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Por. That he hath a neighbourly charity in him; for he borrow'd a box of the ear of the Eng lishman, and swore he would pay him again. when he was able: I think, the Frenchman became his surety, and seal'd under for another.

Ner. How like you the young German, the duke of Saxony's nephew?

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Por. Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than 10 a man; and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: an the worst fall that ever fell, 1 hope, I shall make shift to go without him.

Ner. If he should offer to chuse, and chuse the right casket, you should refuse to perform your 15 father's will, if you should refuse to accept him.

Por. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee, set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket; for, if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will chuse it. 20 I will do any thing, Nerissa, ere I will be marry'd to a spunge.

Ner. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords; they have acquainted me with their determination: which is, indeed, to return to their 25 home, and to trouble you with no more suit: unJess you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.

Por. If I live to be as old as Sybilla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the 30 manner of my father's will: I am glad this parcel of wooers are so very reasonable; for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I pray God grant them a fair departure.

Ner. Do you not remember, lady, in your fa-35 ther's time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, that came hither in company of the marquis of Montserrat?

Por. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think, so he was call'd.

Ner. True, madam; he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes look'd upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.

Por. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.-How now! what news? Enter a Servant.

Shy. For three months,-well. Buss. For the which, as I told you, Anthonio shall be bound.

Shy. Anthonio shall become bound,—well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?

Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Anthonio bound.

Bass. Your answer to that.

Shy. Anthonio is a good man.

Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

Shy. Ho, no, no, no, no;-my meaning, in sayme, that he is sufficient: yet his means are in suping he is a good man, is, to have you understand position: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another tothe Indies; I understand moreover upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for EngBut ships are but boards, sailors but men: there land,and other ventures he bath,squander'dabroad: be land-rats, and water-rats, water-thieves, and land-thieves; I mean, pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks: The man ducats;-I think, I may take his bond. is, notwithstanding, sufficient:-three thousand

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Bass. Be assur'd, you may. [be assur'd, Shy. I will be assur'd, I may; and, that I may will bethink me: May 1 speak with Anthonio? Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habita Bass. If it please you to dine with us. tion which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into: I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following: but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the RialtoWho is he comes here?

Enter Anthonio.

Bars. This is signior Anthonio.

Shy. [Aside.] How like a fawning publican he
40I hate him for lie is a Christian:
[looks!

But more, for that, in low simplicity,
He lends out money gratis, and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip',
45,I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation; and he rails,

Ser. The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave: and there is a fore-runner come from the fifth, the prince of Morocco; who brings word, the prince, his master, will be here to-night.50

Por. It I could bid the fifth welcome with sol good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive 55 me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before.-Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, anothe: knocks at the door. [Exeunt.

SCENE

III.

A pubick Place in Venice.
Enter Bassanio and Shylock.

Shy. Three thousand ducats,-well.
Bass. Ay, sir, for three months.

Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,
If I forgive him!
Which he calls interest: Cursed be my tribe,

Bass Shylock, do you hear?

Shy. I am debating of my present store; And, by the near guess of my memory, Of full three thousand ducals: What of that? cannot instantly raise up the gross Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me: But soft; How many months Do desire-Rest you you fair, good signior; [To Linthonio. 60 Your worship was the last man in our mouths. inth. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borBy taking, nor by giving of excess, [row, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,

This is a phrase taken from the practice of wrestlers.

I'll break a custom :-Is he yet possess'd,

How much you would?

Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.
Anth. And for three months.

[so.

You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold; monies is your suit.
What should I say to you? Should I not say,

Shy. I had forgot-three months, you told me 5" Hath a dog money? Is it possible
Well then, your bond; and, let me see,--But

hear you;

[row,

Methoughts, you said, you neither lend nor bor-
Upon advantage.

Anth. I do never use it.

Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's
This Jacob from our holy Abraham was [sheep,
(As his wise mother wrought in his behalf)
The third possessor: ay, he was the third,

Anth. And what of him? did he take interest?
Shy. No, not take interest; not as you would

say,

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Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were compromis'd,
That all the canlings 2, which were streak'd, and 20
py d,

"A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" or
Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key,
With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness,
Say this," Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednes-
day last;

66

"You spurn'd me such a day; another time
"You call'd me-dog; and for these courtesies
"I'll lend you thus much monies."

Anth. I am as like to call thee so again,

To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.
It thou wilt tend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends; (for when did friendship take
A breed of barren metal of his friend?)
But lend it rather to thine enemy;

Who if he break, thou may'st with better face
Exact the penalty.

Shy. Why, look you, how you storm!

I would be friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stained me with, 25 Supply your present wants, and take no doit Ofusance for my monies, and you'll not hear me? This is kind I offer.

Should fall as Jacob's hire; the ewes, being rank,]
In the end of autumn turned to the rams:
And when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act,
The skilful shepherd pee'd me certain wands,
And, in the doing of the deed of kind,
He stuck them up before the fulsome 3 ewes ;
Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time
Fall party-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's. 30
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest;
And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not

[for:

Anth. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd

A thing not in his power to bring to pass,

Anth. This were kindness.

Shy. This kindness will I show:
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on such a day,

In such a place, such sum, or sums, as are
Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit

But sway'd, and fashion'd, by the hand of heaven. 35 Be nominated for an equal pound

Was this inserted to make interest good?

Or is your gold and silver, ewes and rams?
Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast :-
But note me, signior.

Anth. Mark you this, Bassanio.

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul, producing holy witness,
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek;
A goodly apple rotten at the heart:

140

O, what a goodly outside falshood hath! [sum. 45
Shy. Three thousand ducats,-'tis a good round
Three months from twelve, then let me see the
rate.

[you Anth. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden to Shy. Signior Anthonio, many a time and oft

In the Rialto you have rated me
About my monies and my usances *:

Still have I borne it with a patient shrug;
For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe:
You call me-misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine.
And all for use of that which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears, you need my help:
Go to then you come to me, and you say,
"Shylock, we would have monies;" You say

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If your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.

Auth. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond,
And say, there is much kindness in the Jew,
Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me,
I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

Anth. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it:
Within these two months, that's a mouth before
This bond expires, I do expect return

Of thrice three times the value of the bond. [are;
Shy. O father Abraham, what these Christians
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others Pray you, tell me this;
If he should break his day, what should I gain
50 By the exaction of the forfeiture?

A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man,
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:
55 If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;
And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.

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1i. e. lambs just dropt. 3. e. of nature. Meaning, lascivious, obscene. Use and usance were both words formerly employed for usury. A gaberdine means a course frock. That is, interest money bred from the principal. To dwell, here seems to mean the same as to continue.

See

See to my house, left in the fearful guard1

Of an unthrifty knave; and presently

I will be with you.

Anth. Hie thee, gentle Jew.

[Exit.

This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.] 5

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SCENE I.

Belmont.

ACT

Enter the Prince of Morocco, and three or four followers accordingly; with Portia, Nerissa, and her train. Flourish Cornets.

Mor. MISLIKE me not for my complexion,

The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd

sun,

To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath feared the valiant; by my love, I swear,
The best regarded virgins of our clime
Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's
eyes:
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary chusing:
But, if my father had not scanted me,
And hedg'd me by his will, to yield myself
His wife who wins me by that means I told
Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair,
As any comer I have look'd on yet,
For my affection.

you,

Mor. Even for that I thank you;
Therefore I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
To try my fortune. By this scimitar,-
That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince,
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,-
I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look,
Out-brave the heart most daring on the earth,
Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
Yea mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win thee, lady: But, alas the while!
If Hercules, and Lichas, play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand;
So is Alcides beaten by his page;
And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

Por. You must take your chance;

And either not attempt to chuse at all,

Or swear, before you chuse,—if you chuse wrong,

II.

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30

way of marriage: therefore be advised.
Mor. Nor will not; come, bring me unto my

chance.

Por. First, forward to the temple; after dinner Your hazard shall be made.

Mor. Good fortune then!

[Cornets.

To make me blest, or cursed'st among men.

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[Exeunt.

Laun. Certainly, my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master: The fiend is at mine elbow,and tempts me, saying to me, "Gobbo, "Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot, or goodGob"bo, or good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, "take the start, run away."-My conscience says, -"No: take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, "honest Gobbo; or," as aforesaid, "honest Laun35" celot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels." Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: "Via!" says the fiend; " away!” says the fiend," for the heavens; rouse up a brave "mind," says the fiend, "and run." Well, my con"science hanging about the neck of my heart,

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says very wisely to me,-" My honest friend "Launcelot, being an honest man's son,”- -or rather an honest woman's son ;-for, indeed, my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste;-well, my conscience says,— "Launcelot, budge not." "Budge," says the fiend. " Budge not," says my conscience.Conscience, say I, you counsel well. Fiend, say I, you counsel well. To be rul'd by my 50 conscience, I should stay with the Jew, my master, who, God bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should be ruľá by the fiend, who, saving your presence, is the devil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the very devil in55 carnation; and, in my conscience, my conscience › is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew: The fiend gives the more friendly counsel. I will run, fiend; my heels are at your commandment, I will run.

1601

Enter old Gobbo, his father, with a basket. Gob. Master, young man, you, I pray you; which is the way to master Jew's?

Fearful guard means a guard that is not to be trusted, but gives cause of fear. made the valiant afraid.

i. e. hath.

Laun.

Laun. [aside.] O heavens, this is my true-begot-1 ten father! who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not:-I will try conclusions with him.

Gob. Master, young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to master Jew's?

Laun. Turn up on your right hand, at the next turning, but, at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house. Gob. By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell with him, or no?

5

ja beard hast thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my thill-horse' has on his tail.

10a

Laun. Talk you of young ma-ter Launcelot ?— Mark me now, [aside.] now will I raise the wa-15 ters:-Talk you of young master Launcelot ?

Gob. No, master, sir, but a poor man's son; his father, though I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to live.

Laun. Well, let his father be what he will, we 20 talk of young master Launcelot.

Gob. Your worship's friend, and Launcelot, sir. Laun. But I pray you ergo, old inan, ergo, I beseech you; Talk you of young master Laun

celot ?

25

Gob. Of Launcelot, an' please your mastership. Laun. Ergo, master Launcelot, talk not of master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman (according to fates and destinies,and such odd sayings, the sisters three, and such branches of learn-30 ing) is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say, in plain terms, gone to heaven.

Gob. Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop.

Laun. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-post, 35 a staff, or a prop?-Do you know me, father?

Gob. Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman: but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy (God rest his soul!) alive, or dead?

Laun. Do you not know me, father?
Gob. Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you

not.

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 thou art chang'd! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him present: How agree 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: am famish'd in his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come; give 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 a follower

or two more.

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.

Laun. To him, father.

Gob. God bless your worship!

Bass. Gramercy; Wouldst thou aught with me?
Gob. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,-

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 have a desire as my father shall spe40 cify,

Laun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will 45 tell you news of your son: Give me your blessing; truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long, a man's son may ; but, in the end, truth will out.

Gob. Pray you, sir, stand up; I am sure, you 50 are not Launcelot, my boy.

Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing; I am Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.

Gob. I cannot think, you are my son. Laun. I know not what I shall think of that: but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and, I am sure, Margery, your wife, is my mother.

55

Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be 60 sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art my own flesh and blood. Lord worshipp'd might he be! what

That is, I will try experiments with him.

Gob. His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins:—

Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being I hope an 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,
And hath preferr'd thee; if it be preferment,
To leave a rich Jew's service to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.

Laun. The old proverb is very well parted be
Thill, or fill, means the shafts of a cart or waggon.

tween

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[To his followers.

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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, [look-[10] ing on his pulm] if any man in Italy have a fairer table, 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, fitteen wives is nothing; eleven widows, and nine 15 maids, is a simple coming-in for one man and then, to 'scape drowning thrice; and to be in peril 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 geer.-Father, 20 come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time.

SCENE

Shylock's House.

III.

Enter Jessica and Launcelot.

[Excunt.

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 did not play the knave, and get thee, I
am much deceiv'd: but adieu! these foolish drops

[Exeunt Launcelot and old Gobbo.{
Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this;
These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, [25]do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu!
Return in haste, for I do feast to-night
My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.
Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein.
Enter Gratiano.

Gra. Where's your master?

Leon. Yonder, sir, he walks.

Gra. Signior Bassanio,

Bass. Gratiano!

Gra. I have a suit to you.
Buss. You have obtain❜d it.

[Exit Leon.

Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with you to Belmont.

Buss. Why, then you must;-But hear thee,
Gratiano:

[Exit.

Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.-
Alack, what heinous sin is it in me,
To be asham'd to be my father's child!
30 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. [Exit.
SCENE IV.
The Street.

35

Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice;- 40
Parts, that become thee happily enough,
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults:
But where thouart not known, why, there they shew
Something too liberal-pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty [viour,
Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild beha-
I be misconstru'd in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes.

Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me:

If I do not put on a sober habit,

Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demurely;
Nay, more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
This with my bat, and sigh, and say, amen;
Use all the observance of civility,

45

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Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage

By what we do to-night.

That is, more ornamented.

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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.

Lor. Whither goest thou?

Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the 60 Christian.

2 The chiromantic term for the lines of the hand.

phrase to signify the danger of marrying. * That is, too gross, licentious.

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3 A cant That is, grave apLor.

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