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THEMERCHANTOFVENICE
WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE
DRAMATISPERSONAE.
ASFIRSTPERFORMED,SATURDAY,JUNE12,1858.
DUKEOFVENICEMr.H.MELLON.
PRINCEOFMOROCCO(SuitorstoPortia)
PRINCEOFARRAGONMr.RAYMOND.
ANTONIO(theMerchantofVenice)
BASSANIO(hisFriend)
SALANIO(FriendstoAntonioandBassanio)
SALARINOMr.G.EVERETT.
GRATIANOMr.WALTERLACY.
LORENZO(inlovewithJessica)
SHYLOCK(aJew)
TUBAL(aJew,hisFriend)
LAUNCELOTGOBBO(aClown,servanttoShylock)
OLDGOBBO(FathertoLauncelot)
LEONARDO(ServantstoBassanio)
STEPHANO
BALTHAZAR(ServanttoPortia).
HERALD
PORTIA(arichHeiress).
NELISSA(herWaitingMaid)
JESSICA(DaughtertoShylock)
MagnificoesofVenice,OfficersoftheCourtofJustice,Gaoler,Servants,andotherAttendants.
ACTI.
SCENEI.—VENICE.SAINTMARK'SPLACE.
Various groups of Nobles, Citizens, Merchants, Foreigners, Water-Carriers,FlowerGirls,&c.,passandrepass.ProcessionoftheDoge,instate,acrossthesquare.
ANTONIO,SALARINO,andSALANIOcomeforward.
Ant.Insooth,IknownotwhyIamsosad;
Itweariesme;yousay,itweariesyou;
ButhowIcaughtit,foundit,orcamebyit,
Whatstuff'tismadeof,whereofitisborn,
Iamtolearn;
Andsuchawant-witsadnessmakesofme,
ThatIhavemuchadotoknowmyself.
Salar.Yourmindistossingontheocean;
There,whereyourargosieswithportlysail,
Likesigniorsandrichburghersontheflood,
Dooverpeerthepettytraffickers,
Thatcurt'sytothem,dothemreverence,
Astheyflybythemwiththeirwovenwings.
Sal.Believeme,Sir,hadIsuchventureforth,
Thebetterpartofmyaffectionswould
Bewithmyhopesabroad.Ishouldbestill
Pluckingthegrass,toknowwheresitsthewind;
Peeringinmaps,forports,andpiers,androads;
Andeveryobjectthatmightmakemefear
Misfortunetomyventures,outofdoubt,
Wouldmakemesad.
Salar.Mywind,coolingmybroth,
Wouldblowmetoanague,whenIthought
Whatharmawindtoogreatmightdoatsea.
Ishouldnotseethesandyhour-glassrun,
ButIshouldthinkofshallowsandofflats;
AndseemywealthyAndrewdock'dinsand,
Vailingherhigh-toplowerthanherribs,
Tokissherburial.
ShallIhavethethought
Tothinkonthis?andshallIlackthethought
Thatsuchathing,bechanc'd,wouldmakemesad?
Buttellnotme;IknowAntonio
Issadtothinkuponhismerchandize.
Ant.Believeme,no:Ithankmyfortuneforit,
Myventuresarenotinonebottomtrusted,
Nortooneplace;norismywholeestate
Uponthefortuneofthispresentyear:
Thereforemymerchandizemakesmenotsad.
Salar.Why,then,youareinlove.
Ant.Fie,fie!
Salar.Notinlove,neither?Thenletussayyouaresad,
Becauseyouarenotmerry:an'twereaseasy
Foryoutolaughandleap,andsayyouaremerry,
Becauseyouarenotsad.
Sal.HerecomesBassanio,yourmostnoblekinsman,
Gratiano,andLorenzo:Fareyouwell;
Weleaveyounowwithbettercompany.
Salar.IwouldhavestaidtillIhadmadeyoumerry,
Ifworthierfriendshadnotpreventedme.
Ant.Yourworthisverydearinmyregard.
Itakeityourownbusinesscallsonyou,
Andyouembracetheoccasiontodepart.
EnterBASSANIO,LORENZO,andGRATIANO.
Salar.Goodmorrow,mygoodlords.
Bas.Goodsigniors,both,whenshallwelaugh?Say,when?
Yougrowexceedingstrange:Mustitbeso?
Salar.We'llmakeourleisurestoattendonyours.
ExeuntSALARINOandSALANIO.
Lor.MylordBassanio,sinceyouhavefoundAntonio,
Wetwowillleaveyou;butatdinner-time
Iprayyouhaveinmindwherewemustmeet.
Bas.Iwillnotfailyou.
Gra.Youlooknotwell,SignorAntonio;
Youhavetoomuchrespectupontheworld:
Theyloseitthatdobuyitwithmuchcare.
Believeme,youaremarvellouslychang'd.
Ant.Iholdtheworldbutastheworld,Gratiano;
Astage,whereeverymanmustplayapart,
Andmineasadone.
Gra.Letmeplaythefool:
Withmirthandlaughterletoldwrinklescome;
Andletmyliverratherheatwithwine,
Thanmyheartcoolwithmortifyinggroans.
Whyshouldaman,whosebloodiswarmwithin,
Sitlikehisgrandsire,cutinalabaster?
Sleepwhenhewakes?andcreepintothejaundice
Bybeingpeevish?Itelltheewhat,Antonio,
Ilovethee,anditismylovethatspeaks;—
Thereareasortofmen,whosevisages
Docreamandmantlelikeastandingpond:
Anddoawilfulstillnessentertain,
Withpurposetobedress'dinanopinion
Ofwisdom,gravity,profoundconceit;
Aswhoshouldsay,'IamSirOracle,
AndwhenIopemylipsletnodogbark!'
O,myAntonio,Idoknowofthese,
Thatthereforeonlyarereputedwise
Forsayingnothing;whenIamverysure,
Iftheyshouldspeak,'twouldalmostdamnthoseears
Which,hearingthem,wouldcalltheirbrothersfools.
I'lltelltheemoreofthisanothertime:
Butfishnotwiththismelancholybait,
Forthisfoolgudgeon,thisopinion.
Come,goodLorenzo:—Fareyewell,awhile;
I'llendmyexhortationafterdinner.
Lor.Well,wewillleaveyou,then,tilldinner-time:
Imustbeoneofthesesamedumbwisemen,
ForGratianoneverletsmespeak.
Gra.Well,keepmecompanybuttwoyearsmore,
Thoushaltnotknowthesoundofthineowntongue.
Ant.Farewell:I'llgrowatalkerforthisgear.
Gra.Thanks,i'faith;forsilenceisonlycommendable
Inaneat'stonguedried,andamaidnotvendible.
ExeuntGRATIANOandLORENZO.
Ant.Isthatanythingnow?
Bas. Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing,more than anyman in allVenice.Hisreasonsareastwograinsofwheathidintwobushelsofchaff;youshall seek all day ere you find them; andwhenyouhave them they are notworththesearch.
Ant.Well;tellmenow,whatladyisthesame
Towhomyousworeasecretpilgrimage,
Thatyouto-daypromis'dtotellmeof?
Bas.'Tisnotunknowntoyou,Antonio,
HowmuchIhavedisabledmineestate,
Bysomethingshowingamoreswellingport
Thanmyfaintmeanswouldgrantcontinuance.
Toyou,Antonio,Iowethemostinmoneyandinlove;
AndfromyourloveIhaveawarranty
Tounburthenallmyplotsandpurposes,
HowtogetclearofallthedebtsIowe.
Ant.Iprayyou,goodBassanio,letmeknowit;
And,ifitstand,asyouyourselfstilldo,
Withintheeyeofhonour,beassur'd
Mypurse,myperson,myextremestmeans,
Lieallunlock'dtoyouroccasions.
Bas.Inmyschool-days,whenIhadlostoneshaft
Ishothisfellowoftheself-sameflight
Theself-sameway,withmoreadvisedwatch
Tofindtheotherforth;andbyadventuringboth
Ioftfoundboth.Iurgethischildhoodproof,
Becausewhatfollowsispureinnocence.
Ioweyoumuch;and,likeawastefulyouth,
ThatwhichIoweislost:butifyouplease
Toshootanotherarrowthatselfway
Whichyoudidshootthefirst,Idonotdoubt,
AsIwillwatchtheaim,ortofindboth,
Orbringyourlatterhazardbackagain,
Andthankfullyrestdebtorforthefirst.
Ant.Youknowmewell;andhereinspendbuttime,
Towindaboutmylovewithcircumstance;
ThendobutsaytomewhatIshoulddo,
Thatinyourknowledgemaybymebedone,
AndIamprestuntoit:thereforespeak.
Bas.InBelmontisaladyrichlyleft,
Andsheisfair,and,fairerthanthatword,
Ofwond'rousvirtues.Sometimesfromhereyes
Ididreceivefairspeechlessmessages:
HernameisPortia;nothingundervalued
ToCato'sdaughter,Brutus'Portia.
Noristhewideworldignorantofherworth;
Forthefourwindsblowinfromeverycoast
Renownedsuitors.
O,myAntonio!hadIbutthemeans
Toholdarivalplacewithoneofthem,
Ihaveamindpresagesmesuchthrift.
ThatIshouldquestionlessbefortunate.
Ant.Thouknow'stthatallmyfortunesareatsea;
NeitherhaveImoney,norcommodity
Toraiseapresentsum:thereforegoforth,
TrywhatmycreditcaninVenicedo;
Thatshallberack'd,eventotheuttermost,
TofurnishtheetoBelmont,tofairPortia.
Go,presentlyinquire,andsowillI,
Wheremoneyis;andInoquestionmake,
Tohaveitofmytrust,orformysake.
Exeunt.
SCENEII.—BELMONT.AROOMINPORTIA'SHOUSE.
EnterPORTIAandNERISSA.
Por.Bymytroth,Nerissa,mylittlebodyisa-wearyofthisgreatworld.
Ner. You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the sameabundanceasyourgoodfortunesare.Andyet,foraughtIsee,theyareassickthat surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing. It is no smallhappiness, therefore, to be seated in themean; superfluity comes sooner bywhitehairs,butcompetencyliveslonger.
Por.Goodsentences,andwellpronounced.
Ner.Theywouldbebetter,ifwellfollowed.
Por.Iftodowereaseasyastoknowwhatweregoodtodo,chapelshadbeenchurches, and poormen's cottages princes' palaces. It is a good divine that
followshisowninstructions:Icaneasierteachtwentywhatweregoodtobedone, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. But thisreasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband:—Ome, the wordchoose!ImayneitherchoosewhomIwould,norrefusewhomIdislike,soisthewillofalivingdaughtercurb'dbythewillofadeadfather:—Isitnothard,Nerissa,thatIcannotchooseone,norrefusenone?
Ner.Your fatherwas ever virtuous; and holymen at their death have goodinspirations;therefore,thelotterythathehathdevisedinthesethreechests,ofgold,silver,and lead(whereofwhochooseshismeaningchoosesyou),will,nodoubt,neverbechosenbyanyrightly,butonewhoyoushallrightlylove.But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princelysuitorsthatarealreadycome?
Por. I pray thee, over-name them; and as thou namest them I will describethem;andaccordingtomydescriptionlevelatmyaffection.
Ner.First,thereistheNeapolitanprince.
Por.Ay,that'sacolt,indeed,forhedothnothingbuttalkofhishorse,andhemakes it a great approbation of his own good parts that he can shoe himhimself.
Ner.Then,istherethecountyPalatine.
Por.Hedothnothingbutfrown;aswhoshouldsay,'Anyouwillnothaveme,choose;'hehearsmerrytales,andsmilesnot:Ifearhewillprovetheweepingphilosopherwhen he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in hisyouth.Ihadrathertobemarriedtoadeath'sheadwithaboneinhismouth,thantoeitherofthese.Heavendefendmefromthesetwo!
Ner.HowsayyoubytheFrenchlord,MonsieurLeBon?
Por.Heavenmadehim,andthereforelethimpassforaman.
Ner.HowlikeyoutheyoungGerman,theDukeofSaxony'snephew?
Por. Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and most vilely in theafternoon,whenheisdrunk:whenheisbestheisalittleworsethanaman;andwhenheisworstheislittlebetterthanabeast:antheworstfallthateverfell,IhopeIshallmakeshifttogowithouthim.
Ner. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you shouldrefusetoperformyourfather'swillifyoushouldrefusetoaccepthim.
Por.Therefore, for fearof theworst, Ipray theesetadeepglassofRhenishwine on the contrary casket; for, if the devil bewithin, and that temptationwithout,Iknowhewillchooseit.
Ner. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords; they haveacquaintedmewith their determinations:which is, indeed, to return to theirhomeandtotroubleyouwithnomoresuit;unlessyoumaybewonbysomeothersortthanyourfather'simposition,dependingonthecaskets.
Por. I am glad this parcel ofwooers are so reasonable; for there is not oneamongthembutIdoteonhisveryabsence,andIwishthemafairdeparture.
Ner.Doyounotremember, lady, inyourfather's time,aVenetian,ascholar,andasoldier,thatcamehitherincompanyoftheMarquisofMontferrat?
Por.Yes,yes,itwasBassanio;asIthinksowashecalled.
Ner.True,madam;he,ofall thementhatevermyfoolisheyes lookeduponwasthebestdeservingafairlady.
Por. I rememberhimwell;andI rememberhimworthyof thypraise.—Hownow?—Whatnews?
EnterBALTHAZAR.
Ser.The four strangers seekyou,madam, to take their leave: and there is afore-runner come froma fifth, the prince ofMorocco;whobringsword theprince,hismaster,willbehereto-night.
Por.IfIcouldbidthefifthwelcomewithsogoodheartasIcanbidtheotherfourfarewell,Ishouldbegladofhisapproach.
Come,Nerissa.Sirrah,gobefore.
Whilesweshutthegateupononewooer,anotherknocksatthedoor.
Exeunt.
SCENEIII.—THEMERCHANT'SEXCHANGEONTHERIALTOISLAND.SANJACOPO,THEMOSTANCIENTCHURCHINVENICE,OCCUPIESONESIDEOFTHE
SQUARE.
EnterBASSANIOandSHYLOCK.
Shy.Threethousandducats,—well,
Bas.Ay,sir,forthreemonths.
Shy.Forthreemonths,—well.
Bas.Forthewhich,asItoldyou,Antonioshallbebound.
Shy.Antonioshallbecomebound,—well.
Bas.Mayyousteadme?Willyoupleasureme?ShallIknowyouranswer?
Shy.Threethousandducats,forthreemonths,andAntoniobound.
Bas.Youranswertothat.
Shy.Antonioisagoodman.
Bas.Haveyouheardanyimputationtothecontrary?
Shy.Ohno,no,no,no;—mymeaninginsayingheisagoodmanis,tohaveyouunderstandme thathe issufficient;yethismeansare insupposition:hehath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand,moreover,upontheRialto,hehathathirdatMexico,afourthforEngland;andotherventureshehath,squander'dabroad.Butshipsarebutboards,sailorsbutmen:therebelandratsandwaterrats,landthievesandwaterthieves;Imean,pirates; and then, there is theperilofwaters,winds, and rocks:Theman is,notwithstanding, sufficient;—three thousand ducats;—I think Imay take hisbond.
Bas.Beassuredyoumay.
Shy.IwillbeassuredImay;andthatImaybeassuredIwillbethinkme:MayIspeakwithAntonio?
Bas.Ifitpleaseyoutodinewithus.
Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet, theNazarite,conjuredthedevilinto!Iwillbuywithyou,sellwithyou,talkwithyou,walkwithyou,andsofollowing;butIwillnoteatwithyou,drinkwithyou,norpraywithyou.—WhatnewsontheRialto?—Whoishecomeshere?
Bas.ThisissigniorAntonio.
ExitBASSANIO.
Shy.(aside.)Howlikeafawningpublicanhelooks!
Ihatehim,forheisaChristian:
Butmore,forthat,inlowsimplicity,
Helendsoutmoneygratis,andbringsdown
TherateofusanceherewithusinVenice.
IfIcancatchhimonceuponthehip,
IwillfeedfattheancientgrudgeIbearhim.
Hehatesoursacrednation:andherails
Eventherewheremerchantsmostdocongregate,
Onme,mybargains,andmywell-wonthrift.
Whichhecallsinterest:Cursedbemytribe
IfIforgivehim!
Re-enterBASSANIOwithANTONIO.
Bas.Shylock,doyouhear?
Shy.Iamdebatingofmypresentstore;
And,bythenearguessofmymemory,
Icannotinstantlyraiseupthegross
Offullthreethousandducats:Whatofthat?
Tubal,awealthyHebrewofmytribe,
Willfurnishme:Butsoft:Howmanymonths
Doyoudesire?—Restyoufair,goodsignior:
ToANTONIO.
Yourworshipwasthelastmaninourmouths.
Ant.Shylock,albeit,Ineitherlendnorborrow,
Bytaking,norbygivingofexcess.
Yet,tosupplytheripewantsofmyfriend,
I'llbreakacustom:—-Isheyetpossess'd
Howmuchyouwould?
Shy.Ay,ay,threethousandducats.
Ant.Andforthreemonths.
Shy.Ihadforgot,—threemonths,youtoldmeso.
Wellthen,yourbond;and,letmesee.Buthearyou:
Methoughtyousaid,youneitherlendnorborrow,
Uponadvantage.
Ant.Idoneveruseit.
Shy.WhenJacobgraz'dhisuncleLaban'ssheep,
ThisJacobfromourholyAbrahamwas
(Ashiswisemotherwroughtinhisbehalf)
Thethirdpossessor;ay,hewasthethird.
Ant.Andwhatofhim?didhetakeinterest?
Shy.No,nottakeinterest;not,asyouwouldsay,
Directlyinterest:markwhatJacobdid.
WhenLabanandhimselfwerecompromis'd
Thatalltheeanlingswhichwerestreak'dandpied
Shouldfall,asJacob'shire;
Theskilfulshepherdpeel'dmecertainwands,
And,inthedoingofthedeedofkind,
Hestuckthemupbeforethefulsomeewes;
Who,thenconceiving,didineaning-time
Fallparty-colouredlambs,andthosewereJacob's.
Thiswasawaytothrive,andhewasblest;
Andthriftisblessing,ifmenstealitnot.
Ant.Thiswasaventure,Sir,thatJacobserv'dfor;
Athingnotinhispowertobringtopass,
Butsway'dandfashion'dbythehandofHeaven.
Wasthisinsertedtomakeinterestgood?
Orisyourgoldandsilverewesandrams?
Shy.Icannottell;Imakeitbreedasfast.
Ant.Markyouthis,Bassanio,
Thedevilcancitescriptureforhispurpose.
Anevilsoulproducingholywitness
Islikeavillainwithasmilingcheek;
Agoodlyapplerottenattheheart;
O,whatagoodlyoutsidefalsehoodhath!
Shy.Threethousandducats,—'tisagoodroundsum.
Threemonthsfromtwelve,thenletmeseetherate.
Ant.Well,Shylock,shallwebebeholdentoyou?
Shy.SigniorAntonio,manyatimeandoft
IntheRialtoyouhaveratedme
Aboutmymonies,andmyusances:
StillhaveIborneitwithapatientshrug;
Forsufferanceisthebadgeofallourtribe:
Youcallmemisbeliever,cut-throatdog,
AndspetuponmyJewishgaberdine,
Andallforuseofthatwhichismineown.
Well,then,itnowappearsyouneedmyhelp:
Goto,then;youcometome,andyousay,
'Shylock,wewouldhavemonies;'Yousayso;
You,thatdidvoidyourrheumuponmybeard,
Andfootme,asyouspurnastrangercur
Overyourthreshhold;moniesisyoursuit,
WhatshouldIsaytoyou?ShouldInotsay
'Hathadogmoney?isitpossible
Acurcanlendthreethousandducats?'or
ShallIbendlow,andinabondman'skey,
With'batedbreath,andwhisperinghumbleness,
Saythis,—
'FairSir,youspetonmeonWednesdaylast;
Youspurn'dmesuchaday;anothertime
Youcall'dmedog;andforthesecourtesies
I'lllendyouthusmuchmonies?'
Ant.Iamasliketocalltheesoagain,
Tospetontheeagain,tospurntheetoo.
Ifthouwiltlendthismoney,lenditnot
Astothyfriends;(forwhendidfriendshiptake
Abreedofbarrenmetalofhisfriend?)
Butlenditrathertothineenemy;
Who,ifhebreak,thoumay'stwithbetterface
Exactthepenalties.
Shy.Why,lookyou,howyoustorm!
Iwouldbefriendswithyou,andhaveyourlove;
Forgettheshamesthatyouhavestain'dmewith;
Supplyyourpresentwants,andtakenodoit
Ofusanceformymonies,andyou'llnothearme:
ThisiskindIoffer.
Ant.Thiswerekindness.
Shy.ThiskindnesswillIshow:
Gowithmetoanotary:sealmethere
Yoursinglebond;and,inamerrysport,
Ifyourepaymenotonsuchaday,
Insuchaplace,suchsum,orsums,asare
Express'dinthecondition,lettheforfeit
Benominatedforanequalpound
Ofyourfairflesh,tobecutoffandtaken
Inwhatpartofyourbodypleasethme.
Ant.Content,infaith;I'llsealtosuchabond,
Andsay,thereismuchkindnessintheJew.
Bas.Youshallnotsealtosuchabondforme
I'llratherdwellinmynecessity.
Ant.Why,fearnot,man;Iwillnotforfeitit;
Withinthesetwomonths,that'samonthbefore
Thisbondexpires,Idoexpectreturn
Ofthricethreetimesthevalueofthisbond.
Shy.OfatherAbraham,whattheseChristiansare.
Whoseownharddealingsteachesthemsuspect
Thethoughtsofothers!Prayyou,tellmethis
Ifheshouldbreakhisday,whatshouldIgain
Bytheexactionoftheforfeiture?
Apoundofman'sflesh,takenfromaman,
Isnotsoestimable,profitableneither,
Asfleshofmuttons,beefs,orgoats.Isay,
TobuyhisfavourIextendthisfriendship;
Ifhewilltakeit,so;ifnot,adieu;
And,formylove,Iprayyouwrongmenot.
Ant.Yes,Shylock,Iwillsealuntothisbond.
Shy.Thenmeetmeforthwithatthenotary's;
Givehimdirectionforthismerrybond,
AndIwillgoandpursetheducatsstraight;
Seetomyhouse,leftinthefearfulguard
Ofanunthriftyknave;andpresently
Iwillbewithyou.
Exit.
Ant.Hiethee,gentleJew.
ThisHebrewwillturnChristian;hegrowskind.
Bas.Ilikenotfairtermsandavillain'smind.
Ant.Come,on;inthistherecanbenodismay,
Myshipscomehomeamonthbeforetheday.
Exeunt.
SCENEIV.—SALOONOFTHECASKETSINPORTIA'SHOUSE,ATBELMONT.
Flourish of Cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and hisTrain;PORTIA,NERISSA,andotherofherAttendants.
Mor.Mislikemenotformycomplexion,
Theshadow'dliveryoftheburningsun,
TowhomIamaneighbour,andnearbred.
Bringmethefairestcreaturenorthwardborn,
WherePhoebus'firescarcethawstheicicles,
Andletusmakeincisionforyourlove,
Toprovewhosebloodisreddest,hisormine.
Bylove,Iswear,Iwouldnotchangethishue,
Excepttostealyourthoughts,mygentlequeen.
I'lltrymyfortune;
E'enthoughImay(blindfortuneleadingme)
Missthatwhichoneunworthiermayattain,
Anddiewithgrieving.
Por.Youmusttakeyourchance;
Andeithernotattempttochooseatall,
Orswear,beforeyouchoose,—ifyouchoosewrong,
Nevertospeaktoladyafterward
Inwayofmarriage;thereforebeadvis'd.
Mor.Norwillnot;come,bringmeuntomychance.
HowshallIknowifIdochoosetheright?
Por.Theoneofthemcontainsmypicture,prince;
Ifyouchoosethat,thenIamyourswithal.
Mor.Somegoddirectmyjudgment!Letmesee.
Thefirst,ofgold,whothisinscriptionbears:
"Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire."
Thesecond,silver,whichthispromisecarries:
"Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves."
Thethird,dulllead,withwarningallasblunt:
"Whochoosethmemustgiveandhazardallhehath."
Oneofthesethreecontainsherheavenlypicture.
Is'tlikethatleadcontainsher?'Twereperdition
Tothinksobaseathought;
OrshallIthinkinsilvershe'simmur'd,
Beingtentimesundervaluedtotriedgold?
Osinfulthought.Neversorichagem
Wassetinworsethangold.
Delivermethekey;
HeredoIchoose,andthriveIasImay!
Por.There,takeitprince,andifmyformliethere,
ThenIamyours.
Heunlocksthegoldencasket.
Mor.Whathavewehere?
Acarriondeath,withinwhoseemptyeye
Thereisawrittenscroll.I'llreadthewriting.
"Allthatglittersisnotgold,Oftenhaveyouheardthattold:
"Hadyoubeenaswiseasbold,Younginlimbs,injudgmentold,Youranswerhadnotbeeninscrol'd:Fareyouwell;yoursuitiscold."
Cold,indeed;andlabourlost:
Then,farewell,heat;andwelcomefrost—Portia,
adieu!Ihavetoogriev'daheart
Totakeatediousleave:thusloserspart.
Exit.
Por.Agentleriddance:—go:—
Letallofhiscomplexionchoosemeso.
ENDOFACTFIRST.
ACTII.
SCENEI.—VENICE.EXTERIOROFSHYLOCK'SHOUSE.
EnterLAUNCELOTGOBBO.
Lau.CertainlymyconsciencewillservemetorunfromthisJew,mymaster:Thefiendisatmineelbow,andtemptsme;sayingtome,—Gobbo,LauncelotGobbo,goodLauncelot,orgoodGobbo,orgoodLauncelotGobbo,useyourlegs, take thestart, runaway:—Myconsciencesays,—No: takeheed,honestLauncelot; take heed, honest Gobbo: or (as aforesaid) honest LauncelotGobbo; donot run: scorn runningwith thyheels.Well themost courageousfiendbidsmepack.Via!saysthefiend;Away!saysthefiend,fortheheavens;rouseupabravemind,saysthefiend,andrun.Well,myconscience,hangingabout the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, my honest friend,Launcelot,beinganhonestman'sson,orratheranhonestwoman'sson;—for,indeed,myfatherdidsomethingsmack,somethinggrowto,hehadakindoftaste;—well,myconsciencesays,Launcelot,budgenot;budge,saysthefiend;budgenot,saysmyconscience.Conscience,sayI,youcounselwell;fiend,sayI,youcounselwell;toberuledbymyconscienceIshouldstaywiththeJew,mymaster,who(Heavenblessthemark!)isakindofdevil;andtorunawayfromtheJewIshouldberuledbythefiend,who,savingyourreverence,isthedevil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation; and in my
conscience,myconscienceisakindofhardconscience,tooffertocounselmeto staywith the Jew. The fiend gives themore friendly counsel: Iwill run,fiend;myheelsareatyourcommandment,Iwillrun.
Asheisgoingoutinhaste
EnterOLDGOBBO,withabasket.
Gob.Master,youngman,you,Iprayyou;whichisthewaytomasterJew's?
Lau.(aside.)Oheavens,thisismytrue-begottenfather!who,beingmorethansand-blind,high-gravelblind,knowsmenot:Iwilltryconclusionswithhim.
Gob.Masteryounggentleman,IprayyouwhichisthewaytomasterJew's?
Lau.Turnuponyourrighthandatthenextturning,but,atthenextturningofall,onyourleft;marry,attheverynextturning,turnofnohand,butturndownindirectlytotheJew'shouse.
Gob.'Twillbeahardwaytohit.CanyoutellmewhetheroneLauncelotthatdwellswithhim,dwellwithhim,orno?
Lau, Talk you of youngmaster Launcelot?—markme, now—(aside.)—nowwillIraisethewaters.TalkyouofyoungmasterLauncelot?
Gob.Nomaster, sir: but a poorman's son: his father, though I say it, is anhonestexceedingpoorman,and,Heavenbethanked,welltolive.
Lau,Well,lethisfatherbewhathewill,wetalkofyoungmasterLauncelot.
Gob.OfLauncelot,an'tpleaseyourmastership.
Lau. Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of master Launcelot, father; for theyounggentleman(accordingtofatesanddestinies,andsuchoddsayings,thesisters three,andsuchbranchesof learning), is, indeed,deceased;or,asyouwouldsayinplainterms,gonetoheaven.
Gob.Marry,Heaven forbid! theboywas thevery staff ofmy age,myveryprop.
Lau. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-post, a staff, or a prop?—Do youknowme,father?
Gob.Alacktheday,Iknowyounot,younggentleman;but,Iprayyoutellme,ismyboy(resthissoul!)aliveordead?
Lau.Doyounotknowme,father?
Gob.Alack!sir,Iamsand-blind,Iknowyounot.
Lau.Nay,indeed,ifyouhadyoureyes,youmightfailoftheknowingme:itisawisefatherthatknowshisownchild.Well,oldman,Iwilltellyounewsofyour son:Givemeyourblessing: (kneels.)Truthwill come to light;murdercannotbehidlong;aman'ssonmay;but,intheend,truthwillout.
Gob.Prayyou,sir,standup:IamsureyouarenotLauncelot,myboy.
Lau.Prayyou,let'shavenomorefoolingaboutit,butgivemeyourblessing;IamLauncelot,yourboythatwas,yoursonthatis,yourchildthatshallbe.
Gob.Icannotthinkyouaremyson.
Lau.IknownotwhatIshallthinkofthat;butIamLauncelot,theJew'sman;andIamsureMargery,yourwife,ismymother.
Gob.HernameisMargery,indeed:I'llbeswornifthoubeLauncelot,thouartmineownfleshandblood.Whatabeardhastthougot:thouhastgotmorehaironthychinthanDobbin,myphill-horse,hasonhistail.
Lau.Itshouldseem,then,thatDobbin'stailgrowsbackward;IamsurehehadmorehairofhistailthanIhaveofmyface,whenIlastsawhim.
Gob.Lord,howartthouchanged!Howdostthouandthymasteragree?Ihavebroughthimapresent.
Lau. (rises.) Give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in hisservice;youmaytelleveryfingerIhavewithmyribs.Father,Iamgladyouare come: givemeyour present to onemasterBassanio,who, indeed, givesrare new liveries; if I serve not him, I will run as far as Heaven has anyground.—Orarefortune!herecomestheman;—tohim,father;forIamaJewifIservetheJewanylonger.
EnterBASSANIO,withLEONARDO,andSTEPHANO.
Bas.Seetheselettersdeliver'd;puttheliveriestomaking;anddesireGratianotocomeanontomylodging.
ExitaSERVANT.
Lau.Tohim,father.
Gob.Heavenblessyourworship!
Bas.Gramercy!Would'stthouaughtwithme?
Gob.Here'smyson,sir,apoorboy—
Lau.Notapoorboy,sir;buttherichJew'sman;thatwould,sir,asmyfathershallspecify.
Gob.Hehathagreatinfection,sir,asonewouldsay,toserve——
Lau.Indeed,theshortandthelongis,IservetheJew,andhaveadesireasmyfathershallspecify.
Gob.Hismaster and he (saving yourworship's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins.
Lau.Tobebrief, theverytruthis, that theJewhavingdonemewrong,dothcauseme,asmyfather,beingIhopeanoldman,shallfrutifyuntoyou.
Gob.Ihavehereadishofdoves,thatIwouldbestowuponyourworship;andmysuitis——
Lau. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shallknowbythishonestoldman;and,thoughIsayit, thougholdman,yetpoorman,myfather.
Bas.Onespeakforboth.Whatwouldyou?
Lau.Serveyou,sir.
Gob.Thatistheverydefectofthematter,sir.
Bas.Iknowtheewell;thouhastobtain'dthysuit:
Shylock,thymaster,spokewithmethisday,
Andhathpreferr'dthee,ifitbepreferment,
ToleavearichJew'sservice,tobecome
Thefollowerofsopooragentleman.
Lau. The old proverb is verywell parted betweenmymaster, Shylock, andyou,sir;youhavethegraceofHeaven,sir,andhehath——enough.
Bas.Thouspeak'stitwell.Go,father,withthyson:—
Takeleaveofthyoldmaster,andinquire
Mylodgingout:—givehimalivery.TohisFollowers.
Moreguardedthanhisfellows':Seeitdone.
Lau. Father, in:—(Exit OLDGOBBO.) I cannot get a service, no!—I havene'era tongue inmyhead!—Well; (lookingonhispalm) ifanymaninItalyhavea fairer table;whichdothoffer to swearuponabook I shallhavegoodfortune!Goto,here'sasimplelineoflife!here'sasmalltrifleofwives:Alas,fifteenwivesisnothing;elevenwidowsandninemaids,isasimplecominginforoneman:andthen,to'scapedrowningthrice;andtobeinperilofmylife
with theedgeofa feather-bed,herearesimple 'scapes!Well, if fortunebeawomanshe'sagoodwenchforthisgear.—I'lltakemyleaveoftheJewinthetwinklingofaneye.
ExitLAUNCELOT.
Bas.Ipraythee,goodLeonardo,thinkonthis;Thesethingsbeingboughtandorderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night My best-esteem'dacquaintance:hiethee,go.
Leo.Mybestendeavoursshallbedoneherein.
EnterGRATIANO.
Gra.Whereisyourmaster?
Leo.Yonder,sir,hewalks.
ExitLEONARDO
Gra.SigniorBassanio,—
Bas.Gratiano!
Gra.Ihaveasuittoyou.
Bas.Youhaveobtainedit.
Gra.Youmustnotdenyme:ImustgowithyoutoBelmont.
Bas.Why,thenyoumust.—Buthearthee,Gratiano;
Thouarttoowild,toorude,andboldofvoice;
Parts,thatbecometheehappilyenough,
Andinsucheyesasoursappearnotfaults;
But,wheretheyarenotknown,why,theretheyshow
Somethingtooliberal:—praytheetakepain
Toallaywithsomecolddropsofmodesty
Thyskippingspirit;lest,throughthywildbehaviour,
IbemisconstruedintheplaceIgoto,
Andlosemyhopes.
Gra.SigniorBassanio,hearme:
IfIdonotputonasoberhabit,
Talkwithrespect,andswearbutnowandthen,
Wearprayer-booksinmypocket,lookdemurely;
Naymore,whilegraceissaying,hoodmineeyes
Thuswithmyhat,andsigh,andsayamen;
Usealltheobservanceofcivility,
Likeonewellstudiedinasadostent;
Topleasehisgrandam,—nevertrustmemore.
Bas,Well,weshallseeyourbearing.
Gra.Nay,butIbarto-night;youshallnotgageme
Bywhatwedoto-night.
Bas.No,thatwerepity;
Iwouldentreatyourathertoputon
Yourboldestsuitofmirth,forwehavefriends
Thatpurposemerriment:Butfareyouwell,
Ihavesomebusiness.
Gra.AndImusttoLorenzoandtherest;
Butwewillvisityouatsuppertime.
Exeunt.EnterJESSICAandLAUNCELOTfromSHYLOCK'Shouse.
Jes.Iamsorrythouwiltleavemyfatherso;
Ourhouseishell,andthou,amerrydevil,
Didstrobitofsometasteoftediousness:
Butfaretheewell:thereisaducatforthee;
And,Launcelot,soonatsuppershallthousee
Lorenzo,whoisthynewmaster'sguest:
Givehimthisletter;doitsecretly,
Andsofarewell;Iwouldnothavemyfather
Seemeintalkwiththee.
Lau.Adieu!—Tearsexhibitmytongue.Mostbeautiful
pagan,—mostsweetJew!Adieu!thesefoolishdropsdo
somewhatdrownmymanlyspirit:adieu.
Exit.
Jes.Farewell,goodLauncelot.
Alack,whatheinoussinisitinme,
Tobeasham'dtobemyfather'schild!
ButthoughIamadaughtertohisblood,
Iamnottohismanners:OLorenzo,
Ifthoukeeppromise,Ishallendthisstrife;
BecomeaChristian,andthylovingwife.
Exitintohouse.
EnterGRATIANO,LORENZO,SALARINO,andSALANIO.
Lor.Nay,wewillslinkawayinsuppertime;
Disguiseusatmylodging,andreturn
Allinanhour.
Gra.Wehavenotmadegoodpreparation.
Salar.Wehavenotspokeusyetoftorch-bearers.
Sal.'Tisvile,unlessitmaybequaintlyorder'd;
Andbetter,inmymind,notundertook.
Lor.'Tisnowbutfouro'clock;wehavetwohours
Tofurnishus.—
EnterLAUNCELOTwithaletter.
FriendLauncelot,what'sthenews?
Lau.Anitshallpleaseyoutobreakupthis,itshallseemtosignify.
Lor.Iknowthehand:infaith,'tisafairhand;
Andwhiterthanthepaperitwriton
Isthefairhandthatwrit.
Gra.Love-news,infaith.
Lau.Byyourleave,sir.
Lor.Whithergoestthou?
Lau.Marry, sir, to bidmy oldmaster the Jew to sup to-nightwithmy newmastertheChristian.
Lor. Hold here, take this:—tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her;—speak itprivately;go.
ExitLAUNCELOTintohouse.
Gentlemen,
Willyouprepareyouforthismasqueto-night?
Iamprovidedofatorch-bearer.
Salar.Ay,marry,I'llbegoneaboutitstraight.
Sal.AndsowillI.
Lor.MeetmeandGratiano
AtGratiano'slodgingsomehourhence.
Salar.'Tisgoodwedoso.
ExeuntSALARINOandSALANIO.
Gra.WasnotthatletterfromfairJessica?
Lor.Imustneedstelltheeall:Shehathdirected
HowIshalltakeherfromherfather'shouse;
Whatgoldandjewelssheisfurnish'dwith;
Come,gowithme;perusethisasthougoest:
FairJessicashallbemytorch-bearer.
Exeunt.EnterSHYLOCKandLAUNCELOTfromHouse.
Shy.Well,thoushaltsee,thyeyesshallbethyjudge,
ThedifferenceofoldShylockandBassanio:
What,Jessica!—thoushaltnotgormandize,
Asthouhastdonewithme;—What,Jessica!—
Andsleepandsnore,andrendapparelout;—
Why,Jessica,Isay!
Lau.Why,Jessica!
Shy.Whobidstheecall?Idonotbidtheecall.
Lau.YourworshipwaswonttotellmeIcoulddonothingwithoutbidding.
EnterJESSICA.
Jes.Callyou?Whatisyourwill?
Shy.Iambidforthtosupper,Jessica;
Therearemykeys:—ButwhereforeshouldIgo?
Iamnotbidforlove:theyflatterme:
ButyetI'llgoinhate,tofeedupon
TheprodigalChristian:—Jessica,mygirl,
Looktomyhouse:—Iamrightloathtogo;
Thereissomeillabrewingtowardsmyrest,
ForIdiddreamofmoney-bagstonight.
Lau.Ibeseechyou,sir,go;myyoungmasterdothexpectyourreproach.
Shy.SodoIhis.
Lau. And they have conspired together,—I will not say, you shall see amasque;butifyoudo,thenitwasnotfornothingthatmynosefellableedingonBlackMonday last, at six o'clock i'themorning, falling out that year onAsh-Wednesdaywasfouryearintheafternoon.
Shy.What!aretheremasques?Hearyoume,Jessica:
Lockupmydoors;andwhenyouhearthedrum,
Andthevilesqueakingofthewry-neck'dfife,
Clambernotyouuptothecasementsthen,
Northrustyourheadintothepublicstreet,
TogazeonChristianfoolswithvarnish'dfaces:
Butstopmyhouse'sears,Imeanmycasements;
Letnotthesoundofshallowfopperyenter
Mysoberhouse.—ByJacob'sstaffIswear,
Ihavenomindoffeastingforthto-night:
ButIwillgo.—Goyoubeforeme,sirrah;
Say,Iwillcome.
Lau.Iwillgobefore,Sir.—
Mistress,lookoutatwindow,forallthis;
TherewillcomeaChristianby,
WillbeworthaJewess'eye.
ExitLAUNCELOT.
Shy.WhatsaysthatfoolofHagar'soffspring,ha?
Jes.Hiswordswere,Farewell,mistress;nothingelse.
Shy.Thepatchiskindenough;butahugefeeder,
Snail-slowinprofit,andhesleepsbyday
Morethanthewildcat:droneshivenotwithme,
ThereforeIpartwithhim;andpartwithhim
ToonethatIwouldhavehimhelptowaste
Hisborrow'dpurse.—Well,Jessica,goin;
Perhaps,Iwillreturnimmediately;
DoasIbidyou,
Shutdoorsafteryou:Fastbind,fastfind;
Aproverbneverstaleinthriftymind.
Exit.
Jes.Farewell;andifmyfortunebenotcrost,
Ihaveafather,youadaughter,lost.
Exitintohouse.EnterGRATIANOandSALARINO,masqued.
Gra.Thisisthepent-house,underwhichLorenzo
Desir'dustomakestand.
Sal.Hishourisalmostpast.
Gra.Anditismarvelheout-dwellshishour,
Forloverseverrunbeforetheclock.
Sal.O,tentimesfasterVenus'pigeonsfly
Toseallove'sbondsnewmade,thantheyarewont
Tokeepobligedfaithunforfeited!
Gra.Thateverholds:whorisethfromafeast,
Withthatkeenappetitethathesitsdown?
Whereisthehorsethatdothuntreadagain
Histediousmeasureswiththeunbatedfire
Thathedidpacethemfirst?Allthingsthatare,
Arewithmorespiritchasedthanenjoy'd.
EnterLORENZO.
Sal.HerecomesLorenzo.
Lor.Sweetfriends,yourpatienceformylongabode:
NotI,butmyaffairs,havemadeyouwait:
Whenyoushallpleasetoplaythethievesforwives,
I'llwatchaslongforyouthen.—
HeredwellsmyfatherJew:—
GLEE.
O happy fair!Your eyes are lode-stars, and your tongue sweet air!Moretuneablethanlarktoshepherd'searWhenwheatisgreen,whenhawthornbudsappear!
Ho!who'swithin?
EnterJESSICA,above.
Jes.Whoareyou?Tellme,formorecertainty,
AlbeitI'llswearthatIdoknowyourtongue.
Lor.Lorenzo,andthylove.
Jes.Lorenzo,certain;andmylove,indeed;
ForwholoveIsomuch?Andnowwhoknows
Butyou,Lorenzo,whetherIamyours?
Lor.Heaven,andthythoughts,arewitnessthatthouart.
Jes.Here,catchthiscasket;itisworththepains.
Lor.Come,comeatonce;
Fortheclosenightdothplaytherun-away,
AndwearestaidforatBassanio'sfeast.
Jes.Iwillmakefastthedoors,andgildmyself
Withsomemoreducats,andbewithyoustraight.
Exitfromabove.
Gra.Now,bymyhood,aGentileandnoJew.
Lor.Beshrewme,butIloveherheartily:
Forsheiswise,ifIcanjudgeofher;
Andfairsheis,ifthatmineeyesbetrue;
Andtruesheis,asshehathprov'dherself;
Andtherefore,likeherself,wise,fair,andtrue,
Shallshebeplacedinmyconstantsoul.
EnterJESSICA,below.
What,artthoucome?—On,gentlemen,away;
Ourmasquingmatesbythistimeforusstay.
Exeunt
EntervariouspartiesofMaskers,Revellers,&c.
ENDOFSECONDACT.
ACTIII.
SCENEI.—SALOONOFTHECASKETSINPORTIA'SHOUSEATBELMONT.
EnterNERISSA,withSERVANTS.
Ner.TheprinceofArragonhathta'enhisoath,
Andcomestohiselectionpresently.
FlourishofTrumpets.
EnterthePRINCEOFARRAGON,PORTIA,andtheirTrains.
Por.Behold,therestandthecaskets,nobleprince;
IfyouchoosethatwhereinIamcontain'd,
Straightshallournuptialritesbesolemniz'd;
Butifyoufail,withoutmorespeech,mylord,
Youmustbegonefromhenceimmediately.
Arr.Iamenjoin'dbyoathtoobservethreethings:
First,nevertounfoldtoanyone
Whichcasket'twasIchose;next,ifIfail
Oftherightcasket,neverinmylife
Towooamaidinwayofmarriage;lastly,
IfIdofailinfortuneofmychoice,
Immediatelytoleaveyouandbegone.
Por.Totheseinjunctionseveryonedothswear
Thatcomestohazardformyworthlessself.
Arr.AndsohaveIaddress'dme:Fortunenow
Tomyheart'shope!—Gold,silver,andbaselead.
'Whochoosethmemustgiveandhazardallhehath.'
Whatsaysthegoldenchest?ha!letmesee:
'Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire.'
Whatmanymendesire.—Thatmanymaybemeant
Bythefoolmultitude,thatchoosebyshow,
Why,then,tothee,thousilvertreasure-house;
Tellmeoncemorewhattitlethoudostbear:
'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves;'
Andwellsaidtoo.Forwhoshallgoabout
Tocozenfortune,andbehonourable
Withoutthestampofmerit!
O,thatestates,degrees,andoffices,
Werenotderiv'dcorruptly!andthatclearhonour
Werepurchas'dbythemeritofthewearer!
Howmanythenshouldcoverthatstandbare?
Howmanybecommandedthatcommand?
Andhowmuchhonour
Pick'dfromthechaffandruinofthetimes,
Tobenewvarnish'd?Well,buttomychoice:
'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves:'
Iwillassumedesert:—Givemeakeyforthis,
Andinstantlyunlockmyfortuneshere.
Por.Toolongapauseforthatwhichyoufindthere.
Arr.What'shere:theportraitofablinkingidiot,
Presentingmeaschedule?Iwillreadit.
Some there be that shadows kiss;Such have but a shadow's bliss:There befoolsalive,Iwis,Silver'do'er;andsowasthis.'
StillmorefoolIshallappearBythetimeI lingerhere:Withonefool'sheadIcametowoo,ButIgoawaywithtwo.
Sweet,adieu!I'llkeepmyoath,
Patientlytobearmywroath.
ExeuntARRAGONandTrain.
Por.Thushaththecandlesing'dthemoth.
Othesedeliberatefools!whentheydochoose,
Theyhavethewisdombytheirwittolose.
Ner.Theancientsayingisnoheresy;—
Hangingandwivinggoesbydestiny.
EnterBALTHAZAR.
Ser.Madam,thereisalightedatyourgate
AyoungVenetian,onethatcomesbefore
Tosignifytheapproachingofhislord:
Fromwhomhebringethsensibleregreets;
Towit,besidescommendsandcourteousbreath,
Giftsofrichvalue;yetIhavenotseen
Solikelyanambassadoroflove.
Por.Nomore,Ipraythee.
Come,come,Nerissa;forIlongtosee
QuickCupid'spostthatcomessomannerly.
Ner.Bassanio,lordlove,ifthywillitbe!
Exeunt.
SCENEII.—RIALTOBRIDGE,ANDGRANDCANAL.
EnterSALARINOandSALANIO.
Salar.Why,man,IsawBassanioundersail;
WithhimisGratianogonealong;
Andintheirship,Iamsure,Lorenzoisnot.
Sal.ThevillainJewwithoutcriesrais'dtheduke;
WhowentwithhimtosearchBassanio'sship.
Salar.Hecametoolate,theshipwasundersail;
Buttherethedukewasgiventounderstand,
Thatinagondolawereseentogether
LorenzoandhisamorousJessica;
Besides,Antoniocertifiedtheduke,
TheywerenotwithBassanioinhisship.
Sal.Ineverheardapassionsoconfus'd,
Sostrange,outrageous,andsovariable,
AsthedogJewdidutterinthestreets;
"Mydaughter!—O,myducats!—O,mydaughter!
FledwithaChristian!—O,myChristianducats!—
Justice!thelaw!myducats,andmydaughter.!"
LetgoodAntoniolookhekeephisday,
Orheshallpayforthis.
Salar.Marry,well remember'd: I reason'dwith a Frenchman yesterday,whotoldmethatAntoniohathashipofrichladingwreck'donthenarrowseasthatpart the French andEnglish,—theGoodwins, I think they call the place—averydangerousflatandfatal,wherethecarcasesofmanyatallshiplieburied,astheysay,ifmygossipreportbeanhonestwomanofherword.
Sal.Iwouldshewereaslyingagossipinthat,aseverknapp'dginger,ormadeherneighboursbelievesheweptforthedeathofathirdhusband:Butitistrue,thatthegoodAntonio,thehonestAntonio,—O,thatIhadatitlegoodenoughtokeephisnamecompany!—
Salar.Come,thefullstop.
Sal.Why,theendis,hehathlostaship.
Salar.Iwoulditmightprovetheendofhislosses!
Sal. Let me say amen betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer; for here hecomesinthelikenessofaJew.
EnterSHYLOCK.
Salar.Hownow,Shylock?whatnewsamongthemerchants?
Shy.Youknew,nonesowell,nonesowellasyou,ofmydaughter'sflight?
Sal.That'scertain.I,formypart,knewthetailorthatmadethewingssheflewwithal.
Salar.AndShylock,forhisownpart,knewthebirdwasfledg'd;andthenitisthecomplexionofthemalltoleavethedam.
Shy.Sheisdamn'dforit.
Sal.That'scertain,ifthedevilmaybeherjudge.
Shy.Myownfleshandbloodtorebel!
Salar.Buttellus,doyouhearwhetherAntoniohavehadanylossatseaorno?
Shy.ThereIhaveanotherbadmatch:abankrupt,aprodigal,whodarescarceshowhisheadon theRialto; abeggar, that used to come so smugupon themart.—Lethimlooktohisbond:hewaswonttocallmeusurer;—lethimlookto his bond: hewaswont to lendmoney for aChristian courtesy;—let himlooktohisbond.
Sal.Why,Iamsure,ifheforfeit,thouwiltnottakehisflesh?What'sthatgoodfor?
Shy.Tobaitfishwithal:ifitwillfeednothingelseitwillfeedmyrevenge.Hehath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,mocked at my gains, scornedmy nation, thwartedmy bargains, cooledmyfriends,heatedmineenemies:andwhat'shisreason?IamaJew.HathnotaJew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections,passions?fedwiththesamefood,hurtwiththesameweapons,subjecttothesame diseases, healed by the samemeans,warmed and cooled by the samewinterandsummerasaChristianis?Ifyouprickus,dowenotbleed?ifyoutickleus,dowenotlaugh?ifyoupoisonus,dowenotdie?andifyouwrongus,shallwenotrevenge?Ifwearelikeyouintherest,wewillresembleyouin that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? revenge: If aChristianwrongaJew,whatshouldhissufferancebebyChristianexample?why,revenge.ThevillanyyouteachmeIwillexecute:anditshallgohardbutIwillbettertheinstruction.
Salar.Herecomesanotherof thetribe;athirdcannotbematched,unlessthedevilhimselfturnJew.
ExeuntSALANIO,SALARINO,andServant.
EnterTUBAL.
Shy.Hownow,Tubal,whatnewsfromGenoa?hastthoufoundmydaughter?
Tub.IoftencamewhereIdidhearofher,butcannotfindher.
Shy.Why, there, there, there, there! a diamondgone, costme two thousandducatsinFrankfort!Thecurseneverfelluponournationtillnow;Ineverfeltittillnow:—twothousandducatsinthat;andotherprecious,preciousjewels.—Iwouldmydaughterweredeadatmyfoot,andthejewelsinherear!'wouldshewerehears'datmyfoot,andtheducatsinhercoffin!Nonewsofthem?—Why, so:—and I know notwhat's spent in the search:Why, thou loss uponloss! the thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and nosatisfaction, no revenge: nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' myshoulders;nosighsbuto'mybreathing;notearsbuto'myshedding.
Tub.Yes,othermenhaveillluck,too.Antonio,asIheardinGenoa,—
Shy.What,what,what?illluck,illluck?
Tub.Hathanargosycastaway,comingfromTripolis.
Shy.IthankGod,IthankGod:—Isittrue?isittrue?
Tub.Ispokewithsomeofthesailorsthatescapedthewreck.
Shy.Ithankthee,goodTubal;—Goodnews,goodnews:ha!ha!—Where?inGenoa?
Tub.YourdaughterspentinGenoa,asIheard,onenight,fourscoreducats!
Shy.Thoustick'stadaggerinme:—Ishallneverseemygoldagain:Fourscoreducatsatasitting!fourscoreducats!
Tub.TherecamediversofAntonio'screditorsinmycompanytoVenice,thatswearhecannotchoosebutbreak.
Shy.Iamverygladofit:I'llplaguehim;I'lltorturehim;Iamgladofit.
Tub. One of them showed me a ring, that he had of your daughter for amonkey.
Shy.Outuponher!Thoutorturestme,Tubal:itwasmyturquoise;IhaditofLeah,when Iwas a bachelor: Iwouldnot havegiven it for awildernessofmonkeys.
Tub.ButAntonioiscertainlyundone.
Shy.Nay, that's true, that's very true:Go,Tubal, feeme an officer, bespeakhimafortnightbefore:Iwillhavetheheartofhim,ifheforfeit;forwerehe
outofVenice,IcanmakewhatmerchandizeIwill.Go,Tubal,andmeetmeatoursynagogue:go,goodTubal;atoursynagogue,Tubal.
Exeunt.
SCENEIII.—SALOONOFTHECASKETS,INPORTIA'SHOUSE,ATBELMONT.
BASSANIO,PORTIA,GRATIANO,NERISSA,andAttendants.
Por.Iprayyou,tarry;pauseadayortwo,
Beforeyouhazard;for,inchoosingwrong
Iloseyourcompany;Icouldteachyou
Howtochooseright,butthenIamforsworn;
SowillIneverbe:somayyoumissme;
Butifyoudo,you'llmakemewishasin,
ThatIhadbeenforsworn.
Bas.Letmechoose;
For,asIam,Iliveupontherack.
Come,letmetomyfortuneandthecaskets.
Por.Awaythen:Iamlock'dinoneofthem;
Ifyoudoloveme,youwillfindmeout.
Letmusicsound,whilehedothmakehischoice:
Then,ifhelose,hemakesaswan-likeend,
Fadinginmusic.—Thatthecomparison
Maystandmoreproper,myeyeshallbethestream
Andwat'rydeath-bedforhim.
Music,whilstBASSANIOcommentsontheCasketstohimself.
SONG.
1.Tellmewhereisfancybred.Orintheheart,orinthehead?Howbegot,hownourishedReply,reply.
2. It is engender'd in the eyes,With gazing fed; and fancy diesIn the cradlewhere it lies:Let us all ring fancy's knell;I'll begin it.—Ding, dong, bell.All.Ding,dong,bell.
ExeuntallbutPORTIAandBASSANIO.
Bas.Somaytheoutwardshowsbeleastthemselves;
Theworldisstilldeceiv'dwithornament.
Inlaw,whatpleasotaintedandcorrupt,
But,beingseason'dwithagraciousvoice,
Obscurestheshowofevil?Inreligion,
Whatdamnederror,butsomesoberbrow
Willblessitandapproveitwithatext,
Hidingthegrossnesswithfairornament?
Thereisnovicesosimple,butassumes
Somemarkofvirtueonhisoutwardparts.
Thusornamentisbuttheguiledshore
Toamostdangeroussea;thebeauteousscarf
VeilinganIndianbeauty.Therefore,thougaudygold,
HardfoodforMidas,Iwillnoneofthee:
Nornoneofthee,thoupaleandcommondrudge
'Tweenmanandman.Butthou,thoumeagrelead,
Whichratherthreat'nestthandostpromiseaught,
Thyplainnessmovesmemorethaneloquence,
AndherechooseI.Joybetheconsequence!
Por.Howalltheotherpassionsfleettoair!
Olove,bemoderate,allaythyecstacy,
Ifeeltoomuchthyblessing,makeitless,
ForfearIsurfeit!
Bas.WhatfindIhere!
Openingtheleadencasket.
FairPortia'scounterfeit?—Here'sthescroll,
Thecontinentandsummaryofmyfortune.
'Youthatchoosenotbytheview,Chanceasfelt,andchooseastrue!Sincethisfortune falls toyou,Becontent, and seeknonew.Ifyoubewellpleas'dwiththis,And hold your fortune for your bliss.Turn you where your lady is,Andclaimherwithalovingkiss.'
Agentlescroll.—Fairlady,byyourleave,
Icomebynote,togiveandtoreceive.
YetdoubtfulwhetherwhatIseebetrue,
Untilconfirm'd,sign'd,ratifiedbyyou.
Por.Yousee,mylordBassanio,whereIstand,
SuchasIam:though,formyselfalone,
Iwouldnotbeambitiousinmywish,
Towishmyselfmuchbetter;yet,foryou,
Iwouldbetrebledtwentytimesmyself.
ButnowIwasthelord
Ofthisfairmansion,masterofmyservants,
Queeno'ermyself;andevennow,butnow,
Thishouse,theseservants,andthissamemyself.
Areyours,mylord,—Igivethemwiththisring;
Which,whenyoupartfrom,lose,orgiveaway,
Letitpresagetheruinofyourlove,
Andbemyvantagetoexclaimonyou.
Bas.Madam,youhavebereftmeofallwords;
Onlymybloodspeakstoyouinmyveins:
Butwhenthisring
Partsfromthisfinger,thenpartslifefromhence;
O,thenbeboldtosay,Bassanio'sdead.
Ner.Mylordandlady,itisnowourtime,
Thathavestoodbyandseenourwishesprosper,
Tocrygoodjoy;Godjoy,mylordandlady!
Gra.MylordBassanio,andmygentlelady,
Iwishyouallthejoythatyoucanwish;
ForIamsureyoucanwishnonefromme:
And,whenyourhonoursmeantosolemnize
Thebargainofyourfaith,Idobeseechyou
EvenatthattimeImaybemarriedtoo.
Bas.Withallmyheart,sothoucanstgetawife.
Gra.Ithankyourlordship;youhavegotmeone.
Myeyes,mylord,canlookasswiftasyours:
Yousawthemistress,Ibeheldthemaid;
Youlov'd,Ilov'd;forintermission
Nomorepertainstome,mylord,thanyou.
Yourfortunestooduponthecasketsthere;
Andsodidminetoo,asthematterfalls:
Forwooinghere,untilmyroofwasdry
Withoathsoflove,atlast,—ifpromiselast,—
Igotapromiseofthisfaironehere,
Tohaveherlove,providedthatyourfortune
Achiev'dhermistress.
Por.Isthistrue,Nerissa?
Ner.Madam,itis,soyoustandpleas'dwithal.
Bas.Anddoyou,Gratiano,meangoodfaith?
Gra.Yes,faith,mylord.
Bas.Ourfeastshallbemuchhonour'dinyourmarriage.
Gra.Butwhocomeshere?Lorenzo,andhisinfidel?
What,andmyoldVenetianfriend,Solanio.
EnterLORENZO,JESSICA,andSALANIO.
Bas.Lorenzo,andSolanio,welcomehither;
Ifthattheyouthofmynewinteresthere
Havepowertobidyouwelcome:—Byyourleave,
Ibidmyveryfriendsandcountrymen,
SweetPortia,welcome.
Por.SodoI,mylord;
Theyareentirelywelcome.
Lor.Ithankyourhonour:—Formypart,mylord,
Mypurposewasnottohaveseenyouhere;
ButmeetingwithSolaniobytheway,
Hedidentreatme,pastallsayingnay,
Tocomewithhimalong.
Sal.Idid,mylord,
AndIhavereasonforit.SigniorAntonio
Commendshimtoyou.
GivesBASSANIOaletter.
Bas.EreIopethisletter,
Iprayyoutellmehowmygoodfrienddoth.
Sal.Notsick,mylord,unlessitbeinmind:
Norwell,unlessinmind:hisletterthere
Willshowyouhisestate.
Gra.Nerissa,cheeryonstranger;bidherwelcome.
Yourhand,Solanio.What'sthenewsfromVenice?
Howdoththatroyalmerchant,goodAntonio?
Iknowhewillbegladofoursuccess;
WearetheJasons,wehavewonthefleece.
Sal.'Wouldyouhadwonthefleecethathehathlost!
Por.Therearesomeshrewdcontentsinyonsamepaper,
ThatstealthecolourfromBassanio'scheek;
Somedearfrienddead;elsenothingintheworld
Couldturnsomuchtheconstitution
Ofanyconstantman.What,worseandworse?—
Withleave,Bassanio;Iamhalfyourself,
AndImustfreelyhavethehalfofanything
Thatthissamepaperbringsyou.
Bas.OsweetPortia,
Hereareafewoftheunpleasant'stwords
Thateverblottedpaper!Gentlelady,
WhenIdidfirstimpartmylovetoyou,
Ifreelytoldyou,allthewealthIhad
Raninmyveins,—Iwasagentleman:
AndthenItoldyoutrue:andyet,dearlady,
Ratingmyselfatnothing,youshallsee
HowmuchIwasabraggart:WhenItoldyou
Mystatewasnothing,Ishouldthenhavetoldyou
ThatIwasworsethannothing;for,indeed,
Ihaveengag'dmyselftoadearfriend,
Engag'dmyfriendtohismereenemy,
Tofeedmymeans.Hereisaletter,lady;
Thepaperasthebodyofmyfriend,
Andeverywordinitagapingwound,
Issuinglife-blood.Butisittrue,Solanio?
Haveallhisventuresfail'd?What,notonehit?
FromTripolis,fromMexico,andEngland,
FromLisbon,Barbary,andIndia?
Andnotonevessel'scapethedreadfultouch
Ofmerchant-marringrocks?
Sal.Notone,mylord.
Besides,itshouldappear,thatifhehad
ThepresentmoneytodischargetheJew,
Hewouldnottakeit:NeverdidIknow
Acreaturethatdidbeartheshapeofman,
Sokeenandgreedytoconfoundaman.
Hepliesthedukeatmorning,andatnight;
Anddothimpeachthefreedomofthestate
Iftheydenyhimjustice:twentymerchants,
Thedukehimself,andthemagnificoes
Ofgreatestport,haveallpersuadedwithhim;
Butnonecandrivehimfromtheenviousplea
Offorfeiture,ofjustice,andhisbond.
Por.Isityourdearfriendthatisthusintrouble?
Bas.Thedearestfriendtome,thekindestman,
Thebestcondition'dandunweariedspirit
Indoingcourtesies,andoneinwhom
TheancientRomanhonourmoreappears,
ThananythatdrawsbreathinItaly.
Por.WhatsumoweshetheJew?
Bas.Forme,threethousandducats.
Por.What,nomore?
Payhimsixthousand,anddefacethebond;
Doublesixthousand,andthentreblethat,
Beforeafriendofthisdescription
ShallloseahairthroughBassanio'sfault.
First,gowithmetochurch,andcallmewife:
AndthenawaytoVenicetoyourfriend!
FornevershallyoustaybyPortia'sside
Withanunquietsoul.Youshallhavegold
Topaythepettydebttwentytimesover;
Whenitispaid,bringyourtruefriendalong:
MymaidNerissa,andmyself,meantime,
Willliveasmaidsandwidows.Come,away;
Foryoushallhence,uponmywedding-day:
Butletmeheartheletterofyourfriend.
Bas.(reads.)
'SweetBassanio,my shipshaveallmiscarried,mycreditorsgrowcruel,myestateisverylow,mybondtotheJewisforfeit;andsince,inpayingit, it isimpossibleIshouldlive,alldebtsareclearedbetweenyouandme,ifImightbutseeyouatmydeath:notwithstanding,useyourpleasure: ifyour lovedonotpersuadeyoutocome,letnotmyletter.'
Por.Olove,despatchallbusiness,andbegone.
Bas.SinceIhaveyourgoodleavetogoaway,
Iwillmakehaste:but,tillIcomeagain,
Nobedshalle'erbeguiltyofmystay,
Norrestbeinterposer'twixtustwain.
Exeunt.
SCENEIV.—VENICE.THECOLUMNSOFST.MARK.
EnterSHYLOCK,SALARINO,ANTONIO,andGAOLER.
Shy,Gaoler,looktohim.Tellnotmeofmercy;—
Thisisthefoolthatlendsoutmoneygratis;—
Gaoler,looktohim.
Ant.Hearmeyet,goodShylock.
Shy.I'llhavemybond;speaknotagainstmybond;
IhaveswornanoaththatIwillhavemybond:
Thoucall'dstmedog,beforethouhad'stacause:
But,sinceIamadog,bewaremyfangs:
Thedukeshallgrantmejustice.—Idowonder,
Thounaughtygaoler,thatthouartsofond
Tocomeabroadwithhimathisrequest.
Ant.Ipraythee,hearmespeak.
Shy.I'llhavemybond;Iwillnotheartheespeak:
I'llhavemybond;andthereforespeaknomore.
I'llnotbemadeasoftanddull-ey'dfool,
Toshakethehead,relent,andsigh,andyield
ToChristianintercessors.Follownot;
I'llhavenospeaking;Iwillhavemybond.
ExitSHYLOCK.
Salar.Itisthemostimpenetrablecur
Thateverkeptwithmen.
Ant.Lethimalone;
I'llfollowhimnomorewithbootlessprayers.
Heseeksmylife.
Salar.Iamsuretheduke
Willnevergrantthisforfeituretohold.
Ant.Thedukecannotdenythecourseoflaw,
Forthecommoditythatstrangershave
WithusinVenice,ifitbedenied,
'Twillmuchimpeachthejusticeofthestate;
Sincethatthetradeandprofitofthecity
Consistethofallnations.
Well,gaoler,on:—Prayheaven,Bassaniocome
Toseemepayhisdebt,andthenIcarenot.
Exeunt.
SCENEV.—SALOONOFTHECASKETSINPORTIA'SHOUSEATBELMONT.
EnterPORTIA,NERISSA,LORENZO,JESSICA,andBALTHAZAR.
Lor.Madam,althoughIspeakitinyourpresence,
Youhaveanobleandatrueconceit
Ofgod-likeamity;whichappearsmoststrongly
Inbearingthustheabsenceofyourlord.
But,ifyouknewtowhomyoushowthishonour,
Howtrueagentlemanyousendrelief,
Howdearaloverofmylordyourhusband,
Iknowyouwouldbeprouderofthework,
Thancustomarybountycanenforceyou.
Por.Ineverdidrepentfordoinggood,
Norshallnotnow.
Thiscomestoonearthepraisingofmyself;
Therefore,nomoreofit:hearotherthings.
Lorenzo,Icommitintoyourhands
Thehusbandryandmanageofmyhouse,
Untilmylord'sreturn:formineownpart,
Ihavetowardheavenbreath'dasecretvow,
Toliveinprayerandcontemplation,
OnlyattendedbyNerissahere;
Thereisamonasterytwomilesoff,
Andtherewewillabide.Idodesireyou
Nottodenythisimposition;
Towhichmylove,andsomenecessity,
Nowlaysuponyou.
Lor.Madam,withallmyheart,
Ishallobeyyouinallfaircommands.
Por.Mypeopledoalreadyknowmymind,
AndwillacknowledgeyouandJessica
InplaceoflordBassanioandmyself.
Sofareyouwell,tillweshallmeetagain.
Lor.Fairthoughtsandhappyhoursattendonyou!
Jes.Iwishyourladyshipallheart'scontent.
Por.Ithankyouforyourwish,andamwellpleas'd
Towishitbackonyou:fareyouwell,Jessica!
ExeuntJESSICAandLORENZO.
Now,Balthazar,
AsIhaveeverfoundtheehonest,true,
Soletmefindtheestill:Takethissameletter;
Seethourenderthis
Intomycousin'shand,doctorBellario;
And,look,whatnotesandgarmentshedothgivethee
Bringthem,Ipraythee,withimagin'dspeed
Untothetranect,tothecommonferry
WhichtradestoVenice:—wastenotimeinwords,
Butgettheegone;Ishallbetherebeforethee.
Bal.Madam,Igowithallconvenientspeed.
Exit.
Por.Comeon,Nerissa;Ihaveworkinhand,
Thatyouyetknownotof:we'llseeourhusbands,
Beforetheythinkofus.
Ner.Shalltheyseeus?
Por.Theyshall,Nerissa:
Butcome,I'lltelltheeallmywholedevice
WhenIaminmycoach,whichstaysforus
Attheparkgate;andthereforehasteaway,
Forwemustmeasuretwentymilesto-day.
Exeunt.
ENDOFACTTHIRD.
ACTIV.
SCENEI.—VENICE.ACOURTOFJUSTICE.
TheDUKE,theMAGNIFICOESANTONIO,BASSANIO,GRATIANO,SALARINO,SALANIO,andothers.
Duke.WhatisAntoniohere?
Ant.Ready,sopleaseyourgrace.
Duke,Iamsorryforthee:themartcometoanswer
Astonyadversary,aninhumanwretch,
Uncapableofpity,voidandempty
Fromanydramofmercy.
Ant.Ihaveheard
Yourgracehathta'engreatpainstoqualify
Hisrigorouscourse;butsincehestandsobdurate,
Andthatnolawfulmeanscancarryme
Outofhisenvy'sreach,Idooppose
Mypatiencetohisfury;andamarm'd
Tosuffer,withaquietnessofspirit,
Theverytyrannyandrageofhis.
Duke.Goone,andcalltheJewintothecourt.
GrandCapt.He'sreadyatthedoor:hecomes,mylord.
EnterSHYLOCK.
Duke.Makeroom,andlethimstandbeforeourface.
Shylock,theworldthinks,andIthinkso,too,
Thatthoubutlead'stthisfashionofthymalice
Tothelasthourofact:andthen,'tisthought
Thou'ltshowthymercyandremorse,morestrange
Thanisthystrangeapparentcruelty:
Andwherethounowexact'stthepenalty,
(Whichisapoundofthispoormerchant'sflesh),
Thouwiltnotonlylosetheforfeiture,
Buttouch'dwithhumangentlenessandlove,
Forgiveamoietyoftheprincipal;
Glancinganeyeofpityonhislosses,
Thathaveoflatesohuddledonhisback,
Enoughtopressaroyalmerchantdown,
Andpluckcommiserationofhisstate
Frombrassybosoms,androughheartsofflint,
FromstubbornTurksandTartars,nevertrain'd
Toofficesoftendercourtesy.
Weallexpectagentleanswer,Jew.
Shy.Ihavepossess'dyourgraceofwhatIpurpose;
AndbyourholySabbathhaveIsworn,
Tohavethedueandforfeitofmybond:
Ifyoudenyit,letthedangerlight
Uponyourcharter,andyourcity'sfreedom.
You'llaskme,whyIratherchoosetohave
Aweightofcarrionflesh,thantoreceive
Threethousandducats:I'llnotanswerthat:
But,say,itismyhumour:Isitanswer'd?
Whatifmyhousebetroubledwitharat,
AndIbepleas'dtogivetenthousandducats
Tohaveitban'd?What,areyouanswer'dyet?
Somementherearelovenotagapingpig;
Some,thataremadiftheybeholdacat;
Nowforyouranswer.
Asthereisnofirmreasontoberender'd
Whyhecannotabideagapingpig;
Whyheaharmlessnecessarycat;
SocanIgivenoreason,norIwillnot,
Morethanalodg'dhate,andacertainloathing,
IbearAntonio,thatIfollowthus
Alosingsuitagainsthim.Areyouanswer'd?
Bas.Thisisnoanswer,thouunfeelingman,
Toexcusethecurrentofthycruelty.
Shy.Iamnotboundtopleasetheewithmyanswer.
Bas.Doallmenkillthethingstheydonotlove?
Shy.Hatesanymanthethinghewouldnotkill?
Bas.Everyoffenceisnotahateatfirst.
Shy.What,would'stthouhaveaserpentstingtheetwice?
Ant.Iprayyou,thinkyouquestionwiththeJew.
Youmayaswellgostanduponthebeach,
Andbidthemainfloodbatehisusualheight;
Yonmayaswellusequestionwiththewolf,
Whyhehathmadetheewebleatforthelamb;
Youmayaswellforbidthemountainpines
Towagtheirhightops,andtomakenonoise,
Whentheyarefrettedwiththegustsofheaven;
Youmayaswelldoanythingmosthard,
Asseektosoftenthat(thanwhichwhat'sharder?)
HisJewishheart:—Therefore,Idobeseechyou,
Makenomoreoffers,usenofurthermeans,
But,withallbriefandplainconveniency,
Letmehavejudgment,andtheJewhiswill.
Bas.Forthythreethousandducatsherearesix.
Shy.Ifeveryducatinsixthousandducats
Wereinsixparts,andeverypartaducat,
Iwouldnotdrawthem,—Iwouldhavemybond.
Duke.Howshallthouhopeformercy,rend'ringnone?
Shy.WhatjudgmentshallIdread,doingnowrong?
Youhaveamongyoumanyapurchas'dslave,
Which,likeyourasses,andyourdogs,andmules,
Youuseinabjectandinslavishparts,
Becauseyouboughtthem:—ShallIsaytoyou,
Letthembefree,marrythemtoyourheirs?
Whysweattheyunderburthens?lettheirbeds
Bemadeassoftasyours,andlettheirpalates
Beseason'dwithsuchviands?Youwillanswer,
Theslavesareours:—SodoIansweryou.
Thepoundofflesh,whichIdemandofhim.
Isdearlybought;'tismine,andIwillhaveit;
Ifyoudenyme,fieuponyourlaw!
ThereisnoforceinthedecreesofVenice:
Istandforjudgment:answer;shallIhaveit?
Duke.Uponmypower,Imaydismissthiscourt,
UnlessBellario,alearneddoctor,
WhomIhavesentfortodeterminethis,
Comeheretoday.
GrandCapt.Mylord,herestayswithout
Amessenger,withlettersfromthedoctor,
NewcomefromPadua.
Duke.Bringustheletters:—Callthemessenger.
Bas.Goodcheer,Antonio!What,man!courageyet!
TheJewshallhavemyflesh,blood,bones,andall,
Erethoushallloseformeonedropofblood.
Ant.Iamataintedwetheroftheflock,
Meetestfordeath;theweakestkindoffruit
Dropsearliesttotheground,andsoletme:
Youcannotbetterbeemploy'd,Bassanio,
Thantolivestill,andwritemineepitaph.
EnterNERISSA,dressedlikealawyer'sclerk.
Duke.CameyoufromPadua,fromBellario?
Ner.Fromboth,mylord;Bellariogreetsyourgrace.
Presentsaletter.
Bas.Whydostthouwhetthyknifesoearnestly?
Shy.Tocuttheforfeitfromthatbankruptthere.
Gra.Cannoprayerspiercethee?
Shy.No,nonethatthouhastwitenoughtomake.
Gra.O,bethoudamn'dinexorabledog!
Andforthylifeletjusticebeaccus'd.
Thoualmostmakstmewaverinmyfaith,
ToholdopinionwithPythagoras,
Thatsoulsofanimalsinfusethemselves
Intothetrunksofmen:thycurrishspirit
Govern'dawolf,who,hang'dforhumanslaughter,
Evenfromthegallowsdidhisfellsoulfleet,
Andwhilstthoulay'stinthyunhallow'ddam,
Infus'ditselfinthee;forthydesires
Arewolfish,bloody,starv'd,andravenous.
Shy.Tillthoucan'strailthesealfromoffmybond,
Thoubutoffend'stthylungstospeaksoloud:
Repairthywit,goodyouth;oritwillfall
Tocurelessruin.—Istandhereforlaw.
Duke.ThisletterfromBellariodothcommend
Ayoungandlearneddoctortaxourcourt:—
Whereishe?
Ner.Heattendethherehardby,
Toknowyouranswer,whetheryou'lladmithim.
Duke.Withallmyheart:—somethreeorfourofyou
Gogivehimcourteousconducttothisplace.—
Meantime,thecourtshallhearBellario'sletter.
Heraldreads]"Yourgraceshallunderstand,that,atthereceiptofyourletter,Iam very sick; but that in the instant that your messenger came, in lovingvisitation was with me a young doctor of Home; his name is Balthasar: Iacquaintedhimwith thecause incontroversybetween theJewandAntonio,themerchant:we turned o'ermany books together; he is furnishedwithmyopinion;which,better'dwithhisownlearning(thegreatnesswhereofIcannotenoughcommend),comeswithhim,atmyimportunity,tofillupyourgrace'srequestinmystead.Ibeseechyou,lethislackofyearsbenoimpedimenttolethimlackareverendestimation;forIneverknewsoyoungabodywithsooldahead. I leavehim toyourgraciousacceptance,whose trial shallbetterpublishhiscommendation."
Duke.Youhearthelearn'dBellario,whathewrites:
Andhere,Itakeit,isthedoctorcome.
EnterPORTIA,dressedlikeaDoctorofLaws.
Givemeyourhand:CameyoufromoldBellario?
Por.Idid,mylord.
Duke.Youarewelcome:takeyourplace.
Areyouacquaintedwiththedifference
Thatholdsthispresentquestioninthecourt?
Por.Iaminformedthroughlyofthecause.
Whichisthemerchanthere,andwhichtheJew?
Duke.AntonioandoldShylock,bothstandforth.
Por.IsyournameShylock?
Shy.Shylockismyname.
Por.Ofastrangenatureisthesuityoufollow;
YetinsuchrulethattheVenetianlaw
Cannotimpugnyou,asyoudoproceed.—You
standwithinhisdanger,doyounot?
ToANTONIO.
Ant.Ay,sohesays.
Por.Soyouconfessthebond?
Ant.Ido.
Por.ThenmusttheJewbemerciful.
Shy.OnwhatcompulsionmustI?Tellmethat.
Por.Thequalityofmercyisnotstrain'd;
Itdroppeth,asthegentlerainfromheaven
Upontheplacebeneath:itistwicebless'd;
Itblessethhimthatgives,andhimthattakes;
'Tismightiestinthemightiest:itbecomes
Thethronedmonarchbetterthanhiscrown;
Hissceptreshowstheforceoftemporalpower,
Theattributetoaweandmajesty,
Whereindothsitthedreadandfearofkings;
Butmercyisabovethissceptredsway,
Itisenthronedintheheartsofkings,
ItisanattributetoGodhimself;
AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod's
Whenmercyseasonsjustice.Therefore,Jew,
Thoughjusticebethyplea,considerthis—-That
inthecourseofjustice,noneofus
Shouldseesalvation:wedoprayformercy;
Andthatsameprayerdothteachusalltorender
Thedeedsofmercy.Ihavespokethusmuch,
Tomitigatethejusticeofthyplea;
Whichifthoufollow,thisstrictcourtofVenice
Mustneedsgivesentence'gainstthemerchantthere.
Shy.,Mydeedsuponmyhead!Icravethelaw,
Thepenaltyandforfeitofmybond.
Por.Ishenotabletodischargethemoney?
Bas.Yes,hereItenderitforhiminthecourt;
Yea,thricethesum:ifthatwillnotsuffice,
Iwillbeboundtopayittentimeso'er,
Onforfeitofmyhands,myhead,myheart:
Ifthiswillnotsuffice,itmustappear
Thatmalicebearsdowntruth.AndIbeseechyou,
Wrestoncethelawtoyourauthority:
Todoagreatrighttodoalittlewrong;
Andcurbthiscrueldevilofhiswill.
Por.Itmustnotbe;thereisnopowerinVenice
Canalteradecreeestablished:
'Twillberecordedforaprecedent;
Andmanyanerror,bythesameexample,
Willrushintothestate;itcannotbe.
Shy.ADanielcometojudgment!yea,aDaniel!
Owiseyoungjudge,howdoIhonourthee!
Por.Iprayyou,letmelookuponthebond.
Shy.Here'tis,mostreverenddoctor,hereitis.
Por.Shylock,there'sthricethymoneyoffer'dthee.
Shy.Anoath,anoath,Ihaveanoathinheaven:
ShallIlayperjuryuponmysoul?
No,notforVenice.
Por.Why,thisbondisforfeit;
AndlawfullybythistheJewmayclaim
Apoundofflesh,tobebyhimcutoff
Nearestthemerchant'sheart:—Bemerciful;
Takethricethymoney;bidmetearthebond.
Shy.Whenitispaidaccordingtothetenour.
Itdothappearyouareaworthyjudge;
Youknowthelaw,yourexposition
Hathbeenmostsound:Ichargeyoubythelaw,
Whereofyouareawell-deservingpillar,
Proceedtojudgment:bymysoulIswear,
Thereisnopowerinthetongueofman
Toalterme:Istayhereonmybond.
Ant.MostheartilyIdobeseechthecourt
Togivethejudgment.
Por.Whythen,thusitis:
Youmustprepareyourbosomforhisknife.
Shy.Onoblejudge!Oexcellentyoungman!
Por.Fortheintentandpurposeofthelaw
Hathfullrelationtothepenalty,
Whichhereappearethdueuponthebond.
Shy.'Tisverytrue:Owiseanduprightjudge!
Howmuchmoreelderartthouthanthylooks!
Por.Therefore,laybareyourbosom.
Shy.Ay,hisbreast:
Sosaysthebond;—Dothitnot,noblejudge?—Nearest
hisheart,thosearetheverywords.
Por.Itisso.Aretherebalanceheretoweigh
Theflesh?
Shy.Ihavethemready.
Por.Havebysomesurgeon,Shylock,onyourcharge,
Tostophiswounds,lestheshouldbleedtodeath.
Shy.Isitsonominatedinthebond?
Por.Itisnotsoexpress'd;butwhatofthat?
'Tweregoodyoudosomuchforcharity.
Shy.Icannotfindit;'tisnotinthebond.
Por.Come,merchant,haveyouanythingtosay?
Ant.Butlittle;Iamarm'dandwellprepar'd.—
Givemeyourhand,Bassanio;fareyouwell!
GrievenotthatIamfallentothisforyou;
Forhereinfortuneshowsherselfmorekind
Thanishercustom:itisstillheruse,
Toletthewretchedmanoutlivehiswealth,
Toviewwithholloweyeandwrinkledbrow,
Anageofpoverty:fromwhichlingeringpenance
Ofsuchamiserydothshecutmeoff.
Commendmetoyourhonorablewife:
TellhertheprocessofAntonio'send;
Say,howIlov'dyou,speakmefairindeath;
And,whenthetaleistold,bidherbejudge
WhetherBassaniohadnotoncealove.
Repentnotyouthatyoushallloseyourfriend,
Andherepentsnotthathepaysyourdebt;
For,iftheJewdocutbutdeepenough,
I'llpayitinstantlywithallmyheart.
Bas.Antonio,Iammarriedtoawife,
Whichisasdeartomeaslifeitself;
Butlifeitself,mywife,andalltheworld,
Arenotwithmeesteem'dabovethylife;
Iwouldloseall,ay,sacrificethemall
Heretothisdevil,todeliveryou.
Gra.Ihaveawife,whomIprotestIlove;
Iwouldshewereinheaven,soshecould
EntreatsomepowertochangethiscurrishJew.
Shy.ThesebetheChristianhusbands:Ihaveadaughter;
WouldanyofthestockofBarrabas
Hadbeenherhusband,ratherthanaChristian!Aside.
Wetrifletime;Ipraytheepursuesentence.
Por.Apoundofthatsamemerchant'sfleshisthine;
Thecourtawardsit,andthelawdothgiveit.
Shy.Mostrightfuljudge!
Por.Andyoumustcutthisfleshfromoffhisbreast!
Thelawallowsit,andthecourtawardsit.
Shy.Mostlearnedjudge!—Asentence;come,prepare.
Por.Tarryalittle;—thereissomethingelse.—
Thisbonddothgivetheeherenojotofblood;
Thewordsexpresslyareapoundofflesh:
Thentakethybond,takethouthypoundofflesh;
But,inthecuttingit,ifthoudostshed
OnedropofChristianblood,thylandsandgoods
Are,bythelawsofVenice,confiscate
UntothestateofVenice.
Gra.Ouprightjudge!—Mark,Jew!—Olearnedjudge!
Shy.Isthatthelaw?
Por.Thyselfshallseetheact;
For,asthouurgestjustice,beassur'd
Thoushalthavejusticemorethanthoudesir'st.
Gra.Olearnedjudge!—MarkJew;—alearnedjudge!
Shy.Itakehisoffer,then,—paythebondthrice,
AndlettheChristiango.
Bas.Hereisthemoney.
Por.Soft.
TheJewshallhavealljustice;—soft;—nohaste;—He
shallhavenothingbutthepenalty.
Gra.OJew!anuprightjudge,alearnedjudge!
Por.Therefore,preparetheetocutofftheflesh.
Shedthounoblood;norcutthouless,normore,
Butjustapoundofflesh:ifthoutak'stmore,
Orless,thanajustpound,—beitbutsomuch
Asmakesitlightorheavyinthebalance,
Orthedivisionofthetwentiethpart
Ofonepoorscruple,—nay,ifthescaledoturn
Butintheestimationofahair,—
Thoudiest,andallthygoodsareconfiscate.
Gra.AsecondDaniel,aDaniel,Jew!
Now,infidel,Ihavetheeonthehip.
Por.WhydoththeJewpause?takethyforfeiture.
Shy.Givememyprincipal,andletmego.
Bas.Ihaveitreadyforthee;hereitis.
Por.Hehathrefus'ditintheopencourt;
Heshallhavemerelyjustice,andhisbond.
Gra.ADaniel,stillsayI;asecondDaniel!—
thankthee,Jew,forteachingmethatword.
Shy.ShallInotbarelyhavemyprincipal?
Por.Thoushalthavenothingbuttheforfeiture,
Tobesotakenatthyperil,Jew.
Shy.Whythenthedevilgivehimgoodofit!
I'llstaynolongerquestion.
Por.Tarry,Jew;
Thelawhathyetanotherholdonyou.
ItisenactedinthelawsofVenice,—If
itbeprovedagainstanalien,
Thatbydirectorindirectattempts
Heseekthelifeofanycitizen,
Theparty'gainstthewhichhedothcontrive
Shallseizeonehalfhisgoods;theotherhalf
Comestotheprivycofferofthestate;
Andtheoffender'slifeliesinthemercy
Ofthedukeonly,'gainstallothervoice.
Inwhichpredicament,Isay,thoustand'st:
Foritappearsbymanifestproceeding,
That,indirectly,anddirectly,too,
Thouhastcontriv'dagainsttheverylife
Ofthedefendant;andthouhastincurr'd
Thedangerformerlybymerehears'd.
Down,therefore,andbegmercyoftheduke.
Gra.Begthatthoumay'sthaveleavetohangthyself:
Andyet,thywealthbeingforfeittothestate,
Thouhastnotleftthevalueofacord;
Therefore,thoumustbehang'datthestate'scharge.
Duke.Thatthoushallseethedifferenceofourspirit,
Ipardontheethylifebeforethouaskit:
Forhalfthywealth,itisAntonio's;
Theotherhalfcomestothegeneralstate,
Whichhumblenessmaydriveuntoafine.
Por.Ay,forthestate;notforAntonio.
Shy.Nay,takemylifeandall,pardonnotthat:
Youtakemyhouse,whenyoudotaketheprop
Thatdothsustainmyhouse;youtakemylife,
WhenyoudotakethemeanswherebyIlive.
Por.Whatmercycanyourenderhim,Antonio?
Gra.Ahaltergratis;nothingelse,forHeaven'ssake.
Ant.Sopleasemylordtheduke,andallthecourt,
Toquitthefineforonehalfofhisgoods;
Iamcontent,sohewillletmehave
Theotherhalfinuse,torenderit,
Uponhisdeath,untothegentleman
Thatlatelystolehisdaughter;
Twothingsprovidedmore,—Thatforthisfavour,
HepresentlybecomeaChristian;
Theother,thathedorecordagift,
Hereinthecourt,ofallhediespossess'd,
UntohissonLorenzoandhisdaughter.
Duke.Heshalldothis;orelseIdorecant
ThepardonthatIlatepronouncedhere.
Por.Artthoucontented,Jew?Whatdostthousay?
Shy.Iamcontent.
Por.Clerk,drawadeedofgift.
Shy.Iprayyougivemeleavetogofromhence:
Iamnotwell;sendthedeedafterme,
AndIwillsignit.
Duke.Gettheegone,butdoit.
Gra.Inchristening;thoushalthavetwogodfathers;
HadIbeenjudge,thoushould'sthavehadtenmore,
Tobringtheetothegallows,nottothefont.
ExitSHYLOCK.
Duke.Sir,Ientreatyouwithmehometodinner.
Por.Ihumblydodesireyourgraceofpardon.
ImustawaythisnighttowardPadua;
AnditismeetIpresentlysetforth.
Duke.Iamsorrythatyourleisureservesyounot:
Antonio,gratifythisgentleman;
For,inmymind,youaremuchboundtohim.
ExeuntDUKE,Magnificoes,andTrain.
Bas.Mostworthygentleman,Iandmyfriend,
Havebyyourwisdombeenthisdayacquitted
Ofgrievouspenalties;inlieuwhereof,
Threethousandducats,dueuntotheJew,
Wefreelycopeyourcourteouspainswithal.
Ant.Andstandindebted,overandabove,
Inloveandservicetoyouevermore.
Por.Heiswellpaidthatiswellsatisfied:
AndI,deliveringyou,amsatisfied,
Andthereindoaccountmyselfwellpaid;
Mymindwasneveryetmoremercenary.
Iprayyouknowme,whenwemeetagain;
Iwishyouwell,andsoItakemyleave.
Bas.DearSir,offorceImustattemptyoufurther;
Takesomeremembranceofus,asatribute,
Notasafee:grantmetwothings,Iprayyou,
Nottodenyme,andtopardonme.
Por.Youpressmefar,andthereforeIwillyield,
Givemeyourgloves,I'llwearthemforyoursake;
And,foryourlove,I'lltakethisringfromyou:—Do
notdrawbackyourhand;I'lltakenomore;
Andyouinloveshallnotdenymethis.
Bas.Thisring,goodSir,—alas,itisatrifle;
Iwillnotshamemyselftogiveyouthis.
Por.Iwillhavenothingelsebutonlythis;
Andnow,methinks,Ihaveamindtoit.
Bas.There'smoredependsonthisthanonthevalue.
ThedearestringinVenicewillIgiveyou,
Andfinditoutbyproclamation;
OnlyforthisIprayyoupardonme.
Por.Isee,Sir,youareliberalinoffers:
Youtaughtmefirsttobeg;andnow,methinks,
Youteachmehowabeggarshouldbeanswer'd.
Bas.GoodSir,thisringwasgivenmebymywife;
Andwhensheputiton,shemademevow
ThatIshouldneithersell,norgive,norloseit.
Por.That'scuseservesmanymentosavetheirgifts.
Anifyourwifebenotamadwoman,
AndknowhowwellIhavedeserv'dthisring,
Shewouldnotholdoutenemyforever,
Forgivingittome.Well,peacebewithyou!
ExeuntPORTIAandNERISSA.
Ant.MylordBassanio,lethimhavethering;
Lethisdeservings,andmylovewithal,
Bevalued'gainstyourwife'scommandment.
Bas.Go,Gratiano,runandovertakehim;
Givehimthering;andbringhim,ifthoucan'st,
UntoAntonio'shouse;—away,makehaste.
ExitGRATIANO.
Come,youandIwillthitherpresently;
Andinthemorningearlywillweboth
FlytowardBelmont:Come,Antonio.
Exeunt.
SCENEII.—VENICE.THEFOSCARIGATEOFTHEDUCALPALACE,LEADINGTOTHEGIANT'SSTAIRCASE.
EnterPORTIAandNERISSA.
Por.InquiretheJew'shouseout,givehimthisdeed,Andlethimsignit;we'llawayto-night,Andbeadaybeforeourhusbandshome:ThisdeedwillbewellwelcometoLorenzo.
EnterGRATIANO.
Gra.FairSir, youarewellovertaken:My lordBassanio,uponmoreadvice,Hathsentyouherethisring;anddothentreatYourcompanyatdinner.
Por.Thatcannotbe:ThisringIdoacceptmostthankfully,Andso,Iprayyou,tellhim:Furthermore,Iprayyou,showmyyoutholdShylock'shouse.
Gra.ThatwillIdo.
Ner.Sir,Iwouldspeakwithyou:—I'llseeifIcangetmyhusband'sring,
ToPORTIA.
WhichIdidmakehimsweartokeepforever.
Por.Thoumay'st, Iwarrant.Weshallhaveoldswearing,That theydidgivetheringsawaytomen;Butwe'lloutfacethem,andoutswearthem,too.Away,makehaste;thouknow'stwhereIwilltarry.
Ner.Come,goodSir,willyoushowmetothishouse?
Exeunt.
ENDOFACTFOURTH.
ACTV.
SCENEI.—BELMONT.AVENUETOPORTIA'SHOUSE.
EnterLORENZOandJESSICA.
Lor.Themoonshinesbright:—Insuchanightasthis,
Whenthesweetwinddidgentlykissthetrees,
Andtheydidmakenonoise,—insuchanight,
Troilus,methinks,mountedtheTrojanwalls,
Andsigh'dhissoultowardtheGreciantents,
WhereCressidlaythatnight.
Jes.Insuchanight
BidyoungLorenzoswearhelov'dmewell;
Stealingmysoulwithmanyvowsoffaith,
Andne'eratrueone.
Lor.Insuchanight,
DidprettyJessica,likealittleshrew,
Slanderherlove,andheforgaveither.
Jes.Iwouldout-nightyou,didnobodycome:
But,hark,Ihearthefootingofaman.
EnterBALTHAZAR.
Lor.Whocomessofastinsilenceofthenight?
Bal.Afriend,
Lor.Afriend?whatfriend?yourname,Iprayyou,
friend.
Bal.Balthazarismyname:andIbringword,
Mymistresswillbeforethebreakofday
BehereatBelmont.
Iprayyou,ismymasteryetreturn'd?
Lor.Heisnot,norwehavenotheardfromhim.—
Butgowein,Ipraythee,Jessica,
Andceremoniouslyletusprepare
Somewelcomeforthemistressofthehouse.
EnterLANCELOT.
Lau.Sola,sola,weha,ho,sola,sola.
Lor.Whocalls?
Lau.Sola!DidyouseemasterLorenzo,andmistressLorenzo?sola,sola
Lor.Leaveholloing,man;here.
Lau.Sola!where?where?
Lor.Here.
Lau.Tellhim,there'sapostcomefrommymaster,withhishornfullofgoodnews;mymasterwillbehereeremorning.
Exit.
Lor.MyfriendBalthazar,signify,Iprayyou,
Withinthehouse,yourmistressisathand:
Andbringyourmusicforthintotheair.ExitBALTHAZAR.
Howsweetthemoon-lightsleepsuponthisbank!
Herewillwesit,andletthesoundsofmusic
Creepinourears:softstillness,andthenight,
Becomethetouchesofsweetharmony.
Sit,Jessica.Lookhowthefloorofheaven
Isthickinlaidwithpatinesofbrightgold.
There'snotthesmallestorbwhichthoubehold'st
Butinhismotionlikeanangelsings,
Stillquiringtotheyoung-eyedcherubins:
Suchharmonyisinimmortalsouls,
Butwhilstthismuddyvestureofdecay
Dothgrosslycloseitin,wecannothearit.—
EnterMUSICIANS.
GLEE.
Itwasaloverandhislass,Withaheyandaho,andaheynonino;Thato'erthegreencornfieldsdidpass,Inthespring-time,theprettyspringtime,Whenbirdsdosing,heyding-a-ding,ding:—Sweetloverslovethespring.
Andthereforetakethepresenttime,Withaheyandaho,andaheynonino;ForloveiscrownedwiththeprimeInthespring-time,theprettyspringtime,Whenbirdsdosing,heyding-a-ding,ding:—Sweetloverslovethespring.
Jes.IamnevermerrywhenIhearsweetmusic.
Lor.Thereasonisyourspiritsareattentive:
Fordobutnoteawildandwantonherd,
Ifanyairofmusictouchtheirears,
Youshallperceivethemmakeamutualstand,
Theirsavageeyesturn'dtoamodestgaze,
Bythesweetpowerofmusic.Therefore,thepoet
DidfeignthatOrpheusdrewtrees,stones,andfloods;
Sincenoughtsostockish,hard,andfullofrage,
Butmusicforthetimedothchangehisnature:
Themanthathathnomusicinhimself,
Norisnotmov'dwithconcordofsweetsounds,
Isfitfortreasons,stratagems,andspoils;
Themotionsofhisspiritaredullasnight,
AndhisaffectionsdarkasErebus:
Letnosuchmanbetrusted.—Markthemusic.
EnterPORTIAandNERISSA,atadistance.
Por.Thatlightweseeisburninginmyhall.
Howfarthatlittlecandlethrowshisbeams!
Soshinesagooddeedinanaughtyworld.Music!hark!
Ner.Itisyourmusic,madam,ofthehouse.
Por.Nothingisgood,Isee,withoutrespect;
Methinksitsoundsmuchsweeterthanbyday.
Ner.Silencebestowsthatvirtueonit,madam.
Musicceases.
Por.Howmanythingsbyseasonseason'dare
Totheirlightpraise,andtrue-perfection!—
Lor.Thatisthevoice,
OrIammuchdeceiv'd,ofPortia.
Por.Heknowsme,astheblindmanknowsthecuckoo,
Bythebadvoice.
Lor.Dearlady,welcomehome.
Por.Wehavebeenprayingforourhusbands'welfare,
Whichspeed,wehope,thebetterforourwords.
Aretheyreturn'd?
Lor.Madam,theyarenotyet;
Butthereiscomeamessengerbefore,
Tosignifytheircoming.
Por.Goin,Nerissa;
Giveordertomyservants,thattheytake
Nonoteatallofourbeingabsenthence;
Noryou,Lorenzo;—Jessica,noryou.
Atrumpetsounds.
Lor.Yourhusbandisathand;Ihearhistrumpet:
Wearenotell-tales,madam;fearyounot.
EnterBASSANIO,ANTONIO,GRATIANO,andtheirFollowers.
Por.Youarewelcomehome,mylord.
Bas.Ithankyou,madam:givewelcometomyfriend.—
Thisistheman,thisisAntonio,
TowhomIamsoinfinitelybound.
Por.Youshouldinallsensebemuchboundtohim,
For,asIhear,hewasmuchboundforyou.
Ant.NomorethanIamwellacquittedof.
Por.Sir,youareverywelcometoourhouse:
Itmustappearinotherwaysthanwords,
Therefore,Iscantthisbreathingcourtesy.
GRATIANOandNERISSAseemtotalkapart.
Gra.Byyondermoon,Iswearyoudomewrong;
Infaith,Igaveittothejudge'sclerk:
Wouldhewerehang'dthathadit,formypart,
Sinceyoudotakeit,love,somuchatheart.
Por.Aquarrel,ho,already?What'sthematter?
Gra.Aboutahoopofgold,apaltryring
Thatshedidgivetome;whoseposywas
Foralltheworld,likecutler'spoetry
Uponaknife,'Loveme,andleavemenot.'
Ner.Whattalkyouoftheposy,orthevalue?
Yousworetome,whenIdidgiveityou,
Thatyouwouldwearittillthehourofdeath:
Andthatitshouldliewithyouinyourgrave;
Thoughnotforme,yetforyourvehementoaths,
Youshouldhavebeenrespective,andhavekeptit.
Gaveitajudge'sclerk!—butwellIknow,
Theclerkwillne'erwearhairon'sfacethathadit.
Gra.Hewill,anifhelivetobeaman.
Ner.Ay,ifawomanlivetobeaman.
Gra.Now,bythishand,Igaveittoayouth,—
kindofboy;alittlescrubbedboy,
Nohigherthanthyself,thejudge'sclerk;
Apratingboy,thatbegg'ditasafee;
Icouldnotformyheartdenyithim.
Por.Youweretoblame,Imustbeplainwithyou,
Topartsoslightlywithyourwife'sfirstgift:
Athingstuckonwithoathsuponyourfinger,
Andsorivetedwithfaithuntoyourflesh.
Igavemylovearing,andmadehimswear
Nevertopartwithit;andherehestands,—
Idarebeswornforhim,hewouldnotleaveit,
Norpluckitfromhisfinger,forthewealth
Thattheworldmasters.Now,infaith,Gratiano,
Yougiveyourwifetoounkindacauseofgrief;
An'tweretome,Ishouldbemadatit.
Bas.Why,Iwerebesttocutmylefthandoff,
Andswear,Ilosttheringdefendingit.
Aside.
Gra.MylordBassaniogavehisringaway
Untothejudgethatbegg'dit,and,indeed,
Deserv'dit,too;andthentheboy,hisclerk,
Thattooksomepainsinwriting,hebegg'dmine:
Andneitherman,normaster,wouldtakeaught
Butthetworings.
Por.Whatringgaveyou,mylord;
Notthat,Ihope,whichyoureceiv'dofme.
Bas.IfIcouldaddalieuntoafault,
Iwoulddenyit;butyousee,myfinger
Hathnottheringuponit,itisgone.
Por.Evensovoidisyourfalseheartoftruth.
Byheaven,Iwillne'ercomeinyoursight
UntilIseethering.
Ner.NorIinyours,
TillIagainseemine.
Bas.SweetPortia,
IfyoudidknowtowhomIgavethering,
IfyoudidknowforwhomIgavethering,
AndwouldconceiveforwhatIgavethering,
AndhowunwillinglyIleftthering,
Whennoughtwouldbeacceptedbutthering,
Youwouldabatethestrengthofyourdispleasure.
Por.Ifyouhadknownthevirtueofthering,
Orhalfherworthinessthatgavethering,
Oryourownhonourtocontainthering,
Youwouldnotthenhavepartedwiththering.
Whatmanistheresomuchunreasonable,
Ifyouhadpleas'dtohavedefendedit
Withanytermsofzeal,wantedthemodesty
Tourgethethingheldasaceremony?
Nerissateachesmewhattobelieve;
I'lldiefor't,butsomewomanhadthering.
Bas.No,byminehonour,madam,bymysoul,
Nowomanhadit,butacivildoctor,
Whichdidrefusethreethousandducatsofme,
Andbegg'dthering;thewhichIdiddenyhim,
Andsuffer'dhimtogodispleas'daway;
Evenhethathadhelduptheverylife
Ofmydearfriend.WhatshouldIsay,sweetlady?
Iwasenforc'dtosenditafterhim.
Hadyoubeenthere,Ithinkyouwouldhavebegg'd
Theringofmetogivetheworthydoctor.
Por.Letnotthatdoctore'ercomenearmyhouse:
SincehehathgotthejewelthatIlov'd,
Andthatwhichyoudidsweartokeepforme,
Iwillbecomeasliberalasyou.
Ant.Iamtheunhappysubjectofthesequarrels.
Por.Sir,grievenotyou;youarewelcomenotwithstanding.
Bas.Portia,forgivemethisenforcedwrong;
Andinthehearingofthesemanyfriends,
Isweartothee,evenbythineownfaireyes,
Inevermorewillbreakanoathwiththee.
Ant.Ioncedidlendmybodyforhiswealth;
Which,butforhimthathadyourhusband'sring,
ToPORTIA.
Hadquitemiscarried:Idarebeboundagain,
Mysoulupontheforfeit,thatyourlord
Willnevermorebreakfaithadvisedly.
Por.Thenyoushallbehissurety:givehimthis;
Andbidhimkeepitbetterthantheother.
Ant.Here,lordBassanio;sweartokeepthisring.
Bas.ByheavenitisthesameIgavethedoctor!
Por.Ihaditofhim:pardonme,Bassanio.
Ner.Andpardonme,mygentleGratiano;
Forthatsamescrubbedboy,thedoctor'sclerk,
Didgivemethis.
Gra.Whythisislikethemendingofhighways
Insummer,whenthewaysarefairenough.
Por.Youareallamaz'd:
Hereisaletter,readitatyourleisure;
ItcomesfromPadua,fromBellario:
Thereyoushallfind,thatPortiawasthedoctor;
Nerissathere,herclerk:Lorenzohere
Shallwitness,Isetforthassoonasyou,
Andbute'ennowreturn'd;Ihavenotyet
Enter'dmyhouse.—Antonio,youarewelcome;
AndIhavebetternewsinstoreforyou
Thanyouexpect:unsealthislettersoon,
Thereyoushallfindthreeofyourargosies
Arerichlycometoharboursuddenly:
Youshallnotknowbywhatstrangeaccident
Ichancedonthisletter.
Bas.Wereyouthedoctor,andIknewyounot?
Gra.Wereyoutheclerk,andIknewyounot?
Ant.Sweetlady,youhavegivenmelife,andliving;
ForhereIreadforcertain,thatmyships
Aresafelycometoroad.
Por.Hownow,Lorenzo?
Myclerkhassomegoodcomfortstooforyou.
Ner.Ay,andI'llgivethemhimwithoutafee.—
TheredoIgivetoyouJessica,
FromtherichJewaspecialdeedofgift,
Afterhisdeath,ofallhediespossessedof.
Lor.Fairladies,youdropmannainthewayofstarvedpeople.
Por.Itisalmostmorning,
AndyetIamsureyouarenotsatisfied
Oftheseeventsatfull:Letusgoin;
Andchargeusthereuponinter'gatories,
Andwewillanswerallthingsfaithfully.
Exeunt.
Gra.Letitbeso,thefirstintergatoryThatmyNerrissashallbesworneon,is,Whethertillthenextnightshehadratherstay,Orgoetobed,nowbeingtwohourestoday,Butwerethedaycome,Ishouldwishitdarke,TillIwerecouchingwiththeDoctorsClarke.Well,whileIliue,IlefearenootherthingSosore,askeepingsafeNerrissasring.
Exeunt.
FINIS.TheMerchantofVenice.
THEEND
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