der'd abroad: But ships are but boards, sailors but | men: there be land-rats, and water-rats, waterthieves, and land-thieves; I mean, pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks: The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient;-three thousand ducats;-I think I may take his bond. Bass. Be assured you may. Shy. I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured, I will bethink me: May I speak with Antonio? Bass. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the devil into: I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto?-Who || is he comes here? Enter Antonio. Bass. This is signior Antonio. Shy. [Aside.] How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him, for he is a Christian : But more, for that, in low simplicity, Bass. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store; Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? And in the doing of the deed of kind,3 Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd A thing not in his power to bring to pass, sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or, Your worship was the last man in our mouths. By taking, nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. hear you; I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep, Ant. And what of him? did he take interest? Should fall as Jacob's hire; the ewes, being rank, (1) Wants which admit no longer delay. You spurn'd me such a day; another time Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, Shy. Why, look you, how you storm! Ant. This were kindness. This kindness will I show :- Of (2) Informed. (3) Nature. Ant. Content, in faith: I'll seal to such a bond,|| That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,-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, I 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, Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Ant. I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look, In way of marriage; therefore, be advis'd.4 Por. First, forward to the temple; after dinner Your hazard shall be made. [Exit. SCENE II-Venice. A street. Enter Launce Hie thee, gentle Jew. lot Gobbo. Laun. Certainly my conscience will serve me to This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind. SCENE I-Belmont. A room in Portia's house. Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Morocco, and his train; Portia, Nerissa, and other of her attendants. Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun, To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born, Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles, And let us make incision? for your love, To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath fear'd3 the valiant; by my love, I swear, The best-regarded virgins of our clime Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen. Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden's eyes: Besides the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: But, if my father had not scanted me, And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself His wife, who wins me by that means I told you, For my affection. Mor. Even for that I thank you; Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets, To try my fortune. By this scimitar,That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince, 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,-or rather an honest woman's son;-for, indeed, my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste;-well, my conscience says, Launcelot, budge not; budge says the fiend; budge not, says my conscience: Conscience, say I, you counsel well; fiend, say I, you counsel well: to be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my 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 gives the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at your commandment, I will run. Enter old Gobbo, with a basket. 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, highgravel 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 MERCHANT OF VENICE. lowers. Act II. turning, but, at the next turning of all, on your left; || Enter Bassanio, with Leonardo, and other fol- Laun. Talk you of young master Launcelot?Mark me now; [aside.] now will I raise the waters -Talk you of young master Launcelot ? Gob. 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. that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the Laun. To him, father. Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and I have a desire, as my father shall specify, 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 (according to fates and destinies, and such odd sayings; the sisters three, and such branches of learn-Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the ing,) is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say, father, being I hope an old man, shall frutify unto in plain terms, gone to heaven. Gob. His master and he (saving your worship's reverence,) are scarce cater-cousins: you, Gob. I have a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship; and my suit is, 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 hovel-post, a staff, or a prop?-Do Laun. In very brief the suit is impertinent to know me, you Gob. Alack the day, I know you not, young gen-old man; and, though father? myself, as your worship shall know by this honest tleman: but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy (God yet, poor man, my father. say it, though old man, rest his soul!) alive, or dead? Laun. Do you not know me, father? Gob. Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you 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; I am Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be. Gob. I cannot think you are my son. Laun. I know not what I shall think of that: but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and, I am sure, Margery, your wife, is my mother. 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. 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. Gob. Lord, how art thou chang'd! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present; How 'gree you now? Bass. One speak for both ;-What would you? Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, sir. Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day, Laun. The old proverb is very well parted be- Bass. Thou speak'st it well: Go, father, with Take leave of thy old master, and inquire More guarded? than his fellows': See it done. I Laun. Father, in:-I cannot get a service, no;ing on his palm.] if any man in Italy have a fairer I have ne'er a tongue in my head.-Well; [Looktable, which doth offer to swear upon a book.shall have good fortune; Go to, here's a simple fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows, and nine line of life! here's a small trifle of wives: Alas, 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, Laun. Well, well; but, for my own part, as II'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of she's a good wench for this gear.-Father, come; 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. (1) Shaft-horse. Ornamented. an eye. [Exeunt Laun. and old Gob. Gra. Where is your master? Yonder, sir, he walks. [Exit Leonardo. (3) The palm of the hand extended. Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice viour, I be misconstrued in the place I go to, Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity; Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; 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 foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit, adieu! [Exit. : Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.- Gra. We have not made good preparation. (1) Gross, licentious. (2) Show of staid and serious demeanour. Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; Gra. Love-news, in faith. Laun. By your leave, sir. Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, [Exeunt Salar. and Salan. If e'er the Jew, her father, come to heaven, Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio :- Why, Jessica! Laun Enter Jessica. Jes. Call you? What is your will? Laun. I beseech you, sir, go; my young master doth expect your reproach. Shy. So do I his. Laun. And they have conspired together,-I will not say, you shall see a masque; but if you do, (3) Carriage, deportment. (4) Invited. Lor. Lorenzo, and thy love. then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleed-Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. ing on Black-Monday last, at six o'clock i'the morning, falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the afternoon. Shy. What are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica : Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum, Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder, Do, as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind. [Exit. Jes. Farewell: and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost. SCENE VI.-The same. Enter Gratiano and Salarino, masked. [Exit. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo 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. O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly To seal love's bonds new made, than they are wont, To keep obliged faith unforfeited! Gra. That ever holds: Who riseth from a feast, With that keen appetite that he sits down? Where is the horse that doth untread again His tedious measures with the unbated fire That he did pace them first? All things that are, Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd. How like a younker, or a prodigal, The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind! How like the prodigal doth she return, With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails, Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind! Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed; For who love I so much? And now who knows, But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? Lor. Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed of my exchange: But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit; For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me thus transformed to a boy. Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too, too light. Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; And I should be obscur'd. Lor. So are you, sweet, For the close night doth play the run-away, Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight. [Exit, from above. Gra. Now, by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew. Lor. Beshrew me, but I love her heartily: For she is wise, if I can judge of her; And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true; And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself; And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true, Shall she be placed in my constant soul. Enter Jessica, below. What, art thou come?-On, gentlemen, away; Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. [Exit with Jessica and Salarino. Enter Antonio. Ant. Who's there? Gra. Signior Antonio? Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano? where are all the rest? 'Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you:No masque to-night; the wind is come about, Bassanio presently will aboard : go I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more delight, Than to be under sail, and gone to-night. [Exe. SCENE VII.-Belmont. A room in Portia's house. Flourish of cornets. Enter Portia, with the prince of Morocco, and both their trains. Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince :— Now make your choice. Mor. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears; Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. The second; silver, which this promise carries ;Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves. This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt ;Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. How shall I know if I do choose the right? Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Mor. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see, I will survey the inscriptions back again : Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath |