I bid my very friends and country-men, (Sweet Portia) welcome. Por. So do I, my Lord; they are intirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour; for my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salanio by the way, He did intreat me, paft all faying nay, To come with him along. Sal. I did, my lord, And I have reafon for't; Signior Anthonio Commends him to you. Bal. Ere I ope his letter, [Gives Baffanio a Letter. I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. [Baffanio opens the letter. Gra. Neriffa, cheer yond ftranger: Bid her wel come. Your hand, Salanio; what's the news from Venice? I know, he will be glad of our Success: We are the Jafons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would you had won the fleece, that he hath loft! Por. There are some shrewd Contents in yond fame paper, That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Some dear Friend dead; elfe nothing in the world Could turn fo much the conftitution Of any conftant man. What, worfe and worfe! With leave, Bajanio, 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 Of greatest port, have all perfuaded with him; 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? Baf. The dearest friend to me, the kindeft Man, The best 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. Por. Por. What Sum owes he the Jew? Pay him fix thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lofe a hair through my Baffanio's fault. Baff. reads. Serry'd, and my creditors grow cruel, my Weet Baffanio, my hips have all mif 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 pleasurė: if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love! difpatch all Business, and be gone. No bed fhall e'er be guilty of my ftay; [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a Street in Venice. Enter Shylock, Solarino, Anthonio, and the Goaler. Sby. G Oaler, look to him: tell not me of mercy. 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 hadít a caufe; Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee fpeak: To fhake the head, relent, and figh and yield Fil have no fpeaking; I will have my bond. [Exit Shylock. Sola. It is the most 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 state; Well, goaler, on; pray God, Bassanio come To fee me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE changes to BELMONT. Enter Portia, Neriffa, Lorenzo, Jeffica, and Balthazar. Lor. Adam, although I speak it in your presence, husband; felf; The husbandry and manage of my house, (13) This comes too near the praising of my felf; Therefore no more of it: here other things, (13) 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-praife, 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 likewife prefcrib'd by Dr. Thirlby. To |