FERNEZE. Read on.

OFFICER. [reads] SECONDLY, HE THAT DENIES<38> TO PAY, SHALL
STRAIGHT-BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

BARABAS. How! a Christian!--Hum,--what's here to do?
[Aside.]

OFFICER. [reads] LASTLY, HE THAT DENIES THIS, SHALL ABSOLUTELY
LOSE ALL HE HAS.

THREE JEWS. O my lord, we will give half!

BARABAS. O earth-mettled villains, and no Hebrews born!
And will you basely thus submit yourselves
To leave your goods to their arbitrement?

FERNEZE. Why, Barabas, wilt thou be christened?

BARABAS. No, governor, I will be no convertite.<39>

FERNEZE. Then pay thy half.

BARABAS. Why, know you what you did by this device?
Half of my substance is a city's wealth.
Governor, it was not got so easily;
Nor will I part so slightly therewithal.

FERNEZE. Sir, half is the penalty of our decree;