The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume II Part 1

The Works of Christopher Marlowe.

Vol. 2.

by Christopher Marlowe.

THE JEW OF MALTA.

Of the _Jew of Malta_ there is no earlier edition than the 4to. of 1633, which was published under the auspices of the well-known dramatist Thomas Heywood. The t.i.tle is:--_The Famous Tragedy of The Rich Iew of Malta. As it was playd before the King and Queene, in His Majesties Theatre at White-Hall, by her Majesties Servants at the c.o.c.k-pit. Written by Christopher Marlo. London: Printed by I. B. for Nicholas Vavasour, and are to be sold at his Shop in the Inner-Temple, neere the Church._ 1633. No later 4to. appeared.

TO MY WORTHY FRIEND, MASTER THOMAS HAMMON, OF GRAY'S INN, &c.

This play, composed by so worthy an author as Mr. Marlowe, and the part of the Jew presented by so unimitable an actor as Mr. Alleyn, being in this later age commended to the stage; as I ushered it unto the Court, and presented it to the c.o.c.k-pit, with these prologues and epilogues here inserted, so now being newly brought to the press, I was loth it should be published without the ornament of an Epistle; making choice of you unto whom to devote it; than whom (of all those gentlemen and acquaintance, within the compa.s.s of my long knowledge) there is none more able to tax ignorance, or attribute right to merit. Sir, you have been pleased to grace some of mine own works with your courteous patronage;[1] I hope this will not be the worse accepted, because commended by me; over whom, none can claim more power or privilege than yourself. I had no better a new-year's gift to present you with; receive it therefore as a continuance of that inviolable obligement, by which, he rests still engaged; who as he ever hath, shall always remain,

Tuissimus: THO. HEYWOOD.

THE JEW OF MALTA.

THE PROLOGUE SPOKEN AT COURT.

Gracious and Great, that we so boldly dare, ('Mongst other plays that now in fas.h.i.+on are) To present this, writ many years agone, And in that age thought second unto none, We humbly crave your pardon: We pursue The story of a rich and famous Jew Who lived in Malta: you shall find him still, In all his projects, a sound Machiavill; And that's his character. He that hath past So many censures, is now come at last To have your princely ears: grace you him; then You crown the action, and renown the pen.

EPILOGUE.

It is our fear (dread sovereign) we have bin Too tedious; neither can't be less than sin To wrong your princely patience: If we have, (Thus low dejected) we your pardon crave: And if aught here offend your ear or sight, We only act and speak what others write.

THE PROLOGUE TO THE STAGE.

AT THE c.o.c.k-PIT.

We know not how our play may pa.s.s this stage, But by the best of poets[2] in that age The Malta Jew had being, and was made; And he, then by the best of actors[3] played; In Hero and Leander, one did gain A lasting memory: in Tamburlaine, This Jew, with others many, th' other wan The attribute of peerless, being a man Whom we may rank with (doing no one wrong) Proteus for shapes, and Roscius for a tongue, So could he speak, so vary; nor is't hate To merit, in him[4] who doth personate Our Jew this day; nor is it his ambition To exceed or equal, being of condition More modest: this is all that he intends, (And that too, at the urgence of some friends) To prove his best, and, if none here gainsay it, The part he hath studied, and intends to play it.

EPILOGUE.

In graving, with Pygmalion to contend; Or painting, with Apelles; doubtless the end Must be disgrace: our actor did not so, He only aimed to go, but not out-go.

Nor think that this day any prize[5] was played; Here were no bets at all, no wagers laid;[6]

All the ambition that his mind doth swell, Is but to hear from you (by me), 'twas well.

_PERSONS REPRESENTED._

FERNEZE, _Governor of Malta_.

SELIM CALYMATH, _Son of the Grand Seignior_.

DON LODOWICK, _the Governor's Son, in love with_ ABIGAIL.

DON MATHIAS, _also in love with her_.

MARTIN DEL BOSCO, _Vice-Admiral of Spain_.

BARABAS, _the Jew of Malta_.

ITHAMORE, _Barabas' slave_.

BARNARDINE,} } _Friars_.

JACOMO, }

PILIA-BORSA, _a Bully._ Two Merchants.

Three Jews.

Ba.s.soes, Knights, Officers, Reader, Messengers, Slaves, _and_ Carpenters.

KATHARINE, _mother of_ DON MATTHIAS.

ABIGAIL, _the Jew's Daughter_.

Abbess.

Two Nuns.

BELLAMIRA, _a Courtesan_.

MACHIAVEL, _the Prologue_.

_Scene--Malta._

THE JEW OF MALTA.

_Enter_ MACHIAVEL.

_Machiavel._ Albeit the world thinks Machiavel is dead, Yet was his soul but flown beyond the Alps; And now the Guise[7] is dead, is come from France, To view this land, and frolic with his friends.

To some perhaps my name is odious, But such as love me guard me from their tongues; And let them know that I am Machiavel, And weigh not men, and therefore not men's words.

Admired I am of those that hate me most.

Though some speak openly against my books, 10 Yet they will read me, and thereby attain To Peter's chair: and when they cast me off, Are poisoned by my climbing followers.

I count religion but a childish toy, And hold there is no sin but ignorance.

Birds of the air will tell of murders past!

I am ashamed to hear such fooleries.

Many will talk of t.i.tle to a crown: