My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours. To have her love, provided that your fortune Por. Is this true, Nerissa? Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. Bass. Our feast shall be much honored in your marriage. Gra. We'll play with them, the first boy for a thousand ducats. Ner. What, and stake down? Gra. No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO. Bass. Lorenzo, and Salerio, welcome hither; Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honor. For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, Sale. And I have reason for it. Bass. I did, my lord, Seignior Antonio [Gives BASSANIO a letter. Ere I ope his letter, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. Your hand, Salerio. What's the news from Venice? How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? I know, he will be glad of our success; We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sale. Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper, That steal the color from Bassanio's cheek. Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Could turn so much the Of any constant1 man. man. constitution What, worse and worse?— With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, O sweet Portia, Bass. you 1 It should be remembered that steadfast, sad, grave, sober, were ancient synonymes of constant. I have engaged myself to a dear friend, And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Not one, my lord. Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, It will go hard with poor Antonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best conditioned and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Por. What sum owes he the Jew? What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Should lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure; if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Jailer. Shy. Jailer, look to him.-Tell not me of mercy;This is the fool that lends out money gratis. Jailer, look to him. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond. Thou call'dst me dog, before thou hadst a cause: Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak; To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield my bond. [Exit SHYLOCK. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men. Let him alone Ant. Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; Well, jailer, on.-Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. |