particular I must remember the well-approved industry of my friend Master Perkins, and confess the worth of his action did crown both the beginning and end." About 1622-3 Perkins belonged to the Red Bull theatre: about 1637 he joined the company at Salisbury Court: see Webster's Works, note, p. 51, ed. Dyce, 1857. prize was play'd] This expression (so frequent in our early writers) is properly applied to fencing: see Steevens's note on Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, act. i. sc. 1. no wagers laid] "Wagers as to the comparative merits of rival actors in particular parts were not unfrequent of old," &c. COLLIER (apud Dodsley's 0. P.). See my ed. of Peele's Works, i. x. ed. 1829; and Collier's Memoirs of Alleyn, p. 11. Yet was his soul but flown beyond the Alps; To view this land, and frolic with his friends. But such as love me, guard me from their tongues, And let them know that I am Machiavel, Admir'd I am of those that hate me most: I am asham'd to hear such fooleries. Many will talk of title to a crown: What right had Cæsar to the ? empery Might first made kings, and laws were then most sure * When, like the Draco's,t they were writ in blood. Hence comes it that a strong-built citadel Of great ones' envy: o' the poor petty wights [Exit. ACT I.† BARABAS discovered in his counting-house, with heaps of gold before him. Bara. So that of thus much that return was made; And of the third part of the Persian ships *the Guise] "i.e. the Duke of Guise, who had been the principal contriver and actor in the horrid massacre of St. Bartholomew's day, 1572. He met with his deserved fate, being assassinated, by order of the French king, in 1588." REED (apud Dodsley's 0. P.). And see our author's Massacre at Paris. ↑ Act I.] The Scenes of this play are not marked in the old ed.; nor in the present edition,- because occasionally (where the audience were to suppose a change of place, it was impossible to mark them. Fie, what a trouble 'tis to count this trash! And all his life-time hath been tired, To ransom great kings from captivity. This is the ware wherein consists my wealth; And thus methinks should men of judgment frame Their means of traffic from the vulgar trade, But now how stands the wind? Into what corner peers my halcyon's bill? Ha! to the east? yes. See how stand the vanes- Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail, called this “a diminutive, to express the Jew's contempt of a metal inferior in value to gold," he did not know that the word occurs in Scripture: "a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings." Isaiah, vii. 23.-Old ed. siluerbings." *Tell] i.e. count. tseld-seen] i.c. seldom-seen. Into what corner peers my halcyon's bill?] "It was anciently believed that this bird (the king-fisher), if hung up, would vary with the wind, and by that means shew from what quarter it blew." STEEVENS (apud Dodsley's 0. P.),-who refers to the note on the following passage of Shakespeare's King Lear, act ii. sc. 2; "Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks With every gale and vary of their masters," &c. Are smoothly gliding down by Candy-shore To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea.— But who comes here? Enter a Merchant. How now! Merch. Barabas, thy ships are safe, Bara. The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught? Merch. They are. Bara. Why, then, go bid them come ashore, And bring with them their bills of entry: I hope our credit in the custom-house Merch. The very custom barely comes to more Than many merchants of the town are worth, Bara. Go tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man: Tush, who amongst 'em knows not Barabas? Bara. So, then, there's somewhat come.- Bara. And saw'st thou not Mine argosy at Alexandria? Thou couldst not come from Egypt, or by Caire, Where Nilus pays his tribute to the main, Merch. I neither saw them, nor inquir'd of Enter a Second Merchant. Sec. Merch. Thine argosy from Alexandria, Bara. How chance you came not with those other ships That sail'd by Egypt? Sec. Merch. Sir, we saw 'em not. Ay, wealthier far than any Christian. I must confess we come not to be kings: I have no charge, nor many children, Bara. Belike they coasted round by Candy- But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear And thus are we on every side enrich'd: Or who is honour'd now but for his wealth? I cannot tell; but we have scambled + up fraught] i.e. freight. + scambled] i.e. scrambled. (Coles gives in his Dict. "To scamble, certatim arripere"; and afterwards renders "To scramble" by the very same Latin words.) As Agamemnon did his Iphigen; And all I have is hers.-But who comes here? Enter three Jews.* First Jew. Tusb, tell not me; 'twas done of policy. Sec. Jew. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas; For he can counsel best in these affairs: And here he comes. Bara. 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. Bara. Why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; Or let 'em war, so we be conquerors.— First Jew. Were it for confirmation of a league, They would not come in warlike manner thus. Sec. Jew. I fear their coming will afflict us all. Bara. Fondt men, what dream you of their multitudes? What need they treat of peace that are in league? First Jew. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war. Bara. 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. Sec. Jew. But there's a meeting in the senatehouse, And all the Jews in Malta must be there. * Enter three Jews] A change of scene is supposed here, -to a street or to the Exchange. + Fond] i.e. Foolish. |