I bid my very friends and country-men, (Sweet Portia) welcome. Por. So do I, my Lord; they are intirely welcome. you here :: Sal. I did, my lord, And I have reafon for't; Signior Anthonio Commends him to you. Baff. Ere I ope his letter, [Gives Baffanio a Letter. I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. Nor well, unlefs in mind; his letter there Will fhew you his estate. [Baffanio opens the letter. Gra. Neriffa, cheer yond stranger: Bid her wel come. Your hand, Salanio; what's the news from Venice? We are the Fafons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would you had won the fleece, that he hath loft! That fteal the colour from Baanio's cheek: Of any conftant man. What, worse and worse! With leave, Baffanio, I am half your self, Here are a few of the unpleasant'ft words, How How much I was a braggart: when I told you, And not one veffel 'fcap'd the dreadful touch. Sal. Not one, my lord. Befides, it should appear, that if he had Jef. When I was with him, I have heard him fwear, To Tubal and to Chus his country-men, That he would rather have Anthonio's flesh, Than twenty times the value of the fum That he did owe him; and I know, my lord, It will go hard with poor Anthonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Baff. The dearest friend to me, the kindest Man, The beft condition'd and unweary'd spirit In doing courtefies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy. 1 Por. Por. What Sum owes he the Jew? Baff. For me, three thousand ducats. Por. What, no more? Pay him fix thousand and deface the bond; Shall lofe a hair through my Bassanio's fault. Sweet Ba. reads. Weet Baffanio, my ships have all mif carry'd, my creditors grow cruel, my eftate is very low, my bond to the jew is forfeit; and fince, in paying it, it is impoffible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and me, if I might but See you at my death; notwithstanding, use your pleasure : if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love! difpatch all Bufinefs, and be gone. No bed fhall e'er be guilty of my stay ; No reft be interpofer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a Street in Venice. Enter Shylock, Solarino, Anthonio, and the Goaler. Shy. G This is the fool, that lent out mony gratis. Goaler, look to him. Ant. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; fpeak not against my bond I've fworn an oath, that I will have my bond. Thou call'dft me dog, before thou hadft a cause ; But fince I am a dog, beware my fangs : The Duke fhall grant me juftice. I do wonder, Thou naughty goaler, that thou art fo fond To come abroad with him at his request. Ant. I pray thee, hear me fpeak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore fpeak no more; I'll not be made a foft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and figh and yield To chriftian interceffors. Follow not; I'll have no fpeaking; I will have my bond. : Exit Shylock. Sola. It is the moft impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone, I'll follow him no more with bootlefs pray'rs : Many, that have at times made moan to me; Sola. I am fure, the Duke Will never grant this Forfeiture to hold. Ant. The Duke cannot deny the course of law; Will much impeach the juftice of the ftate; Well, goaler, on; pray God, Bassanio come To fee me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE changes to BEL MONT. Enter Portia, Neriffa, Lorenzo, Jeffica, and Balthazar. Of God-like amity; which appears most strongly This comes too near the praifing of my felf; (13) The husbandry and manage of my house, (13) This comes too near the praising of my self ; Therefore no more of it: here other things, Lorenzo, I commit, &c.] Thus has this Paffage been writ and pointed, but abfurdly, thro' all the Editions, Portia finding the reflections she had made came too near Self-praise, begins to chide herself for it: fays, She'll fay no more of that Sort; but call a new Subject. The Regulation I have made in the Text was likewise preferib'd by Ds. Thirlby. Το |