The Dramatic Works of Shakspeare

with their determination; which is, indeed, to return to their home, and to trouble you with no more suit; unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.

Por. If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will: I am glad this parce of wooers are so reasonable; for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I pray God grant them a fair departure.

Ner. Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat?

Por. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think, so was he called.

Ner. True, madam; he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.

Por. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.-How now! what news?

Enter a Servant.

Serv. The four strangers seek for you, maaam, to take their leave: and there is a fore. runner come from a fifth, the prince of Morocco; who brings word, the prince, his master, will be here to-night.

Por. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa.Sirrah, go before.-Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A public Place. Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK. Shy. Three thousand ducats,-well. Bass. Ay, sir, for three months. Shy. For three months,-well.

Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.

Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound.

Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. Buss. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

Shy. Ho, no, no, no, no;-my meaning, in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me, that he is sufficient: yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squander'd

men: there be land-rats, and water rats, wa ter-thieves, and land-thieves; I mean, pirates i and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks: The man is, notwithstanding, snfficient ;-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 yon, 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,
He lends out money gratis, and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation; and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congre-
gate,
[thrift,
On me, my bargains, and my well-won
Which he calls interest: Cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him!

Bass.

Shylock, do you hear?

Shy. I am debating of my present store; And, by the near guess of my memory, I cannot instantly raise up the gross Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me: But soft; How many [nior;

months

Do you desire?-Rest you fair, good sig[TO ANTONIO.

Your worship was the last man in our mouths. Ant. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow,

By taking, nor by giving of excess,
Yet, to supply the ripe wants + of my friend,
I'll break a custom :-Is he yet possess❜dį,
How much you would?
Shy.

Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Ant. And for three months. Shy. I had forgot,-three months, you told

me so.

I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep,

abroad: But ships are but boards, sailors but This Jacob from our holy Abraham was

* Temper, qualities.

+ Wants which admit no longer delay. + Informed.

(As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,)
The third possessor; ay, he was the third.
Ant. And what of him? did he take inte-
rest?
[would say,
Shy. No, not take interest; not as you
Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were compromis'd,
That all the eanlings which were streak'd, and
pied,
[rank,
Should fall as Jacob's hire; the ewes, being
In the end of autumn turned to the rams:
And when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act,
The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands,
And, in the doing of the deed of kind,
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes ;
Who, then conceiving, did in eauing time
Fall party-colour'd lambs, and those were

Jacob's.

This was a way to thrive, and he was blest;
And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob
serv'd for;

A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
But sway'd, and fashion'd, by the hand of
heaven.

Was this inserted to make interest good? Oris your gold and silver, ewes and rams? Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast:But note me, signior.

Ant. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite scripture for his purpose. An evil soul, producing holy witness, Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; A goodly apple rotten at the heart; 0, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! Shy. Three thousand ducats,-'tis a good round sum.

rate.

Three months from twelve, then let me see the
[to you.
Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden
Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft,
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my monies, and my usances +:
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug;
For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe:
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
And all for use of that which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears, you need my help:
Go to then; you come to me, and you say,
Shylock, we would have monies; You say so;
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me, as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold; monies is your suit.
What should I say to you? Should I not say,
Hath a dog money? is it possible,

A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or
Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key,
With 'bated breath, and whispering humble-
Say this,-
[ness,
Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday

last;

A breed for barren metal of his friend?) But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who if he break, thou may'st with better Exact the penalty. [face Say. Why, look you, how yon storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love, [with, Forget the shames that you have stain'd me Supply your present wants, and take no doit Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear This is kind I offer. [me:

Ant. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show:Go with me to a notary, real me there Your single bond; ani, in a merry sport, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such snin, or sums, as are Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound Of your fair flesh, to be cu oft and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me.

Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a 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; [before Within these two months, that's a month This bond expires, I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond. Shy. O father Abrahair, what these Chris

tians are;

Whose own hard dealings teaches them sus-
pect
[this;
The thoughts of others! Pray yon, tell me
If he should break his day, what should I
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
[gain
A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man,
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons. beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:
If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;
And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.
Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this

bond.

[tary's;

You spurn'd me such a day; another time
You call'd me-dog; and for these cour- My
I'll lend you thus much monies. [tesies

ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt.

Abide.

SCENE I.

ACT II.

SCENE II. Venice. A Street.

Enter LAUNCELOT GOBBO.

Laun. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run trom this Jew, my master: The fiend is at mine elbow; and tempts me, say. ing to me, Gobbo, Launcelot Cobo, good Launcelot, or goud Gobbo, or good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away: My conscience says,-no; take

Gobbo; or, as aforesaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy Leels: Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack; via! says the fiend; wway! sys the fiend, for the heavens; rouse up a brace mine, says the fiend, and run. Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, my honest

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 ain a neighbour, and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born. Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,eed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest 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'd the valiant; by my love, I The best-regarded virgins of our clime swear, Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue, [queen Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle Por. In terms of choice I am not solely By nice direction of a maiden's eyes: [led 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 [fair, Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as As any comer I have look'd on yet, For my affection. Mor. Even for that I thank you; Therefore, I pray yon, lead me to the caskets, To try my fortune. By this scimitar,That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince, That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look, Out-brave the heart most daring on the earth, Pluck the young suckling cubs from the she bear,

you,

Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win thee, lady: ut, alas the while!
If Hercules, and Lichas, play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
So is Alcides beaten by his page;

And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

Por.
You must take your chance;
And either not attempt to choose at all,
Or swear, before you choose,—if you choose
wrong,

Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marri ge: therefore be advis'd ‡.
Mor. Nor will not; come, bring me unto
my chance.

Por. First, forward to the temple; after
Your hazard shall be made.
[dinner
Mor.
Good fortune then! [Cornets.
To make me bless'd, or cursed'st among men.
[Exeunt.

und Laune lot, being an honest man's son, or ra her 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; oudge, says the fiend; budge not, says my conscience. Conscience, say 1, you coun sel 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, 1 wilun.

Enter ola GOBBо, 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 sandblind, high-gravel blind, knows me not:-} will try conclusions y 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 ?

Allusion to the eastern custom for lovers to testify their passion by cutting themselves in

their mistresses' sight. ↑ Terrified.

Not precipitate.

§ Experiments.

Gob. No master, sir, but a poor man's sou; 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,

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 sach 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

father?

me,

you not.

Luun. 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; morder cannot be hid long, a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will out. Gob. Pray yon, 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 cwn flesh and blood. Lord, worshipp'd might be be! what a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin y 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.

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.

Bass. You may do so;-but let it be so hasted, that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock: See these letters deliver'd; pnt the liveries to making; and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.

[Exit a Servant.

Laun. To him, father.
Gob. God bless your worship!
Bass. Gramercy; Wouldst thou aught with

me?

Gob. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,―― Laun. Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's mau; that would, sir, as my father shall specify,

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 an 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.
Bass. I know thee well, thou hast obtain'd
thy suit:

Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day,
And have preferr'd thee, if it be preferment,
To leave a rich Jew's service, to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.

Laun. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir; yon have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough.

Bass. Thou speak'st it well: Go, father with thy son:Gub. Lord, how art thou changed! How Take leave of thy old master, and inquire dost thou and thy master agree! brought him a present; How 'gree you now? I have My lodging out:-Give him a livery Luun. Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away,so will not rest till I have run some ground: Shaft-horse.

[To his Followers. More guarded t than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father, in:-1 cannot get a service no;-1 have ne'er a tougue in my head.

+ Ornamented.

Well; [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.

on this;

[Exeunt LAUN. and old GOBBO. Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think [stow'd, These things being bought, and orderly be Return in haste, for I do feast to night My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done

herein.

Gra. Signior Bassanio,Bass. Gratiano!

Gra. I have a suit to you. Bass. You have obtain❜d it. Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with you to Belmont.

Bass. Why, then you must:-But hear thee, Gratiano; [voice ;Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of Parts, that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; But where thou art not known, why, there they show

Something too liberal +;-pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild
behaviour

I be misconstrued in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes.

Gra.

Signior Bassanio, hear me: If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely; [eyes

Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say, amen;
Use all the observance of civility,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his grandam, never trust me more.
Bass. Well, we shall see your bearing §.
Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not
By what we do to-night.
[gage me
Bass.
No, that were pity;
I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment: But fare you well,
I have some business.

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time.

[Exeunt.

• The palm of the hand extended. serious demeanour.

SCENE III. The same. A Room in Shylock's House.

Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father so; 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.

Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If
Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.-
a Christian do not play the knave, and get
thee, I am much deceived: But, adien! these
foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly
spirit; adieu!
[Exit.

Alack, what heinous sin is it in me,
Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.-
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. Disguise us at my lodging, and return [time; All in an hour.

Gra. We have not made good preparation. Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers. [order❜d; Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four a-clock; we have To furnish us:[two hours 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 And whiter than the paper it writ on, [hand; Is the fair hand that writ.

Gra.

Love-news, in faith. Laun. By your leave, sir. Lor. Whither goest thou? Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. [Jessica, Lor. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle I will not fail her ;-speak it privately; go.Gentlemen, [Exit LAUNCELOT. Will you prepare you for this masque to-night? I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it Salan. And so will I. [straight. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence. Salar. 'Tis good we do so.

[Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica ?

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