The Jew of Malta quotes

Admired I am of those that hate me most. Though some speak openly against my books, Yet will they 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 title to a crown: What right had Caesar to the empery?

Though some speak openly against my books, Yet will they 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 title to a crown: What right had Caesar to the empery?

Though some speak openly against my books, Yet will they 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 title to a crown: What right had Caesar to the empery? Might first made kings, and laws were then most sure When like the Draco’s, they were writ in blood.

This is the ware wherein consists my wealth; And thus methinks should men of judgment frame Their means of traffic from the vulgar trade, And, as their wealth increaseth, so enclose

Infinite riches in a little room.

But now how stands the wind? Into what corner peers my halcyon’s bill? Ha! to the east? yes: see how stand the vanes? East and by south:

What more may Heaven do for earthly man Than thus to pour out plenty in their laps, Ripping the bowels of the earth for them, Making the seas their servants, and the winds To drive their substance with successful blasts?

Who hateth me but for my happiness?

Or who is honoured now but for his wealth? Rather had I, a Jew, be hated thus, Than pitied in a Christian poverty: For I can see no fruits in all their faith, But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride, Which methinks fits not their profession.

Will you, then, steal my goods?

Is theft the ground of your religion?

No, Jew, we take particularly thine, To save the ruin of a multitude: And better one want for a common good Than many perish for a private man:

What, bring you Scripture to confirm your wrongs?

Preach me not out of my possessions.

Some Jews are wicked, as all Christians are: But say the tribe that I descended of Were all in general cast away for sin, Shall I be tried by their transgression? The man that dealeth righteously shall live:

What, bring you Scripture to confirm your wrongs? Preach me not out of my possessions.

Some Jews are wicked, as all Christians are:

But say the tribe that I descended of Were all in general cast away for sin, Shall I be tried by their transgression? The man that dealeth righteously shall live: And which of you can charge me otherwise?

Out, wretched Barabas! Sham’st thou not thus to justify thyself, As if we knew not thy profession? If thou rely upon thy righteousness, Be patient and thy riches will increase.

Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness;

And covetousness, O, ’tis a monstrous sin.

Content thee, Barabas, thou hast naught but right.

Your extreme right does me exceeding wrong:

But take it to you, i’ the devil’s name.

Ay, let me sorrow for this sudden chance; ’Tis in the trouble of my spirit I speak;

Great injuries are not so soon forgot.

Come, let us leave him; in his ireful mood Our words will but increase his ecstasy.

So will we fight it out: come, let’s away: Proud daring Calymath, instead of gold, We’ll send thee bullets wrapt in smoke and fire: Claim tribute where thou wilt, we are resolved,

Honour is bought with blood, and not with gold.

Enter Officers, with Ithamore and other Slaves.

And there, in spite of Malta, will I dwell, Having Ferneze’s hand; whose heart I’ll have, Ay, and his son’s too, or it shall go hard. I am not of the tribe of Levi, I, That can so soon forget an injury.

We Jews can fawn like spaniels when we please:

And when we grin we bite; yet are our looks As innocent and harmless as a lamb’s. I learned in Florence how to kiss my hand, Heave up my shoulders when they call me dog, And duck as low as any barefoot friar;

Hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, And I will teach thee that shall stick by thee: First, be thou void of these affections, Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear,

Be moved at nothing, see thou pity none,

But to thyself smile when the Christians moan.

Hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, And I will teach thee that shall stick by thee: First, be thou void of these affections, Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear, Be moved at nothing, see thou pity none,

But to thyself smile when the Christians moan.

O, brave, master, I worship your nose for this.

What, shall I be betrothed to Lodowick?

It’s no sin to deceive a Christian;

For they themselves hold it a principle, Faith is not to be held with heretics; But all are heretics that are not Jews; This follows well, and therefore, daughter, fear not. Aside. I have entreated her, and she will grant.

I hold my head, my master’s hungry. Aside.—I go, sir.

Thus every villain ambles after wealth,

Although he ne’er be richer than in hope:— But, husht!

Well said, Ithamore! What, hast thou brought The ladle with thee too?

Yes, sir, the proverb says, he that eats with the devil had need of a long spoon; I have brought you a ladle.

Very well, Ithamore; then now be secret; And, for thy sake, whom I so dearly love, Now shalt thou see the death of Abigail, That thou mayst freely live to be my heir.

Prithee, do. Ithamore tastes. What say’st thou now?

Troth, master, I’m loath such a pot of pottage should be spoiled.

Peace, Ithamore! ’tis better so than spared. Assure thyself thou shalt have broth by the eye, My purse, my coffer, and myself is thine.

No, for this example I’ll remain a Jew: Heaven bless me! what, a friar a murderer? When shall you see a Jew commit the like?

Why, a Turk could ha’ done no more.

To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it. Come, Ithamore, let’s help to take him hence.

Nay, to thine own cost, villain, if thou com’st!

Was ever Jew tormented as I am?

To have a shag-rag knave to come, force from me Three hundred crowns, and then five hundred crowns! Well, I must seek a means to rid ’em all, And presently; for in his villany He will tell all he knows, and I shall die for’t.

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!

And thus far roundly goes the business:

Thus, loving neither, will I live with both,

Making a profit of my policy; And he from whom my most advantage comes Shall be my friend. This is the life we Jews are used to lead; And reason too, for Christians do the like. Well, now about effecting this device;