So shall all the couples three And the blots of nature's hand Shall upon their children be. Every fairy take his gait; And each several chamber bless, And the owner of it blest. 'Trip away; make no stay; Meet me all by break of day. [Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and train. Puck. If we shadows have offended, Think but this, (and all is mended,) Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends. [Exit. LORENZO, in love with JESSICA. SHYLOCK, a Jew. TUBAL, a Jew, his friend. LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a Clown, servant to SHYLOCK, afterwards to BASSANIO. Old GOBBO, Father to LAUNCELOT. LEONARDO, Servant to BASSANIO. PORTIA, a rich Heiress. NERISSA, her Waiting-maid. JESSICA, daughter to SHYLOCK. Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE,-Partly at VENICE, and partly at BELMONT, the seat of Portia, on the Continent. MERCHANT OF VENICE. ACT I. SCENE I-VENICE. A Street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SOLANIO. It wearies me; you say it wearies you ; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That court'sy to them, do them reverence, Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, Would blow me to an ague, when I thought I should not see the sandy hour-glass run, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought Is sad to think upon his merchandize. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, Therefore, my merchandize makes me not sad. Ant. Fie, fie! Salar. Not in love neither? Then let's say, you are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy For you to laugh, and leap, and say you are merry, Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes, And laugh, like parrots, at a bag-piper ; And other of such vinegar aspèct, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Solan. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare you well: We leave you now with better company. Salar. I would have stay'd till I had made you merry, I take it, your own business calls on you, Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and GRATIANO. Salar. Good morrow, my good lords. |