the same manner the mule would not stale where she ought, and where she ought not, there she staled. The king said upon this, If I have not rewarded you as I have many, do not entertain a thought that I was insensible to your great merit; it is Fortune who hindered me; she is to blame, and not I; and I will shew you manifestly that I speak truth. My discontent, sir, proceeds not, answered Ruggieri, from a desire of being enriched, but from your not having given the smallest testimony to my deserts in your service: nevertheless, your excuse is valid, and I am ready to see the proof you mention, though I can easily believe you without it. The king conducted him to a hall, where he had already commanded two large caskets, shut close, to be placed: and before a large company told Ruggieri, that in one of them was contained his crown, sceptre, and all his jewels, and that the other was full of earth: choose which of them you like best, and then you will see that it is not I, but your fortune that has been ungrateful. Ruggieri chose one. It was found to be the casket full of earth. The king said to him with a smile, Now you may see, Ruggieri, that what I told you of fortune is true; but for your sake I will oppose her with all my strength. You have no intention, I am certain, to live in Spain, therefore I will offer you no preferment here; but that casket which fortune denied you, shall be yours in despight of her: carry it with you into your own country, shew it to your friends, and neighbours, as my gift to you; and you have my permission to boast, that it is a reward of your virtues. Of The MERCHANT OF VENICE, the style is even and easy, with few peculiarities of diction, or anomalies of construction. The comick part raises laughter, and the serious fixes fixes expectation. The probability of either one or the other story cannot be maintained. The union of two actions in one event is in this drama eminently happy. Dryden was much pleased with his own address in connecting the two plots of his Spanish Friar, which yet, I believe, the critick will find excelled by this play. JOHNSON. LORENZO, in love with Jessica. SHYLOCK, a few, TUBAL, a Jew. LAUNCELOT, a Clown, Servant to the Jew, Gовво, Father to Launcelot. SALERIO, a Messenger from Venice. LEONARDO, Servant to Bassanio. BALTHAZAR, Servants to STEPHANO, } PORTIA, an Heiress. Portia, WOMEN. NERISSA, Waiting-Maid to Portia. JESSICA, Daughter to Shylock. Senators of Venice, Officers, Jailer, Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the Seat of Portia. MERCHANT of VENICE. ACT I. SCENE I. A Street in Venice. Enter ANTHONIO, SALARINO, and SALANΙΟ. Anthonio. In sooth, I know not why I am so sad; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Sal. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; Do over-peer the petty traffickers, That curtsy to them, do them reverence, Sala. Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would 10 Be Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still 20 30 Sal. My wind, cooling my broth, Would blow me to an ague, when I thought What harm a wind too great might do at sea. I should not see the sandy hour-glass run, But I should think of shallows, and of flats; And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand, Vailing her high top lower than her ribs, To kiss her burial. Should I go to church, And see the holy edifice of stone, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks? Which touching but my gentle vessel's side, Would scatter all her spices on the stream; Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks; And, in a word, but even now worth this, And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought To think on this: and shall I lack the thought, That such a thing, bechanc'd, would make me sad? But, tell not me; I know, Anthonio 40 Is sad to think upon his merchandize." Therefore, my merchandize makes me not sad. Sala. 1 Sala. Why then you are in love. Anth. Fie, fie! Sala. Not in love neither? Then let's say, you are sad, 50 Because you are not merry : and 'twere as easy merry, Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time: That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and GRATIANO. Sal. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kins man, Gratiano, and Lorenzo: Fare you well; We leave you now with better company. 60 Sala. I would have staid till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. Anth. Your worth is very dear in iny regard. I take it, your own business calls on you, And you embrace the occasion to depart. Sal. Good morrow, my good lords. Bass. Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when? C You |