Volume II Part 23 (1/2)

_Gov._ O excellent! here, hold thee, Barabas, I trust thy word, take what I promised thee.

_Bar._ No, Governor, I'll satisfy thee first, Thou shalt not live in doubt of anything.

Stand close, for here they come [Governor _retires_].

Why, is not this A kingly kind of trade to purchase towns By treachery and sell 'em by deceit? 50 Now tell me, worldlings, underneath the sun[156]

If greater falsehood ever has been done?

_Enter_ CALYMATH _and_ Ba.s.soes.

_Caly._ Come, my companion ba.s.soes; see, I pray, How busy Barabas is there above To entertain us in his gallery; Let us salute him. Save thee, Barabas!

_Bar._ Welcome, great Calymath!

_Gov._ How the slave jeers at him. [_Aside._

_Bar._ Will 't please thee, mighty Selim Calymath, To ascend our homely stairs? 60

_Caly._ I, Barabas; Come, ba.s.soes, attend.[157]

_Gov._ Stay, Calymath!

For I will show thee greater courtesy Than Barabas would have afforded thee.

_Knight [within_]. Sound a charge there!

[_A charge; the cable cut._ BARABAS _falls into a caldron. Enter_ MARTIN DEL BOSCO _and_ Knights.[158]

_Caly._ How now, what means this!

_Bar._ Help, help me, Christians, help.

_Gov._ See, Calymath, this was devised for thee.

_Caly._ Treason! treason! ba.s.soes, fly! 70

_Gov._ No, Selim, do not fly; See his end first, and fly then if thou canst.

_Bar._ O help me, Selim, help me, Christians!

Governor, why stand you all so pitiless?

_Gov._ Should I in pity of thy plaints or thee, Accursed Barabas, base Jew, relent?

No, thus I'll see thy treachery repaid, But wish thou hadst behaved thee otherwise.

_Bar._ You will not help me, then?

_Gov._ No, villain, no. 80

_Bar._ And, villains, know you cannot help me now-- Then, Barabas, breathe forth thy latest hate,[159]

And in the fury of thy torments strive To end thy life with resolution; Know, Governor, 'twas I that slew thy son; I framed the challenge that did make them meet: Know, Calymath, I aimed thy overthrow, And had I but escaped this stratagem, I would have brought confusion on you all, d.a.m.ned Christians! dogs! and Turkish infidels! 90 But now begins the extremity of heat To pinch me with intolerable pangs: Die life, fly soul, tongue curse thy fill, and die! [_Dies._