The present money to discharge the Jew, Jes. When I was with him, I have heard himswear, What, no more? Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. Por. Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Double six thousand, and then treble that, Before a friend of this description Shall lose a hair through my Bassanio's fault. First, go with me to church, and call me wife : And then away to Venice to your friend; For never shall you lie by Portia's side With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold To pay the petty debt twenty times over; When it is paid, bring your true friend along : My maid Nerissa, and myself, mean time, Will live as maids and widows. Come, away; For you shall hence upon your wedding-day : Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer 9; Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.But let me hear the letter of your friend. Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs : Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: [Exit SHYLOCK. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. He seeks my life; his reason well I know; I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me Therefore he hates me. Salan. I am sure the duke Will much impeach the justice of the state; Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your pre sence, You have a noble and a true conceit Por. I never did repent for doing good, 4 Foolish. There is a monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. SCENE V. A Garden. I do desire you, Not to deny this imposition; Lor. Madam, with all my heart; I shall obey you in all fair commands. Por. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica In place of lord Bassanio and myself. So fare you well, till we shall meet again. Lor. Fair thoughts, and happy hours, attend on As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still: Take this same letter, And, look what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed [Erit. Por. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand, That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands, Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, That they shall think we are accomplished With what we lack. I'll hold thee any wager, When we are both accoutred like young men, I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace; And speak, between the change of man and boy. But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device, When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles to-day. [Exeunt. Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and LAUNCELOT. Lor. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. Laun. That is done sir; they have all stomachs. Lor. What a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner Laun. That is done too sir; only, cover is the word. Lor. Will you cover then, sir? Laun. Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty. Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Laun. For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern. [Exit LAUNCELOT. Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited! The fool hath planted in his memory An army of good words; And I do know A many fools, that stand in better place, Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word Defy the inatter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica? And now, good sweet, say thy opinion, How dost thou like the lord Bassanio's wife? Jes. Past all expressing: It is very meet, The lord Bassanio live an upright life; For, having such a blessing in his lady, He finds the joys of heaven here on earth; And, if on earth he do not mean it, it Is reason he should never come to heaven. Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match, And on the wager lay two earthly women, And Portia one, there must be something else Pawn'd with the other; for the poor rude world Hath not her fellow. Thou'lt show thy mercy, and remorse3, more strange We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd ? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew: Bass. For thy three thousand ducats here are six. Shy. If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them, I would have my bond. Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none? Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, | Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? Whom I have sent for to determine this, rage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Enter NERISSA, dressed like a Lawyer's Clerk. grace. there. Gra. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, Thou mak'st thy knife keen: but no metal can, No, not the hangman's ax, bear half the keenness Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? Shy. No, none that thou hast wit enough to make. Gra. O, be thou curst, inexorable dog! And for thy life let justice be accus'd. Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. Shy. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin. I stand here for law. Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court: Where is he? Ner. He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. Duke. With all my heart: some three or four of you, Go give him courteous conduct to this place. Mean time, the court shall hear Bellario's letter. [Clerk reads.] Your grace shall understand, that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick: but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visit |