Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipp'd might he be! What a beard hast thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my 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. Gob. Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present; How 'gree you now? Laun. Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground: 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.-0 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 put 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? Laun. Not a poor boy, Sir, but the rich Jew's man; 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, Gab. His master and he, (saving your worship's reverence,) are searce cater-cousins: Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my fa Shaft-horse. ther, being, I hope, on 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, Laun. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, Sir :-You have the grace of God, Sir, and he hath enough. [son: Bass. Thou speak'st it well: go, father, with thy Take leave of thy old master, and'enquire My lodging out:-Give him a livery [To his followers. More guarded than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father, in :-I cannot get a service, no; I have ne'er a tongue in my head.-Well; [Looking on his palm.] if any man in Italy have a fairer table t, 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 perif 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 [Exeunt Launcelot and old Gobbo. Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this; These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night an eye. My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein. Enter GRATIANO. Gra. Where is your master ? • Ornamented. The palm of the hand extended, [Exit Leonardo. Leon. Yonder, Sir, he walks. Gra. Signior Bassanio,- 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; Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice ;- And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; shew Something too liberal-pray thee, take pain Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild be haviour, I be misconstrued in the place I go to, Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me : If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Like one well studied in a sad ostent + To please his grandam, never trust me more. Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity; I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends. I have some business. Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper time. [me [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in SHYLOCK'S House. Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father so Gross, licentious. Show of staid and serious demeanour. Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, And so farewell; I would not have my father Laun. Adien !-tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: but, adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown iny manly spirit; adieu! Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.- [Exit. I am not to his manners; O Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; [Exit. SCENE IV.-The same.-A Street. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SA LANIO. Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time; Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour. Gra. We have not made good preparation. Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers. Salan. Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd, And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours To furnish us: 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 hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on, Is the fair hand that writ. Gra. Love-news, in faith. Laun. By your leave, Sir. Laun. Marry, Sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle Jessica, 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 straight. Salan. And so will I. 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? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: she hath directed, How I shall take her from her father's house; If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, Come, go with me; peruse this, as thou goest; [Exeunt. SCENE V.-The same.-Before SHYLOCK's House. Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT. Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:- Laun. Why, Jessica! Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call. Laun. Your worship was wont to tell me, I could do nothing without bidding. Enter JESSICA. Jes. Call you? What is your will? Shy. I am bid forth to supper, Jessica; The prodigal Christian.-Jessica, my girl, Invited. |