Well then, it now appears, you need my help: A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or, last: You spurn'd me such a day; another time Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, As to thy friends; (for when did friendship A breed for barren metal of his friend? Who, if he break, thou may'st with better face Shy. Why, look yon, how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stain'd me Supply your present wants, and take no doit me: This is kind I offer. Ant. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show :- In such a place, such sum or sums as are Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken ACT II. SCENE 1.-Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA'S House. Flourish of Cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion, Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: Mor. Even for that I thank you : bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, If Hercules and Lichas play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw And so may I, blind fortune leading me, Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a Miss that which one unworthier may attain, bond, And say there is much kindness in the Jew. Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me, I'll rather dwell in my necessity. Ant. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it; Within these two months, that's a month before This bond expires, 1 do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond. Shy. O father Abraham, what these Christians are ; Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's; And die with grieving. Por. You must take your chance; Or swear, before you choose, if you choose Never to speak to lady afterward In way of marriage: therefore be advis'd. Por. First, forward to the temple; after dinner Mor. Good fortune then! [Cornets. [Exeunt. To make me bless'd, or cursed'st among men. SCENE II.-Venice.-A Street. Enter LAUNCELOT GOBBO. Laun. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew, my master: The fiend is at mine elbow: and tempts me, saying to me, Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot, or good Gobbo, or good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away: My conscience says,-no; take heed, honest Launcelot ; take heed, honest Gobbo; or, as aforesaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels: Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack; via! says the fiend; away! says the fiend, for the heavens; rouse up a brave mind, says the fiend, and run. Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, my honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's son, Ant. Come on: in this there can be no dis--or rather an honest woman's son ;-for, indeed, may, my father did something smack, something grow [Exit. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. kind. Bass. I like not fair terms, and a villain's mind. My ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt. • Red blood is a traditionary sign of ove affrighted. Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipp'd might he be ! what a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my thill-horse⚫ has on his tail. to, he had a kind of taste; well, my conscience, but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and, I am says, Launcelot, budge not; budge, says the sure, Margery, your wife, is my mother. fiend; budge not, says my conscience: Conscience, says I, you counsel well; fiend, says I, you counsel well: to be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew iny master, who, (God bless the mark!) is a kind of devil; and to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself; Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation; and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew: The fiend Gob. Lord, how art thou changed! How dost gives the more friendly counsel: I will run, thou and thy master agree? I have brought him fiend; my heels are at your commandment, ia present; How 'gree you now? will run. Enter old GOBBO, with a Rasket. Gob. Master, young man, you, I pray you; which is the way to master Jew's ? Laun. [Aside.] O heavens, this is my true begotten father! who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not:-I will try conclusions with him. Gob. Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to master Jew's! Laun. Turn up on your right hand, at the next turning, but at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house. Gob. By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell with him, or no? Laun. Talk you of young master Launcelot ?-Mark me now; [aside.] now will I raise the waters :-Talk you of young master Launcelot ? Glo. No master, Sir, but a poor man's son; his father, though I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to live. Laun. Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young master Launcelot. Gob. Your worship's friend, and Launcelot, Sir. Laun. But I pray you ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you; Talk you of young master Launcelot? Gob. Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership. Laun. Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman (acccording to fates and destinies, and such odd saying, the sisters three, and such branches of learning,) is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say, in plain terms, gone to heaven. Gob. Marry, God forbid the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. Laun. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovelpost, a staff, or a prop?-Do you know me, father? Gob. Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, (God rest his soul !) alive, or dead? Laun. Do you not know me, father? not. Laun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father, that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: Give me your blessing truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long, a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will out. Gob. Pray you, Sir, stand up; I am sure, you are not Launcelot, my boy. Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing; 1am Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be. Gob. I cannot think, you are my son. • Experiments Laun. It should seem then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward; I am sure he had more hair on his tail, than I have on my face, when I last saw him. Laun. Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground: my master's a very Jew: Give him a present! give him a halter: I am famish'd in his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come: give me your present to one master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries: if I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground.-O rare fortune! here comes the man ;-to him, father; for I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer. Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO, and other Followers. Gob. Here's my son, Sir, a poor boy,—— Laun. Not a poor boy, Sir, but the rich Jew's man; that would, Sir, as my father shall spe cify,-— Gob. He hath a great infection, Sir, as one would say, to serve- Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and I have a desire, as my father shall specify Gob. His master and he, (saving your worship's reverence,) are scarce cater-cousins: Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew, having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being I hope au old man, shall frutify unto you,- Gob. I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship; and my suit is, Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet, poor man, my father. Bass. One speak for both :-What would you ? Laun. Serve you, Sir. Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, Sir. suit: Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day, Laun. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, Sir; you have the grace of God, Sir, and he hath enough. Bass. Thou speak'st it well: Gò, father, with thy son: Take leave of thy old master, and inquire [To his Followers. More guarded + than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father, in:-1 cannot get a service, no;-I bave ne'er a tongue in my head.-Well; that:||Looking on his palm.] if any man in Italy have a fairer table, which doth offer to swear upon a book. I shall have good fortune; Go to, here's a simple line of life! here's a small trifle of wives: Alas! fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows, and nine maids, is a simple coming-in for one man: and then, to 'scape drowning thrice; and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed ;-here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear.-Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old GOBBO. Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this: These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night eyes Thus with my bat, and sigh, and say, amen; To please his grandam, never trust me more. Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity: I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. [Exeunt. SCENE III.--The same.-A Room in SHYLOCK'S House. Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. Jes. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so; Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness: But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee. And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest: Give him this letter; do it secretly, And so farewell; I would not have my father See me talk with thee. Laun. Adieu !-tears exhibit my tongue.-Most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But, adieu! these foolishi drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu ! [Exit. Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.Alack, what heinous sin it is in me, To be asham'd to be my father's child! But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners: 0 Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. [Exit. SCENE IV.-The same.-A street. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time; Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour. Gra. We have not made good preparation. Sular. We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers. Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd ; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four a clock; we have two hours To furnish us : Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. Lor. I know the hand in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on, Gra. Love-news, in faith. Laun. Marry, Sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her ;-speak it privately; go.- Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight. SCENE V.-The same-Before SHYLOCK S House. Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT. Shy. Well thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio :- Laun. Why, Jessica! Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call. Laun. Your worship was wont to tell me, I could do nothing without bidding. Enter JESSICA. Jes. Call you? what is your will? Shy. I am bid forth to supper, Jessica ; There are my keys :-But wherefore should go? I am not bid for love; they flatter me: With that keen appetite that he sits down ? The scarfed bark pnts from her native bay, I With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails, Laun. I beseech you, Sir, go; my young master doth expect your reproach, Shy. So do I his. Salar. Here comes Lorenzo ;-more of this hereafter. Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode ; Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait; When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, Laun. And they have conspired together, I'll watch as long for you then.-Approach; will not say, you shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on Black-Monday last,+ at six o'clock i'the morning, falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the after Here dwells my father Jew: Ho! who's within. noon. Shy. What are there masques? Hear you me, Look up my doors; and when you hear the And the vile squeaking of the wry-neck'd fife, ments; Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter Laun. I will go before, Sir.- There will come a Christian by, Will be worth a Jewess' eye. [Exit LAUN. Shy. What says that fool of Hagar's off. spring, ha? Jes. His words were, Farewell, mistress; nothing else, Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder. Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masked. Desir'd us to make stand. Salar. His hour is almost past. Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock. Salar. Oh! ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly To seal love's bonds new made, than they are wont, To keep obliged faith unforfeited! Enter JESSICA above, in boy's clothes. Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed; Lor. Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my They in themselves, good sooth, are too too Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; Lor. So are you, sweet, But come at once: For the close night doth play the run-away, Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild my- With some more ducats, and be with you straight. [Exit from above. Gra. Now, by my hood, à Gentile, and no Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest? Gra. That ever holds: Who rises from a Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you :feast, • Invited. + Easter Monday: so called from Edward II. losing a large part of his army (then besieging Paris) by ced the day was very dark and misty. No masque to-night; the wind is come about, I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Decorated with fings. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more de Lies all within.-Deliver me the key; light, Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may ! Than to be under sail, and gone to-night. Por. There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there, [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA'S I will survey the inscriptions back again : Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. Must give-For what? for lead? hazard for lead? This casket threatens : Men, that bazard all, A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross ; As much as he deserves? Pause there, Morocco, As much as I deserve!-Why, that's the lady : Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her: One of these three contains her heavenly pic Then I am your's. [He unlocks the golden casket. Mor. O hell! what have we here? There is a written scroll? I'll read the writing. A carrion death, within whose empty eye All that glisters is not gold, Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold, But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms infold. Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been inscrol'd: Fare you well; your suit is cold. Cold, indeed; and labour lost; Then, farewell, heat; and welcome, frost. Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart To take a tedious leave; thus losers part. [Exit. SCENE VIII.-Venice.-A Street. Enter SALARINO and SALANIO. Sular. Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail ; With him is Gratiano gone along ; And in their ship, I am sure, Lorenzo is not. Salan. The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. Salar. He came too late, the ship was under sail; But there the duke was given to understand, Salan. I never heard a passion so confus'd, ducats!- Justice! the lau! my ducats, and my daugh ter A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, [ter! Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughAnd jewels; two stones, two rich and precious stones, [girl! Stol'n by my daughter!-Justice! find the She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats! Sular. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, [ducats. Crying, his stones, his daughter, aud his Salan. Let good Antonio look he keep his Or he shall pay for this. [day, Salar. Marry, well remember'd: I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday; I thought upon Antonio, when he told me ; you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. And for the Jew's bond, which he hath of me, • Conversed. carelessly. t To slubber, is to do a thin |