Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice ;- I be misconstrued in the place I go to, Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me: If I do not put on a sober habit, Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me 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 That purpose merriment: But fare you well, I have some business. [Exeunt. Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Shylock's house. Enter Jessica and Launcelot. Jes. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so; Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness; But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee. And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest: Give him this letter; do it secretly, And so farewell; I would not have my father See me talk with thee. Laun. Adieu!-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 my manly spirit, adieu! [Exil. Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.Alack, what heinous sin is it in me, To be asham'd to be my father's child! But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners: 0 Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. SCENE IV.-The same. A street. Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salanio. Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time; Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour. [Exit. Gra. We have not made good preparation. Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers. (1) Gross, licentious. (2) Show of staid and serious demeanour. 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? am provided of a torch-bearer. I 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. [Exeunt Salar. and Salan. If e'er the Jew, her father, come to heaven, SCENE V.-The same. Before Shylock's house. Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:- Laun. Enter Jessica. Jes. Call you? What is your will? Shy. I am bid forth to supper, Jessica; There are my keys:-But wherefore should I go; Laun. I beseech you, sir, go; my young master doth expect your reproach. Lor. Lorenzo, and thy love. then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleed-Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. ing on Black-Monday last, at six o'clock i'the morning, falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the afternoon. Shy. What are there masques? Hear you me, Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum, Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; [Exit. Jes. Farewell: and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost. SCENE VI.-The same. [Exit. Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed; For who love I so much? And now who knows, But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? Lor. Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much asham'd of my exchange: But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit; For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me thus transformed to a boy. Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too, too light. Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; And I should be obscur'd. Lor. So are you, sweet, For the close night doth play the run-away, Enter Jessica, below. What, art thou come?-On, gentlemen, away; Enter Gratiano and Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. Salarino, masked. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo Desir'd us to make stand. Salar. His hour is almost past. Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock. Salar. O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly To seal love's bonds new made, than they are wont, To keep obliged faith unforfeited! Gra. That ever holds: Who riseth from a feast, With that keen appetite that he sits down? Where is the horse that doth untread again His tedious measures with the unbated fire That he did pace them first? All things that are, Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd. How like a younker, or a prodigal, The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind! How like the prodigal doth she return, With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails, Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind! Enter Lorenzo. Salar. Here comes Lorenzo; more of this hereafter. Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode; Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait; When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, I'll watch as long for you then.-Approach; Here dwells my father Jew :-Ho! who's within? Enter Jessica above, in boy's clothes. Jes. Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, (1) Decorated with flags. [Exit with Jessica and Salarino. Enter Antonio. I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Exe. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more delight, Than to be under sail, and gone to-night. SCENE VII.-Belmont. A room in Portia's house. Flourish of cornets. Enter Portia, with the prince of Morocco, and both their trains. Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince :Now make your choice. Mor. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears; Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. The second; silver, which this promise carries ;Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves. The third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt ;-Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. How shall I know if I do choose the right? Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Mor. Some god direct my judgment! Let me I see, will survey the inscriptions back again : What says this leaden casket? Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. Must give-For what? for lead? hazard for lead? This casket threatens: Men, that hazard all, Do it in hope of fair advantages: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Was set in worse than gold. They have in England Then I am yours. [He unlocks the golden casket. All that glisters is not gold, Then, farewell, heat; and, welcome, frost.- goi Salar. Why man, I saw Bassanio under sail; (1) Enclose. (2) Engraven. (3) Conversed. To slubber is to do a thing carelessly Salan. The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. Salar. He came too late, the ship was under sail: Salan. I never heard a passion so confus'd, Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter! stones, Stol'n by my daughter!-Justice! find the girl! Salar. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Salar. Marry, well remember'd: Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. Salar. Do we so. [Exeunt. SCENE IX.-Belmont. A room in Portia's The prince of Arragon has ta'en his oath, Portia, and their trains. Por. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: Ar. I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things: (5) Shows, tokens. First, never to unfold to any one lastly, Por. To these injunctions every one doth swear, That comes to hazard for my worthless self. Ar. And so have I address'd' me: Fortune now To my heart's hope !-Gold, silver, and base lead. Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath: You shall look fairer, ere I give, or hazard. What says the golden chest? ha! let me see:Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. What many men desire. That many may be meant By the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet, Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force2 and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump3 with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house; Tell me once more what title thou dost bear; Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves And well said too: For who shall go about To cozen fortune, and be honourable Without the stamp of merit! Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O, that estates, degrees, and offices, ; O these deliberate fools! when they do choose, Serv. Where is my lady? Por. Here; what would my lord? Serv. Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian, one that comes before To signify the approaching of his lord: From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;5 To wit, besides commends, and courteous breathy Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen So likely an embassador of love: A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. Por. No more, I pray thee; I am half afeard, Thou wilt say anon, he is some kin to thee, Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see Quick Cupid's post, that comes so mannerly. Ner. Bassanio, lord love, if thy will it be! [Exeunt. ACT III. Were not deriv'd corruptly! and that clear honour SCENE I.-Venice. A street. Enter Salanio, Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer! Por. Too long a pause for that which you find there. Ar. What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot, How much unlike my hopes, and my deservings? Ar. What is here? The fire seven times tried this; With one fool's head I came to woo, [Exeunt Arragon, and train. Por. Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth. (1) Prepared. (2) Power. (3) Agree with. and Salarino. Salan. Now, what news on the Rialto? Salar. Why, yet it lives there uncheck'd, that narrow seas; the Goodwins, I think they call the Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wreck'd on the place; a very dangerous flat, and fatal, where the carcases of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip report be an honest woman of her word. Salan. I would she were as lying a gossip in that, as ever knapp'd ginger, or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband: But it is true, without any slips of prolixity, or crossing the plain high-way of talk,-that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio,-O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company!Salar. Come, the full stop. Salan. Ha,-what say'st thou ?-Why the end is, he hath lost a ship. Salar. I would it might prove the end of his losses! Salan. Let me say amen betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer; for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew. Shy. I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood. Tub. Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, Salar. There is more difference between thy flesh one night, fourscore ducats. and hers, than between jet and ivory; more be- Shy. Thou stick'st a dagger in me:-I shall tween your bloods, than there is between red wine never see my gold again: Fourscore ducats at a and rhenish:-But tell us, do you hear whether sitting! fourscore ducats! Antonio have had any loss at sea or no? Tub. There came divers of Antonio's creditors Shy. There I have another bad match: a bank- in my company to Venice, that swear he cannot rupt, a prodigal, who dares scarce show his head on choose but break. the Rialto;-a beggar, that used to come so smug upon the mart;-let him look to his bond: he was wont to call me usurer;-let him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy;-let him look to his bond. Salar. Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh; What's that good for? Shy. I am very glad of it; I'll plague him; I'll torture him; I am glad of it. Tub. One of them showed me a ring, that he had of your daughter for a monkey. Shy. Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal : it was my turquoise; I had it of Leah, when I was a bachelor: I would not have given it for a wilder Tub. But Antonio is certainly undone. Shy. To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothingness of monkies. else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me of half a million; laughed at Shy. Nay, that's true, that's very true; Go, Tumy losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, bal, fee me an officer, bespeak him a fortnight bethwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated fore: will have the heart of him, if he forfeit; mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew: for were he out of Venice, I can make what merHath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, chandise I will; Go, go, Tubal, and meet me at dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with our synagogue; go, good Tubal; at our synathe same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject gogue, Tubal. [Exeunt. to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and sum- SCENE II.-Belmont. A room in Portia's mer, as a Christian is? if you prick us, do we not house. Enter Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, Nebleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you rissa, and attendants. The caskets are set out. poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, Por. I pray you, tarry; pause a day or two, shall we not revenge? if we are like you in the Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong, rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong I lose your company; therefore, forbear a while: a Christian, what is his humility? revenge; If a There's something tells me (but it is not love,) Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance I would not lose you; and you know yourself, be by Christian example? why, revenge. The Hate counsels not in such a quality: villany you teach me, I will execute; and it shall But lest you should not understand me well go hard, but I will better the instruction. (And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,) Let me choose; For, as I am, I live upon the rack. Shy. Why there, there, there, there! a diamond I speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time; gone, cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort! To eke it, and to draw it out in length, The curse never fell upon our nation till now; I To stay you from election. never felt it till now:-two thousand ducats in that; Bass. and other precious, precious jewels.-I would, my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! 'would she were hears'd at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin! No news of them ?-Why, so:-and I know not what's spent in the search: Why, thou loss upon loss! the thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge: nor no ill luck stirring, but what lights o' my shoulders; no sighs, but o' my breathing; no tears, but o' my shedding. Tub. Yes, other men have ill luck too; Antonio, as I heard in Genoa, Shy. What, what, what? ill luck, ill luck? Shy. I thank God, I thank God:-Is it true? is it true? Tub. I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck. Shy. I thank thee, good Tubal;-Good news, good news: ha! ha!-Where? in Genoa? Bass. None, but that ugly treason of mistrust, Por. Ay, but I fear, you speak upon the rack, (1) A precious stone. (2) Delay. |