– Joseph, just one question:
Did you pay what you owe
to your collectors, fellow
Jews – the required payment
5
for your kind, rich and poor,
or did a certain Sir
suggest you were exempt?
– It's only natural, Steven,
that we Jews appraise our own,
10
but our collectors show
no mercy, no compassion.
That man pays what's proper,
as do I, but when the number's
high, seeks an exemption.
15
– Joseph, that's ridiculous –
every payer's equal,
and must give his legal
share. There's no privilege,
not for your collectors,
20
who settle up like other
men: there's no forgiveness.
– Steven, for the dereliction
that you mention, he appeared
before the court, to plead
25
his case – he said he'd given
a large sum, had no more
debts, and even swore
he'd prove his payment.
[...]
30
– Don No One, who hates me, says
I lie about my worth,
and about the health
of my estate – you know best,
Steven, that I always pay,
35
and that the public can see
a list of all my assets.
– Joseph, I now realize
what you speak is truth,
that your fee befits your wealth.
40
As wine from Alhariz
is strong, so I'm certain–
That Sir, who meant to gain,
will face a higher justice.
