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<h2>THE MERCHANT OF VENICE</h2>
<h2>THE MERCHANT OF VENICE</h2>
 
__TOC__
<hr />
<hr />
<h4>Contents</h4>
<p>
ACT&nbsp;I<br/>
[[#sceneI_221|Scene I.
Venice. A street.<br/>
[[#sceneI_222|Scene II.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.<br/>
[[#sceneI_223|Scene III.
Venice. A public place.<br/>
<br/>
ACT&nbsp;II<br/>
[[#sceneII_221|Scene I.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.<br/>
[[#sceneII_222|Scene II.
Venice. A street.<br/>
[[#sceneII_223|Scene III.
The same. A room in Shylock's house.<br/>
[[#sceneII_224|Scene IV.
The same. A street.<br/>
[[#sceneII_225|Scene V.
The same. Before Shylock's house.<br/>
[[#sceneII_226|Scene VI.
The same.<br/>
[[#sceneII_227|Scene VII.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.<br/>
[[#sceneII_228|Scene VIII.
Venice. A street.<br/>
[[#sceneII_229|Scene IX.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.<br/>
<br/>
ACT&nbsp;III<br/>
[[#sceneIII_221|Scene I.
Venice. A street.<br/>
[[#sceneIII_222|Scene II.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.<br/>
[[#sceneIII_223|Scene III.
Venice. A street.<br/>
[[#sceneIII_224|Scene IV.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.<br/>
[[#sceneIII_225|Scene V.
The same. A garden.<br/>
<br/>
ACT&nbsp;IV<br/>
[[#sceneIV_221|Scene I.
Venice. A court of justice.<br/>
[[#sceneIV_222|Scene II.
The same. A street.<br/>
<br/>
ACT&nbsp;V<br/>
[[#sceneV_221|Scene I.
Belmont. The avenue to Portia's house.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</p>


<h4>Dramatis Personæ</h4>
<h4>Dramatis Personæ</h4>


<p>
<p>
THE DUKE OF VENICE<br/>
THE DUKE OF VENICE<br/>
THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia<br/>
THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia<br/>
THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia<br/>
THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia<br/>
ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice<br/>
ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice<br/>
BASSANIO, his friend, suitor to Portia<br/>
BASSANIO, his friend, suitor to Portia<br/>
GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio<br/>
GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio<br/>
SOLANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio<br/>
SOLANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio<br/>
SALARINO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio<br/>
SALARINO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio<br/>
LORENZO, in love with Jessica<br/>
LORENZO, in love with Jessica<br/>
SHYLOCK, a rich Jew<br/>
SHYLOCK, a rich Jew<br/>
TUBAL, a Jew, his friend<br/>
TUBAL, a Jew, his friend<br/>
LAUNCELET GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock<br/>
LAUNCELET GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock<br/>
OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelet<br/>
OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelet<br/>
LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio<br/>
LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio<br/>
BALTHAZAR, servant to Portia<br/>
BALTHAZAR, servant to Portia<br/>
STEPHANO, servant to Portia<br/>
STEPHANO, servant to Portia<br/>
SALERIO, a messenger from Venice
SALERIO, a messenger from Venice
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
PORTIA, a rich heiress<br/>
PORTIA, a rich heiress<br/>
NERISSA, her waiting-woman<br/>
NERISSA, her waiting-woman<br/>
JESSICA, daughter to Shylock
JESSICA, daughter to Shylock
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, a Gaoler, Servants
Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, a Gaoler, Servants
and other Attendants
and other Attendants
</p>
</p>


<h4><b>SCENE: Partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia on the
<h4><b>SCENE: Partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia on the
Continent</b></h4>
Continent</b></h4>


<h3 id="sceneI_221"> <b>ACT I</b></h3>
<h3 id="sceneI_221"> <b>ACT I</b></h3>


<h4><b>SCENE I. Venice. A street.</b></h4>
<h4><b>SCENE I.]] Venice. A street.</b></h4>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Antonio, Salarino</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Antonio, Salarino</span> and
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
In sooth I know not why I am so sad,<br/>
In sooth I know not why I am so sad,<br/>
It wearies me. you say it wearies you;<br/>
It wearies me. you say it wearies you;<br/>
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,<br/>
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,<br/>
What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,<br/>
What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,<br/>
I am to learn.<br/>
I am to learn.<br/>
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,<br/>
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,<br/>
That I have much ado to know myself.
That I have much ado to know myself.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Your mind is tossing on the ocean,<br/>
Your mind is tossing on the ocean,<br/>
There where your argosies, with portly sail<br/>
There where your argosies, with portly sail<br/>
Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood,<br/>
Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood,<br/>
Or as it were the pageants of the sea,<br/>
Or as it were the pageants of the sea,<br/>
Do overpeer the petty traffickers<br/>
Do overpeer the petty traffickers<br/>
That curtsy to them, do them reverence,<br/>
That curtsy to them, do them reverence,<br/>
As they fly by them with their woven wings.
As they fly by them with their woven wings.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,<br/>
Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,<br/>
The better part of my affections would<br/>
The better part of my affections would<br/>
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still<br/>
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still<br/>
Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind,<br/>
Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind,<br/>
Peering in maps for ports, and piers and roads;<br/>
Peering in maps for ports, and piers and roads;<br/>
And every object that might make me fear<br/>
And every object that might make me fear<br/>
Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt<br/>
Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt<br/>
Would make me sad.
Would make me sad.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
My wind cooling my broth<br/>
My wind cooling my broth<br/>
Would blow me to an ague when I thought<br/>
Would blow me to an ague when I thought<br/>
What harm a wind too great might do at sea.<br/>
What harm a wind too great might do at sea.<br/>
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run<br/>
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run<br/>
But I should think of shallows and of flats,<br/>
But I should think of shallows and of flats,<br/>
And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand,<br/>
And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand,<br/>
Vailing her high top lower than her ribs<br/>
Vailing her high top lower than her ribs<br/>
To kiss her burial. Should I go to church<br/>
To kiss her burial. Should I go to church<br/>
And see the holy edifice of stone<br/>
And see the holy edifice of stone<br/>
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks,<br/>
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks,<br/>
Which, touching but my gentle vessel's side,<br/>
Which, touching but my gentle vessel's side,<br/>
Would scatter all her spices on the stream,<br/>
Would scatter all her spices on the stream,<br/>
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks,<br/>
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks,<br/>
And, in a word, but even now worth this,<br/>
And, in a word, but even now worth this,<br/>
And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought<br/>
And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought<br/>
To think on this, and shall I lack the thought<br/>
To think on this, and shall I lack the thought<br/>
That such a thing bechanc'd would make me sad?<br/>
That such a thing bechanc'd would make me sad?<br/>
But tell not me, I know Antonio<br/>
But tell not me, I know Antonio<br/>
Is sad to think upon his merchandise.
Is sad to think upon his merchandise.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Believe me, no. I thank my fortune for it,<br/>
Believe me, no. I thank my fortune for it,<br/>
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,<br/>
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,<br/>
Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate<br/>
Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate<br/>
Upon the fortune of this present year.<br/>
Upon the fortune of this present year.<br/>
Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.
Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Why then you are in love.
Why then you are in love.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Fie, fie!
Fie, fie!
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad<br/>
Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad<br/>
Because you are not merry; and 'twere as easy<br/>
Because you are not merry; and 'twere as easy<br/>
For you to laugh and leap and say you are merry<br/>
For you to laugh and leap and say you are merry<br/>
Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,<br/>
Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,<br/>
Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time:<br/>
Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time:<br/>
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes,<br/>
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes,<br/>
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper.<br/>
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper.<br/>
And other of such vinegar aspect<br/>
And other of such vinegar aspect<br/>
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile<br/>
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile<br/>
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio, Lorenzo</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio, Lorenzo</span> and
<span class="charname">Gratiano</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Gratiano</span>.</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,<br/>
Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,<br/>
Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare ye well.<br/>
Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare ye well.<br/>
We leave you now with better company.
We leave you now with better company.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
I would have stay'd till I had made you merry,<br/>
I would have stay'd till I had made you merry,<br/>
If worthier friends had not prevented me.
If worthier friends had not prevented me.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Your worth is very dear in my regard.<br/>
Your worth is very dear in my regard.<br/>
I take it your own business calls on you,<br/>
I take it your own business calls on you,<br/>
And you embrace th' occasion to depart.
And you embrace th' occasion to depart.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Good morrow, my good lords.
Good morrow, my good lords.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? Say, when?<br/>
Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? Say, when?<br/>
You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so?
You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so?
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
We'll make our leisures to attend on yours.
We'll make our leisures to attend on yours.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Salarino</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Salarino</span> and
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio,<br/>
My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio,<br/>
We two will leave you, but at dinner-time<br/>
We two will leave you, but at dinner-time<br/>
I pray you have in mind where we must meet.
I pray you have in mind where we must meet.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
I will not fail you.
I will not fail you.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
You look not well, Signior Antonio,<br/>
You look not well, Signior Antonio,<br/>
You have too much respect upon the world.<br/>
You have too much respect upon the world.<br/>
They lose it that do buy it with much care.<br/>
They lose it that do buy it with much care.<br/>
Believe me, you are marvellously chang'd.
Believe me, you are marvellously chang'd.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,<br/>
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,<br/>
A stage, where every man must play a part,<br/>
A stage, where every man must play a part,<br/>
And mine a sad one.
And mine a sad one.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Let me play the fool,<br/>
Let me play the fool,<br/>
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come,<br/>
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come,<br/>
And let my liver rather heat with wine<br/>
And let my liver rather heat with wine<br/>
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.<br/>
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.<br/>
Why should a man whose blood is warm within<br/>
Why should a man whose blood is warm within<br/>
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?<br/>
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?<br/>
Sleep when he wakes? And creep into the jaundice<br/>
Sleep when he wakes? And creep into the jaundice<br/>
By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio,<br/>
By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio,<br/>
(I love thee, and 'tis my love that speaks):<br/>
(I love thee, and 'tis my love that speaks):<br/>
There are a sort of men whose visages<br/>
There are a sort of men whose visages<br/>
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond,<br/>
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond,<br/>
And do a wilful stillness entertain,<br/>
And do a wilful stillness entertain,<br/>
With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion<br/>
With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion<br/>
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,<br/>
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,<br/>
As who should say, &ldquo;I am Sir Oracle,<br/>
 
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark.&rdquo;<br/>
As who should say, &amp;ldquo;I am Sir Oracle,<br/>
 
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
O my Antonio, I do know of these<br/>
O my Antonio, I do know of these<br/>
That therefore only are reputed wise<br/>
That therefore only are reputed wise<br/>
For saying nothing; when, I am very sure,<br/>
For saying nothing; when, I am very sure,<br/>
If they should speak, would almost damn those ears<br/>
If they should speak, would almost damn those ears<br/>
Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools.<br/>
Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools.<br/>
I'll tell thee more of this another time.<br/>
I'll tell thee more of this another time.<br/>
But fish not with this melancholy bait<br/>
But fish not with this melancholy bait<br/>
For this fool gudgeon, this opinion.<br/>
For this fool gudgeon, this opinion.<br/>
Come, good Lorenzo. Fare ye well a while.<br/>
Come, good Lorenzo. Fare ye well a while.<br/>
I'll end my exhortation after dinner.
I'll end my exhortation after dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Well, we will leave you then till dinner-time.<br/>
Well, we will leave you then till dinner-time.<br/>
I must be one of these same dumb wise men,<br/>
I must be one of these same dumb wise men,<br/>
For Gratiano never lets me speak.
For Gratiano never lets me speak.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Well, keep me company but two years moe,<br/>
Well, keep me company but two years moe,<br/>
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue.
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Fare you well. I'll grow a talker for this gear.
Fare you well. I'll grow a talker for this gear.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Thanks, i' faith, for silence is only commendable<br/>
Thanks, i' faith, for silence is only commendable<br/>
In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendible.
In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendible.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Gratiano</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Gratiano</span> and
<span class="charname">Lorenzo</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Lorenzo</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Is that anything now?
Is that anything now?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice.
Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice.
His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall
His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall
seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them they are not worth the
seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them they are not worth the
search.
search.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Well, tell me now what lady is the same<br/>
Well, tell me now what lady is the same<br/>
To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage,<br/>
To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage,<br/>
That you today promis'd to tell me of?
That you today promis'd to tell me of?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,<br/>
'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,<br/>
How much I have disabled mine estate<br/>
How much I have disabled mine estate<br/>
By something showing a more swelling port<br/>
By something showing a more swelling port<br/>
Than my faint means would grant continuance.<br/>
Than my faint means would grant continuance.<br/>
Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd<br/>
Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd<br/>
From such a noble rate, but my chief care<br/>
From such a noble rate, but my chief care<br/>
Is to come fairly off from the great debts<br/>
Is to come fairly off from the great debts<br/>
Wherein my time, something too prodigal,<br/>
Wherein my time, something too prodigal,<br/>
Hath left me gag'd. To you, Antonio,<br/>
Hath left me gag'd. To you, Antonio,<br/>
I owe the most in money and in love,<br/>
I owe the most in money and in love,<br/>
And from your love I have a warranty<br/>
And from your love I have a warranty<br/>
To unburden all my plots and purposes<br/>
To unburden all my plots and purposes<br/>
How to get clear of all the debts I owe.
How to get clear of all the debts I owe.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;<br/>
I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;<br/>
And if it stand, as you yourself still do,<br/>
And if it stand, as you yourself still do,<br/>
Within the eye of honour, be assur'd<br/>
Within the eye of honour, be assur'd<br/>
My purse, my person, my extremest means<br/>
My purse, my person, my extremest means<br/>
Lie all unlock'd to your occasions.
Lie all unlock'd to your occasions.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft,<br/>
In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft,<br/>
I shot his fellow of the self-same flight<br/>
I shot his fellow of the self-same flight<br/>
The self-same way, with more advised watch<br/>
The self-same way, with more advised watch<br/>
To find the other forth; and by adventuring both<br/>
To find the other forth; and by adventuring both<br/>
I oft found both. I urge this childhood proof<br/>
I oft found both. I urge this childhood proof<br/>
Because what follows is pure innocence.<br/>
Because what follows is pure innocence.<br/>
I owe you much, and, like a wilful youth,<br/>
I owe you much, and, like a wilful youth,<br/>
That which I owe is lost. But if you please<br/>
That which I owe is lost. But if you please<br/>
To shoot another arrow that self way<br/>
To shoot another arrow that self way<br/>
Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt,<br/>
Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt,<br/>
As I will watch the aim, or to find both,<br/>
As I will watch the aim, or to find both,<br/>
Or bring your latter hazard back again,<br/>
Or bring your latter hazard back again,<br/>
And thankfully rest debtor for the first.
And thankfully rest debtor for the first.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
You know me well, and herein spend but time<br/>
You know me well, and herein spend but time<br/>
To wind about my love with circumstance;<br/>
To wind about my love with circumstance;<br/>
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong<br/>
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong<br/>
In making question of my uttermost<br/>
In making question of my uttermost<br/>
Than if you had made waste of all I have.<br/>
Than if you had made waste of all I have.<br/>
Then do but say to me what I should do<br/>
Then do but say to me what I should do<br/>
That in your knowledge may by me be done,<br/>
That in your knowledge may by me be done,<br/>
And I am prest unto it. Therefore, speak.
And I am prest unto it. Therefore, speak.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
In Belmont is a lady richly left,<br/>
In Belmont is a lady richly left,<br/>
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,<br/>
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,<br/>
Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes<br/>
Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes<br/>
I did receive fair speechless messages:<br/>
I did receive fair speechless messages:<br/>
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalu'd<br/>
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalu'd<br/>
To Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia.<br/>
To Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia.<br/>
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,<br/>
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,<br/>
For the four winds blow in from every coast<br/>
For the four winds blow in from every coast<br/>
Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks<br/>
Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks<br/>
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,<br/>
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,<br/>
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strond,<br/>
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strond,<br/>
And many Jasons come in quest of her.<br/>
And many Jasons come in quest of her.<br/>
O my Antonio, had I but the means<br/>
O my Antonio, had I but the means<br/>
To hold a rival place with one of them,<br/>
To hold a rival place with one of them,<br/>
I have a mind presages me such thrift<br/>
I have a mind presages me such thrift<br/>
That I should questionless be fortunate.
That I should questionless be fortunate.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea;<br/>
Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea;<br/>
Neither have I money nor commodity<br/>
Neither have I money nor commodity<br/>
To raise a present sum, therefore go forth<br/>
To raise a present sum, therefore go forth<br/>
Try what my credit can in Venice do;<br/>
Try what my credit can in Venice do;<br/>
That shall be rack'd even to the uttermost,<br/>
That shall be rack'd even to the uttermost,<br/>
To furnish thee to Belmont to fair Portia.<br/>
To furnish thee to Belmont to fair Portia.<br/>
Go presently inquire, and so will I,<br/>
Go presently inquire, and so will I,<br/>
Where money is, and I no question make<br/>
Where money is, and I no question make<br/>
To have it of my trust or for my sake.
To have it of my trust or for my sake.
</p>
</p>


Line 409: Line 595:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span> with her
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span> with her
waiting-woman <span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</p>
waiting-woman <span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world.
By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your
You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your
good fortunes are. And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with
good fortunes are. And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with
too much as they that starve with nothing. It is no mean happiness, therefore,
too much as they that starve with nothing. It is no mean happiness, therefore,
to be seated in the mean. Superfluity come sooner by white hairs, but
to be seated in the mean. Superfluity come sooner by white hairs, but
competency lives longer.
competency lives longer.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Good sentences, and well pronounc'd.
Good sentences, and well pronounc'd.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
They would be better if well followed.
They would be better if well followed.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been
churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. It is a good
churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. It is a good
divine that follows his own instructions; I can easier teach twenty what were
divine that follows his own instructions; I can easier teach twenty what were
good to be done than to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The
good to be done than to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The
brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold
brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold
decree; such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good
decree; such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good
counsel the cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a
counsel the cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a
husband. O me, the word &ldquo;choose&rdquo;! I may neither choose who I would
 
husband. O me, the word &amp;ldquo;choose&amp;rdquo;! I may neither choose who I would
 
nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curb'd by
nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curb'd by
the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one,
the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one,
nor refuse none?
nor refuse none?
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good
inspirations. Therefore the lott'ry that he hath devised in these three
inspirations. Therefore the lott'ry that he hath devised in these three
chests of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you,
chests of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you,
will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly
will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly
love. But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely
love. But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely
suitors that are already come?
suitors that are already come?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I pray thee over-name them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them, and
I pray thee over-name them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them, and
according to my description level at my affection.
according to my description level at my affection.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
First, there is the Neapolitan prince.
First, there is the Neapolitan prince.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse, and
Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse, and
he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him
he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him
himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother play'd false with a smith.
himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother play'd false with a smith.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Then is there the County Palatine.
Then is there the County Palatine.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
He doth nothing but frown, as who should say &ldquo;And you will not have me,
 
choose.&rdquo; He hears merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the
He doth nothing but frown, as who should say &amp;ldquo;And you will not have me,
 
choose.&amp;rdquo; He hears merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the
 
weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in
weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in
his youth. I had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone in his
his youth. I had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone in his
mouth than to either of these. God defend me from these two!
mouth than to either of these. God defend me from these two!
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?
How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a
sin to be a mocker, but he! why, he hath a horse better than the
sin to be a mocker, but he! why, he hath a horse better than the
Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine. He
Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine. He
is every man in no man. If a throstle sing, he falls straight a-cap'ring.
is every man in no man. If a throstle sing, he falls straight a-cap'ring.
He will fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I should marry twenty
He will fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I should marry twenty
husbands. If he would despise me, I would forgive him, for if he love me to
husbands. If he would despise me, I would forgive him, for if he love me to
madness, I shall never requite him.
madness, I shall never requite him.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of England?
What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of England?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath
You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath
neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come into the court and swear
neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come into the court and swear
that I have a poor pennyworth in the English. He is a proper man's
that I have a poor pennyworth in the English. He is a proper man's
picture; but alas, who can converse with a dumb-show? How oddly he is suited! I
picture; but alas, who can converse with a dumb-show? How oddly he is suited! I
think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in
think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in
Germany, and his behaviour everywhere.
Germany, and his behaviour everywhere.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
What think you of the Scottish lord, his neighbour?
What think you of the Scottish lord, his neighbour?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of
That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of
the Englishman, and swore he would pay him again when he was able. I think the
the Englishman, and swore he would pay him again when he was able. I think the
Frenchman became his surety, and seal'd under for another.
Frenchman became his surety, and seal'd under for another.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?
How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Very vilely in the morning when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon
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 a man, and when he
when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he
is worst, he is little better than a beast. And the worst fall that ever fell,
is worst, he is little better than a beast. And the worst fall that ever fell,
I hope I shall make shift to go without him.
I hope I shall make shift to go without him.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to
If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to
perform your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him.
perform your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep glass of Rhenish wine
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,
on the contrary casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation without,
I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to
I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to
a sponge.
a sponge.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords. They have acquainted me
You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords. They have acquainted me
with their determinations, which is indeed to return to their home, and to
with their determinations, which is indeed to return to their home, and to
trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be won by some other sort than
trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be won by some other sort than
your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.
your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be
If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be
obtained by the manner of my father's will. I am glad this parcel of
obtained by the manner of my father's will. I am glad this parcel of
wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his
wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his
very absence. And I pray God grant them a fair departure.
very absence. And I pray God grant them a fair departure.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian,
Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian,
a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of
a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of
Montferrat?
Montferrat?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I think, so was he call'd.
Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I think, so was he call'd.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes look'd upon,
True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes look'd upon,
was the best deserving a fair lady.
was the best deserving a fair lady.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.
</p>
</p>


Line 577: Line 873:


<p>How now! what news?
<p>How now! what news?
</p>
</p>


<p>SERVINGMAN.<br/>
<p>SERVINGMAN.<br/>
The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave. And there is a
The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave. And there is a
forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the Prince
forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the Prince
his master will be here tonight.
his master will be here tonight.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so 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
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 me.
and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me.
Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer,
Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer,
another knocks at the door.
another knocks at the door.
</p>
</p>


Line 598: Line 905:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio</span> with
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio</span> with
<span class="charname">Shylock</span> the Jew.</p>
<span class="charname">Shylock</span> the Jew.</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Three thousand ducats, well.
Three thousand ducats, well.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Ay, sir, for three months.
Ay, sir, for three months.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
For three months, well.
For three months, well.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.
For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Antonio shall become bound, well.
Antonio shall become bound, well.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound.
Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Your answer to that.
Your answer to that.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Antonio is a good man.
Antonio is a good man.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Ho, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you
Ho, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you
understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath
understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath
an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies. I understand, moreover,
an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies. I understand, moreover,
upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other
upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other
ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men;
ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men;
there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves&mdash;I mean
 
pirates&mdash;and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man
there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves&amp;mdash;I mean
 
pirates&amp;mdash;and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man
 
is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his
is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his
bond.
bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Be assured you may.
Be assured you may.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I will be assured I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I
I will be assured I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I
speak with Antonio?
speak with Antonio?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
If it please you to dine with us.
If it please you to dine with us.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite,
Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite,
conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you,
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,
walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you,
nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?
nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?
</p>
</p>


Line 675: Line 1,025:


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
This is Signior Antonio.
This is Signior Antonio.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] How like a fawning publican he looks!<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] How like a fawning publican he looks!<br/>
I hate him for he is a Christian,<br/>
I hate him for he is a Christian,<br/>
But more for that in low simplicity<br/>
But more for that in low simplicity<br/>
He lends out money gratis, and brings down<br/>
He lends out money gratis, and brings down<br/>
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.<br/>
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.<br/>
If I can catch him once upon the hip,<br/>
If I can catch him once upon the hip,<br/>
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.<br/>
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.<br/>
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,<br/>
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,<br/>
Even there where merchants most do congregate,<br/>
Even there where merchants most do congregate,<br/>
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,<br/>
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,<br/>
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe<br/>
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe<br/>
If I forgive him!
If I forgive him!
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Shylock, do you hear?
Shylock, do you hear?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I am debating of my present store,<br/>
I am debating of my present store,<br/>
And by the near guess of my memory<br/>
And by the near guess of my memory<br/>
I cannot instantly raise up the gross<br/>
I cannot instantly raise up the gross<br/>
Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?<br/>
Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?<br/>
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,<br/>
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,<br/>
Will furnish me. But soft! how many months<br/>
Will furnish me. But soft! how many months<br/>
Do you desire? [<i>To Antonio.</i>] Rest you fair, good signior,<br/>
Do you desire? [<i>To Antonio.</i>] Rest you fair, good signior,<br/>
Your worship was the last man in our mouths.
Your worship was the last man in our mouths.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow<br/>
Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow<br/>
By taking nor by giving of excess,<br/>
By taking nor by giving of excess,<br/>
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend,<br/>
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend,<br/>
I'll break a custom. [<i>To Bassanio.</i>] Is he yet possess'd<br/>
I'll break a custom. [<i>To Bassanio.</i>] Is he yet possess'd<br/>
How much ye would?
How much ye would?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.
Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
And for three months.
And for three months.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I had forgot, three months, you told me so.<br/>
I had forgot, three months, you told me so.<br/>
Well then, your bond. And let me see, but hear you,<br/>
Well then, your bond. And let me see, but hear you,<br/>
Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow<br/>
Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow<br/>
Upon advantage.
Upon advantage.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I do never use it.
I do never use it.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep,&mdash;<br/>
 
When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep,&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
This Jacob from our holy Abram was<br/>
This Jacob from our holy Abram was<br/>
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,<br/>
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,<br/>
The third possessor; ay, he was the third.
The third possessor; ay, he was the third.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
And what of him? Did he take interest?
And what of him? Did he take interest?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
No, not take interest, not, as you would say,<br/>
No, not take interest, not, as you would say,<br/>
Directly interest; mark what Jacob did.<br/>
Directly interest; mark what Jacob did.<br/>
When Laban and himself were compromis'd<br/>
When Laban and himself were compromis'd<br/>
That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied<br/>
That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied<br/>
Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes being rank<br/>
Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes being rank<br/>
In end of autumn turned to the rams,<br/>
In end of autumn turned to the rams,<br/>
And when the work of generation was<br/>
And when the work of generation was<br/>
Between these woolly breeders in the act,<br/>
Between these woolly breeders in the act,<br/>
The skilful shepherd pill'd me certain wands,<br/>
The skilful shepherd pill'd me certain wands,<br/>
And in the doing of the deed of kind,<br/>
And in the doing of the deed of kind,<br/>
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,<br/>
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,<br/>
Who then conceiving did in eaning time<br/>
Who then conceiving did in eaning time<br/>
Fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.<br/>
Fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.<br/>
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest;<br/>
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest;<br/>
And thrift is blessing if men steal it not.
And thrift is blessing if men steal it not.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd for,<br/>
This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd for,<br/>
A thing not in his power to bring to pass,<br/>
A thing not in his power to bring to pass,<br/>
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven.<br/>
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven.<br/>
Was this inserted to make interest good?<br/>
Was this inserted to make interest good?<br/>
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast.<br/>
I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast.<br/>
But note me, signior.
But note me, signior.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Mark you this, Bassanio,<br/>
Mark you this, Bassanio,<br/>
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.<br/>
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.<br/>
An evil soul producing holy witness<br/>
An evil soul producing holy witness<br/>
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,<br/>
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,<br/>
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.<br/>
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.<br/>
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Three thousand ducats, 'tis a good round sum.<br/>
Three thousand ducats, 'tis a good round sum.<br/>
Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate.
Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Signior Antonio, many a time and oft<br/>
Signior Antonio, many a time and oft<br/>
In the Rialto you have rated me<br/>
In the Rialto you have rated me<br/>
About my moneys and my usances.<br/>
About my moneys and my usances.<br/>
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,<br/>
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,<br/>
(For suff'rance is the badge of all our tribe.)<br/>
(For suff'rance is the badge of all our tribe.)<br/>
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,<br/>
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,<br/>
And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine,<br/>
And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine,<br/>
And all for use of that which is mine own.<br/>
And all for use of that which is mine own.<br/>
Well then, it now appears you need my help.<br/>
Well then, it now appears you need my help.<br/>
Go to, then, you come to me, and you say<br/>
Go to, then, you come to me, and you say<br/>
&ldquo;Shylock, we would have moneys.&rdquo; You say so:<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Shylock, we would have moneys.&amp;rdquo; You say so:<br/>
 
You that did void your rheum upon my beard,<br/>
You that did void your rheum upon my beard,<br/>
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur<br/>
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur<br/>
Over your threshold, moneys is your suit.<br/>
Over your threshold, moneys is your suit.<br/>
What should I say to you? Should I not say<br/>
What should I say to you? Should I not say<br/>
&ldquo;Hath a dog money? Is it possible<br/>
 
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?&rdquo; Or<br/>
&amp;ldquo;Hath a dog money? Is it possible<br/>
 
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?&amp;rdquo; Or<br/>
 
Shall I bend low and, in a bondman's key,<br/>
Shall I bend low and, in a bondman's key,<br/>
With bated breath and whisp'ring humbleness,<br/>
With bated breath and whisp'ring humbleness,<br/>
Say this:<br/>
Say this:<br/>
&ldquo;Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last;<br/>
 
You spurn'd me such a day; another time<br/>
You spurn'd me such a day; another time<br/>
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies<br/>
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies<br/>
I'll lend you thus much moneys&rdquo;?
 
I'll lend you thus much moneys&amp;rdquo;?
 
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I am as like to call thee so again,<br/>
I am as like to call thee so again,<br/>
To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too.<br/>
To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too.<br/>
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not<br/>
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not<br/>
As to thy friends, for when did friendship take<br/>
As to thy friends, for when did friendship take<br/>
A breed for barren metal of his friend?<br/>
A breed for barren metal of his friend?<br/>
But lend it rather to thine enemy,<br/>
But lend it rather to thine enemy,<br/>
Who if he break, thou mayst with better face<br/>
Who if he break, thou mayst with better face<br/>
Exact the penalty.
Exact the penalty.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Why, look you how you storm!<br/>
Why, look you how you storm!<br/>
I would be friends with you, and have your love,<br/>
I would be friends with you, and have your love,<br/>
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,<br/>
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,<br/>
Supply your present wants, and take no doit<br/>
Supply your present wants, and take no doit<br/>
Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me,<br/>
Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me,<br/>
This is kind I offer.
This is kind I offer.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
This were kindness.
This were kindness.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
This kindness will I show.<br/>
This kindness will I show.<br/>
Go with me to a notary, seal me there<br/>
Go with me to a notary, seal me there<br/>
Your single bond; and in a merry sport,<br/>
Your single bond; and in a merry sport,<br/>
If you repay me not on such a day,<br/>
If you repay me not on such a day,<br/>
In such a place, such sum or sums as are<br/>
In such a place, such sum or sums as are<br/>
Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit<br/>
Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit<br/>
Be nominated for an equal pound<br/>
Be nominated for an equal pound<br/>
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken<br/>
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken<br/>
In what part of your body pleaseth me.
In what part of your body pleaseth me.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Content, in faith, I'll seal to such a bond,<br/>
Content, in faith, I'll seal to such a bond,<br/>
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
You shall not seal to such a bond for me,<br/>
You shall not seal to such a bond for me,<br/>
I'll rather dwell in my necessity.
I'll rather dwell in my necessity.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it,<br/>
Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it,<br/>
Within these two months, that's a month before<br/>
Within these two months, that's a month before<br/>
This bond expires, I do expect return<br/>
This bond expires, I do expect return<br/>
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
O father Abram, what these Christians are,<br/>
O father Abram, what these Christians are,<br/>
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect<br/>
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect<br/>
The thoughts of others. Pray you, tell me this,<br/>
The thoughts of others. Pray you, tell me this,<br/>
If he should break his day, what should I gain<br/>
If he should break his day, what should I gain<br/>
By the exaction of the forfeiture?<br/>
By the exaction of the forfeiture?<br/>
A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man,<br/>
A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man,<br/>
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,<br/>
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,<br/>
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,<br/>
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,<br/>
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship.<br/>
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship.<br/>
If he will take it, so. If not, adieu,<br/>
If he will take it, so. If not, adieu,<br/>
And for my love I pray you wrong me not.
And for my love I pray you wrong me not.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Then meet me forthwith at the notary's,<br/>
Then meet me forthwith at the notary's,<br/>
Give him direction for this merry bond,<br/>
Give him direction for this merry bond,<br/>
And I will go and purse the ducats straight,<br/>
And I will go and purse the ducats straight,<br/>
See to my house left in the fearful guard<br/>
See to my house left in the fearful guard<br/>
Of an unthrifty knave, and presently<br/>
Of an unthrifty knave, and presently<br/>
I'll be with you.
I'll be with you.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Hie thee, gentle Jew.
Hie thee, gentle Jew.
</p>
</p>


Line 909: Line 1,433:


<p>This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.
<p>This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.
I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Come on; in this there can be no dismay;<br/>
Come on; in this there can be no dismay;<br/>
My ships come home a month before the day.
My ships come home a month before the day.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>


<h3 id="sceneII_221"> <b>ACT II</b></h3>
<h3 id="sceneII_221"> <b>ACT II</b></h3>
Line 931: Line 1,457:


<p class="scenedesc"> Flourish of cornets. Enter the <span class="charname">Prince
<p class="scenedesc"> Flourish of cornets. Enter the <span class="charname">Prince
of Morocco</span>, a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly,
of Morocco</span>, a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly,
with <span class="charname">Portia, Nerissa</span> and their train.</p>
with <span class="charname">Portia, Nerissa</span> and their train.</p>


<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
Mislike me not for my complexion,<br/>
Mislike me not for my complexion,<br/>
The shadowed livery of the burnish'd sun,<br/>
The shadowed livery of the burnish'd sun,<br/>
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.<br/>
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.<br/>
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,<br/>
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,<br/>
Where Phœbus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,<br/>
Where Phœbus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,<br/>
And let us make incision for your love<br/>
And let us make incision for your love<br/>
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.<br/>
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.<br/>
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine<br/>
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine<br/>
Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love I swear<br/>
Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love I swear<br/>
The best-regarded virgins of our clime<br/>
The best-regarded virgins of our clime<br/>
Have lov'd it too. I would not change this hue,<br/>
Have lov'd it too. I would not change this hue,<br/>
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
In terms of choice I am not solely led<br/>
In terms of choice I am not solely led<br/>
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;<br/>
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;<br/>
Besides, the lott'ry of my destiny<br/>
Besides, the lott'ry of my destiny<br/>
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.<br/>
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.<br/>
But if my father had not scanted me<br/>
But if my father had not scanted me<br/>
And hedg'd me by his wit to yield myself<br/>
And hedg'd me by his wit to yield myself<br/>
His wife who wins me by that means I told you,<br/>
His wife who wins me by that means I told you,<br/>
Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair<br/>
Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair<br/>
As any comer I have look'd on yet<br/>
As any comer I have look'd on yet<br/>
For my affection.
For my affection.
</p>
</p>


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


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You must take your chance,<br/>
You must take your chance,<br/>
And either not attempt to choose at all,<br/>
And either not attempt to choose at all,<br/>
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong<br/>
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong<br/>
Never to speak to lady afterward<br/>
Never to speak to lady afterward<br/>
In way of marriage. Therefore be advis'd.
In way of marriage. Therefore be advis'd.
</p>
</p>


<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
First, forward to the temple. After dinner<br/>
First, forward to the temple. After dinner<br/>
Your hazard shall be made.
Your hazard shall be made.
</p>
</p>


<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
Good fortune then,<br/>
Good fortune then,<br/>
To make me blest or cursed'st among men!
To make me blest or cursed'st among men!
</p>
</p>


Line 1,009: Line 1,593:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Launcelet Gobbo</span>, the
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Launcelet Gobbo</span>, the
clown, alone.</p>
clown, alone.</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master. The fiend
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 &ldquo;Gobbo, Launcelet Gobbo,
 
good Launcelet&rdquo; or &ldquo;good Gobbo,&rdquo; or &ldquo;good Launcelet
is at mine elbow and tempts me, saying to me &amp;ldquo;Gobbo, Launcelet Gobbo,
Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.&rdquo; My conscience says
 
&ldquo;No; take heed, honest Launcelet, take heed, honest Gobbo&rdquo; or, as
good Launcelet&amp;rdquo; or &amp;ldquo;good Gobbo,&amp;rdquo; or &amp;ldquo;good Launcelet
aforesaid, &ldquo;honest Launcelet Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy
 
heels.&rdquo; Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack. &ldquo;Fia!&rdquo;
Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.&amp;rdquo; My conscience says
says the fiend, &ldquo;away!&rdquo; says the fiend. &ldquo;For the heavens,
 
rouse up a brave mind,&rdquo; says the fiend &ldquo;and run.&rdquo; Well, my
&amp;ldquo;No; take heed, honest Launcelet, take heed, honest Gobbo&amp;rdquo; or, as
 
aforesaid, &amp;ldquo;honest Launcelet Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy
 
heels.&amp;rdquo; Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack. &amp;ldquo;Fia!&amp;rdquo;
 
says the fiend, &amp;ldquo;away!&amp;rdquo; says the fiend. &amp;ldquo;For the heavens,
 
rouse up a brave mind,&amp;rdquo; says the fiend &amp;ldquo;and run.&amp;rdquo; Well, my
 
conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me
conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me
&ldquo;My honest friend Launcelet, being an honest man's
 
son&rdquo;&mdash;or rather an honest woman's son, for indeed my father
&amp;ldquo;My honest friend Launcelet, being an honest man's
did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste;&mdash;well, my
 
conscience says &ldquo;Launcelet, budge not.&rdquo; &ldquo;Budge,&rdquo; says
son&amp;rdquo;&amp;mdash;or rather an honest woman's son, for indeed my father
the fiend. &ldquo;Budge not,&rdquo; says my conscience.
 
&ldquo;Conscience,&rdquo; say I, &ldquo;you counsel well.&rdquo;
did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste;&amp;mdash;well, my
&ldquo;Fiend,&rdquo; say I, &ldquo;you counsel well.&rdquo; To be ruled by my
 
conscience says &amp;ldquo;Launcelet, budge not.&amp;rdquo; &amp;ldquo;Budge,&amp;rdquo; says
 
the fiend. &amp;ldquo;Budge not,&amp;rdquo; says my conscience.
 
&amp;ldquo;Conscience,&amp;rdquo; say I, &amp;ldquo;you counsel well.&amp;rdquo;
 
&amp;ldquo;Fiend,&amp;rdquo; say I, &amp;ldquo;you counsel well.&amp;rdquo; To be ruled by my
 
conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who, (God bless the mark) is
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 ruled by the fiend,
a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend,
who (saving your reverence) is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very
who (saving your reverence) is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very
devil incarnation, and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard
devil incarnation, 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
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
more friendly counsel. I will run, fiend, my heels are at your commandment, I
will run.
will run.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,041: Line 1,651:


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Master young man, you, I pray you; which is the way to Master Jew's?
Master young man, you, I pray you; which is the way to Master Jew's?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] O heavens, this is my true-begotten father, who being more than
[<i>Aside.</i>] O heavens, this is my true-begotten father, who being more than
sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not. I will try confusions with him.
sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not. I will try confusions with him.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jew's?
Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jew's?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of
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
all on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn
down indirectly to the Jew's house.
down indirectly to the Jew's house.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Be God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you
Be God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you
tell me whether one Launcelet, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?
tell me whether one Launcelet, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Talk you of young Master Launcelet? [<i>Aside.</i>] Mark me now, now will I
Talk you of young Master Launcelet? [<i>Aside.</i>] Mark me now, now will I
raise the waters. Talk you of young Master Launcelet?
raise the waters. Talk you of young Master Launcelet?
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
No master, sir, but a poor man's son, his father, though I
No master, sir, but a poor man's son, his father, though I
say't, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to
say't, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to
live.
live.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young Master Launcelet.
Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young Master Launcelet.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Your worship's friend, and Launcelet, sir.
Your worship's friend, and Launcelet, sir.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
But I pray you, <i>ergo</i>, old man, <i>ergo</i>, I beseech you, talk you of
But I pray you, <i>ergo</i>, old man, <i>ergo</i>, I beseech you, talk you of
young Master Launcelet?
young Master Launcelet?
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Of Launcelet, an't please your mastership.
Of Launcelet, an't please your mastership.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<i>Ergo</i>, Master Launcelet. Talk not of Master Launcelet, father, for the
<i>Ergo</i>, Master Launcelet. Talk not of Master Launcelet, father, for the
young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the
young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the
Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or, as you
Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or, as you
would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.
would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop.
Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or a prop? Do
[<i>Aside.</i>] Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or a prop? Do
you know me, father?
you know me, father?
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Alack the day! I know you not, young gentleman, but I pray you tell me, is my
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?
boy, God rest his soul, alive or dead?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Do you not know me, father?
Do you not know me, father?
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not.
Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not.
</p>
</p>


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


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Pray you, sir, stand up, I am sure you are not Launcelet my boy.
Pray you, sir, stand up, I am sure you are not Launcelet my boy.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing.
Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing.
I am Launcelet, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.
I am Launcelet, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
I cannot think you are my son.
I cannot think you are my son.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
I know not what I shall think of that; but I am Launcelet, the Jew's man,
I know not what I shall think of that; but I am Launcelet, the Jew's man,
and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother.
and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Her name is Margery, indeed. I'll be sworn if thou be Launcelet, thou
Her name is Margery, indeed. I'll be sworn if thou be Launcelet, thou
art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipped might he be, what a beard hast
art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipped might he be, what a beard hast
thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse has on
thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse has on
his tail.
his tail.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
It should seem, then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward. I am sure he had
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.
more hair on his tail than I have on my face when I last saw him.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I
Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I
have brought him a present. How 'gree you now?
have brought him a present. How 'gree you now?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Well, well. But for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I
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
will not rest till I have run some ground. My master's a very Jew. Give
him a present! Give him a halter. I am famished in his service. You may tell
him a present! Give him a halter. I am famished in his service. You may tell
every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come, give me your
every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come, give me your
present to one Master Bassanio, who indeed gives rare new liveries. If I serve
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. O rare fortune, here comes
not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. O rare fortune, here comes
the man! To him, father; for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.
the man! To him, father; for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio</span> with
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio</span> with
<span class="charname">Leonardo</span> and a follower or two.</p>
<span class="charname">Leonardo</span> and a follower or two.</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
You may do so, but let it be so hasted that supper be ready at the farthest by
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 delivered, put the liveries to making, and
five of the clock. See these letters delivered, put the liveries to making, and
desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.
desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,185: Line 1,881:


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
To him, father.
To him, father.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
God bless your worship!
God bless your worship!
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Gramercy, wouldst thou aught with me?
Gramercy, wouldst thou aught with me?
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
Here's my son, sir, a poor boy.
Here's my son, sir, a poor boy.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man, that would, sir, as my
Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man, that would, sir, as my
father shall specify.
father shall specify.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve.
He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Indeed the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my
Indeed the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my
father shall specify.
father shall specify.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are scarce
His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are scarce
cater-cousins.
cater-cousins.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having done me wrong, doth cause
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.
me, as my father, being I hope an old man, shall frutify unto you.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship,
I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship,
and my suit is&mdash;
 
and my suit is&amp;mdash;
 
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by
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
this honest old man, and though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my
father.
father.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
One speak for both. What would you?
One speak for both. What would you?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Serve you, sir.
Serve you, sir.
</p>
</p>


<p>GOBBO.<br/>
<p>GOBBO.<br/>
That is the very defect of the matter, sir.
That is the very defect of the matter, sir.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
I know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit.<br/>
I know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit.<br/>
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,<br/>
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,<br/>
And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment<br/>
And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment<br/>
To leave a rich Jew's service to become<br/>
To leave a rich Jew's service to become<br/>
The follower of so poor a gentleman.
The follower of so poor a gentleman.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you
The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you
have &ldquo;the grace of God&rdquo;, sir, and he hath &ldquo;enough&rdquo;.
 
have &amp;ldquo;the grace of God&amp;rdquo;, sir, and he hath &amp;ldquo;enough&amp;rdquo;.
 
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son.<br/>
Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son.<br/>
Take leave of thy old master, and inquire<br/>
Take leave of thy old master, and inquire<br/>
My lodging out. [<i>To a Servant.</i>] Give him a livery<br/>
My lodging out. [<i>To a Servant.</i>] Give him a livery<br/>
More guarded than his fellows'; see it done.
More guarded than his fellows'; see it done.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Father, in. I cannot get a service, no! I have ne'er a tongue in my head!
Father, in. I cannot get a service, no! I have ne'er a tongue in my head!
[<i>Looking on his palm.</i>] Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table
[<i>Looking on his palm.</i>] Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table
which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune; go to,
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,
here's a simple line of life. Here's a small trifle of wives, alas,
fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in
fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in
for one man. And then to scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life
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
with the edge of a feather-bed; here are simple 'scapes. Well, if Fortune
be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear. Father, come; I'll
be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear. Father, come; I'll
take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling.
take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Launcelet</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Launcelet</span> and
<span class="charname">Old Gobbo</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Old Gobbo</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.<br/>
I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.<br/>
These things being bought and orderly bestow'd,<br/>
These things being bought and orderly bestow'd,<br/>
Return in haste, for I do feast tonight<br/>
Return in haste, for I do feast tonight<br/>
My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.
My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.
</p>
</p>


<p>LEONARDO.<br/>
<p>LEONARDO.<br/>
My best endeavours shall be done herein.
My best endeavours shall be done herein.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,296: Line 2,059:


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Where's your master?
Where's your master?
</p>
</p>


<p>LEONARDO.<br/>
<p>LEONARDO.<br/>
Yonder, sir, he walks.
Yonder, sir, he walks.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,306: Line 2,073:


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Signior Bassanio!
Signior Bassanio!
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Gratiano!
Gratiano!
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
I have suit to you.
I have suit to you.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
You have obtain'd it.
You have obtain'd it.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
You must not deny me, I must go with you to Belmont.
You must not deny me, I must go with you to Belmont.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Why, then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano,<br/>
Why, then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano,<br/>
Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice,<br/>
Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice,<br/>
Parts that become thee happily enough,<br/>
Parts that become thee happily enough,<br/>
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;<br/>
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;<br/>
But where thou art not known, why there they show<br/>
But where thou art not known, why there they show<br/>
Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain<br/>
Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain<br/>
To allay with some cold drops of modesty<br/>
To allay with some cold drops of modesty<br/>
Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour<br/>
Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour<br/>
I be misconst'red in the place I go to,<br/>
I be misconst'red in the place I go to,<br/>
And lose my hopes.
And lose my hopes.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Signior Bassanio, hear me.<br/>
Signior Bassanio, hear me.<br/>
If I do not put on a sober habit,<br/>
If I do not put on a sober habit,<br/>
Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,<br/>
Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,<br/>
Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely,<br/>
Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely,<br/>
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes<br/>
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes<br/>
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say &ldquo;amen&rdquo;;<br/>
 
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say &amp;ldquo;amen&amp;rdquo;;<br/>
 
Use all the observance of civility<br/>
Use all the observance of civility<br/>
Like one well studied in a sad ostent<br/>
Like one well studied in a sad ostent<br/>
To please his grandam, never trust me more.
To please his grandam, never trust me more.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Well, we shall see your bearing.
Well, we shall see your bearing.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Nay, but I bar tonight, you shall not gauge me<br/>
Nay, but I bar tonight, you shall not gauge me<br/>
By what we do tonight.
By what we do tonight.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
No, that were pity.<br/>
No, that were pity.<br/>
I would entreat you rather to put on<br/>
I would entreat you rather to put on<br/>
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends<br/>
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends<br/>
That purpose merriment. But fare you well,<br/>
That purpose merriment. But fare you well,<br/>
I have some business.
I have some business.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
And I must to Lorenzo and the rest,<br/>
And I must to Lorenzo and the rest,<br/>
But we will visit you at supper-time.
But we will visit you at supper-time.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,377: Line 2,189:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Jessica</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Jessica</span> and
<span class="charname">Launcelet</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Launcelet</span>.</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so.<br/>
I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so.<br/>
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,<br/>
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,<br/>
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.<br/>
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.<br/>
But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee,<br/>
But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee,<br/>
And, Launcelet, soon at supper shalt thou see<br/>
And, Launcelet, soon at supper shalt thou see<br/>
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest.<br/>
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest.<br/>
Give him this letter, do it secretly.<br/>
Give him this letter, do it secretly.<br/>
And so farewell. I would not have my father<br/>
And so farewell. I would not have my father<br/>
See me in talk with thee.
See me in talk with thee.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a
Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a
Christian do not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu!
Christian do not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu!
These foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit. Adieu!
These foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit. Adieu!
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Farewell, good Launcelet.
Farewell, good Launcelet.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,404: Line 2,233:


<p>Alack, what heinous sin is it in me<br/>
<p>Alack, what heinous sin is it in me<br/>
To be ashamed to be my father's child!<br/>
To be ashamed to be my father's child!<br/>
But though I am a daughter to his blood,<br/>
But though I am a daughter to his blood,<br/>
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,<br/>
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,<br/>
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,<br/>
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,<br/>
Become a Christian and thy loving wife.
Become a Christian and thy loving wife.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,416: Line 2,251:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino</span>
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino</span>
and <span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</p>
and <span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,<br/>
Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,<br/>
Disguise us at my lodging, and return<br/>
Disguise us at my lodging, and return<br/>
All in an hour.
All in an hour.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
We have not made good preparation.
We have not made good preparation.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.
We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,<br/>
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,<br/>
And better in my mind not undertook.
And better in my mind not undertook.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
'Tis now but four o'clock, we have two hours<br/>
'Tis now but four o'clock, we have two hours<br/>
To furnish us.
To furnish us.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,445: Line 2,295:


<p>Friend Launcelet, what's the news?
<p>Friend Launcelet, what's the news?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
And it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify.
And it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
I know the hand, in faith 'tis a fair hand,<br/>
I know the hand, in faith 'tis a fair hand,<br/>
And whiter than the paper it writ on<br/>
And whiter than the paper it writ on<br/>
Is the fair hand that writ.
Is the fair hand that writ.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Love news, in faith.
Love news, in faith.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
By your leave, sir.
By your leave, sir.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Whither goest thou?
Whither goest thou?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the
Christian.
Christian.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica<br/>
Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica<br/>
I will not fail her, speak it privately.<br/>
I will not fail her, speak it privately.<br/>
Go, gentlemen,
Go, gentlemen,
</p>
</p>


Line 1,483: Line 2,353:


<p>Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?<br/>
<p>Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?<br/>
I am provided of a torch-bearer.
I am provided of a torch-bearer.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
And so will I.
And so will I.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Meet me and Gratiano<br/>
Meet me and Gratiano<br/>
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
'Tis good we do so.
'Tis good we do so.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Salarino</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Salarino</span> and
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed<br/>
I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed<br/>
How I shall take her from her father's house,<br/>
How I shall take her from her father's house,<br/>
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with,<br/>
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with,<br/>
What page's suit she hath in readiness.<br/>
What page's suit she hath in readiness.<br/>
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,<br/>
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,<br/>
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake;<br/>
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake;<br/>
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,<br/>
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,<br/>
Unless she do it under this excuse,<br/>
Unless she do it under this excuse,<br/>
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.<br/>
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.<br/>
Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest;<br/>
Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest;<br/>
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,529: Line 2,425:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Shylock</span> the Jew and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Shylock</span> the Jew and
<span class="charname">Launcelet</span> his man that was the clown.</p>
<span class="charname">Launcelet</span> his man that was the clown.</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,<br/>
Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,<br/>
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio.&mdash;<br/>
 
What, Jessica!&mdash;Thou shalt not gormandize<br/>
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio.&amp;mdash;<br/>
As thou hast done with me;&mdash;What, Jessica!&mdash;<br/>
 
What, Jessica!&amp;mdash;Thou shalt not gormandize<br/>
 
As thou hast done with me;&amp;mdash;What, Jessica!&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
And sleep, and snore, and rend apparel out.<br/>
And sleep, and snore, and rend apparel out.<br/>
Why, Jessica, I say!
Why, Jessica, I say!
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Why, Jessica!
Why, Jessica!
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.
Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Your worship was wont to tell me I could do nothing without bidding.
Your worship was wont to tell me I could do nothing without bidding.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,555: Line 2,465:


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Call you? What is your will?
Call you? What is your will?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I am bid forth to supper, Jessica.<br/>
I am bid forth to supper, Jessica.<br/>
There are my keys. But wherefore should I go?<br/>
There are my keys. But wherefore should I go?<br/>
I am not bid for love, they flatter me.<br/>
I am not bid for love, they flatter me.<br/>
But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon<br/>
But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon<br/>
The prodigal Christian. Jessica, my girl,<br/>
The prodigal Christian. Jessica, my girl,<br/>
Look to my house. I am right loath to go;<br/>
Look to my house. I am right loath to go;<br/>
There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,<br/>
There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,<br/>
For I did dream of money-bags tonight.
For I did dream of money-bags tonight.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach.
I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
So do I his.
So do I his.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
And they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but if
And they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but if
you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black
you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black
Monday last at six o'clock i' th' morning, falling out that
Monday last at six o'clock i' th' morning, falling out that
year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in th' afternoon.
year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in th' afternoon.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica,<br/>
What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica,<br/>
Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum<br/>
Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum<br/>
And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife,<br/>
And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife,<br/>
Clamber not you up to the casements then,<br/>
Clamber not you up to the casements then,<br/>
Nor thrust your head into the public street<br/>
Nor thrust your head into the public street<br/>
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces,<br/>
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces,<br/>
But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements.<br/>
But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements.<br/>
Let not the sound of shallow fopp'ry enter<br/>
Let not the sound of shallow fopp'ry enter<br/>
My sober house. By Jacob's staff I swear<br/>
My sober house. By Jacob's staff I swear<br/>
I have no mind of feasting forth tonight.<br/>
I have no mind of feasting forth tonight.<br/>
But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah.<br/>
But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah.<br/>
Say I will come.
Say I will come.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
I will go before, sir.<br/>
I will go before, sir.<br/>
Mistress, look out at window for all this.<br/>
Mistress, look out at window for all this.<br/>
     There will come a Christian by<br/>
     There will come a Christian by<br/>
     Will be worth a Jewess' eye.
     Will be worth a Jewess' eye.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,609: Line 2,557:


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha?
What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha?
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
His words were &ldquo;Farewell, mistress,&rdquo; nothing else.
 
His words were &amp;ldquo;Farewell, mistress,&amp;rdquo; nothing else.
 
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder,<br/>
The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder,<br/>
Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day<br/>
Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day<br/>
More than the wild-cat. Drones hive not with me,<br/>
More than the wild-cat. Drones hive not with me,<br/>
Therefore I part with him, and part with him<br/>
Therefore I part with him, and part with him<br/>
To one that I would have him help to waste<br/>
To one that I would have him help to waste<br/>
His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.<br/>
His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.<br/>
Perhaps I will return immediately:<br/>
Perhaps I will return immediately:<br/>
Do as I bid you, shut doors after you,<br/>
Do as I bid you, shut doors after you,<br/>
&ldquo;Fast bind, fast find.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Fast bind, fast find.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,632: Line 2,595:


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Farewell, and if my fortune be not crost,<br/>
Farewell, and if my fortune be not crost,<br/>
I have a father, you a daughter, lost.
I have a father, you a daughter, lost.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,641: Line 2,607:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the masquers, <span class="charname">Gratiano</span>
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the masquers, <span class="charname">Gratiano</span>
and <span class="charname">Salarino</span>.</p>
and <span class="charname">Salarino</span>.</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo<br/>
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo<br/>
Desired us to make stand.
Desired us to make stand.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
His hour is almost past.
His hour is almost past.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,<br/>
And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,<br/>
For lovers ever run before the clock.
For lovers ever run before the clock.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
O ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly<br/>
O ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly<br/>
To seal love's bonds new-made than they are wont<br/>
To seal love's bonds new-made than they are wont<br/>
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
That ever holds: who riseth from a feast<br/>
That ever holds: who riseth from a feast<br/>
With that keen appetite that he sits down?<br/>
With that keen appetite that he sits down?<br/>
Where is the horse that doth untread again<br/>
Where is the horse that doth untread again<br/>
His tedious measures with the unbated fire<br/>
His tedious measures with the unbated fire<br/>
That he did pace them first? All things that are,<br/>
That he did pace them first? All things that are,<br/>
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.<br/>
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.<br/>
How like a younger or a prodigal<br/>
How like a younger or a prodigal<br/>
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,<br/>
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,<br/>
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!<br/>
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!<br/>
How like the prodigal doth she return<br/>
How like the prodigal doth she return<br/>
With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails,<br/>
With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails,<br/>
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
</p>
</p>


Line 1,681: Line 2,673:


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter.
Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode.<br/>
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode.<br/>
Not I but my affairs have made you wait.<br/>
Not I but my affairs have made you wait.<br/>
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,<br/>
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,<br/>
I'll watch as long for you then. Approach.<br/>
I'll watch as long for you then. Approach.<br/>
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?
</p>
</p>


Line 1,695: Line 2,695:


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,<br/>
Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,<br/>
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Lorenzo, and thy love.
Lorenzo, and thy love.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Lorenzo certain, and my love indeed,<br/>
Lorenzo certain, and my love indeed,<br/>
For who love I so much? And now who knows<br/>
For who love I so much? And now who knows<br/>
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.<br/>
Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.<br/>
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,<br/>
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,<br/>
For I am much asham'd of my exchange.<br/>
For I am much asham'd of my exchange.<br/>
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see<br/>
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see<br/>
The pretty follies that themselves commit,<br/>
The pretty follies that themselves commit,<br/>
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush<br/>
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush<br/>
To see me thus transformed to a boy.
To see me thus transformed to a boy.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.
Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
What! must I hold a candle to my shames?<br/>
What! must I hold a candle to my shames?<br/>
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.<br/>
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.<br/>
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love,<br/>
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love,<br/>
And I should be obscur'd.
And I should be obscur'd.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
So are you, sweet,<br/>
So are you, sweet,<br/>
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.<br/>
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.<br/>
But come at once,<br/>
But come at once,<br/>
For the close night doth play the runaway,<br/>
For the close night doth play the runaway,<br/>
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I will make fast the doors, and gild myself<br/>
I will make fast the doors, and gild myself<br/>
With some moe ducats, and be with you straight.
With some moe ducats, and be with you straight.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,750: Line 2,785:


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Now, by my hood, a gentle, and no Jew.
Now, by my hood, a gentle, and no Jew.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Beshrew me but I love her heartily,<br/>
Beshrew me but I love her heartily,<br/>
For she is wise, if I can judge of her,<br/>
For she is wise, if I can judge of her,<br/>
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,<br/>
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,<br/>
And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself.<br/>
And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself.<br/>
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,<br/>
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,<br/>
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,765: Line 2,809:


<p>What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!<br/>
<p>What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!<br/>
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exit with <span class="charname">Jessica</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exit with <span class="charname">Jessica</span> and
<span class="charname">Salarino</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Salarino</span>.</i>]</p>


Line 1,774: Line 2,821:


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Who's there?
Who's there?
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Signior Antonio!
Signior Antonio!
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?<br/>
Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?<br/>
'Tis nine o'clock, our friends all stay for you.<br/>
'Tis nine o'clock, our friends all stay for you.<br/>
No masque tonight, the wind is come about;<br/>
No masque tonight, the wind is come about;<br/>
Bassanio presently will go aboard.<br/>
Bassanio presently will go aboard.<br/>
I have sent twenty out to seek for you.
I have sent twenty out to seek for you.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
I am glad on't. I desire no more delight<br/>
I am glad on't. I desire no more delight<br/>
Than to be under sail and gone tonight.
Than to be under sail and gone tonight.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,799: Line 2,859:


<p class="scenedesc"> Flourish of cornets. Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span>
<p class="scenedesc"> Flourish of cornets. Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span>
with the <span class="charname">Prince of Morocco</span> and both their trains.</p>
with the <span class="charname">Prince of Morocco</span> and both their trains.</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Go, draw aside the curtains and discover<br/>
Go, draw aside the curtains and discover<br/>
The several caskets to this noble prince.<br/>
The several caskets to this noble prince.<br/>
Now make your choice.
Now make your choice.
</p>
</p>


<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,<br/>
The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
The second, silver, which this promise carries,<br/>
The second, silver, which this promise carries,<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,<br/>
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
How shall I know if I do choose the right?
How shall I know if I do choose the right?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
The one of them contains my picture, prince.<br/>
The one of them contains my picture, prince.<br/>
If you choose that, then I am yours withal.
If you choose that, then I am yours withal.
</p>
</p>


<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
Some god direct my judgment! Let me see.<br/>
Some god direct my judgment! Let me see.<br/>
I will survey the inscriptions back again.<br/>
I will survey the inscriptions back again.<br/>
What says this leaden casket?<br/>
What says this leaden casket?<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
Must give, for what? For lead? Hazard for lead!<br/>
Must give, for what? For lead? Hazard for lead!<br/>
This casket threatens; men that hazard all<br/>
This casket threatens; men that hazard all<br/>
Do it in hope of fair advantages:<br/>
Do it in hope of fair advantages:<br/>
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross,<br/>
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross,<br/>
I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.<br/>
I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.<br/>
What says the silver with her virgin hue?<br/>
What says the silver with her virgin hue?<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco,<br/>
As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco,<br/>
And weigh thy value with an even hand.<br/>
And weigh thy value with an even hand.<br/>
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation<br/>
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation<br/>
Thou dost deserve enough, and yet enough<br/>
Thou dost deserve enough, and yet enough<br/>
May not extend so far as to the lady.<br/>
May not extend so far as to the lady.<br/>
And yet to be afeard of my deserving<br/>
And yet to be afeard of my deserving<br/>
Were but a weak disabling of myself.<br/>
Were but a weak disabling of myself.<br/>
As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady:<br/>
As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady:<br/>
I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,<br/>
I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,<br/>
In graces, and in qualities of breeding;<br/>
In graces, and in qualities of breeding;<br/>
But more than these, in love I do deserve.<br/>
But more than these, in love I do deserve.<br/>
What if I stray'd no farther, but chose here?<br/>
What if I stray'd no farther, but chose here?<br/>
Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold:<br/>
Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold:<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
Why, that's the lady, all the world desires her.<br/>
Why, that's the lady, all the world desires her.<br/>
From the four corners of the earth they come<br/>
From the four corners of the earth they come<br/>
To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint.<br/>
To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint.<br/>
The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds<br/>
The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds<br/>
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now<br/>
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now<br/>
For princes to come view fair Portia.<br/>
For princes to come view fair Portia.<br/>
The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head<br/>
The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head<br/>
Spets in the face of heaven, is no bar<br/>
Spets in the face of heaven, is no bar<br/>
To stop the foreign spirits, but they come<br/>
To stop the foreign spirits, but they come<br/>
As o'er a brook to see fair Portia.<br/>
As o'er a brook to see fair Portia.<br/>
One of these three contains her heavenly picture.<br/>
One of these three contains her heavenly picture.<br/>
Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation<br/>
Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation<br/>
To think so base a thought. It were too gross<br/>
To think so base a thought. It were too gross<br/>
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.<br/>
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.<br/>
Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd<br/>
Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd<br/>
Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?<br/>
Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?<br/>
O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem<br/>
O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem<br/>
Was set in worse than gold. They have in England<br/>
Was set in worse than gold. They have in England<br/>
A coin that bears the figure of an angel<br/>
A coin that bears the figure of an angel<br/>
Stamped in gold; but that's insculp'd upon;<br/>
Stamped in gold; but that's insculp'd upon;<br/>
But here an angel in a golden bed<br/>
But here an angel in a golden bed<br/>
Lies all within. Deliver me the key.<br/>
Lies all within. Deliver me the key.<br/>
Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may.
Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there,<br/>
There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there,<br/>
Then I am yours.
Then I am yours.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,881: Line 3,009:


<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
<p>PRINCE OF MOROCCO.<br/>
O hell! what have we here?<br/>
O hell! what have we here?<br/>
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye<br/>
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye<br/>
There is a written scroll. I'll read the writing.
There is a written scroll. I'll read the writing.
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
     <i>All that glisters is not gold,<br/>
     <i>All that glisters is not gold,<br/>
     Often have you heard that told.<br/>
     Often have you heard that told.<br/>
     Many a man his life hath sold<br/>
     Many a man his life hath sold<br/>
     But my outside to behold.<br/>
     But my outside to behold.<br/>
     Gilded tombs do worms infold.<br/>
     Gilded tombs do worms infold.<br/>
     Had you been as wise as bold,<br/>
     Had you been as wise as bold,<br/>
     Young in limbs, in judgment old,<br/>
     Young in limbs, in judgment old,<br/>
     Your answer had not been inscroll'd,<br/>
     Your answer had not been inscroll'd,<br/>
     Fare you well, your suit is cold.</i>
     Fare you well, your suit is cold.</i>
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
   Cold indeed and labour lost,<br/>
   Cold indeed and labour lost,<br/>
   Then farewell heat, and welcome frost.<br/>
   Then farewell heat, and welcome frost.<br/>
Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart<br/>
Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart<br/>
To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part.
To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,908: Line 3,055:


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.<br/>
A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.<br/>
Let all of his complexion choose me so.
Let all of his complexion choose me so.
</p>
</p>


Line 1,917: Line 3,067:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Salarino</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Salarino</span> and
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Solanio</span>.</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail;<br/>
Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail;<br/>
With him is Gratiano gone along;<br/>
With him is Gratiano gone along;<br/>
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the Duke,<br/>
The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the Duke,<br/>
Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.
Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
He came too late, the ship was under sail;<br/>
He came too late, the ship was under sail;<br/>
But there the Duke was given to understand<br/>
But there the Duke was given to understand<br/>
That in a gondola were seen together<br/>
That in a gondola were seen together<br/>
Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.<br/>
Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.<br/>
Besides, Antonio certified the Duke<br/>
Besides, Antonio certified the Duke<br/>
They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
I never heard a passion so confus'd,<br/>
I never heard a passion so confus'd,<br/>
So strange, outrageous, and so variable<br/>
So strange, outrageous, and so variable<br/>
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets.<br/>
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets.<br/>
&ldquo;My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!<br/>
 
Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!<br/>
Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!<br/>
Justice! the law! my ducats and my daughter!<br/>
Justice! the law! my ducats and my daughter!<br/>
A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,<br/>
A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,<br/>
Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter!<br/>
Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter!<br/>
And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,<br/>
And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,<br/>
Stol'n by my daughter! Justice! find the girl,<br/>
Stol'n by my daughter! Justice! find the girl,<br/>
She hath the stones upon her and the ducats.&rdquo;
 
She hath the stones upon her and the ducats.&amp;rdquo;
 
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,<br/>
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,<br/>
Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.
Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Let good Antonio look he keep his day<br/>
Let good Antonio look he keep his day<br/>
Or he shall pay for this.
Or he shall pay for this.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Marry, well rememb'red.<br/>
Marry, well rememb'red.<br/>
I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday,<br/>
I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday,<br/>
Who told me, in the narrow seas that part<br/>
Who told me, in the narrow seas that part<br/>
The French and English, there miscarried<br/>
The French and English, there miscarried<br/>
A vessel of our country richly fraught.<br/>
A vessel of our country richly fraught.<br/>
I thought upon Antonio when he told me,<br/>
I thought upon Antonio when he told me,<br/>
And wish'd in silence that it were not his.
And wish'd in silence that it were not his.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear,<br/>
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear,<br/>
Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.
Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.<br/>
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.<br/>
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part,<br/>
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part,<br/>
Bassanio told him he would make some speed<br/>
Bassanio told him he would make some speed<br/>
Of his return. He answered &ldquo;Do not so,<br/>
 
Of his return. He answered &amp;ldquo;Do not so,<br/>
 
Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,<br/>
Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,<br/>
But stay the very riping of the time,<br/>
But stay the very riping of the time,<br/>
And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me,<br/>
And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me,<br/>
Let it not enter in your mind of love:<br/>
Let it not enter in your mind of love:<br/>
Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts<br/>
Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts<br/>
To courtship, and such fair ostents of love<br/>
To courtship, and such fair ostents of love<br/>
As shall conveniently become you there.&rdquo;<br/>
 
As shall conveniently become you there.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
And even there, his eye being big with tears,<br/>
And even there, his eye being big with tears,<br/>
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,<br/>
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,<br/>
And with affection wondrous sensible<br/>
And with affection wondrous sensible<br/>
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
I think he only loves the world for him.<br/>
I think he only loves the world for him.<br/>
I pray thee, let us go and find him out<br/>
I pray thee, let us go and find him out<br/>
And quicken his embraced heaviness<br/>
And quicken his embraced heaviness<br/>
With some delight or other.
With some delight or other.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Do we so.
Do we so.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,012: Line 3,229:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Nerissa</span> and a
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Nerissa</span> and a
<span class="charname">Servitor</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Servitor</span>.</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight.<br/>
Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight.<br/>
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,<br/>
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,<br/>
And comes to his election presently.
And comes to his election presently.
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> Flourish of cornets. Enter the <span class="charname">Prince
<p class="scenedesc"> Flourish of cornets. Enter the <span class="charname">Prince
of Arragon,</span> his train, and <span class="charname">Portia</span>.</p>
of Arragon,</span> his train, and <span class="charname">Portia</span>.</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince,<br/>
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince,<br/>
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,<br/>
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,<br/>
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd.<br/>
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd.<br/>
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,<br/>
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,<br/>
You must be gone from hence immediately.
You must be gone from hence immediately.
</p>
</p>


<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things:<br/>
I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things:<br/>
First, never to unfold to anyone<br/>
First, never to unfold to anyone<br/>
Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail<br/>
Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail<br/>
Of the right casket, never in my life<br/>
Of the right casket, never in my life<br/>
To woo a maid in way of marriage;<br/>
To woo a maid in way of marriage;<br/>
Lastly,<br/>
Lastly,<br/>
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,<br/>
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,<br/>
Immediately to leave you and be gone.
Immediately to leave you and be gone.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
To these injunctions everyone doth swear<br/>
To these injunctions everyone doth swear<br/>
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
</p>
</p>


<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
And so have I address'd me. Fortune now<br/>
And so have I address'd me. Fortune now<br/>
To my heart's hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.<br/>
To my heart's hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.<br/>
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.<br/>
What says the golden chest? Ha! let me see:<br/>
What says the golden chest? Ha! let me see:<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&rdquo;<br/>
 
What many men desire! that &ldquo;many&rdquo; may be meant<br/>
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
What many men desire! that &amp;ldquo;many&amp;rdquo; may be meant<br/>
 
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,<br/>
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,<br/>
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,<br/>
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,<br/>
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet<br/>
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet<br/>
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,<br/>
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,<br/>
Even in the force and road of casualty.<br/>
Even in the force and road of casualty.<br/>
I will not choose what many men desire,<br/>
I will not choose what many men desire,<br/>
Because I will not jump with common spirits<br/>
Because I will not jump with common spirits<br/>
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.<br/>
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.<br/>
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house,<br/>
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house,<br/>
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.<br/>
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
And well said too; for who shall go about<br/>
And well said too; for who shall go about<br/>
To cozen fortune, and be honourable<br/>
To cozen fortune, and be honourable<br/>
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume<br/>
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume<br/>
To wear an undeserved dignity.<br/>
To wear an undeserved dignity.<br/>
O that estates, degrees, and offices<br/>
O that estates, degrees, and offices<br/>
Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour<br/>
Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour<br/>
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!<br/>
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!<br/>
How many then should cover that stand bare?<br/>
How many then should cover that stand bare?<br/>
How many be commanded that command?<br/>
How many be commanded that command?<br/>
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned<br/>
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned<br/>
From the true seed of honour? And how much honour<br/>
From the true seed of honour? And how much honour<br/>
Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times,<br/>
Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times,<br/>
To be new varnish'd? Well, but to my choice.<br/>
To be new varnish'd? Well, but to my choice.<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,<br/>
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,<br/>
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,087: Line 3,363:


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Too long a pause for that which you find there.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.
</p>
</p>


<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
What's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot<br/>
What's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot<br/>
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.<br/>
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.<br/>
How much unlike art thou to Portia!<br/>
How much unlike art thou to Portia!<br/>
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!<br/>
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!<br/>
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?<br/>
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?<br/>
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
To offend and judge are distinct offices,<br/>
To offend and judge are distinct offices,<br/>
And of opposed natures.
And of opposed natures.
</p>
</p>


<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
<p>ARRAGON.<br/>
What is here?
What is here?
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
     <i>The fire seven times tried this;<br/>
     <i>The fire seven times tried this;<br/>
     Seven times tried that judgment is<br/>
     Seven times tried that judgment is<br/>
     That did never choose amiss.<br/>
     That did never choose amiss.<br/>
     Some there be that shadows kiss;<br/>
     Some there be that shadows kiss;<br/>
     Such have but a shadow's bliss.<br/>
     Such have but a shadow's bliss.<br/>
     There be fools alive, I wis,<br/>
     There be fools alive, I wis,<br/>
     Silver'd o'er, and so was this.<br/>
     Silver'd o'er, and so was this.<br/>
     Take what wife you will to bed,<br/>
     Take what wife you will to bed,<br/>
     I will ever be your head:<br/>
     I will ever be your head:<br/>
     So be gone; you are sped.</i>
     So be gone; you are sped.</i>
</p>
</p>


<p>Still more fool I shall appear<br/>
<p>Still more fool I shall appear<br/>
By the time I linger here.<br/>
By the time I linger here.<br/>
With one fool's head I came to woo,<br/>
With one fool's head I came to woo,<br/>
But I go away with two.<br/>
But I go away with two.<br/>
Sweet, adieu! I'll keep my oath,<br/>
Sweet, adieu! I'll keep my oath,<br/>
Patiently to bear my wroth.
Patiently to bear my wroth.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,133: Line 3,441:


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth.<br/>
Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth.<br/>
O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose,<br/>
O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose,<br/>
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
The ancient saying is no heresy:<br/>
The ancient saying is no heresy:<br/>
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,150: Line 3,467:


<p>MESSENGER.<br/>
<p>MESSENGER.<br/>
Where is my lady?
Where is my lady?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Here, what would my lord?
Here, what would my lord?
</p>
</p>


<p>MESSENGER.<br/>
<p>MESSENGER.<br/>
Madam, there is alighted at your gate<br/>
Madam, there is alighted at your gate<br/>
A young Venetian, one that comes before<br/>
A young Venetian, one that comes before<br/>
To signify th' approaching of his lord,<br/>
To signify th' approaching of his lord,<br/>
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;<br/>
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;<br/>
To wit (besides commends and courteous breath)<br/>
To wit (besides commends and courteous breath)<br/>
Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen<br/>
Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen<br/>
So likely an ambassador of love.<br/>
So likely an ambassador of love.<br/>
A day in April never came so sweet,<br/>
A day in April never came so sweet,<br/>
To show how costly summer was at hand,<br/>
To show how costly summer was at hand,<br/>
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard<br/>
No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard<br/>
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,<br/>
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,<br/>
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.<br/>
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.<br/>
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see<br/>
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see<br/>
Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.
Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>


<h3 id="sceneIII_221"> <b>ACT III</b></h3>


<h4><b>SCENE I. Venice. A street.</b></h4>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Solanio</span> and


<h3 id="sceneIII_221"> <b>ACT III</b></h3>
<h4><b>SCENE I. Venice. A street.</b></h4>
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Solanio</span> and
<span class="charname">Salarino</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Salarino</span>.</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Now, what news on the Rialto?
Now, what news on the Rialto?
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading
Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading
wrack'd on the narrow seas; the Goodwins, I think they call the place, a
wrack'd on the narrow seas; the Goodwins, I think they call the place, a
very dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie
very dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie
buried, as they say, if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word.
buried, as they say, if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger or made her
I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger or made her
neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband. But it is true,
neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband. But it is true,
without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk, that the
without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk, that the
good Antonio, the honest Antonio,&mdash;O that I had a title good enough to
 
keep his name company!&mdash;
good Antonio, the honest Antonio,&amp;mdash;O that I had a title good enough to
 
keep his name company!&amp;mdash;
 
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Come, the full stop.
Come, the full stop.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Ha, what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he hath lost a ship.
Ha, what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he hath lost a ship.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
I would it might prove the end of his losses.
I would it might prove the end of his losses.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Let me say &ldquo;amen&rdquo; betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here
 
Let me say &amp;ldquo;amen&amp;rdquo; betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here
 
he comes in the likeness of a Jew.
he comes in the likeness of a Jew.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,234: Line 3,593:


<p>
<p>
How now, Shylock, what news among the merchants?
How now, Shylock, what news among the merchants?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight.
You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
That's certain, I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she
That's certain, I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she
flew withal.
flew withal.
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged; and then it is the
And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged; and then it is the
complexion of them all to leave the dam.
complexion of them all to leave the dam.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
She is damn'd for it.
She is damn'd for it.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.
That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
My own flesh and blood to rebel!
My own flesh and blood to rebel!
</p>
</p>


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Out upon it, old carrion! Rebels it at these years?
Out upon it, old carrion! Rebels it at these years?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood.
I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory,
There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory,
more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish. But tell
more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish. But tell
us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?
us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
There I have another bad match, a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show
There I have another bad match, a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show
his head on the Rialto, a beggar that used to come so smug upon the mart; let
his head on the Rialto, a beggar that used to come so smug upon the mart; let
him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond:
him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond:
he was wont to lend money for a Christian cur'sy; let him look to his
he was wont to lend money for a Christian cur'sy; let him look to his
bond.
bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh! What's that
Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh! What's that
good for?
good for?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He
To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He
hath disgrac'd me and hind'red me half a million, laugh'd at
hath disgrac'd me and hind'red me half a million, laugh'd at
my losses, mock'd at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains,
my losses, mock'd at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains,
cooled my friends, heated mine enemies. And what's his reason? I am a
cooled my friends, heated mine enemies. And what's his reason? I am a
Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,
Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,
affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons,
affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons,
subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by
subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by
the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not
the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not
bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And
bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And
if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility?
resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility?
Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian
Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian
example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall
example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall
go hard but I will better the instruction.
go hard but I will better the instruction.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,310: Line 3,717:


<p>SERVANT.<br/>
<p>SERVANT.<br/>
Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house, and desires to speak with you
Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house, and desires to speak with you
both.
both.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
We have been up and down to seek him.
We have been up and down to seek him.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,321: Line 3,733:


<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
<p>SOLANIO.<br/>
Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be match'd, unless the
Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be match'd, unless the
devil himself turn Jew.
devil himself turn Jew.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Solanio, Salarino</span>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Solanio, Salarino</span>
and the <span class="charname">Servant</span>.</i>]</p>
and the <span class="charname">Servant</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter?
How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter?
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.
I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Why there, there, there, there! A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in
Why there, there, there, there! A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in
Frankfort! The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till
Frankfort! The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till
now. Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels. I would
now. Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels. I would
my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; would she were
my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; would she were
hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin. No news of them? Why so? And
hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin. No news of them? Why so? And
I know not what's spent in the search. Why, thou&mdash;loss upon loss!
 
I know not what's spent in the search. Why, thou&amp;mdash;loss upon loss!
 
The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief, and no
The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief, and no
satisfaction, no revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my
satisfaction, no revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my
shoulders, no sighs but o' my breathing, no tears but o' my
shoulders, no sighs but o' my breathing, no tears but o' my
shedding.
shedding.
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa&mdash;
 
</p>
Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa&amp;mdash;
 
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
What, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck?
What, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck?
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
&mdash;hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis.
 
&amp;mdash;hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis.
 
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I thank God! I thank God! Is it true, is it true?
I thank God! I thank God! Is it true, is it true?
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack.
I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I thank thee, good Tubal. Good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa?
I thank thee, good Tubal. Good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa?
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night, fourscore ducats.
Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night, fourscore ducats.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Thou stick'st a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore
Thou stick'st a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore
ducats at a sitting! Fourscore ducats!
ducats at a sitting! Fourscore ducats!
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice that
There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice that
swear he cannot choose but break.
swear he cannot choose but break.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I am very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him. I am glad
I am very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him. I am glad
of it.
of it.
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.
One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah
Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah
when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.
when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.
</p>
</p>


<p>TUBAL.<br/>
<p>TUBAL.<br/>
But Antonio is certainly undone.
But Antonio is certainly undone.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Nay, that's true, that's very true. Go, Tubal, fee me an officer;
Nay, that's true, that's very true. Go, Tubal, fee me an officer;
bespeak him a fortnight before. I will have the heart of him if he forfeit,
bespeak him a fortnight before. I will have the heart of him if he forfeit,
for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will. Go, Tubal, and
for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will. Go, Tubal, and
meet me at our synagogue. Go, good Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal.
meet me at our synagogue. Go, good Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,417: Line 3,883:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano,
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano,
Nerissa</span> and all their trains.</p>
Nerissa</span> and all their trains.</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I pray you tarry, pause a day or two<br/>
I pray you tarry, pause a day or two<br/>
Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong<br/>
Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong<br/>
I lose your company; therefore forbear a while.<br/>
I lose your company; therefore forbear a while.<br/>
There's something tells me (but it is not love)<br/>
There's something tells me (but it is not love)<br/>
I would not lose you, and you know yourself<br/>
I would not lose you, and you know yourself<br/>
Hate counsels not in such a quality.<br/>
Hate counsels not in such a quality.<br/>
But lest you should not understand me well,&mdash;<br/>
 
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,&mdash;<br/>
But lest you should not understand me well,&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
I would detain you here some month or two<br/>
I would detain you here some month or two<br/>
Before you venture for me. I could teach you<br/>
Before you venture for me. I could teach you<br/>
How to choose right, but then I am forsworn.<br/>
How to choose right, but then I am forsworn.<br/>
So will I never be. So may you miss me.<br/>
So will I never be. So may you miss me.<br/>
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,<br/>
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,<br/>
That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,<br/>
That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,<br/>
They have o'erlook'd me and divided me.<br/>
They have o'erlook'd me and divided me.<br/>
One half of me is yours, the other half yours,<br/>
One half of me is yours, the other half yours,<br/>
Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours,<br/>
Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours,<br/>
And so all yours. O these naughty times<br/>
And so all yours. O these naughty times<br/>
Puts bars between the owners and their rights!<br/>
Puts bars between the owners and their rights!<br/>
And so though yours, not yours. Prove it so,<br/>
And so though yours, not yours. Prove it so,<br/>
Let Fortune go to hell for it, not I.<br/>
Let Fortune go to hell for it, not I.<br/>
I speak too long, but 'tis to peise the time,<br/>
I speak too long, but 'tis to peise the time,<br/>
To eche it, and to draw it out in length,<br/>
To eche it, and to draw it out in length,<br/>
To stay you from election.
To stay you from election.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Let me choose,<br/>
Let me choose,<br/>
For as I am, I live upon the rack.
For as I am, I live upon the rack.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Upon the rack, Bassanio! Then confess<br/>
Upon the rack, Bassanio! Then confess<br/>
What treason there is mingled with your love.
What treason there is mingled with your love.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
None but that ugly treason of mistrust,<br/>
None but that ugly treason of mistrust,<br/>
Which makes me fear th' enjoying of my love.<br/>
Which makes me fear th' enjoying of my love.<br/>
There may as well be amity and life<br/>
There may as well be amity and life<br/>
'Tween snow and fire as treason and my love.
'Tween snow and fire as treason and my love.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack<br/>
Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack<br/>
Where men enforced do speak anything.
Where men enforced do speak anything.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.
Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Well then, confess and live.
Well then, confess and live.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
&ldquo;Confess and love&rdquo;<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Confess and love&amp;rdquo;<br/>
 
Had been the very sum of my confession:<br/>
Had been the very sum of my confession:<br/>
O happy torment, when my torturer<br/>
O happy torment, when my torturer<br/>
Doth teach me answers for deliverance!<br/>
Doth teach me answers for deliverance!<br/>
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Away, then! I am lock'd in one of them.<br/>
Away, then! I am lock'd in one of them.<br/>
If you do love me, you will find me out.<br/>
If you do love me, you will find me out.<br/>
Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.<br/>
Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.<br/>
Let music sound while he doth make his choice.<br/>
Let music sound while he doth make his choice.<br/>
Then if he lose he makes a swan-like end,<br/>
Then if he lose he makes a swan-like end,<br/>
Fading in music. That the comparison<br/>
Fading in music. That the comparison<br/>
May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream<br/>
May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream<br/>
And wat'ry death-bed for him. He may win,<br/>
And wat'ry death-bed for him. He may win,<br/>
And what is music then? Then music is<br/>
And what is music then? Then music is<br/>
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow<br/>
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow<br/>
To a new-crowned monarch. Such it is<br/>
To a new-crowned monarch. Such it is<br/>
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day<br/>
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day<br/>
That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear<br/>
That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear<br/>
And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,<br/>
And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,<br/>
With no less presence, but with much more love<br/>
With no less presence, but with much more love<br/>
Than young Alcides when he did redeem<br/>
Than young Alcides when he did redeem<br/>
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy<br/>
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy<br/>
To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice;<br/>
To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice;<br/>
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,<br/>
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,<br/>
With bleared visages come forth to view<br/>
With bleared visages come forth to view<br/>
The issue of th' exploit. Go, Hercules!<br/>
The issue of th' exploit. Go, Hercules!<br/>
Live thou, I live. With much much more dismay<br/>
Live thou, I live. With much much more dismay<br/>
I view the fight than thou that mak'st the fray.
I view the fight than thou that mak'st the fray.
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> A song, whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to
<p class="scenedesc"> A song, whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to
himself.</p>
himself.</p>


<p>
<p>
     <i>Tell me where is fancy bred,<br/>
     <i>Tell me where is fancy bred,<br/>
     Or in the heart or in the head?<br/>
     Or in the heart or in the head?<br/>
     How begot, how nourished?<br/>
     How begot, how nourished?<br/>
         Reply, reply.<br/>
         Reply, reply.<br/>
     It is engend'red in the eyes,<br/>
     It is engend'red in the eyes,<br/>
     With gazing fed, and fancy dies<br/>
     With gazing fed, and fancy dies<br/>
     In the cradle where it lies.<br/>
     In the cradle where it lies.<br/>
         Let us all ring fancy's knell:<br/>
         Let us all ring fancy's knell:<br/>
         I'll begin it.&mdash;Ding, dong, bell.</i>
 
         I'll begin it.&amp;mdash;Ding, dong, bell.</i>
 
</p>
</p>


<p>ALL.<br/>
<p>ALL.<br/>
     <i>Ding, dong, bell.</i>
     <i>Ding, dong, bell.</i>
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
So may the outward shows be least themselves.<br/>
So may the outward shows be least themselves.<br/>
The world is still deceiv'd with ornament.<br/>
The world is still deceiv'd with ornament.<br/>
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt<br/>
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt<br/>
But, being season'd with a gracious voice,<br/>
But, being season'd with a gracious voice,<br/>
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,<br/>
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,<br/>
What damned error but some sober brow<br/>
What damned error but some sober brow<br/>
Will bless it, and approve it with a text,<br/>
Will bless it, and approve it with a text,<br/>
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?<br/>
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?<br/>
There is no vice so simple but assumes<br/>
There is no vice so simple but assumes<br/>
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.<br/>
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.<br/>
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false<br/>
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false<br/>
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins<br/>
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins<br/>
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,<br/>
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,<br/>
Who inward search'd, have livers white as milk,<br/>
Who inward search'd, have livers white as milk,<br/>
And these assume but valour's excrement<br/>
And these assume but valour's excrement<br/>
To render them redoubted. Look on beauty,<br/>
To render them redoubted. Look on beauty,<br/>
And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight,<br/>
And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight,<br/>
Which therein works a miracle in nature,<br/>
Which therein works a miracle in nature,<br/>
Making them lightest that wear most of it:<br/>
Making them lightest that wear most of it:<br/>
So are those crisped snaky golden locks<br/>
So are those crisped snaky golden locks<br/>
Which make such wanton gambols with the wind<br/>
Which make such wanton gambols with the wind<br/>
Upon supposed fairness, often known<br/>
Upon supposed fairness, often known<br/>
To be the dowry of a second head,<br/>
To be the dowry of a second head,<br/>
The skull that bred them in the sepulchre.<br/>
The skull that bred them in the sepulchre.<br/>
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore<br/>
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore<br/>
To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf<br/>
To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf<br/>
Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,<br/>
Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,<br/>
The seeming truth which cunning times put on<br/>
The seeming truth which cunning times put on<br/>
To entrap the wisest. Therefore thou gaudy gold,<br/>
To entrap the wisest. Therefore thou gaudy gold,<br/>
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee,<br/>
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee,<br/>
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge<br/>
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge<br/>
'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead,<br/>
'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead,<br/>
Which rather threaten'st than dost promise aught,<br/>
Which rather threaten'st than dost promise aught,<br/>
Thy palenness moves me more than eloquence,<br/>
Thy palenness moves me more than eloquence,<br/>
And here choose I, joy be the consequence!
And here choose I, joy be the consequence!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] How all the other passions fleet to air,<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] How all the other passions fleet to air,<br/>
As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embrac'd despair,<br/>
As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embrac'd despair,<br/>
And shudd'ring fear, and green-ey'd jealousy.<br/>
And shudd'ring fear, and green-ey'd jealousy.<br/>
O love, be moderate; allay thy ecstasy,<br/>
O love, be moderate; allay thy ecstasy,<br/>
In measure rain thy joy; scant this excess!<br/>
In measure rain thy joy; scant this excess!<br/>
I feel too much thy blessing, make it less,<br/>
I feel too much thy blessing, make it less,<br/>
For fear I surfeit.
For fear I surfeit.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
What find I here? [<i>Opening the leaden casket</i>.]<br/>
What find I here? [<i>Opening the leaden casket</i>.]<br/>
Fair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god<br/>
Fair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god<br/>
Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?<br/>
Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?<br/>
Or whether, riding on the balls of mine,<br/>
Or whether, riding on the balls of mine,<br/>
Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips,<br/>
Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips,<br/>
Parted with sugar breath, so sweet a bar<br/>
Parted with sugar breath, so sweet a bar<br/>
Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs<br/>
Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs<br/>
The painter plays the spider, and hath woven<br/>
The painter plays the spider, and hath woven<br/>
A golden mesh t'entrap the hearts of men<br/>
A golden mesh t'entrap the hearts of men<br/>
Faster than gnats in cobwebs. But her eyes!&mdash;<br/>
 
Faster than gnats in cobwebs. But her eyes!&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
How could he see to do them? Having made one,<br/>
How could he see to do them? Having made one,<br/>
Methinks it should have power to steal both his<br/>
Methinks it should have power to steal both his<br/>
And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look how far<br/>
And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look how far<br/>
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow<br/>
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow<br/>
In underprizing it, so far this shadow<br/>
In underprizing it, so far this shadow<br/>
Doth limp behind the substance. Here's the scroll,<br/>
Doth limp behind the substance. Here's the scroll,<br/>
The continent and summary of my fortune.
The continent and summary of my fortune.
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
     <i>You that choose not by the view<br/>
     <i>You that choose not by the view<br/>
     Chance as fair and choose as true!<br/>
     Chance as fair and choose as true!<br/>
     Since this fortune falls to you,<br/>
     Since this fortune falls to you,<br/>
     Be content and seek no new.<br/>
     Be content and seek no new.<br/>
     If you be well pleas'd with this,<br/>
     If you be well pleas'd with this,<br/>
     And hold your fortune for your bliss,<br/>
     And hold your fortune for your bliss,<br/>
     Turn to where your lady is,<br/>
     Turn to where your lady is,<br/>
     And claim her with a loving kiss.</i>
     And claim her with a loving kiss.</i>
</p>
</p>


<p>A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave, [<i>Kissing her</i>.]<br/>
<p>A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave, [<i>Kissing her</i>.]<br/>
I come by note to give and to receive.<br/>
I come by note to give and to receive.<br/>
Like one of two contending in a prize<br/>
Like one of two contending in a prize<br/>
That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes,<br/>
That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes,<br/>
Hearing applause and universal shout,<br/>
Hearing applause and universal shout,<br/>
Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt<br/>
Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt<br/>
Whether those peals of praise be his or no,<br/>
Whether those peals of praise be his or no,<br/>
So, thrice-fair lady, stand I even so,<br/>
So, thrice-fair lady, stand I even so,<br/>
As doubtful whether what I see be true,<br/>
As doubtful whether what I see be true,<br/>
Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.
Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,<br/>
You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,<br/>
Such as I am; though for myself alone<br/>
Such as I am; though for myself alone<br/>
I would not be ambitious in my wish<br/>
I would not be ambitious in my wish<br/>
To wish myself much better, yet for you<br/>
To wish myself much better, yet for you<br/>
I would be trebled twenty times myself,<br/>
I would be trebled twenty times myself,<br/>
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times<br/>
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times<br/>
More rich,<br/>
More rich,<br/>
That only to stand high in your account,<br/>
That only to stand high in your account,<br/>
I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,<br/>
I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,<br/>
Exceed account. But the full sum of me<br/>
Exceed account. But the full sum of me<br/>
Is sum of something, which, to term in gross,<br/>
Is sum of something, which, to term in gross,<br/>
Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd;<br/>
Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd;<br/>
Happy in this, she is not yet so old<br/>
Happy in this, she is not yet so old<br/>
But she may learn; happier than this,<br/>
But she may learn; happier than this,<br/>
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;<br/>
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;<br/>
Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit<br/>
Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit<br/>
Commits itself to yours to be directed,<br/>
Commits itself to yours to be directed,<br/>
As from her lord, her governor, her king.<br/>
As from her lord, her governor, her king.<br/>
Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours<br/>
Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours<br/>
Is now converted. But now I was the lord<br/>
Is now converted. But now I was the lord<br/>
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,<br/>
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,<br/>
Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now,<br/>
Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now,<br/>
This house, these servants, and this same myself<br/>
This house, these servants, and this same myself<br/>
Are yours,&mdash;my lord's. I give them with this ring,<br/>
 
Are yours,&amp;mdash;my lord's. I give them with this ring,<br/>
 
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,<br/>
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,<br/>
Let it presage the ruin of your love,<br/>
Let it presage the ruin of your love,<br/>
And be my vantage to exclaim on you.
And be my vantage to exclaim on you.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Madam, you have bereft me of all words,<br/>
Madam, you have bereft me of all words,<br/>
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,<br/>
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,<br/>
And there is such confusion in my powers<br/>
And there is such confusion in my powers<br/>
As after some oration fairly spoke<br/>
As after some oration fairly spoke<br/>
By a beloved prince, there doth appear<br/>
By a beloved prince, there doth appear<br/>
Among the buzzing pleased multitude,<br/>
Among the buzzing pleased multitude,<br/>
Where every something being blent together,<br/>
Where every something being blent together,<br/>
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy<br/>
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy<br/>
Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring<br/>
Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring<br/>
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.<br/>
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.<br/>
O then be bold to say Bassanio's dead!
O then be bold to say Bassanio's dead!
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
My lord and lady, it is now our time,<br/>
My lord and lady, it is now our time,<br/>
That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper,<br/>
That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper,<br/>
To cry, good joy. Good joy, my lord and lady!
To cry, good joy. Good joy, my lord and lady!
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady,<br/>
My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady,<br/>
I wish you all the joy that you can wish;<br/>
I wish you all the joy that you can wish;<br/>
For I am sure you can wish none from me.<br/>
For I am sure you can wish none from me.<br/>
And when your honours mean to solemnize<br/>
And when your honours mean to solemnize<br/>
The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you<br/>
The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you<br/>
Even at that time I may be married too.
Even at that time I may be married too.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.
With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
I thank your lordship, you have got me one.<br/>
I thank your lordship, you have got me one.<br/>
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:<br/>
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:<br/>
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.<br/>
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.<br/>
You lov'd, I lov'd; for intermission<br/>
You lov'd, I lov'd; for intermission<br/>
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.<br/>
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.<br/>
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there,<br/>
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there,<br/>
And so did mine too, as the matter falls.<br/>
And so did mine too, as the matter falls.<br/>
For wooing here until I sweat again,<br/>
For wooing here until I sweat again,<br/>
And swearing till my very roof was dry<br/>
And swearing till my very roof was dry<br/>
With oaths of love, at last, (if promise last)<br/>
With oaths of love, at last, (if promise last)<br/>
I got a promise of this fair one here<br/>
I got a promise of this fair one here<br/>
To have her love, provided that your fortune<br/>
To have her love, provided that your fortune<br/>
Achiev'd her mistress.
Achiev'd her mistress.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Is this true, Nerissa?
Is this true, Nerissa?
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal.
Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?
And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Yes, faith, my lord.
Yes, faith, my lord.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage.
Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats.
We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
What! and stake down?
What! and stake down?
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
No, we shall ne'er win at that sport and stake down.<br/>
No, we shall ne'er win at that sport and stake down.<br/>
But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel?<br/>
But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel?<br/>
What, and my old Venetian friend, Salerio!
What, and my old Venetian friend, Salerio!
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Lorenzo, Jessica</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Lorenzo, Jessica</span> and
<span class="charname">Salerio</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Salerio</span>.</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither,<br/>
Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither,<br/>
If that the youth of my new int'rest here<br/>
If that the youth of my new int'rest here<br/>
Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave,<br/>
Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave,<br/>
I bid my very friends and countrymen,<br/>
I bid my very friends and countrymen,<br/>
Sweet Portia, welcome.
Sweet Portia, welcome.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
So do I, my lord,<br/>
So do I, my lord,<br/>
They are entirely welcome.
They are entirely welcome.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
I thank your honour. For my part, my lord,<br/>
I thank your honour. For my part, my lord,<br/>
My purpose was not to have seen you here,<br/>
My purpose was not to have seen you here,<br/>
But meeting with Salerio by the way,<br/>
But meeting with Salerio by the way,<br/>
He did entreat me, past all saying nay,<br/>
He did entreat me, past all saying nay,<br/>
To come with him along.
To come with him along.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALERIO.<br/>
<p>SALERIO.<br/>
I did, my lord,<br/>
I did, my lord,<br/>
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio<br/>
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio<br/>
Commends him to you.
Commends him to you.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,766: Line 4,505:


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Ere I ope his letter,<br/>
Ere I ope his letter,<br/>
I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.
I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALERIO.<br/>
<p>SALERIO.<br/>
Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind,<br/>
Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind,<br/>
Nor well, unless in mind. His letter there<br/>
Nor well, unless in mind. His letter there<br/>
Will show you his estate.
Will show you his estate.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,779: Line 4,525:


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Nerissa, cheer yond stranger, bid her welcome.<br/>
Nerissa, cheer yond stranger, bid her welcome.<br/>
Your hand, Salerio. What's the news from Venice?<br/>
Your hand, Salerio. What's the news from Venice?<br/>
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?<br/>
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?<br/>
I know he will be glad of our success.<br/>
I know he will be glad of our success.<br/>
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALERIO.<br/>
<p>SALERIO.<br/>
I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.
I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
There are some shrewd contents in yond same paper<br/>
There are some shrewd contents in yond same paper<br/>
That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek.<br/>
That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek.<br/>
Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world<br/>
Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world<br/>
Could turn so much the constitution<br/>
Could turn so much the constitution<br/>
Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?<br/>
Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?<br/>
With leave, Bassanio, I am half yourself,<br/>
With leave, Bassanio, I am half yourself,<br/>
And I must freely have the half of anything<br/>
And I must freely have the half of anything<br/>
That this same paper brings you.
That this same paper brings you.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
O sweet Portia,<br/>
O sweet Portia,<br/>
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words<br/>
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words<br/>
That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady,<br/>
That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady,<br/>
When I did first impart my love to you,<br/>
When I did first impart my love to you,<br/>
I freely told you all the wealth I had<br/>
I freely told you all the wealth I had<br/>
Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman.<br/>
Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman.<br/>
And then I told you true. And yet, dear lady,<br/>
And then I told you true. And yet, dear lady,<br/>
Rating myself at nothing, you shall see<br/>
Rating myself at nothing, you shall see<br/>
How much I was a braggart. When I told you<br/>
How much I was a braggart. When I told you<br/>
My state was nothing, I should then have told you<br/>
My state was nothing, I should then have told you<br/>
That I was worse than nothing; for indeed<br/>
That I was worse than nothing; for indeed<br/>
I have engag'd myself to a dear friend,<br/>
I have engag'd myself to a dear friend,<br/>
Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy,<br/>
Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy,<br/>
To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady,<br/>
To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady,<br/>
The paper as the body of my friend,<br/>
The paper as the body of my friend,<br/>
And every word in it a gaping wound<br/>
And every word in it a gaping wound<br/>
Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio?<br/>
Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio?<br/>
Hath all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit?<br/>
Hath all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit?<br/>
From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England,<br/>
From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England,<br/>
From Lisbon, Barbary, and India,<br/>
From Lisbon, Barbary, and India,<br/>
And not one vessel scape the dreadful touch<br/>
And not one vessel scape the dreadful touch<br/>
Of merchant-marring rocks?
Of merchant-marring rocks?
</p>
</p>


<p>SALERIO.<br/>
<p>SALERIO.<br/>
Not one, my lord.<br/>
Not one, my lord.<br/>
Besides, it should appear, that if he had<br/>
Besides, it should appear, that if he had<br/>
The present money to discharge the Jew,<br/>
The present money to discharge the Jew,<br/>
He would not take it. Never did I know<br/>
He would not take it. Never did I know<br/>
A creature that did bear the shape of man<br/>
A creature that did bear the shape of man<br/>
So keen and greedy to confound a man.<br/>
So keen and greedy to confound a man.<br/>
He plies the Duke at morning and at night,<br/>
He plies the Duke at morning and at night,<br/>
And doth impeach the freedom of the state<br/>
And doth impeach the freedom of the state<br/>
If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants,<br/>
If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants,<br/>
The Duke himself, and the magnificoes<br/>
The Duke himself, and the magnificoes<br/>
Of greatest port have all persuaded with him,<br/>
Of greatest port have all persuaded with him,<br/>
But none can drive him from the envious plea<br/>
But none can drive him from the envious plea<br/>
Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.
Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
When I was with him, I have heard him swear<br/>
When I was with him, I have heard him swear<br/>
To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen,<br/>
To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen,<br/>
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh<br/>
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh<br/>
Than twenty times the value of the sum<br/>
Than twenty times the value of the sum<br/>
That he did owe him. And I know, my lord,<br/>
That he did owe him. And I know, my lord,<br/>
If law, authority, and power deny not,<br/>
If law, authority, and power deny not,<br/>
It will go hard with poor Antonio.
It will go hard with poor Antonio.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?
Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,<br/>
The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,<br/>
The best condition'd and unwearied spirit<br/>
The best condition'd and unwearied spirit<br/>
In doing courtesies, and one in whom<br/>
In doing courtesies, and one in whom<br/>
The ancient Roman honour more appears<br/>
The ancient Roman honour more appears<br/>
Than any that draws breath in Italy.
Than any that draws breath in Italy.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
What sum owes he the Jew?
What sum owes he the Jew?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
For me three thousand ducats.
For me three thousand ducats.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
What, no more?<br/>
What, no more?<br/>
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond.<br/>
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond.<br/>
Double six thousand, and then treble that,<br/>
Double six thousand, and then treble that,<br/>
Before a friend of this description<br/>
Before a friend of this description<br/>
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.<br/>
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.<br/>
First go with me to church and call me wife,<br/>
First go with me to church and call me wife,<br/>
And then away to Venice to your friend.<br/>
And then away to Venice to your friend.<br/>
For never shall you lie by Portia's side<br/>
For never shall you lie by Portia's side<br/>
With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold<br/>
With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold<br/>
To pay the petty debt twenty times over.<br/>
To pay the petty debt twenty times over.<br/>
When it is paid, bring your true friend along.<br/>
When it is paid, bring your true friend along.<br/>
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime,<br/>
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime,<br/>
Will live as maids and widows. Come, away!<br/>
Will live as maids and widows. Come, away!<br/>
For you shall hence upon your wedding day.<br/>
For you shall hence upon your wedding day.<br/>
Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer;<br/>
Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer;<br/>
Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.<br/>
Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.<br/>
But let me hear the letter of your friend.
But let me hear the letter of your friend.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<i>Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my
<i>Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my
estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit, and since in paying it, it
estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit, and since in paying it, it
is impossible I should live, all debts are clear'd between you and I, if
is impossible I should live, all debts are clear'd between you and I, if
I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure. If your
I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure. If your
love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.</i>
love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.</i>
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
O love, dispatch all business and be gone!
O love, dispatch all business and be gone!
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Since I have your good leave to go away,<br/>
Since I have your good leave to go away,<br/>
I will make haste; but, till I come again,<br/>
I will make haste; but, till I come again,<br/>
No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay,<br/>
No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay,<br/>
Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.
Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,916: Line 4,767:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Shylock, Salarino, Antonio</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Shylock, Salarino, Antonio</span> and
Gaoler.</p>
Gaoler.</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Gaoler, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.<br/>
Gaoler, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.<br/>
This is the fool that lent out money gratis.<br/>
This is the fool that lent out money gratis.<br/>
Gaoler, look to him.
Gaoler, look to him.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Hear me yet, good Shylock.
Hear me yet, good Shylock.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond.<br/>
I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond.<br/>
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.<br/>
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.<br/>
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause,<br/>
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause,<br/>
But since I am a dog, beware my fangs;<br/>
But since I am a dog, beware my fangs;<br/>
The Duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,<br/>
The Duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,<br/>
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond<br/>
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond<br/>
To come abroad with him at his request.
To come abroad with him at his request.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I pray thee hear me speak.
I pray thee hear me speak.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I'll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.<br/>
I'll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.<br/>
I'll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.<br/>
I'll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.<br/>
I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,<br/>
I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,<br/>
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield<br/>
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield<br/>
To Christian intercessors. Follow not,<br/>
To Christian intercessors. Follow not,<br/>
I'll have no speaking, I will have my bond.
I'll have no speaking, I will have my bond.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,954: Line 4,829:


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
It is the most impenetrable cur<br/>
It is the most impenetrable cur<br/>
That ever kept with men.
That ever kept with men.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Let him alone.<br/>
Let him alone.<br/>
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.<br/>
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.<br/>
He seeks my life, his reason well I know:<br/>
He seeks my life, his reason well I know:<br/>
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures<br/>
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures<br/>
Many that have at times made moan to me.<br/>
Many that have at times made moan to me.<br/>
Therefore he hates me.
Therefore he hates me.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
I am sure the Duke<br/>
I am sure the Duke<br/>
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
The Duke cannot deny the course of law,<br/>
The Duke cannot deny the course of law,<br/>
For the commodity that strangers have<br/>
For the commodity that strangers have<br/>
With us in Venice, if it be denied,<br/>
With us in Venice, if it be denied,<br/>
'Twill much impeach the justice of the state,<br/>
'Twill much impeach the justice of the state,<br/>
Since that the trade and profit of the city<br/>
Since that the trade and profit of the city<br/>
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go.<br/>
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go.<br/>
These griefs and losses have so bated me<br/>
These griefs and losses have so bated me<br/>
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh<br/>
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh<br/>
Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.<br/>
Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.<br/>
Well, gaoler, on, pray God Bassanio come<br/>
Well, gaoler, on, pray God Bassanio come<br/>
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.
</p>
</p>


Line 2,991: Line 4,891:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo,
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo,
Jessica</span> and <span class="charname">Balthazar</span>.</p>
Jessica</span> and <span class="charname">Balthazar</span>.</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Madam, although I speak it in your presence,<br/>
Madam, although I speak it in your presence,<br/>
You have a noble and a true conceit<br/>
You have a noble and a true conceit<br/>
Of godlike amity, which appears most strongly<br/>
Of godlike amity, which appears most strongly<br/>
In bearing thus the absence of your lord.<br/>
In bearing thus the absence of your lord.<br/>
But if you knew to whom you show this honour,<br/>
But if you knew to whom you show this honour,<br/>
How true a gentleman you send relief,<br/>
How true a gentleman you send relief,<br/>
How dear a lover of my lord your husband,<br/>
How dear a lover of my lord your husband,<br/>
I know you would be prouder of the work<br/>
I know you would be prouder of the work<br/>
Than customary bounty can enforce you.
Than customary bounty can enforce you.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I never did repent for doing good,<br/>
I never did repent for doing good,<br/>
Nor shall not now; for in companions<br/>
Nor shall not now; for in companions<br/>
That do converse and waste the time together,<br/>
That do converse and waste the time together,<br/>
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,<br/>
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,<br/>
There must be needs a like proportion<br/>
There must be needs a like proportion<br/>
Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;<br/>
Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;<br/>
Which makes me think that this Antonio,<br/>
Which makes me think that this Antonio,<br/>
Being the bosom lover of my lord,<br/>
Being the bosom lover of my lord,<br/>
Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,<br/>
Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,<br/>
How little is the cost I have bestowed<br/>
How little is the cost I have bestowed<br/>
In purchasing the semblance of my soul<br/>
In purchasing the semblance of my soul<br/>
From out the state of hellish cruelty!<br/>
From out the state of hellish cruelty!<br/>
This comes too near the praising of myself;<br/>
This comes too near the praising of myself;<br/>
Therefore no more of it. Hear other things.<br/>
Therefore no more of it. Hear other things.<br/>
Lorenzo, I commit into your hands<br/>
Lorenzo, I commit into your hands<br/>
The husbandry and manage of my house<br/>
The husbandry and manage of my house<br/>
Until my lord's return. For mine own part,<br/>
Until my lord's return. For mine own part,<br/>
I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow<br/>
I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow<br/>
To live in prayer and contemplation,<br/>
To live in prayer and contemplation,<br/>
Only attended by Nerissa here,<br/>
Only attended by Nerissa here,<br/>
Until her husband and my lord's return.<br/>
Until her husband and my lord's return.<br/>
There is a monastery two miles off,<br/>
There is a monastery two miles off,<br/>
And there we will abide. I do desire you<br/>
And there we will abide. I do desire you<br/>
Not to deny this imposition,<br/>
Not to deny this imposition,<br/>
The which my love and some necessity<br/>
The which my love and some necessity<br/>
Now lays upon you.
Now lays upon you.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Madam, with all my heart<br/>
Madam, with all my heart<br/>
I shall obey you in all fair commands.
I shall obey you in all fair commands.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
My people do already know my mind,<br/>
My people do already know my mind,<br/>
And will acknowledge you and Jessica<br/>
And will acknowledge you and Jessica<br/>
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.<br/>
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.<br/>
So fare you well till we shall meet again.
So fare you well till we shall meet again.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I wish your ladyship all heart's content.
I wish your ladyship all heart's content.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd<br/>
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd<br/>
To wish it back on you. Fare you well, Jessica.
To wish it back on you. Fare you well, Jessica.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Jessica</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Jessica</span> and
<span class="charname">Lorenzo</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Lorenzo</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>Now, Balthazar,<br/>
<p>Now, Balthazar,<br/>
As I have ever found thee honest-true,<br/>
As I have ever found thee honest-true,<br/>
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,<br/>
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,<br/>
And use thou all th' endeavour of a man<br/>
And use thou all th' endeavour of a man<br/>
In speed to Padua, see thou render this<br/>
In speed to Padua, see thou render this<br/>
Into my cousin's hands, Doctor Bellario;<br/>
Into my cousin's hands, Doctor Bellario;<br/>
And look what notes and garments he doth give thee,<br/>
And look what notes and garments he doth give thee,<br/>
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed<br/>
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed<br/>
Unto the traject, to the common ferry<br/>
Unto the traject, to the common ferry<br/>
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,<br/>
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,<br/>
But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee.
But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee.
</p>
</p>


<p>BALTHAZAR.<br/>
<p>BALTHAZAR.<br/>
Madam, I go with all convenient speed.
Madam, I go with all convenient speed.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,082: Line 5,049:


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand<br/>
Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand<br/>
That you yet know not of; we'll see our husbands<br/>
That you yet know not of; we'll see our husbands<br/>
Before they think of us.
Before they think of us.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Shall they see us?
Shall they see us?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit<br/>
They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit<br/>
That they shall think we are accomplished<br/>
That they shall think we are accomplished<br/>
With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,<br/>
With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,<br/>
When we are both accoutered like young men,<br/>
When we are both accoutered like young men,<br/>
I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two,<br/>
I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two,<br/>
And wear my dagger with the braver grace,<br/>
And wear my dagger with the braver grace,<br/>
And speak between the change of man and boy<br/>
And speak between the change of man and boy<br/>
With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps<br/>
With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps<br/>
Into a manly stride; and speak of frays<br/>
Into a manly stride; and speak of frays<br/>
Like a fine bragging youth; and tell quaint lies<br/>
Like a fine bragging youth; and tell quaint lies<br/>
How honourable ladies sought my love,<br/>
How honourable ladies sought my love,<br/>
Which I denying, they fell sick and died;<br/>
Which I denying, they fell sick and died;<br/>
I could not do withal. Then I'll repent,<br/>
I could not do withal. Then I'll repent,<br/>
And wish for all that, that I had not kill'd them.<br/>
And wish for all that, that I had not kill'd them.<br/>
And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell,<br/>
And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell,<br/>
That men shall swear I have discontinued school<br/>
That men shall swear I have discontinued school<br/>
About a twelvemonth. I have within my mind<br/>
About a twelvemonth. I have within my mind<br/>
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks,<br/>
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks,<br/>
Which I will practise.
Which I will practise.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Why, shall we turn to men?
Why, shall we turn to men?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Fie, what a question's that,<br/>
Fie, what a question's that,<br/>
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!<br/>
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!<br/>
But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device<br/>
But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device<br/>
When I am in my coach, which stays for us<br/>
When I am in my coach, which stays for us<br/>
At the park gate; and therefore haste away,<br/>
At the park gate; and therefore haste away,<br/>
For we must measure twenty miles today.
For we must measure twenty miles today.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,131: Line 5,133:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Launcelet</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Launcelet</span> and
<span class="charname">Jessica</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Jessica</span>.</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the
Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the
children, therefore, I promise you, I fear you. I was always plain with you,
children, therefore, I promise you, I fear you. I was always plain with you,
and so now I speak my agitation of the matter. Therefore be of good cheer, for
and so now I speak my agitation of the matter. Therefore be of good cheer, for
truly I think you are damn'd. There is but one hope in it that can do you
truly I think you are damn'd. There is but one hope in it that can do you
any good, and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither.
any good, and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
And what hope is that, I pray thee?
And what hope is that, I pray thee?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the
Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the
Jew's daughter.
Jew's daughter.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
That were a kind of bastard hope indeed; so the sins of my mother should be
That were a kind of bastard hope indeed; so the sins of my mother should be
visited upon me.
visited upon me.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Truly then I fear you are damn'd both by father and mother; thus when I
Truly then I fear you are damn'd both by father and mother; thus when I
shun Scylla your father, I fall into Charybdis your mother. Well, you are
shun Scylla your father, I fall into Charybdis your mother. Well, you are
gone both ways.
gone both ways.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian.
I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Truly the more to blame he, we were Christians enow before, e'en as many
Truly the more to blame he, we were Christians enow before, e'en as many
as could well live one by another. This making of Christians will raise the
as could well live one by another. This making of Christians will raise the
price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a
price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a
rasher on the coals for money.
rasher on the coals for money.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,175: Line 5,203:


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I'll tell my husband, Launcelet, what you say. Here he comes.
I'll tell my husband, Launcelet, what you say. Here he comes.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelet, if you thus get my wife into
I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelet, if you thus get my wife into
corners!
corners!
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Nay, you need nor fear us, Lorenzo. Launcelet and I are out. He tells me flatly
Nay, you need nor fear us, Lorenzo. Launcelet and I are out. He tells me flatly
there's no mercy for me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter;
there's no mercy for me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter;
and he says you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting Jews
and he says you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting Jews
to Christians you raise the price of pork.
to Christians you raise the price of pork.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of
I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of
the negro's belly! The Moor is with child by you, Launcelet.
the negro's belly! The Moor is with child by you, Launcelet.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
It is much that the Moor should be more than reason; but if she be less than an
It is much that the Moor should be more than reason; but if she be less than an
honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.
honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will
How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will
shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but
shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but
parrots. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner.
parrots. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
That is done, sir, they have all stomachs.
That is done, sir, they have all stomachs.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! Then bid them prepare dinner.
Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! Then bid them prepare dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
That is done too, sir, only &ldquo;cover&rdquo; is the word.
 
That is done too, sir, only &amp;ldquo;cover&amp;rdquo; is the word.
 
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Will you cover, then, sir?
Will you cover, then, sir?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Not so, sir, neither. I know my duty.
Not so, sir, neither. I know my duty.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit
Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit
in an instant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to
in an instant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to
thy fellows, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in
thy fellows, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in
to dinner.
to dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be
For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be
covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and
covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and
conceits shall govern.
conceits shall govern.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,242: Line 5,309:


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
O dear discretion, how his words are suited!<br/>
O dear discretion, how his words are suited!<br/>
The fool hath planted in his memory<br/>
The fool hath planted in his memory<br/>
An army of good words, and I do know<br/>
An army of good words, and I do know<br/>
A many fools that stand in better place,<br/>
A many fools that stand in better place,<br/>
Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word<br/>
Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word<br/>
Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica?<br/>
Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica?<br/>
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,<br/>
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,<br/>
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife?
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife?
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Past all expressing. It is very meet<br/>
Past all expressing. It is very meet<br/>
The Lord Bassanio live an upright life,<br/>
The Lord Bassanio live an upright life,<br/>
For having such a blessing in his lady,<br/>
For having such a blessing in his lady,<br/>
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth,<br/>
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth,<br/>
And if on earth he do not merit it,<br/>
And if on earth he do not merit it,<br/>
In reason he should never come to heaven.<br/>
In reason he should never come to heaven.<br/>
Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match,<br/>
Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match,<br/>
And on the wager lay two earthly women,<br/>
And on the wager lay two earthly women,<br/>
And Portia one, there must be something else<br/>
And Portia one, there must be something else<br/>
Pawn'd with the other, for the poor rude world<br/>
Pawn'd with the other, for the poor rude world<br/>
Hath not her fellow.
Hath not her fellow.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Even such a husband<br/>
Even such a husband<br/>
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.
Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
I will anon. First let us go to dinner.
I will anon. First let us go to dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.
Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
No pray thee, let it serve for table-talk.<br/>
No pray thee, let it serve for table-talk.<br/>
Then howsome'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things<br/>
Then howsome'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things<br/>
I shall digest it.
I shall digest it.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
Well, I'll set you forth.
Well, I'll set you forth.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>


<h3 id="sceneIV_221"> <b>ACT IV</b></h3>
<h3 id="sceneIV_221"> <b>ACT IV</b></h3>
Line 3,304: Line 5,403:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">Duke,</span> the
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter the <span class="charname">Duke,</span> the
Magnificoes, <span class="charname">Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio</span>
Magnificoes, <span class="charname">Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio</span>
and others.</p>
and others.</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
What, is Antonio here?
What, is Antonio here?
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Ready, so please your Grace.
Ready, so please your Grace.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
I am sorry for thee, thou art come to answer<br/>
I am sorry for thee, thou art come to answer<br/>
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,<br/>
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,<br/>
Uncapable of pity, void and empty<br/>
Uncapable of pity, void and empty<br/>
From any dram of mercy.
From any dram of mercy.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I have heard<br/>
I have heard<br/>
Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify<br/>
Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify<br/>
His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate,<br/>
His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate,<br/>
And that no lawful means can carry me<br/>
And that no lawful means can carry me<br/>
Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose<br/>
Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose<br/>
My patience to his fury, and am arm'd<br/>
My patience to his fury, and am arm'd<br/>
To suffer with a quietness of spirit<br/>
To suffer with a quietness of spirit<br/>
The very tyranny and rage of his.
The very tyranny and rage of his.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Go one and call the Jew into the court.
Go one and call the Jew into the court.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord.
He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,344: Line 5,467:


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Make room, and let him stand before our face.<br/>
Make room, and let him stand before our face.<br/>
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,<br/>
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,<br/>
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice<br/>
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice<br/>
To the last hour of act, and then, 'tis thought,<br/>
To the last hour of act, and then, 'tis thought,<br/>
Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange<br/>
Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange<br/>
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;<br/>
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;<br/>
And where thou now exacts the penalty,<br/>
And where thou now exacts the penalty,<br/>
Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,<br/>
Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,<br/>
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,<br/>
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,<br/>
But, touch'd with human gentleness and love,<br/>
But, touch'd with human gentleness and love,<br/>
Forgive a moiety of the principal,<br/>
Forgive a moiety of the principal,<br/>
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses<br/>
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses<br/>
That have of late so huddled on his back,<br/>
That have of late so huddled on his back,<br/>
Enow to press a royal merchant down,<br/>
Enow to press a royal merchant down,<br/>
And pluck commiseration of his state<br/>
And pluck commiseration of his state<br/>
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint,<br/>
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint,<br/>
From stubborn Turks and Tartars never train'd<br/>
From stubborn Turks and Tartars never train'd<br/>
To offices of tender courtesy.<br/>
To offices of tender courtesy.<br/>
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I have possess'd your Grace of what I purpose,<br/>
I have possess'd your Grace of what I purpose,<br/>
And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn<br/>
And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn<br/>
To have the due and forfeit of my bond.<br/>
To have the due and forfeit of my bond.<br/>
If you deny it, let the danger light<br/>
If you deny it, let the danger light<br/>
Upon your charter and your city's freedom!<br/>
Upon your charter and your city's freedom!<br/>
You'll ask me why I rather choose to have<br/>
You'll ask me why I rather choose to have<br/>
A weight of carrion flesh than to receive<br/>
A weight of carrion flesh than to receive<br/>
Three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that,<br/>
Three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that,<br/>
But say it is my humour. Is it answer'd?<br/>
But say it is my humour. Is it answer'd?<br/>
What if my house be troubled with a rat,<br/>
What if my house be troubled with a rat,<br/>
And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats<br/>
And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats<br/>
To have it ban'd? What, are you answer'd yet?<br/>
To have it ban'd? What, are you answer'd yet?<br/>
Some men there are love not a gaping pig;<br/>
Some men there are love not a gaping pig;<br/>
Some that are mad if they behold a cat;<br/>
Some that are mad if they behold a cat;<br/>
And others, when the bagpipe sings i' the nose,<br/>
And others, when the bagpipe sings i' the nose,<br/>
Cannot contain their urine; for affection<br/>
Cannot contain their urine; for affection<br/>
Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood<br/>
Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood<br/>
Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer:<br/>
Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer:<br/>
As there is no firm reason to be render'd<br/>
As there is no firm reason to be render'd<br/>
Why he cannot abide a gaping pig,<br/>
Why he cannot abide a gaping pig,<br/>
Why he a harmless necessary cat,<br/>
Why he a harmless necessary cat,<br/>
Why he a woollen bagpipe, but of force<br/>
Why he a woollen bagpipe, but of force<br/>
Must yield to such inevitable shame<br/>
Must yield to such inevitable shame<br/>
As to offend, himself being offended,<br/>
As to offend, himself being offended,<br/>
So can I give no reason, nor I will not,<br/>
So can I give no reason, nor I will not,<br/>
More than a lodg'd hate and a certain loathing<br/>
More than a lodg'd hate and a certain loathing<br/>
I bear Antonio, that I follow thus<br/>
I bear Antonio, that I follow thus<br/>
A losing suit against him. Are you answered?
A losing suit against him. Are you answered?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,<br/>
This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,<br/>
To excuse the current of thy cruelty.
To excuse the current of thy cruelty.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I am not bound to please thee with my answer.
I am not bound to please thee with my answer.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Do all men kill the things they do not love?
Do all men kill the things they do not love?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Hates any man the thing he would not kill?
Hates any man the thing he would not kill?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Every offence is not a hate at first.
Every offence is not a hate at first.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I pray you, think you question with the Jew.<br/>
I pray you, think you question with the Jew.<br/>
You may as well go stand upon the beach<br/>
You may as well go stand upon the beach<br/>
And bid the main flood bate his usual height;<br/>
And bid the main flood bate his usual height;<br/>
You may as well use question with the wolf,<br/>
You may as well use question with the wolf,<br/>
Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;<br/>
Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;<br/>
You may as well forbid the mountain pines<br/>
You may as well forbid the mountain pines<br/>
To wag their high tops and to make no noise<br/>
To wag their high tops and to make no noise<br/>
When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven;<br/>
When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven;<br/>
You may as well do anything most hard<br/>
You may as well do anything most hard<br/>
As seek to soften that&mdash;than which what's harder?&mdash;<br/>
 
As seek to soften that&amp;mdash;than which what's harder?&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
His Jewish heart. Therefore, I do beseech you,<br/>
His Jewish heart. Therefore, I do beseech you,<br/>
Make no moe offers, use no farther means,<br/>
Make no moe offers, use no farther means,<br/>
But with all brief and plain conveniency.<br/>
But with all brief and plain conveniency.<br/>
Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will.
Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
For thy three thousand ducats here is six.
For thy three thousand ducats here is six.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
If every ducat in six thousand ducats<br/>
If every ducat in six thousand ducats<br/>
Were in six parts, and every part a ducat,<br/>
Were in six parts, and every part a ducat,<br/>
I would not draw them, I would have my bond.
I would not draw them, I would have my bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none?
How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?<br/>
What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?<br/>
You have among you many a purchas'd slave,<br/>
You have among you many a purchas'd slave,<br/>
Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,<br/>
Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,<br/>
You use in abject and in slavish parts,<br/>
You use in abject and in slavish parts,<br/>
Because you bought them. Shall I say to you<br/>
Because you bought them. Shall I say to you<br/>
&ldquo;Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?<br/>
 
Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds<br/>
Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds<br/>
Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates<br/>
Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates<br/>
Be season'd with such viands&rdquo;? You will answer<br/>
 
&ldquo;The slaves are ours.&rdquo; So do I answer you:<br/>
Be season'd with such viands&amp;rdquo;? You will answer<br/>
 
&amp;ldquo;The slaves are ours.&amp;rdquo; So do I answer you:<br/>
 
The pound of flesh which I demand of him<br/>
The pound of flesh which I demand of him<br/>
Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it.<br/>
Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it.<br/>
If you deny me, fie upon your law!<br/>
If you deny me, fie upon your law!<br/>
There is no force in the decrees of Venice.<br/>
There is no force in the decrees of Venice.<br/>
I stand for judgment. Answer; shall I have it?
I stand for judgment. Answer; shall I have it?
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Upon my power I may dismiss this court,<br/>
Upon my power I may dismiss this court,<br/>
Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,<br/>
Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,<br/>
Whom I have sent for to determine this,<br/>
Whom I have sent for to determine this,<br/>
Come here today.
Come here today.
</p>
</p>


<p>SALARINO.<br/>
<p>SALARINO.<br/>
My lord, here stays without<br/>
My lord, here stays without<br/>
A messenger with letters from the doctor,<br/>
A messenger with letters from the doctor,<br/>
New come from Padua.
New come from Padua.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.
Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!<br/>
Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!<br/>
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all,<br/>
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all,<br/>
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I am a tainted wether of the flock,<br/>
I am a tainted wether of the flock,<br/>
Meetest for death, the weakest kind of fruit<br/>
Meetest for death, the weakest kind of fruit<br/>
Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.<br/>
Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.<br/>
You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio,<br/>
You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio,<br/>
Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.
Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,504: Line 5,749:


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Came you from Padua, from Bellario?
Came you from Padua, from Bellario?
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
From both, my lord. Bellario greets your Grace.
From both, my lord. Bellario greets your Grace.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,514: Line 5,763:


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.
To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Not on thy sole but on thy soul, harsh Jew,<br/>
Not on thy sole but on thy soul, harsh Jew,<br/>
Thou mak'st thy knife keen. But no metal can,<br/>
Thou mak'st thy knife keen. But no metal can,<br/>
No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness<br/>
No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness<br/>
Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?
Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.
No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog!<br/>
O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog!<br/>
And for thy life let justice be accus'd;<br/>
And for thy life let justice be accus'd;<br/>
Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith,<br/>
Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith,<br/>
To hold opinion with Pythagoras<br/>
To hold opinion with Pythagoras<br/>
That souls of animals infuse themselves<br/>
That souls of animals infuse themselves<br/>
Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit<br/>
Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit<br/>
Govern'd a wolf who, hang'd for human slaughter,<br/>
Govern'd a wolf who, hang'd for human slaughter,<br/>
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,<br/>
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,<br/>
And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam,<br/>
And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam,<br/>
Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires<br/>
Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires<br/>
Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd and ravenous.
Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd and ravenous.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond,<br/>
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond,<br/>
Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud.<br/>
Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud.<br/>
Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall<br/>
Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall<br/>
To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.
To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
This letter from Bellario doth commend<br/>
This letter from Bellario doth commend<br/>
A young and learned doctor to our court.<br/>
A young and learned doctor to our court.<br/>
Where is he?
Where is he?
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
He attendeth here hard by,<br/>
He attendeth here hard by,<br/>
To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.
To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE OF VENICE.<br/>
<p>DUKE OF VENICE.<br/>
With all my heart: some three or four of you<br/>
With all my heart: some three or four of you<br/>
Go give him courteous conduct to this place.<br/>
Go give him courteous conduct to this place.<br/>
Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.
Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
[<i>Reads.</i>] <i>Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your
[<i>Reads.</i>] <i>Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your
letter I am very sick, but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving
letter I am very sick, but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving
visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome. His name is Balthazar. I
visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome. His name is Balthazar. I
acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the
acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the
merchant. We turn'd o'er many books together. He is furnished with
merchant. We turn'd o'er many books together. He is furnished with
my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning (the greatness whereof I
my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning (the greatness whereof I
cannot enough commend), comes with him at my importunity to fill up your
cannot enough commend), comes with him at my importunity to fill up your
Grace's request in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no
Grace's request in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no
impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, for I never knew so young a
impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, for I never knew so young a
body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial
body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial
shall better publish his commendation.</i>
shall better publish his commendation.</i>
</p>
</p>


<p>
<p>
You hear the learn'd Bellario what he writes,<br/>
You hear the learn'd Bellario what he writes,<br/>
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
</p>
</p>


Line 3,592: Line 5,895:


<p>Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?
<p>Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I did, my lord.
I did, my lord.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
You are welcome. Take your place.<br/>
You are welcome. Take your place.<br/>
Are you acquainted with the difference<br/>
Are you acquainted with the difference<br/>
That holds this present question in the court?
That holds this present question in the court?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I am informed throughly of the cause.<br/>
I am informed throughly of the cause.<br/>
Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew?
Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew?
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Is your name Shylock?
Is your name Shylock?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Shylock is my name.
Shylock is my name.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,<br/>
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,<br/>
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law<br/>
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law<br/>
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.<br/>
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.<br/>
[<i>To Antonio</i>.] You stand within his danger, do you not?
[<i>To Antonio</i>.] You stand within his danger, do you not?
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Ay, so he says.
Ay, so he says.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Do you confess the bond?
Do you confess the bond?
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I do.
I do.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Then must the Jew be merciful.
Then must the Jew be merciful.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.
On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,<br/>
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,<br/>
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven<br/>
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven<br/>
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest,<br/>
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest,<br/>
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.<br/>
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.<br/>
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes<br/>
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes<br/>
The throned monarch better than his crown.<br/>
The throned monarch better than his crown.<br/>
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,<br/>
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,<br/>
The attribute to awe and majesty,<br/>
The attribute to awe and majesty,<br/>
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;<br/>
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;<br/>
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,<br/>
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,<br/>
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,<br/>
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,<br/>
It is an attribute to God himself;<br/>
It is an attribute to God himself;<br/>
And earthly power doth then show likest God's<br/>
And earthly power doth then show likest God's<br/>
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,<br/>
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,<br/>
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,<br/>
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,<br/>
That in the course of justice none of us<br/>
That in the course of justice none of us<br/>
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,<br/>
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,<br/>
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render<br/>
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render<br/>
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much<br/>
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much<br/>
To mitigate the justice of thy plea,<br/>
To mitigate the justice of thy plea,<br/>
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice<br/>
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice<br/>
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,<br/>
My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,<br/>
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Is he not able to discharge the money?
Is he not able to discharge the money?
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Yes, here I tender it for him in the court,<br/>
Yes, here I tender it for him in the court,<br/>
Yea, twice the sum, if that will not suffice,<br/>
Yea, twice the sum, if that will not suffice,<br/>
I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er<br/>
I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er<br/>
On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.<br/>
On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.<br/>
If this will not suffice, it must appear<br/>
If this will not suffice, it must appear<br/>
That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you,<br/>
That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you,<br/>
Wrest once the law to your authority.<br/>
Wrest once the law to your authority.<br/>
To do a great right, do a little wrong,<br/>
To do a great right, do a little wrong,<br/>
And curb this cruel devil of his will.
And curb this cruel devil of his will.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
It must not be, there is no power in Venice<br/>
It must not be, there is no power in Venice<br/>
Can alter a decree established;<br/>
Can alter a decree established;<br/>
'Twill be recorded for a precedent,<br/>
'Twill be recorded for a precedent,<br/>
And many an error by the same example<br/>
And many an error by the same example<br/>
Will rush into the state. It cannot be.
Will rush into the state. It cannot be.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel!<br/>
A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel!<br/>
O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!
O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I pray you let me look upon the bond.
I pray you let me look upon the bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.
Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Shylock, there's thrice thy money offered thee.
Shylock, there's thrice thy money offered thee.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven.<br/>
An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven.<br/>
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?<br/>
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?<br/>
No, not for Venice.
No, not for Venice.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Why, this bond is forfeit,<br/>
Why, this bond is forfeit,<br/>
And lawfully by this the Jew may claim<br/>
And lawfully by this the Jew may claim<br/>
A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off<br/>
A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off<br/>
Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful,<br/>
Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful,<br/>
Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.
Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
When it is paid according to the tenour.<br/>
When it is paid according to the tenour.<br/>
It doth appear you are a worthy judge;<br/>
It doth appear you are a worthy judge;<br/>
You know the law; your exposition<br/>
You know the law; your exposition<br/>
Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law,<br/>
Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law,<br/>
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,<br/>
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,<br/>
Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear<br/>
Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear<br/>
There is no power in the tongue of man<br/>
There is no power in the tongue of man<br/>
To alter me. I stay here on my bond.
To alter me. I stay here on my bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Most heartily I do beseech the court<br/>
Most heartily I do beseech the court<br/>
To give the judgment.
To give the judgment.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Why then, thus it is:<br/>
Why then, thus it is:<br/>
You must prepare your bosom for his knife.
You must prepare your bosom for his knife.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
O noble judge! O excellent young man!
O noble judge! O excellent young man!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
For the intent and purpose of the law<br/>
For the intent and purpose of the law<br/>
Hath full relation to the penalty,<br/>
Hath full relation to the penalty,<br/>
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
'Tis very true. O wise and upright judge,<br/>
'Tis very true. O wise and upright judge,<br/>
How much more elder art thou than thy looks!
How much more elder art thou than thy looks!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Therefore lay bare your bosom.
Therefore lay bare your bosom.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Ay, his breast<br/>
Ay, his breast<br/>
So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?<br/>
So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?<br/>
&ldquo;Nearest his heart&rdquo;: those are the very words.
 
&amp;ldquo;Nearest his heart&amp;rdquo;: those are the very words.
 
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
It is so. Are there balance here to weigh<br/>
It is so. Are there balance here to weigh<br/>
The flesh?
The flesh?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I have them ready.
I have them ready.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,<br/>
Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,<br/>
To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Is it so nominated in the bond?
Is it so nominated in the bond?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
It is not so express'd, but what of that?<br/>
It is not so express'd, but what of that?<br/>
'Twere good you do so much for charity.
'Twere good you do so much for charity.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.
I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You, merchant, have you anything to say?
You, merchant, have you anything to say?
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
But little. I am arm'd and well prepar'd.<br/>
But little. I am arm'd and well prepar'd.<br/>
Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well,<br/>
Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well,<br/>
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you,<br/>
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you,<br/>
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind<br/>
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind<br/>
Than is her custom: it is still her use<br/>
Than is her custom: it is still her use<br/>
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,<br/>
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,<br/>
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow<br/>
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow<br/>
An age of poverty, from which ling'ring penance<br/>
An age of poverty, from which ling'ring penance<br/>
Of such misery doth she cut me off.<br/>
Of such misery doth she cut me off.<br/>
Commend me to your honourable wife,<br/>
Commend me to your honourable wife,<br/>
Tell her the process of Antonio's end,<br/>
Tell her the process of Antonio's end,<br/>
Say how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death.<br/>
Say how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death.<br/>
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge<br/>
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge<br/>
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.<br/>
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.<br/>
Repent but you that you shall lose your friend<br/>
Repent but you that you shall lose your friend<br/>
And he repents not that he pays your debt.<br/>
And he repents not that he pays your debt.<br/>
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,<br/>
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,<br/>
I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.
I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Antonio, I am married to a wife<br/>
Antonio, I am married to a wife<br/>
Which is as dear to me as life itself,<br/>
Which is as dear to me as life itself,<br/>
But life itself, my wife, and all the world,<br/>
But life itself, my wife, and all the world,<br/>
Are not with me esteem'd above thy life.<br/>
Are not with me esteem'd above thy life.<br/>
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all<br/>
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all<br/>
Here to this devil, to deliver you.
Here to this devil, to deliver you.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Your wife would give you little thanks for that<br/>
Your wife would give you little thanks for that<br/>
If she were by to hear you make the offer.
If she were by to hear you make the offer.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
I have a wife who I protest I love.<br/>
I have a wife who I protest I love.<br/>
I would she were in heaven, so she could<br/>
I would she were in heaven, so she could<br/>
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
'Tis well you offer it behind her back,<br/>
'Tis well you offer it behind her back,<br/>
The wish would make else an unquiet house.
The wish would make else an unquiet house.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter&mdash;<br/>
 
These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
Would any of the stock of Barabbas<br/>
Would any of the stock of Barabbas<br/>
Had been her husband, rather than a Christian!<br/>
Had been her husband, rather than a Christian!<br/>
We trifle time, I pray thee, pursue sentence.
We trifle time, I pray thee, pursue sentence.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine,<br/>
A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine,<br/>
The court awards it and the law doth give it.
The court awards it and the law doth give it.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Most rightful judge!
Most rightful judge!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.<br/>
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.<br/>
The law allows it and the court awards it.
The law allows it and the court awards it.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare.
Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Tarry a little, there is something else.<br/>
Tarry a little, there is something else.<br/>
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.<br/>
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.<br/>
The words expressly are &ldquo;a pound of flesh&rdquo;:<br/>
 
The words expressly are &amp;ldquo;a pound of flesh&amp;rdquo;:<br/>
 
Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,<br/>
Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,<br/>
But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed<br/>
But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed<br/>
One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods<br/>
One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods<br/>
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate<br/>
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate<br/>
Unto the state of Venice.
Unto the state of Venice.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
O upright judge! Mark, Jew. O learned judge!
O upright judge! Mark, Jew. O learned judge!
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Is that the law?
Is that the law?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Thyself shalt see the act.<br/>
Thyself shalt see the act.<br/>
For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd<br/>
For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd<br/>
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir'st.
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir'st.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
O learned judge! Mark, Jew, a learned judge!
O learned judge! Mark, Jew, a learned judge!
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice<br/>
I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice<br/>
And let the Christian go.
And let the Christian go.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Here is the money.
Here is the money.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Soft!<br/>
Soft!<br/>
The Jew shall have all justice. Soft! no haste!<br/>
The Jew shall have all justice. Soft! no haste!<br/>
He shall have nothing but the penalty.
He shall have nothing but the penalty.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
O Jew, an upright judge, a learned judge!
O Jew, an upright judge, a learned judge!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.<br/>
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.<br/>
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more,<br/>
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more,<br/>
But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more<br/>
But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more<br/>
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much<br/>
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much<br/>
As makes it light or heavy in the substance,<br/>
As makes it light or heavy in the substance,<br/>
Or the division of the twentieth part<br/>
Or the division of the twentieth part<br/>
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn<br/>
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn<br/>
But in the estimation of a hair,<br/>
But in the estimation of a hair,<br/>
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!<br/>
A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!<br/>
Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.
Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Give me my principal, and let me go.
Give me my principal, and let me go.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
I have it ready for thee. Here it is.
I have it ready for thee. Here it is.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
He hath refus'd it in the open court,<br/>
He hath refus'd it in the open court,<br/>
He shall have merely justice and his bond.
He shall have merely justice and his bond.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
A Daniel still say I, a second Daniel!<br/>
A Daniel still say I, a second Daniel!<br/>
I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.
I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Shall I not have barely my principal?
Shall I not have barely my principal?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture<br/>
Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture<br/>
To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.
To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Why, then the devil give him good of it!<br/>
Why, then the devil give him good of it!<br/>
I'll stay no longer question.
I'll stay no longer question.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Tarry, Jew.<br/>
Tarry, Jew.<br/>
The law hath yet another hold on you.<br/>
The law hath yet another hold on you.<br/>
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,<br/>
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,<br/>
If it be proved against an alien<br/>
If it be proved against an alien<br/>
That by direct or indirect attempts<br/>
That by direct or indirect attempts<br/>
He seek the life of any citizen,<br/>
He seek the life of any citizen,<br/>
The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive<br/>
The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive<br/>
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half<br/>
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half<br/>
Comes to the privy coffer of the state,<br/>
Comes to the privy coffer of the state,<br/>
And the offender's life lies in the mercy<br/>
And the offender's life lies in the mercy<br/>
Of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice.<br/>
Of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice.<br/>
In which predicament I say thou stand'st;<br/>
In which predicament I say thou stand'st;<br/>
For it appears by manifest proceeding<br/>
For it appears by manifest proceeding<br/>
That indirectly, and directly too,<br/>
That indirectly, and directly too,<br/>
Thou hast contrived against the very life<br/>
Thou hast contrived against the very life<br/>
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd<br/>
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd<br/>
The danger formerly by me rehears'd.<br/>
The danger formerly by me rehears'd.<br/>
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself,<br/>
Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself,<br/>
And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,<br/>
And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,<br/>
Thou hast not left the value of a cord;<br/>
Thou hast not left the value of a cord;<br/>
Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge.
Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,<br/>
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,<br/>
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.<br/>
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.<br/>
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;<br/>
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;<br/>
The other half comes to the general state,<br/>
The other half comes to the general state,<br/>
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.
Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that.<br/>
Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that.<br/>
You take my house when you do take the prop<br/>
You take my house when you do take the prop<br/>
That doth sustain my house; you take my life<br/>
That doth sustain my house; you take my life<br/>
When you do take the means whereby I live.
When you do take the means whereby I live.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
What mercy can you render him, Antonio?
What mercy can you render him, Antonio?
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
A halter gratis, nothing else, for God's sake!
A halter gratis, nothing else, for God's sake!
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
So please my lord the Duke and all the court<br/>
So please my lord the Duke and all the court<br/>
To quit the fine for one half of his goods,<br/>
To quit the fine for one half of his goods,<br/>
I am content, so he will let me have<br/>
I am content, so he will let me have<br/>
The other half in use, to render it<br/>
The other half in use, to render it<br/>
Upon his death unto the gentleman<br/>
Upon his death unto the gentleman<br/>
That lately stole his daughter.<br/>
That lately stole his daughter.<br/>
Two things provided more, that for this favour,<br/>
Two things provided more, that for this favour,<br/>
He presently become a Christian;<br/>
He presently become a Christian;<br/>
The other, that he do record a gift,<br/>
The other, that he do record a gift,<br/>
Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd<br/>
Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd<br/>
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
He shall do this, or else I do recant<br/>
He shall do this, or else I do recant<br/>
The pardon that I late pronounced here.
The pardon that I late pronounced here.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?
Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I am content.
I am content.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Clerk, draw a deed of gift.
Clerk, draw a deed of gift.
</p>
</p>


<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
<p>SHYLOCK.<br/>
I pray you give me leave to go from hence;<br/>
I pray you give me leave to go from hence;<br/>
I am not well; send the deed after me<br/>
I am not well; send the deed after me<br/>
And I will sign it.
And I will sign it.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Get thee gone, but do it.
Get thee gone, but do it.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
In christ'ning shalt thou have two god-fathers.<br/>
In christ'ning shalt thou have two god-fathers.<br/>
Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,<br/>
Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,<br/>
To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.
To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,087: Line 6,717:


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.
Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon,<br/>
I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon,<br/>
I must away this night toward Padua,<br/>
I must away this night toward Padua,<br/>
And it is meet I presently set forth.
And it is meet I presently set forth.
</p>
</p>


<p>DUKE.<br/>
<p>DUKE.<br/>
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.<br/>
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.<br/>
Antonio, gratify this gentleman,<br/>
Antonio, gratify this gentleman,<br/>
For in my mind you are much bound to him.
For in my mind you are much bound to him.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Duke</span>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Duke</span>
and his train.</i>]</p>
and his train.</i>]</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend<br/>
Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend<br/>
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted<br/>
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted<br/>
Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof,<br/>
Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof,<br/>
Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew<br/>
Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew<br/>
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
And stand indebted, over and above<br/>
And stand indebted, over and above<br/>
In love and service to you evermore.
In love and service to you evermore.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
He is well paid that is well satisfied,<br/>
He is well paid that is well satisfied,<br/>
And I delivering you, am satisfied,<br/>
And I delivering you, am satisfied,<br/>
And therein do account myself well paid,<br/>
And therein do account myself well paid,<br/>
My mind was never yet more mercenary.<br/>
My mind was never yet more mercenary.<br/>
I pray you know me when we meet again,<br/>
I pray you know me when we meet again,<br/>
I wish you well, and so I take my leave.
I wish you well, and so I take my leave.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.<br/>
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.<br/>
Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,<br/>
Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,<br/>
Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you,<br/>
Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you,<br/>
Not to deny me, and to pardon me.
Not to deny me, and to pardon me.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You press me far, and therefore I will yield.<br/>
You press me far, and therefore I will yield.<br/>
[<i>To Antonio</i>.] Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake.<br/>
[<i>To Antonio</i>.] Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake.<br/>
[<i>To Bassanio</i>.] And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you.<br/>
[<i>To Bassanio</i>.] And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you.<br/>
Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more,<br/>
Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more,<br/>
And you in love shall not deny me this.
And you in love shall not deny me this.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle,<br/>
This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle,<br/>
I will not shame myself to give you this.
I will not shame myself to give you this.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I will have nothing else but only this,<br/>
I will have nothing else but only this,<br/>
And now methinks I have a mind to it.
And now methinks I have a mind to it.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
There's more depends on this than on the value.<br/>
There's more depends on this than on the value.<br/>
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,<br/>
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,<br/>
And find it out by proclamation,<br/>
And find it out by proclamation,<br/>
Only for this I pray you pardon me.
Only for this I pray you pardon me.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I see, sir, you are liberal in offers.<br/>
I see, sir, you are liberal in offers.<br/>
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks<br/>
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks<br/>
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,<br/>
Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,<br/>
And when she put it on, she made me vow<br/>
And when she put it on, she made me vow<br/>
That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.
That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.<br/>
That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.<br/>
And if your wife be not a mad-woman,<br/>
And if your wife be not a mad-woman,<br/>
And know how well I have deserv'd this ring,<br/>
And know how well I have deserv'd this ring,<br/>
She would not hold out enemy for ever<br/>
She would not hold out enemy for ever<br/>
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Portia</span> and
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt <span class="charname">Portia</span> and
<span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</i>]</p>
<span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</i>]</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.<br/>
My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.<br/>
Let his deservings and my love withal<br/>
Let his deservings and my love withal<br/>
Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment.
Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him;<br/>
Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him;<br/>
Give him the ring, and bring him if thou canst<br/>
Give him the ring, and bring him if thou canst<br/>
Unto Antonio's house. Away, make haste.
Unto Antonio's house. Away, make haste.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,197: Line 6,899:


<p>Come, you and I will thither presently,<br/>
<p>Come, you and I will thither presently,<br/>
And in the morning early will we both<br/>
And in the morning early will we both<br/>
Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.
Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,206: Line 6,911:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span> and
<span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,<br/>
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,<br/>
And let him sign it, we'll away tonight,<br/>
And let him sign it, we'll away tonight,<br/>
And be a day before our husbands home.<br/>
And be a day before our husbands home.<br/>
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,218: Line 6,929:


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en.<br/>
Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en.<br/>
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice,<br/>
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice,<br/>
Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat<br/>
Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat<br/>
Your company at dinner.
Your company at dinner.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
That cannot be;<br/>
That cannot be;<br/>
His ring I do accept most thankfully,<br/>
His ring I do accept most thankfully,<br/>
And so I pray you tell him. Furthermore,<br/>
And so I pray you tell him. Furthermore,<br/>
I pray you show my youth old Shylock's house.
I pray you show my youth old Shylock's house.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
That will I do.
That will I do.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Sir, I would speak with you.<br/>
Sir, I would speak with you.<br/>
[<i>Aside to Portia</i>.]<br/>
[<i>Aside to Portia</i>.]<br/>
I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,<br/>
I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,<br/>
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
[<i>To Nerissa</i>.] Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old swearing<br/>
[<i>To Nerissa</i>.] Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old swearing<br/>
That they did give the rings away to men;<br/>
That they did give the rings away to men;<br/>
But we'll outface them, and outswear them too.<br/>
But we'll outface them, and outswear them too.<br/>
Away! make haste! Thou know'st where I will tarry.
Away! make haste! Thou know'st where I will tarry.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>


<h3 id="sceneV_221"> <b>ACT V</b></h3>
<h3 id="sceneV_221"> <b>ACT V</b></h3>
Line 4,264: Line 6,995:


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Lorenzo</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Lorenzo</span> and
<span class="charname">Jessica</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Jessica</span>.</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,<br/>
The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,<br/>
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees,<br/>
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees,<br/>
And they did make no noise, in such a night,<br/>
And they did make no noise, in such a night,<br/>
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls,<br/>
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls,<br/>
And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents<br/>
And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents<br/>
Where Cressid lay that night.
Where Cressid lay that night.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
In such a night<br/>
In such a night<br/>
Did Thisby fearfully o'ertrip the dew,<br/>
Did Thisby fearfully o'ertrip the dew,<br/>
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself,<br/>
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself,<br/>
And ran dismay'd away.
And ran dismay'd away.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
In such a night<br/>
In such a night<br/>
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand<br/>
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand<br/>
Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love<br/>
Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love<br/>
To come again to Carthage.
To come again to Carthage.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
In such a night<br/>
In such a night<br/>
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs<br/>
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs<br/>
That did renew old Æson.
That did renew old Æson.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
In such a night<br/>
In such a night<br/>
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,<br/>
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,<br/>
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice<br/>
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice<br/>
As far as Belmont.
As far as Belmont.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
In such a night<br/>
In such a night<br/>
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,<br/>
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,<br/>
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,<br/>
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,<br/>
And ne'er a true one.
And ne'er a true one.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
In such a night<br/>
In such a night<br/>
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,<br/>
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,<br/>
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
</p>
</p>


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I would out-night you did no body come;<br/>
I would out-night you did no body come;<br/>
But hark, I hear the footing of a man.
But hark, I hear the footing of a man.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,323: Line 7,093:


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
</p>
</p>


<p>STEPHANO.<br/>
<p>STEPHANO.<br/>
A friend.
A friend.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
A friend! What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
A friend! What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
</p>
</p>


<p>STEPHANO.<br/>
<p>STEPHANO.<br/>
Stephano is my name, and I bring word<br/>
Stephano is my name, and I bring word<br/>
My mistress will before the break of day<br/>
My mistress will before the break of day<br/>
Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about<br/>
Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about<br/>
By holy crosses where she kneels and prays<br/>
By holy crosses where she kneels and prays<br/>
For happy wedlock hours.
For happy wedlock hours.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Who comes with her?
Who comes with her?
</p>
</p>


<p>STEPHANO.<br/>
<p>STEPHANO.<br/>
None but a holy hermit and her maid.<br/>
None but a holy hermit and her maid.<br/>
I pray you is my master yet return'd?
I pray you is my master yet return'd?
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
He is not, nor we have not heard from him.<br/>
He is not, nor we have not heard from him.<br/>
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,<br/>
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,<br/>
And ceremoniously let us prepare<br/>
And ceremoniously let us prepare<br/>
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,361: Line 7,153:


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/> Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/> Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Who calls?
Who calls?
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Sola, sola!
Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Sola, sola!
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Leave holloaing, man. Here!
Leave holloaing, man. Here!
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Sola! Where, where?
Sola! Where, where?
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Here!
Here!
</p>
</p>


<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
<p>LAUNCELET.<br/>
Tell him there's a post come from my master with his horn full of good
Tell him there's a post come from my master with his horn full of good
news. My master will be here ere morning.
news. My master will be here ere morning.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,391: Line 7,197:


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming.<br/>
Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming.<br/>
And yet no matter; why should we go in?<br/>
And yet no matter; why should we go in?<br/>
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,<br/>
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,<br/>
Within the house, your mistress is at hand,<br/>
Within the house, your mistress is at hand,<br/>
And bring your music forth into the air.
And bring your music forth into the air.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,401: Line 7,213:


<p>How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!<br/>
<p>How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!<br/>
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music<br/>
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music<br/>
Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night<br/>
Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night<br/>
Become the touches of sweet harmony.<br/>
Become the touches of sweet harmony.<br/>
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven<br/>
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven<br/>
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.<br/>
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.<br/>
There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st<br/>
There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st<br/>
But in his motion like an angel sings,<br/>
But in his motion like an angel sings,<br/>
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;<br/>
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;<br/>
Such harmony is in immortal souls,<br/>
Such harmony is in immortal souls,<br/>
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay<br/>
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay<br/>
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,417: Line 7,241:


<p>Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn.<br/>
<p>Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn.<br/>
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,<br/>
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,<br/>
And draw her home with music.
And draw her home with music.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,424: Line 7,251:


<p>JESSICA.<br/>
<p>JESSICA.<br/>
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
The reason is, your spirits are attentive.<br/>
The reason is, your spirits are attentive.<br/>
For do but note a wild and wanton herd<br/>
For do but note a wild and wanton herd<br/>
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,<br/>
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,<br/>
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,<br/>
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,<br/>
Which is the hot condition of their blood,<br/>
Which is the hot condition of their blood,<br/>
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,<br/>
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,<br/>
Or any air of music touch their ears,<br/>
Or any air of music touch their ears,<br/>
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,<br/>
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,<br/>
Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze<br/>
Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze<br/>
By the sweet power of music: therefore the poet<br/>
By the sweet power of music: therefore the poet<br/>
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods,<br/>
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods,<br/>
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,<br/>
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,<br/>
But music for the time doth change his nature.<br/>
But music for the time doth change his nature.<br/>
The man that hath no music in himself,<br/>
The man that hath no music in himself,<br/>
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,<br/>
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,<br/>
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;<br/>
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;<br/>
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,<br/>
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,<br/>
And his affections dark as Erebus.<br/>
And his affections dark as Erebus.<br/>
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span> and
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Portia</span> and
<span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</p>
<span class="charname">Nerissa</span>.</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
That light we see is burning in my hall.<br/>
That light we see is burning in my hall.<br/>
How far that little candle throws his beams!<br/>
How far that little candle throws his beams!<br/>
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
So doth the greater glory dim the less.<br/>
So doth the greater glory dim the less.<br/>
A substitute shines brightly as a king<br/>
A substitute shines brightly as a king<br/>
Until a king be by, and then his state<br/>
Until a king be by, and then his state<br/>
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook<br/>
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook<br/>
Into the main of waters. Music! hark!
Into the main of waters. Music! hark!
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
It is your music, madam, of the house.
It is your music, madam, of the house.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Nothing is good, I see, without respect.<br/>
Nothing is good, I see, without respect.<br/>
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark<br/>
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark<br/>
When neither is attended; and I think<br/>
When neither is attended; and I think<br/>
The nightingale, if she should sing by day<br/>
The nightingale, if she should sing by day<br/>
When every goose is cackling, would be thought<br/>
When every goose is cackling, would be thought<br/>
No better a musician than the wren.<br/>
No better a musician than the wren.<br/>
How many things by season season'd are<br/>
How many things by season season'd are<br/>
To their right praise and true perfection!<br/>
To their right praise and true perfection!<br/>
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion,<br/>
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion,<br/>
And would not be awak'd!
And would not be awak'd!
</p>
</p>


Line 4,498: Line 7,377:


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
That is the voice,<br/>
That is the voice,<br/>
Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia.
Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,<br/>
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,<br/>
By the bad voice.
By the bad voice.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Dear lady, welcome home.
Dear lady, welcome home.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,<br/>
We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,<br/>
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.<br/>
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.<br/>
Are they return'd?
Are they return'd?
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Madam, they are not yet;<br/>
Madam, they are not yet;<br/>
But there is come a messenger before<br/>
But there is come a messenger before<br/>
To signify their coming.
To signify their coming.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Go in, Nerissa.<br/>
Go in, Nerissa.<br/>
Give order to my servants, that they take<br/>
Give order to my servants, that they take<br/>
No note at all of our being absent hence,<br/>
No note at all of our being absent hence,<br/>
Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you.
Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you.
</p>
</p>


Line 4,533: Line 7,433:


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Your husband is at hand, I hear his trumpet.<br/>
Your husband is at hand, I hear his trumpet.<br/>
We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not.
We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
This night methinks is but the daylight sick,<br/>
This night methinks is but the daylight sick,<br/>
It looks a little paler. 'Tis a day<br/>
It looks a little paler. 'Tis a day<br/>
Such as the day is when the sun is hid.
Such as the day is when the sun is hid.
</p>
</p>


<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio, Antonio,
<p class="scenedesc"> Enter <span class="charname">Bassanio, Antonio,
Gratiano</span> and their Followers.</p>
Gratiano</span> and their Followers.</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
We should hold day with the Antipodes,<br/>
We should hold day with the Antipodes,<br/>
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Let me give light, but let me not be light,<br/>
Let me give light, but let me not be light,<br/>
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,<br/>
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,<br/>
And never be Bassanio so for me.<br/>
And never be Bassanio so for me.<br/>
But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.
But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.<br/>
I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.<br/>
This is the man, this is Antonio,<br/>
This is the man, this is Antonio,<br/>
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You should in all sense be much bound to him,<br/>
You should in all sense be much bound to him,<br/>
For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.
For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
No more than I am well acquitted of.
No more than I am well acquitted of.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Sir, you are very welcome to our house.<br/>
Sir, you are very welcome to our house.<br/>
It must appear in other ways than words,<br/>
It must appear in other ways than words,<br/>
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
[<i>To Nerissa</i>.] By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong,<br/>
[<i>To Nerissa</i>.] By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong,<br/>
In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk.<br/>
In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk.<br/>
Would he were gelt that had it, for my part,<br/>
Would he were gelt that had it, for my part,<br/>
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
A quarrel, ho, already! What's the matter?
A quarrel, ho, already! What's the matter?
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring<br/>
About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring<br/>
That she did give me, whose posy was<br/>
That she did give me, whose posy was<br/>
For all the world like cutlers' poetry<br/>
For all the world like cutlers' poetry<br/>
Upon a knife, &ldquo;Love me, and leave me not.&rdquo;
 
Upon a knife, &amp;ldquo;Love me, and leave me not.&amp;rdquo;
 
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
What talk you of the posy, or the value?<br/>
What talk you of the posy, or the value?<br/>
You swore to me when I did give it you,<br/>
You swore to me when I did give it you,<br/>
That you would wear it till your hour of death,<br/>
That you would wear it till your hour of death,<br/>
And that it should lie with you in your grave.<br/>
And that it should lie with you in your grave.<br/>
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,<br/>
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,<br/>
You should have been respective and have kept it.<br/>
You should have been respective and have kept it.<br/>
Gave it a judge's clerk! No, God's my judge,<br/>
Gave it a judge's clerk! No, God's my judge,<br/>
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it.
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
He will, and if he live to be a man.
He will, and if he live to be a man.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,<br/>
Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,<br/>
A kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy,<br/>
A kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy,<br/>
No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk,<br/>
No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk,<br/>
A prating boy that begg'd it as a fee,<br/>
A prating boy that begg'd it as a fee,<br/>
I could not for my heart deny it him.
I could not for my heart deny it him.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
You were to blame,&mdash;I must be plain with you,&mdash;<br/>
 
You were to blame,&amp;mdash;I must be plain with you,&amp;mdash;<br/>
 
To part so slightly with your wife's first gift,<br/>
To part so slightly with your wife's first gift,<br/>
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger,<br/>
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger,<br/>
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.<br/>
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.<br/>
I gave my love a ring, and made him swear<br/>
I gave my love a ring, and made him swear<br/>
Never to part with it, and here he stands.<br/>
Never to part with it, and here he stands.<br/>
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it<br/>
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it<br/>
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth<br/>
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth<br/>
That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano,<br/>
That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano,<br/>
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief,<br/>
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief,<br/>
An 'twere to me I should be mad at it.
An 'twere to me I should be mad at it.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,<br/>
[<i>Aside.</i>] Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,<br/>
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away<br/>
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away<br/>
Unto the judge that begg'd it, and indeed<br/>
Unto the judge that begg'd it, and indeed<br/>
Deserv'd it too. And then the boy, his clerk,<br/>
Deserv'd it too. And then the boy, his clerk,<br/>
That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine,<br/>
That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine,<br/>
And neither man nor master would take aught<br/>
And neither man nor master would take aught<br/>
But the two rings.
But the two rings.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
What ring gave you, my lord?<br/>
What ring gave you, my lord?<br/>
Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me.
Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
If I could add a lie unto a fault,<br/>
If I could add a lie unto a fault,<br/>
I would deny it, but you see my finger<br/>
I would deny it, but you see my finger<br/>
Hath not the ring upon it, it is gone.
Hath not the ring upon it, it is gone.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Even so void is your false heart of truth.<br/>
Even so void is your false heart of truth.<br/>
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed<br/>
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed<br/>
Until I see the ring.
Until I see the ring.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Nor I in yours<br/>
Nor I in yours<br/>
Till I again see mine!
Till I again see mine!
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Sweet Portia,<br/>
Sweet Portia,<br/>
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,<br/>
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,<br/>
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,<br/>
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,<br/>
And would conceive for what I gave the ring,<br/>
And would conceive for what I gave the ring,<br/>
And how unwillingly I left the ring,<br/>
And how unwillingly I left the ring,<br/>
When nought would be accepted but the ring,<br/>
When nought would be accepted but the ring,<br/>
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
If you had known the virtue of the ring,<br/>
If you had known the virtue of the ring,<br/>
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,<br/>
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,<br/>
Or your own honour to contain the ring,<br/>
Or your own honour to contain the ring,<br/>
You would not then have parted with the ring.<br/>
You would not then have parted with the ring.<br/>
What man is there so much unreasonable,<br/>
What man is there so much unreasonable,<br/>
If you had pleas'd to have defended it<br/>
If you had pleas'd to have defended it<br/>
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty<br/>
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty<br/>
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?<br/>
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?<br/>
Nerissa teaches me what to believe:<br/>
Nerissa teaches me what to believe:<br/>
I'll die for't but some woman had the ring.
I'll die for't but some woman had the ring.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
No, by my honour, madam, by my soul,<br/>
No, by my honour, madam, by my soul,<br/>
No woman had it, but a civil doctor,<br/>
No woman had it, but a civil doctor,<br/>
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me,<br/>
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me,<br/>
And begg'd the ring, the which I did deny him,<br/>
And begg'd the ring, the which I did deny him,<br/>
And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away,<br/>
And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away,<br/>
Even he that had held up the very life<br/>
Even he that had held up the very life<br/>
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?<br/>
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?<br/>
I was enforc'd to send it after him.<br/>
I was enforc'd to send it after him.<br/>
I was beset with shame and courtesy.<br/>
I was beset with shame and courtesy.<br/>
My honour would not let ingratitude<br/>
My honour would not let ingratitude<br/>
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady;<br/>
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady;<br/>
For by these blessed candles of the night,<br/>
For by these blessed candles of the night,<br/>
Had you been there, I think you would have begg'd<br/>
Had you been there, I think you would have begg'd<br/>
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Let not that doctor e'er come near my house,<br/>
Let not that doctor e'er come near my house,<br/>
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,<br/>
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,<br/>
And that which you did swear to keep for me,<br/>
And that which you did swear to keep for me,<br/>
I will become as liberal as you,<br/>
I will become as liberal as you,<br/>
I'll not deny him anything I have,<br/>
I'll not deny him anything I have,<br/>
No, not my body, nor my husband's bed.<br/>
No, not my body, nor my husband's bed.<br/>
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.<br/>
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.<br/>
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus,<br/>
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus,<br/>
If you do not, if I be left alone,<br/>
If you do not, if I be left alone,<br/>
Now by mine honour which is yet mine own,<br/>
Now by mine honour which is yet mine own,<br/>
I'll have that doctor for mine bedfellow.
I'll have that doctor for mine bedfellow.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
And I his clerk. Therefore be well advis'd<br/>
And I his clerk. Therefore be well advis'd<br/>
How you do leave me to mine own protection.
How you do leave me to mine own protection.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Well, do you so. Let not me take him then,<br/>
Well, do you so. Let not me take him then,<br/>
For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen.
For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.
I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong,<br/>
Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong,<br/>
And in the hearing of these many friends<br/>
And in the hearing of these many friends<br/>
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,<br/>
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,<br/>
Wherein I see myself&mdash;
 
Wherein I see myself&amp;mdash;
 
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Mark you but that!<br/>
Mark you but that!<br/>
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself,<br/>
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself,<br/>
In each eye one. Swear by your double self,<br/>
In each eye one. Swear by your double self,<br/>
And there's an oath of credit.
And there's an oath of credit.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Nay, but hear me.<br/>
Nay, but hear me.<br/>
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear<br/>
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear<br/>
I never more will break an oath with thee.
I never more will break an oath with thee.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I once did lend my body for his wealth,<br/>
I once did lend my body for his wealth,<br/>
Which but for him that had your husband's ring<br/>
Which but for him that had your husband's ring<br/>
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,<br/>
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,<br/>
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord<br/>
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord<br/>
Will never more break faith advisedly.
Will never more break faith advisedly.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,<br/>
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,<br/>
And bid him keep it better than the other.
And bid him keep it better than the other.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.
Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio,<br/>
I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio,<br/>
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,<br/>
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,<br/>
For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk,<br/>
For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk,<br/>
In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Why, this is like the mending of highways<br/>
Why, this is like the mending of highways<br/>
In summer, where the ways are fair enough.<br/>
In summer, where the ways are fair enough.<br/>
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserv'd it?
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserv'd it?
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
Speak not so grossly. You are all amaz'd.<br/>
Speak not so grossly. You are all amaz'd.<br/>
Here is a letter; read it at your leisure.<br/>
Here is a letter; read it at your leisure.<br/>
It comes from Padua from Bellario.<br/>
It comes from Padua from Bellario.<br/>
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,<br/>
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,<br/>
Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here<br/>
Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here<br/>
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,<br/>
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,<br/>
And even but now return'd. I have not yet<br/>
And even but now return'd. I have not yet<br/>
Enter'd my house. Antonio, you are welcome,<br/>
Enter'd my house. Antonio, you are welcome,<br/>
And I have better news in store for you<br/>
And I have better news in store for you<br/>
Than you expect: unseal this letter soon.<br/>
Than you expect: unseal this letter soon.<br/>
There you shall find three of your argosies<br/>
There you shall find three of your argosies<br/>
Are richly come to harbour suddenly.<br/>
Are richly come to harbour suddenly.<br/>
You shall not know by what strange accident<br/>
You shall not know by what strange accident<br/>
I chanced on this letter.
I chanced on this letter.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
I am dumb.
I am dumb.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?
Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,<br/>
Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,<br/>
Unless he live until he be a man.
Unless he live until he be a man.
</p>
</p>


<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
<p>BASSANIO.<br/>
Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.<br/>
Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.<br/>
When I am absent, then lie with my wife.
When I am absent, then lie with my wife.
</p>
</p>


<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
<p>ANTONIO.<br/>
Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;<br/>
Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;<br/>
For here I read for certain that my ships<br/>
For here I read for certain that my ships<br/>
Are safely come to road.
Are safely come to road.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
How now, Lorenzo!<br/>
How now, Lorenzo!<br/>
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
</p>
</p>


<p>NERISSA.<br/>
<p>NERISSA.<br/>
Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee.<br/>
Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee.<br/>
There do I give to you and Jessica,<br/>
There do I give to you and Jessica,<br/>
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,<br/>
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,<br/>
After his death, of all he dies possess'd of.
After his death, of all he dies possess'd of.
</p>
</p>


<p>LORENZO.<br/>
<p>LORENZO.<br/>
Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way<br/>
Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way<br/>
Of starved people.
Of starved people.
</p>
</p>


<p>PORTIA.<br/>
<p>PORTIA.<br/>
It is almost morning,<br/>
It is almost morning,<br/>
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied<br/>
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied<br/>
Of these events at full. Let us go in,<br/>
Of these events at full. Let us go in,<br/>
And charge us there upon inter'gatories,<br/>
And charge us there upon inter'gatories,<br/>
And we will answer all things faithfully.
And we will answer all things faithfully.
</p>
</p>


<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
<p>GRATIANO.<br/>
Let it be so. The first inter'gatory<br/>
Let it be so. The first inter'gatory<br/>
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is,<br/>
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is,<br/>
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,<br/>
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,<br/>
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.<br/>
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.<br/>
But were the day come, I should wish it dark<br/>
But were the day come, I should wish it dark<br/>
Till I were couching with the doctor's clerk.<br/>
Till I were couching with the doctor's clerk.<br/>
Well, while I live, I'll fear no other thing<br/>
Well, while I live, I'll fear no other thing<br/>
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring.
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring.
</p>
</p>


<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>
<p class="right"> [<i>Exeunt.</i>]</p>


{{close-shakespeare}}
{{close-shakespeare}}</text>

Latest revision as of 14:25, 6 January 2025

Links to Shakespeare's Works

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE


Dramatis Personæ

THE DUKE OF VENICE
THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia
THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia
ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice
BASSANIO, his friend, suitor to Portia
GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio
SOLANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio
SALARINO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio
LORENZO, in love with Jessica
SHYLOCK, a rich Jew
TUBAL, a Jew, his friend
LAUNCELET GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock
OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelet
LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio
BALTHAZAR, servant to Portia
STEPHANO, servant to Portia
SALERIO, a messenger from Venice

PORTIA, a rich heiress
NERISSA, her waiting-woman
JESSICA, daughter to Shylock

Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, a Gaoler, Servants and other Attendants

SCENE: Partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia on the Continent

ACT I

SCENE I.]] Venice. A street.

Enter Antonio, Salarino and Solanio.

ANTONIO.
In sooth I know not why I am so sad,
It wearies me. you say it wearies you;
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn.
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself.

SALARINO.
Your mind is tossing on the ocean,
There where your argosies, with portly sail
Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood,
Or as it were the pageants of the sea,
Do overpeer the petty traffickers
That curtsy to them, do them reverence,
As they fly by them with their woven wings.

SOLANIO.
Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,
The better part of my affections would
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still
Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind,
Peering in maps for ports, and piers and roads;
And every object that might make me fear
Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt
Would make me sad.

SALARINO.
My wind cooling my broth
Would blow me to an ague when I thought
What harm a wind too great might do at sea.
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run
But I should think of shallows and of flats,
And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand,
Vailing her high top lower than her ribs
To kiss her burial. Should I go to church
And see the holy edifice of stone
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks,
Which, touching but my gentle vessel's side,
Would scatter all her spices on the stream,
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks,
And, in a word, but even now worth this,
And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought
To think on this, and shall I lack the thought
That such a thing bechanc'd would make me sad?
But tell not me, I know Antonio
Is sad to think upon his merchandise.

ANTONIO.
Believe me, no. I thank my fortune for it,
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,
Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate
Upon the fortune of this present year.
Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.

SALARINO.
Why then you are in love.

ANTONIO.
Fie, fie!

SALARINO.
Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad
Because you are not merry; and 'twere as easy
For you to laugh and leap and say you are merry
Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,
Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time:
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes,
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper.
And other of such vinegar aspect
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

Enter Bassanio, Lorenzo and Gratiano.

SOLANIO.
Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,
Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare ye well.
We leave you now with better company.

SALARINO.
I would have stay'd till I had made you merry,
If worthier friends had not prevented me.

ANTONIO.
Your worth is very dear in my regard.
I take it your own business calls on you,
And you embrace th' occasion to depart.

SALARINO.
Good morrow, my good lords.

BASSANIO.
Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? Say, when?
You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so?

SALARINO.
We'll make our leisures to attend on yours.

[Exeunt Salarino and Solanio.]

LORENZO.
My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio,
We two will leave you, but at dinner-time
I pray you have in mind where we must meet.

BASSANIO.
I will not fail you.

GRATIANO.
You look not well, Signior Antonio,
You have too much respect upon the world.
They lose it that do buy it with much care.
Believe me, you are marvellously chang'd.

ANTONIO.
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,
A stage, where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one.

GRATIANO.
Let me play the fool,
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come,
And let my liver rather heat with wine
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.
Why should a man whose blood is warm within
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?
Sleep when he wakes? And creep into the jaundice
By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio,
(I love thee, and 'tis my love that speaks):
There are a sort of men whose visages
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond,
And do a wilful stillness entertain,
With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,
As who should say, &ldquo;I am Sir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark.&rdquo;
O my Antonio, I do know of these
That therefore only are reputed wise
For saying nothing; when, I am very sure,
If they should speak, would almost damn those ears
Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools.
I'll tell thee more of this another time.
But fish not with this melancholy bait
For this fool gudgeon, this opinion.
Come, good Lorenzo. Fare ye well a while.
I'll end my exhortation after dinner.

LORENZO.
Well, we will leave you then till dinner-time.
I must be one of these same dumb wise men,
For Gratiano never lets me speak.

GRATIANO.
Well, keep me company but two years moe,
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue.

ANTONIO.
Fare you well. I'll grow a talker for this gear.

GRATIANO.
Thanks, i' faith, for silence is only commendable
In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendible.

[Exeunt Gratiano and Lorenzo.]

ANTONIO.
Is that anything now?

BASSANIO.
Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them they are not worth the search.

ANTONIO.
Well, tell me now what lady is the same
To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage,
That you today promis'd to tell me of?

BASSANIO.
'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate
By something showing a more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance.
Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd
From such a noble rate, but my chief care
Is to come fairly off from the great debts
Wherein my time, something too prodigal,
Hath left me gag'd. To you, Antonio,
I owe the most in money and in love,
And from your love I have a warranty
To unburden all my plots and purposes
How to get clear of all the debts I owe.

ANTONIO.
I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;
And if it stand, as you yourself still do,
Within the eye of honour, be assur'd
My purse, my person, my extremest means
Lie all unlock'd to your occasions.

BASSANIO.
In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft,
I shot his fellow of the self-same flight
The self-same way, with more advised watch
To find the other forth; and by adventuring both
I oft found both. I urge this childhood proof
Because what follows is pure innocence.
I owe you much, and, like a wilful youth,
That which I owe is lost. But if you please
To shoot another arrow that self way
Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt,
As I will watch the aim, or to find both,
Or bring your latter hazard back again,
And thankfully rest debtor for the first.

ANTONIO.
You know me well, and herein spend but time
To wind about my love with circumstance;
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong
In making question of my uttermost
Than if you had made waste of all I have.
Then do but say to me what I should do
That in your knowledge may by me be done,
And I am prest unto it. Therefore, speak.

BASSANIO.
In Belmont is a lady richly left,
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes
I did receive fair speechless messages:
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalu'd
To Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia.
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,
For the four winds blow in from every coast
Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strond,
And many Jasons come in quest of her.
O my Antonio, had I but the means
To hold a rival place with one of them,
I have a mind presages me such thrift
That I should questionless be fortunate.

ANTONIO.
Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea;
Neither have I money nor commodity
To raise a present sum, therefore go forth
Try what my credit can in Venice do;
That shall be rack'd even to the uttermost,
To furnish thee to Belmont to fair Portia.
Go presently inquire, and so will I,
Where money is, and I no question make
To have it of my trust or for my sake.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Enter Portia with her waiting-woman Nerissa.

PORTIA.
By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world.

NERISSA.
You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are. And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean. Superfluity come sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer.

PORTIA.
Good sentences, and well pronounc'd.

NERISSA.
They would be better if well followed.

PORTIA.
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions; I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree; such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. O me, the word &ldquo;choose&rdquo;! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curb'd by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?

NERISSA.
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations. Therefore the lott'ry that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love. But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come?

PORTIA.
I pray thee over-name them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them, and according to my description level at my affection.

NERISSA.
First, there is the Neapolitan prince.

PORTIA.
Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse, and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother play'd false with a smith.

NERISSA.
Then is there the County Palatine.

PORTIA.
He doth nothing but frown, as who should say &ldquo;And you will not have me, choose.&rdquo; He hears merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth. I had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone in his mouth than to either of these. God defend me from these two!

NERISSA.
How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?

PORTIA.
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he! why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine. He is every man in no man. If a throstle sing, he falls straight a-cap'ring. He will fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I should marry twenty husbands. If he would despise me, I would forgive him, for if he love me to madness, I shall never requite him.

NERISSA.
What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of England?

PORTIA.
You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English. He is a proper man's picture; but alas, who can converse with a dumb-show? How oddly he is suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany, and his behaviour everywhere.

NERISSA.
What think you of the Scottish lord, his neighbour?

PORTIA.
That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, and swore he would pay him again when he was able. I think the Frenchman became his surety, and seal'd under for another.

NERISSA.
How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?

PORTIA.
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 a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast. And the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him.

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

PORTIA.
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 choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge.

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

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

NERISSA.
Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat?

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

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

PORTIA.
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.

Enter a Servingman.

How now! what news?

SERVINGMAN.
The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave. And there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the Prince his master will be here tonight.

PORTIA.
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so 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 me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. Venice. A public place.

Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew.

SHYLOCK.
Three thousand ducats, well.

BASSANIO.
Ay, sir, for three months.

SHYLOCK.
For three months, well.

BASSANIO.
For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.

SHYLOCK.
Antonio shall become bound, well.

BASSANIO.
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?

SHYLOCK.
Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound.

BASSANIO.
Your answer to that.

SHYLOCK.
Antonio is a good man.

BASSANIO.
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

SHYLOCK.
Ho, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies. I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves&mdash;I mean pirates&mdash;and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his bond.

BASSANIO.
Be assured you may.

SHYLOCK.
I will be assured I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?

BASSANIO.
If it please you to dine with us.

SHYLOCK.
Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation 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 Rialto? Who is he comes here?

Enter Antonio.

BASSANIO.
This is Signior Antonio.

SHYLOCK.
[Aside.] How like a fawning publican he looks!
I hate him for he is a Christian,
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,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe
If I forgive him!

BASSANIO.
Shylock, do you hear?

SHYLOCK.
I am debating of my present store,
And by the near guess of my memory
I cannot instantly raise up the gross
Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,
Will furnish me. But soft! how many months
Do you desire? [To Antonio.] Rest you fair, good signior,
Your worship was the last man in our mouths.

ANTONIO.
Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow
By taking nor by giving of excess,
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend,
I'll break a custom. [To Bassanio.] Is he yet possess'd
How much ye would?

SHYLOCK.
Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

ANTONIO.
And for three months.

SHYLOCK.
I had forgot, three months, you told me so.
Well then, your bond. And let me see, but hear you,
Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow
Upon advantage.

ANTONIO.
I do never use it.

SHYLOCK.
When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep,&mdash;
This Jacob from our holy Abram was
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,
The third possessor; ay, he was the third.

ANTONIO.
And what of him? Did he take interest?

SHYLOCK.
No, not take interest, not, as you would say,
Directly interest; mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were compromis'd
That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied
Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes being rank
In end of autumn turned to the rams,
And when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act,
The skilful shepherd pill'd me certain wands,
And in the doing of the deed of kind,
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,
Who then conceiving did in eaning time
Fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest;
And thrift is blessing if men steal it not.

ANTONIO.
This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd for,
A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven.
Was this inserted to make interest good?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?

SHYLOCK.
I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast.
But note me, signior.

ANTONIO.
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.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

SHYLOCK.
Three thousand ducats, 'tis a good round sum.
Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate.

ANTONIO.
Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?

SHYLOCK.
Signior Antonio, many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my moneys and my usances.
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,
(For suff'rance is the badge of all our tribe.)
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spet 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
&ldquo;Shylock, we would have moneys.&rdquo; You say so:
You that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold, moneys is your suit.
What should I say to you? Should I not say
&ldquo;Hath a dog money? Is it possible
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?&rdquo; Or
Shall I bend low and, in a bondman's key,
With bated breath and whisp'ring humbleness,
Say this:
&ldquo;Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last;
You spurn'd me such a day; another time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much moneys&rdquo;?

ANTONIO.
I am as like to call thee so again,
To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends, for when did friendship take
A breed for barren metal of his friend?
But lend it rather to thine enemy,
Who if he break, thou mayst with better face
Exact the penalty.

SHYLOCK.
Why, look you how you storm!
I would be friends with you, and have your love,
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,
Supply your present wants, and take no doit
Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me,
This is kind I offer.

BASSANIO.
This were kindness.

SHYLOCK.
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
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.

ANTONIO.
Content, in faith, I'll seal to such a bond,
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

BASSANIO.
You shall not seal to such a bond for me,
I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

ANTONIO.
Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it,
Within these two months, that's a month before
This bond expires, I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.

SHYLOCK.
O father Abram, what these Christians are,
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
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.
If he will take it, so. If not, adieu,
And for my love I pray you wrong me not.

ANTONIO.
Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

SHYLOCK.
Then meet me forthwith at the notary's,
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and purse the ducats straight,
See to my house left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave, and presently
I'll be with you.

ANTONIO.
Hie thee, gentle Jew.

[Exit Shylock.]

This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.

BASSANIO.
I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

ANTONIO.
Come on; in this there can be no dismay;
My ships come home a month before the day.

[Exeunt.]

ACT II

SCENE I. Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Morocco, a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa and their train.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadowed livery of the burnish'd sun,
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phœbus' 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 fear'd 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.

PORTIA.
In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lott'ry of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.
But if my father had not scanted me
And hedg'd me by his wit to yield myself
His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair
As any comer I have look'd on yet
For my affection.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
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 o'erstare the sternest eyes that look,
Outbrave 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 rage,
And so may I.]]blind Fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

PORTIA.
You must take your chance,
And either not attempt to choose at all,
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage. Therefore be advis'd.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.

PORTIA.
First, forward to the temple. After dinner
Your hazard shall be made.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
Good fortune then,
To make me blest or cursed'st among men!

[Cornets. Exeunt.]

SCENE II. Venice. A street.

Enter Launcelet Gobbo, the clown, alone.

LAUNCELET.
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 &ldquo;Gobbo, Launcelet Gobbo, good Launcelet&rdquo; or &ldquo;good Gobbo,&rdquo; or &ldquo;good Launcelet Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.&rdquo; My conscience says &ldquo;No; take heed, honest Launcelet, take heed, honest Gobbo&rdquo; or, as aforesaid, &ldquo;honest Launcelet Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy heels.&rdquo; Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack. &ldquo;Fia!&rdquo; says the fiend, &ldquo;away!&rdquo; says the fiend. &ldquo;For the heavens, rouse up a brave mind,&rdquo; says the fiend &ldquo;and run.&rdquo; Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me &ldquo;My honest friend Launcelet, being an honest man's son&rdquo;&mdash;or rather an honest woman's son, for indeed my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste;&mdash;well, my conscience says &ldquo;Launcelet, budge not.&rdquo; &ldquo;Budge,&rdquo; says the fiend. &ldquo;Budge not,&rdquo; says my conscience. &ldquo;Conscience,&rdquo; say I, &ldquo;you counsel well.&rdquo; &ldquo;Fiend,&rdquo; say I, &ldquo;you counsel well.&rdquo; To be ruled by my 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 ruled by the fiend, who (saving your reverence) is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation, 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.

Enter Old Gobbo with a basket.

GOBBO.
Master young man, you, I pray you; which is the way to Master Jew's?

LAUNCELET.
[Aside.] O heavens, this is my true-begotten father, who being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not. I will try confusions with him.

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

LAUNCELET.
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.

GOBBO.
Be God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelet, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?

LAUNCELET.
Talk you of young Master Launcelet? [Aside.] Mark me now, now will I raise the waters. Talk you of young Master Launcelet?

GOBBO.
No master, sir, but a poor man's son, his father, though I say't, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to live.

LAUNCELET.
Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young Master Launcelet.

GOBBO.
Your worship's friend, and Launcelet, sir.

LAUNCELET.
But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you, talk you of young Master Launcelet?

GOBBO.
Of Launcelet, an't please your mastership.

LAUNCELET.
Ergo, Master Launcelet. Talk not of Master Launcelet, father, for the young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

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

LAUNCELET.
[Aside.] Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or a prop? Do you know me, father?

GOBBO.
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?

LAUNCELET.
Do you not know me, father?

GOBBO.
Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not.

LAUNCELET.
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 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.

GOBBO.
Pray you, sir, stand up, I am sure you are not Launcelet my boy.

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

GOBBO.
I cannot think you are my son.

LAUNCELET.
I know not what I shall think of that; but I am Launcelet, the Jew's man, and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother.

GOBBO.
Her name is Margery, indeed. I'll be sworn if thou be Launcelet, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipped might he be, what a beard hast thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail.

LAUNCELET.
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.

GOBBO.
Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How 'gree you now?

LAUNCELET.
Well, well. But for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground. My master's a very Jew. Give him a present! Give him a halter. I am famished in his service. You may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come, give me your present to one Master Bassanio, who indeed gives rare new liveries. If I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. O 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.

BASSANIO.
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 delivered, put the liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.

[Exit a Servant.]

LAUNCELET.
To him, father.

GOBBO.
God bless your worship!

BASSANIO.
Gramercy, wouldst thou aught with me?

GOBBO.
Here's my son, sir, a poor boy.

LAUNCELET.
Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man, that would, sir, as my father shall specify.

GOBBO.
He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve.

LAUNCELET.
Indeed the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify.

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

LAUNCELET.
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.

GOBBO.
I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship, and my suit is&mdash;

LAUNCELET.
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.

BASSANIO.
One speak for both. What would you?

LAUNCELET.
Serve you, sir.

GOBBO.
That is the very defect of the matter, sir.

BASSANIO.
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.

LAUNCELET.
The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you have &ldquo;the grace of God&rdquo;, sir, and he hath &ldquo;enough&rdquo;.

BASSANIO.
Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son.
Take leave of thy old master, and inquire
My lodging out. [To a Servant.] Give him a livery
More guarded than his fellows'; see it done.

LAUNCELET.
Father, in. I cannot get a service, no! I have ne'er a tongue in my head! [Looking on his palm.] Well, 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, fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man. And then to scape drowning thrice, and to be in 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 gear. Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling.

[Exeunt Launcelet and Old Gobbo.]

BASSANIO.
I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.
These things being bought and orderly bestow'd,
Return in haste, for I do feast tonight
My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.

LEONARDO.
My best endeavours shall be done herein.

Enter Gratiano.

GRATIANO.
Where's your master?

LEONARDO.
Yonder, sir, he walks.

[Exit.]

GRATIANO.
Signior Bassanio!

BASSANIO.
Gratiano!

GRATIANO.
I have suit to you.

BASSANIO.
You have obtain'd it.

GRATIANO.
You must not deny me, I must go with you to Belmont.

BASSANIO.
Why, then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano,
Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice,
Parts that become thee happily enough,
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;
But where thou art not known, why there they show
Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour
I be misconst'red in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes.

GRATIANO.
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
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say &ldquo;amen&rdquo;;
Use all the observance of civility
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his grandam, never trust me more.

BASSANIO.
Well, we shall see your bearing.

GRATIANO.
Nay, but I bar tonight, you shall not gauge me
By what we do tonight.

BASSANIO.
No, that were pity.
I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment. But fare you well,
I have some business.

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

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. The same. A room in Shylock's house.

Enter Jessica and Launcelet.

JESSICA.
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, Launcelet, 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 in talk with thee.

LAUNCELET.
Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu! These foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit. Adieu!

JESSICA.
Farewell, good Launcelet.

[Exit Launcelet.]

Alack, what heinous sin is it in me
To be ashamed to be my father's child!
But though I am a daughter to his blood,
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

[Exit.]

SCENE IV. The same. A street.

Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino and Solanio.

LORENZO.
Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return
All in an hour.

GRATIANO.
We have not made good preparation.

SALARINO.
We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.

SOLANIO.
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,
And better in my mind not undertook.

LORENZO.
'Tis now but four o'clock, we have two hours
To furnish us.

Enter Launcelet with a letter.

Friend Launcelet, what's the news?

LAUNCELET.
And it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify.

LORENZO.
I know the hand, in faith 'tis a fair hand,
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.

GRATIANO.
Love news, in faith.

LAUNCELET.
By your leave, sir.

LORENZO.
Whither goest thou?

LAUNCELET.
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the Christian.

LORENZO.
Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica
I will not fail her, speak it privately.
Go, gentlemen,

[Exit Launcelet.]

Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.

SALARINO.
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

SOLANIO.
And so will I.

LORENZO.
Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

SALARINO.
'Tis good we do so.

[Exeunt Salarino and Solanio.]

GRATIANO.
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

LORENZO.
I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
How I shall take her from her father's house,
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with,
What page's suit she hath in readiness.
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake;
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
Unless she do it under this excuse,
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest;
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE V. The same. Before Shylock's house.

Enter Shylock the Jew and Launcelet his man that was the clown.

SHYLOCK.
Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio.&mdash;
What, Jessica!&mdash;Thou shalt not gormandize
As thou hast done with me;&mdash;What, Jessica!&mdash;
And sleep, and snore, and rend apparel out.
Why, Jessica, I say!

LAUNCELET.
Why, Jessica!

SHYLOCK.
Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.

LAUNCELET.
Your worship was wont to tell me I could do nothing without bidding.

Enter Jessica.

JESSICA.
Call you? What is your will?

SHYLOCK.
I am bid forth to supper, Jessica.
There are my keys. But wherefore should I go?
I am not bid for love, they flatter me.
But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon
The prodigal Christian. Jessica, my girl,
Look to my house. I am right loath to go;
There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,
For I did dream of money-bags tonight.

LAUNCELET.
I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach.

SHYLOCK.
So do I his.

LAUNCELET.
And they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black Monday last at six o'clock i' th' morning, falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in th' afternoon.

SHYLOCK.
What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica,
Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum
And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife,
Clamber not you up to the casements then,
Nor thrust your head into the public street
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces,
But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements.
Let not the sound of shallow fopp'ry enter
My sober house. By Jacob's staff I swear
I have no mind of feasting forth tonight.
But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah.
Say I will come.

LAUNCELET.
I will go before, sir.
Mistress, look out at window for all this.
There will come a Christian by
Will be worth a Jewess' eye.

[Exit Launcelet.]

SHYLOCK.
What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha?

JESSICA.
His words were &ldquo;Farewell, mistress,&rdquo; nothing else.

SHYLOCK.
The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder,
Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
More than the wild-cat. Drones hive not with me,
Therefore I part with him, and part with him
To one that I would have him help to waste
His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.
Perhaps I will return immediately:
Do as I bid you, shut doors after you,
&ldquo;Fast bind, fast find.&rdquo;
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

[Exit.]

JESSICA.
Farewell, and if my fortune be not crost,
I have a father, you a daughter, lost.

[Exit.]

SCENE VI. The same.

Enter the masquers, Gratiano and Salarino.

GRATIANO.
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make stand.

SALARINO.
His hour is almost past.

GRATIANO.
And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.

SALARINO.
O ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
To seal love's bonds new-made than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

GRATIANO.
That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.
How like a younger or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!
How like the prodigal doth she return
With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails,
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!

Enter Lorenzo.

SALARINO.
Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter.

LORENZO.
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode.
Not I but my affairs have made you wait.
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
I'll watch as long for you then. Approach.
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?

Enter Jessica above, in boy's clothes.

JESSICA.
Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.

LORENZO.
Lorenzo, and thy love.

JESSICA.
Lorenzo certain, and my love indeed,
For who love I so much? And now who knows
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

LORENZO.
Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.

JESSICA.
Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
For I am much asham'd of my exchange.
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit,
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy.

LORENZO.
Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.

JESSICA.
What! must I hold a candle to my shames?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscur'd.

LORENZO.
So are you, sweet,
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
But come at once,
For the close night doth play the runaway,
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.

JESSICA.
I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
With some moe ducats, and be with you straight.

[Exit above.]

GRATIANO.
Now, by my hood, a gentle, and no Jew.

LORENZO.
Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself.
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.

Enter Jessica.

What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.

[Exit with Jessica and Salarino.]

Enter Antonio.

ANTONIO.
Who's there?

GRATIANO.
Signior Antonio!

ANTONIO.
Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
'Tis nine o'clock, our friends all stay for you.
No masque tonight, the wind is come about;
Bassanio presently will go aboard.
I have sent twenty out to seek for you.

GRATIANO.
I am glad on't. I desire no more delight
Than to be under sail and gone tonight.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE VII. Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Flourish of cornets. Enter Portia with the Prince of Morocco and both their trains.

PORTIA.
Go, draw aside the curtains and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince.
Now make your choice.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&rdquo;
The second, silver, which this promise carries,
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,
&ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&rdquo;
How shall I know if I do choose the right?

PORTIA.
The one of them contains my picture, prince.
If you choose that, then I am yours withal.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
Some god direct my judgment! Let me see.
I will survey the inscriptions back again.
What says this leaden casket?
&ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&rdquo;
Must give, for what? For lead? Hazard for lead!
This casket threatens; men that hazard all
Do it in hope of fair advantages:
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross,
I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.
What says the silver with her virgin hue?
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;
As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco,
And weigh thy value with an even hand.
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation
Thou dost deserve enough, and yet enough
May not extend so far as to the lady.
And yet to be afeard of my deserving
Were but a weak disabling of myself.
As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady:
I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,
In graces, and in qualities of breeding;
But more than these, in love I do deserve.
What if I stray'd no farther, but chose here?
Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold:
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&rdquo;
Why, that's the lady, all the world desires her.
From the four corners of the earth they come
To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint.
The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
For princes to come view fair Portia.
The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head
Spets in the face of heaven, is no bar
To stop the foreign spirits, but they come
As o'er a brook to see fair Portia.
One of these three contains her heavenly picture.
Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation
To think so base a thought. It were too gross
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.
Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd
Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?
O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem
Was set in worse than gold. They have in England
A coin that bears the figure of an angel
Stamped in gold; but that's insculp'd upon;
But here an angel in a golden bed
Lies all within. Deliver me the key.
Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may.

PORTIA.
There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there,
Then I am yours.

[He unlocks the golden casket.]

PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
O hell! what have we here?
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye
There is a written scroll. I'll read the writing.

All that glisters is not gold,
Often have you heard that told.
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold.
Gilded tombs do worms infold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
Your answer had not been inscroll'd,
Fare you well, your suit is cold.

Cold indeed and labour lost,
Then farewell heat, and welcome frost.
Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart
To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part.

[Exit with his train. Flourish of cornets.]

PORTIA.
A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.
Let all of his complexion choose me so.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE VIII. Venice. A street.

Enter Salarino and Solanio.

SALARINO.
Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail;
With him is Gratiano gone along;
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.

SOLANIO.
The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the Duke,
Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

SALARINO.
He came too late, the ship was under sail;
But there the Duke was given to understand
That in a gondola were seen together
Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.
Besides, Antonio certified the Duke
They were not with Bassanio in his ship.

SOLANIO.
I never heard a passion so confus'd,
So strange, outrageous, and so variable
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets.
&ldquo;My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!
Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!
Justice! the law! my ducats and my daughter!
A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,
Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter!
And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,
Stol'n by my daughter! Justice! find the girl,
She hath the stones upon her and the ducats.&rdquo;

SALARINO.
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,
Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.

SOLANIO.
Let good Antonio look he keep his day
Or he shall pay for this.

SALARINO.
Marry, well rememb'red.
I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday,
Who told me, in the narrow seas that part
The French and English, there miscarried
A vessel of our country richly fraught.
I thought upon Antonio when he told me,
And wish'd in silence that it were not his.

SOLANIO.
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear,
Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.

SALARINO.
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part,
Bassanio told him he would make some speed
Of his return. He answered &ldquo;Do not so,
Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,
But stay the very riping of the time,
And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me,
Let it not enter in your mind of love:
Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts
To courtship, and such fair ostents of love
As shall conveniently become you there.&rdquo;
And even there, his eye being big with tears,
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
And with affection wondrous sensible
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.

SOLANIO.
I think he only loves the world for him.
I pray thee, let us go and find him out
And quicken his embraced heaviness
With some delight or other.

SALARINO.
Do we so.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE IX. Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Enter Nerissa and a Servitor.

NERISSA.
Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight.
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,
And comes to his election presently.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Arragon, his train, and Portia.

PORTIA.
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince,
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd.
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.

ARRAGON.
I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to anyone
Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage;
Lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
Immediately to leave you and be gone.

PORTIA.
To these injunctions everyone doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

ARRAGON.
And so have I address'd me. Fortune now
To my heart's hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
&ldquo;Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.&rdquo;
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? Ha! let me see:
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.&rdquo;
What many men desire! that &ldquo;many&rdquo; may be meant
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire,
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house,
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;
And well said too; for who shall go about
To cozen fortune, and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O that estates, degrees, and offices
Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare?
How many be commanded that command?
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honour? And how much honour
Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times,
To be new varnish'd? Well, but to my choice.
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.&rdquo;
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

[He opens the silver casket.]

PORTIA.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.

ARRAGON.
What's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.
How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
&ldquo;Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.&rdquo;
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?

PORTIA.
To offend and judge are distinct offices,
And of opposed natures.

ARRAGON.
What is here?

The fire seven times tried this;
Seven times tried that judgment is
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss;
Such have but a shadow's bliss.
There be fools alive, I wis,
Silver'd o'er, and so was this.
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone; you are sped.

Still more fool I shall appear
By the time I linger here.
With one fool's head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.
Sweet, adieu! I'll keep my oath,
Patiently to bear my wroth.

[Exit Aragon with his train.]

PORTIA.
Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth.
O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.

NERISSA.
The ancient saying is no heresy:
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.

PORTIA.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER.
Where is my lady?

PORTIA.
Here, what would my lord?

MESSENGER.
Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th' approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
To wit (besides commends and courteous breath)
Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love.
A day in April never came so sweet,
To show how costly summer was at hand,
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.

PORTIA.
No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.

NERISSA.
Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!

[Exeunt.]

ACT III

SCENE I. Venice. A street.

Enter Solanio and Salarino.

SOLANIO.
Now, what news on the Rialto?

SALARINO.
Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wrack'd on the narrow seas; the Goodwins, I think they call the place, a very dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word.

SOLANIO.
I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband. But it is true, without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk, that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio,&mdash;O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company!&mdash;

SALARINO.
Come, the full stop.

SOLANIO.
Ha, what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he hath lost a ship.

SALARINO.
I would it might prove the end of his losses.

SOLANIO.
Let me say &ldquo;amen&rdquo; betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew.

Enter Shylock.

How now, Shylock, what news among the merchants?

SHYLOCK.
You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight.

SALARINO.
That's certain, I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal.

SOLANIO.
And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam.

SHYLOCK.
She is damn'd for it.

SALARINO.
That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.

SHYLOCK.
My own flesh and blood to rebel!

SOLANIO.
Out upon it, old carrion! Rebels it at these years?

SHYLOCK.
I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood.

SALARINO.
There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory, more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish. But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?

SHYLOCK.
There I have another bad match, a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto, a beggar that used to come so smug upon the mart; let him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a Christian cur'sy; let him look to his bond.

SALARINO.
Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh! What's that good for?

SHYLOCK.
To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgrac'd me and hind'red me half a million, laugh'd at my losses, mock'd at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies. And what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

Enter a man from Antonio.

SERVANT.
Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house, and desires to speak with you both.

SALARINO.
We have been up and down to seek him.

Enter Tubal.

SOLANIO.
Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be match'd, unless the devil himself turn Jew.

[Exeunt Solanio, Salarino and the Servant.]

SHYLOCK.
How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter?

TUBAL.
I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.

SHYLOCK.
Why there, there, there, there! A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort! The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till now. Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin. No news of them? Why so? And I know not what's spent in the search. Why, thou&mdash;loss upon loss! The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief, and no satisfaction, no revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my shoulders, no sighs but o' my breathing, no tears but o' my shedding.

TUBAL.
Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa&mdash;

SHYLOCK.
What, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck?

TUBAL.
&mdash;hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis.

SHYLOCK.
I thank God! I thank God! Is it true, is it true?

TUBAL.
I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack.

SHYLOCK.
I thank thee, good Tubal. Good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa?

TUBAL.
Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night, fourscore ducats.

SHYLOCK.
Thou stick'st a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore ducats at a sitting! Fourscore ducats!

TUBAL.
There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice that swear he cannot choose but break.

SHYLOCK.
I am very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him. I am glad of it.

TUBAL.
One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.

SHYLOCK.
Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.

TUBAL.
But Antonio is certainly undone.

SHYLOCK.
Nay, that's true, that's very true. Go, Tubal, fee me an officer; bespeak him a fortnight before. I will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will. Go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue. Go, good Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Enter Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, Nerissa and all their trains.

PORTIA.
I pray you tarry, pause a day or two
Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong
I lose your company; therefore forbear a while.
There's something tells me (but it is not love)
I would not lose you, and you know yourself
Hate counsels not in such a quality.
But lest you should not understand me well,&mdash;
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,&mdash;
I would detain you here some month or two
Before you venture for me. I could teach you
How to choose right, but then I am forsworn.
So will I never be. So may you miss me.
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,
That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,
They have o'erlook'd me and divided me.
One half of me is yours, the other half yours,
Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours,
And so all yours. O these naughty times
Puts bars between the owners and their rights!
And so though yours, not yours. Prove it so,
Let Fortune go to hell for it, not I.
I speak too long, but 'tis to peise the time,
To eche it, and to draw it out in length,
To stay you from election.

BASSANIO.
Let me choose,
For as I am, I live upon the rack.

PORTIA.
Upon the rack, Bassanio! Then confess
What treason there is mingled with your love.

BASSANIO.
None but that ugly treason of mistrust,
Which makes me fear th' enjoying of my love.
There may as well be amity and life
'Tween snow and fire as treason and my love.

PORTIA.
Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack
Where men enforced do speak anything.

BASSANIO.
Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.

PORTIA.
Well then, confess and live.

BASSANIO.
&ldquo;Confess and love&rdquo;
Had been the very sum of my confession:
O happy torment, when my torturer
Doth teach me answers for deliverance!
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.

PORTIA.
Away, then! I am lock'd in one of them.
If you do love me, you will find me out.
Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.
Let music sound while he doth make his choice.
Then if he lose he makes a swan-like end,
Fading in music. That the comparison
May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream
And wat'ry death-bed for him. He may win,
And what is music then? Then music is
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow
To a new-crowned monarch. Such it is
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day
That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear
And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,
With no less presence, but with much more love
Than young Alcides when he did redeem
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice;
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,
With bleared visages come forth to view
The issue of th' exploit. Go, Hercules!
Live thou, I live. With much much more dismay
I view the fight than thou that mak'st the fray.

A song, whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself.

Tell me where is fancy bred,
Or in the heart or in the head?
How begot, how nourished?
Reply, reply.
It is engend'red in the eyes,
With gazing fed, and fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies.
Let us all ring fancy's knell:
I'll begin it.&mdash;Ding, dong, bell.

ALL.
Ding, dong, bell.

BASSANIO.
So may the outward shows be least themselves.
The world is still deceiv'd with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being season'd with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
What damned error but some sober brow
Will bless it, and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,
Who inward search'd, have livers white as milk,
And these assume but valour's excrement
To render them redoubted. Look on beauty,
And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight,
Which therein works a miracle in nature,
Making them lightest that wear most of it:
So are those crisped snaky golden locks
Which make such wanton gambols with the wind
Upon supposed fairness, often known
To be the dowry of a second head,
The skull that bred them in the sepulchre.
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore
To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,
The seeming truth which cunning times put on
To entrap the wisest. Therefore thou gaudy gold,
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee,
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge
'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead,
Which rather threaten'st than dost promise aught,
Thy palenness moves me more than eloquence,
And here choose I, joy be the consequence!

PORTIA.
[Aside.] How all the other passions fleet to air,
As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embrac'd despair,
And shudd'ring fear, and green-ey'd jealousy.
O love, be moderate; allay thy ecstasy,
In measure rain thy joy; scant this excess!
I feel too much thy blessing, make it less,
For fear I surfeit.

BASSANIO.
What find I here? [Opening the leaden casket.]
Fair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god
Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?
Or whether, riding on the balls of mine,
Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips,
Parted with sugar breath, so sweet a bar
Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs
The painter plays the spider, and hath woven
A golden mesh t'entrap the hearts of men
Faster than gnats in cobwebs. But her eyes!&mdash;
How could he see to do them? Having made one,
Methinks it should have power to steal both his
And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look how far
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
In underprizing it, so far this shadow
Doth limp behind the substance. Here's the scroll,
The continent and summary of my fortune.

You that choose not by the view
Chance as fair and choose as true!
Since this fortune falls to you,
Be content and seek no new.
If you be well pleas'd with this,
And hold your fortune for your bliss,
Turn to where your lady is,
And claim her with a loving kiss.

A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave, [Kissing her.]
I come by note to give and to receive.
Like one of two contending in a prize
That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes,
Hearing applause and universal shout,
Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt
Whether those peals of praise be his or no,
So, thrice-fair lady, stand I even so,
As doubtful whether what I see be true,
Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.

PORTIA.
You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,
Such as I am; though for myself alone
I would not be ambitious in my wish
To wish myself much better, yet for you
I would be trebled twenty times myself,
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times
More rich,
That only to stand high in your account,
I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,
Exceed account. But the full sum of me
Is sum of something, which, to term in gross,
Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd;
Happy in this, she is not yet so old
But she may learn; happier than this,
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;
Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit
Commits itself to yours to be directed,
As from her lord, her governor, her king.
Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours
Is now converted. But now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,
Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now,
This house, these servants, and this same myself
Are yours,&mdash;my lord's. I give them with this ring,
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let it presage the ruin of your love,
And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

BASSANIO.
Madam, you have bereft me of all words,
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
And there is such confusion in my powers
As after some oration fairly spoke
By a beloved prince, there doth appear
Among the buzzing pleased multitude,
Where every something being blent together,
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy
Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.
O then be bold to say Bassanio's dead!

NERISSA.
My lord and lady, it is now our time,
That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper,
To cry, good joy. Good joy, my lord and lady!

GRATIANO.
My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady,
I wish you all the joy that you can wish;
For I am sure you can wish none from me.
And when your honours mean to solemnize
The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you
Even at that time I may be married too.

BASSANIO.
With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.

GRATIANO.
I thank your lordship, you have got me one.
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.
You lov'd, I lov'd; for intermission
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there,
And so did mine too, as the matter falls.
For wooing here until I sweat again,
And swearing till my very roof was dry
With oaths of love, at last, (if promise last)
I got a promise of this fair one here
To have her love, provided that your fortune
Achiev'd her mistress.

PORTIA.
Is this true, Nerissa?

NERISSA.
Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal.

BASSANIO.
And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?

GRATIANO.
Yes, faith, my lord.

BASSANIO.
Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage.

GRATIANO.
We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats.

NERISSA.
What! and stake down?

GRATIANO.
No, we shall ne'er win at that sport and stake down.
But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel?
What, and my old Venetian friend, Salerio!

Enter Lorenzo, Jessica and Salerio.

BASSANIO.
Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither,
If that the youth of my new int'rest here
Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave,
I bid my very friends and countrymen,
Sweet Portia, welcome.

PORTIA.
So do I, my lord,
They are entirely welcome.

LORENZO.
I thank your honour. For my part, my lord,
My purpose was not to have seen you here,
But meeting with Salerio by the way,
He did entreat me, past all saying nay,
To come with him along.

SALERIO.
I did, my lord,
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio
Commends him to you.

[Gives Bassanio a letter.]

BASSANIO.
Ere I ope his letter,
I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.

SALERIO.
Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind,
Nor well, unless in mind. His letter there
Will show you his estate.

[Bassanio opens the letter.]

GRATIANO.
Nerissa, cheer yond stranger, bid her welcome.
Your hand, Salerio. What's the news from Venice?
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?
I know he will be glad of our success.
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

SALERIO.
I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.

PORTIA.
There are some shrewd contents in yond same paper
That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek.
Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world
Could turn so much the constitution
Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?
With leave, Bassanio, I am half yourself,
And I must freely have the half of anything
That this same paper brings you.

BASSANIO.
O sweet Portia,
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words
That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady,
When I did first impart my love to you,
I freely told you all the wealth I had
Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman.
And then I told you true. And yet, dear lady,
Rating myself at nothing, you shall see
How much I was a braggart. When I told you
My state was nothing, I should then have told you
That I was worse than nothing; for indeed
I have engag'd myself to a dear friend,
Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy,
To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady,
The paper as the body of my friend,
And every word in it a gaping wound
Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio?
Hath all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit?
From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England,
From Lisbon, Barbary, and India,
And not one vessel scape the dreadful touch
Of merchant-marring rocks?

SALERIO.
Not one, my lord.
Besides, it should appear, that if he had
The present money to discharge the Jew,
He would not take it. Never did I know
A creature that did bear the shape of man
So keen and greedy to confound a man.
He plies the Duke at morning and at night,
And doth impeach the freedom of the state
If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants,
The Duke himself, and the magnificoes
Of greatest port have all persuaded with him,
But none can drive him from the envious plea
Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.

JESSICA.
When I was with him, I have heard him swear
To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen,
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh
Than twenty times the value of the sum
That he did owe him. And I know, my lord,
If law, authority, and power deny not,
It will go hard with poor Antonio.

PORTIA.
Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?

BASSANIO.
The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,
The best condition'd and unwearied spirit
In doing courtesies, and one in whom
The ancient Roman honour more appears
Than any that draws breath in Italy.

PORTIA.
What sum owes he the Jew?

BASSANIO.
For me three thousand ducats.

PORTIA.
What, no more?
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond.
Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.
First go with me to church and call me wife,
And then away to Venice to your friend.
For never shall you lie by Portia's side
With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold
To pay the petty debt twenty times over.
When it is paid, bring your true friend along.
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime,
Will live as maids and widows. Come, away!
For you shall hence upon your wedding day.
Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer;
Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.
But let me hear the letter of your friend.

BASSANIO.
Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit, and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are clear'd between you and I, if I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure. If your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.

PORTIA.
O love, dispatch all business and be gone!

BASSANIO.
Since I have your good leave to go away,
I will make haste; but, till I come again,
No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay,
Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. Venice. A street.

Enter Shylock, Salarino, Antonio and Gaoler.

SHYLOCK.
Gaoler, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.
This is the fool that lent out money gratis.
Gaoler, look to him.

ANTONIO.
Hear me yet, good Shylock.

SHYLOCK.
I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond.
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause,
But since I am a dog, beware my fangs;
The Duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request.

ANTONIO.
I pray thee hear me speak.

SHYLOCK.
I'll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.
I'll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.
I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
To Christian intercessors. Follow not,
I'll have no speaking, I will have my bond.

[Exit.]

SALARINO.
It is the most impenetrable cur
That ever kept with men.

ANTONIO.
Let him alone.
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
He seeks my life, his reason well I know:
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me.
Therefore he hates me.

SALARINO.
I am sure the Duke
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

ANTONIO.
The Duke cannot deny the course of law,
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, if it be denied,
'Twill much impeach the justice of the state,
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go.
These griefs and losses have so bated me
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.
Well, gaoler, on, pray God Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE IV. Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica and Balthazar.

LORENZO.
Madam, although I speak it in your presence,
You have a noble and a true conceit
Of godlike amity, which appears most strongly
In bearing thus the absence of your lord.
But if you knew to whom you show this honour,
How true a gentleman you send relief,
How dear a lover of my lord your husband,
I know you would be prouder of the work
Than customary bounty can enforce you.

PORTIA.
I never did repent for doing good,
Nor shall not now; for in companions
That do converse and waste the time together,
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,
There must be needs a like proportion
Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;
Which makes me think that this Antonio,
Being the bosom lover of my lord,
Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,
How little is the cost I have bestowed
In purchasing the semblance of my soul
From out the state of hellish cruelty!
This comes too near the praising of myself;
Therefore no more of it. Hear other things.
Lorenzo, I commit into your hands
The husbandry and manage of my house
Until my lord's return. For mine own part,
I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow
To live in prayer and contemplation,
Only attended by Nerissa here,
Until her husband and my lord's return.
There is a monastery two miles off,
And there we will abide. I do desire you
Not to deny this imposition,
The which my love and some necessity
Now lays upon you.

LORENZO.
Madam, with all my heart
I shall obey you in all fair commands.

PORTIA.
My people do already know my mind,
And will acknowledge you and Jessica
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.
So fare you well till we shall meet again.

LORENZO.
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!

JESSICA.
I wish your ladyship all heart's content.

PORTIA.
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd
To wish it back on you. Fare you well, Jessica.

[Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo.]

Now, Balthazar,
As I have ever found thee honest-true,
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,
And use thou all th' endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua, see thou render this
Into my cousin's hands, Doctor Bellario;
And look what notes and garments he doth give thee,
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed
Unto the traject, to the common ferry
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,
But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee.

BALTHAZAR.
Madam, I go with all convenient speed.

[Exit.]

PORTIA.
Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand
That you yet know not of; we'll see our husbands
Before they think of us.

NERISSA.
Shall they see us?

PORTIA.
They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit
That they shall think we are accomplished
With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,
When we are both accoutered like young men,
I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two,
And wear my dagger with the braver grace,
And speak between the change of man and boy
With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps
Into a manly stride; and speak of frays
Like a fine bragging youth; and tell quaint lies
How honourable ladies sought my love,
Which I denying, they fell sick and died;
I could not do withal. Then I'll repent,
And wish for all that, that I had not kill'd them.
And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell,
That men shall swear I have discontinued school
About a twelvemonth. I have within my mind
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks,
Which I will practise.

NERISSA.
Why, shall we turn to men?

PORTIA.
Fie, what a question's that,
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!
But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device
When I am in my coach, which stays for us
At the park gate; and therefore haste away,
For we must measure twenty miles today.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE V. The same. A garden.

Enter Launcelet and Jessica.

LAUNCELET.
Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore, I promise you, I fear you. I was always plain with you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter. Therefore be of good cheer, for truly I think you are damn'd. There is but one hope in it that can do you any good, and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither.

JESSICA.
And what hope is that, I pray thee?

LAUNCELET.
Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the Jew's daughter.

JESSICA.
That were a kind of bastard hope indeed; so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me.

LAUNCELET.
Truly then I fear you are damn'd both by father and mother; thus when I shun Scylla your father, I fall into Charybdis your mother. Well, you are gone both ways.

JESSICA.
I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian.

LAUNCELET.
Truly the more to blame he, we were Christians enow before, e'en as many as could well live one by another. This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money.

Enter Lorenzo.

JESSICA.
I'll tell my husband, Launcelet, what you say. Here he comes.

LORENZO.
I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelet, if you thus get my wife into corners!

JESSICA.
Nay, you need nor fear us, Lorenzo. Launcelet and I are out. He tells me flatly there's no mercy for me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter; and he says you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting Jews to Christians you raise the price of pork.

LORENZO.
I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the negro's belly! The Moor is with child by you, Launcelet.

LAUNCELET.
It is much that the Moor should be more than reason; but if she be less than an honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.

LORENZO.
How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner.

LAUNCELET.
That is done, sir, they have all stomachs.

LORENZO.
Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! Then bid them prepare dinner.

LAUNCELET.
That is done too, sir, only &ldquo;cover&rdquo; is the word.

LORENZO.
Will you cover, then, sir?

LAUNCELET.
Not so, sir, neither. I know my duty.

LORENZO.
Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.

LAUNCELET.
For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern.

[Exit.]

LORENZO.
O dear discretion, how his words are suited!
The fool hath planted in his memory
An army of good words, and I do know
A many fools that stand in better place,
Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word
Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica?
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife?

JESSICA.
Past all expressing. It is very meet
The Lord Bassanio live an upright life,
For having such a blessing in his lady,
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth,
And if on earth he do not merit it,
In reason he should never come to heaven.
Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match,
And on the wager lay two earthly women,
And Portia one, there must be something else
Pawn'd with the other, for the poor rude world
Hath not her fellow.

LORENZO.
Even such a husband
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.

JESSICA.
Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.

LORENZO.
I will anon. First let us go to dinner.

JESSICA.
Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.

LORENZO.
No pray thee, let it serve for table-talk.
Then howsome'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things
I shall digest it.

JESSICA.
Well, I'll set you forth.

[Exeunt.]

ACT IV

SCENE I. Venice. A court of justice.

Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio and others.

DUKE.
What, is Antonio here?

ANTONIO.
Ready, so please your Grace.

DUKE.
I am sorry for thee, thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.

ANTONIO.
I have heard
Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify
His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate,
And that no lawful means can carry me
Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose
My patience to his fury, and am arm'd
To suffer with a quietness of spirit
The very tyranny and rage of his.

DUKE.
Go one and call the Jew into the court.

SALARINO.
He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord.

Enter Shylock.

DUKE.
Make room, and let him stand before our face.
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act, and then, 'tis thought,
Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;
And where thou now exacts the penalty,
Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,
But, touch'd with human gentleness and love,
Forgive a moiety of the principal,
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses
That have of late so huddled on his back,
Enow to press a royal merchant down,
And pluck commiseration of his state
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint,
From stubborn Turks and Tartars never train'd
To offices of tender courtesy.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.

SHYLOCK.
I have possess'd your Grace of what I purpose,
And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn
To have the due and forfeit of my bond.
If you deny it, let the danger light
Upon your charter and your city's freedom!
You'll ask me why I rather choose to have
A weight of carrion flesh than to receive
Three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that,
But say it is my humour. Is it answer'd?
What if my house be troubled with a rat,
And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats
To have it ban'd? What, are you answer'd yet?
Some men there are love not a gaping pig;
Some that are mad if they behold a cat;
And others, when the bagpipe sings i' the nose,
Cannot contain their urine; for affection
Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood
Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer:
As there is no firm reason to be render'd
Why he cannot abide a gaping pig,
Why he a harmless necessary cat,
Why he a woollen bagpipe, but of force
Must yield to such inevitable shame
As to offend, himself being offended,
So can I give no reason, nor I will not,
More than a lodg'd hate and a certain loathing
I bear Antonio, that I follow thus
A losing suit against him. Are you answered?

BASSANIO.
This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,
To excuse the current of thy cruelty.

SHYLOCK.
I am not bound to please thee with my answer.

BASSANIO.
Do all men kill the things they do not love?

SHYLOCK.
Hates any man the thing he would not kill?

BASSANIO.
Every offence is not a hate at first.

SHYLOCK.
What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?

ANTONIO.
I pray you, think you question with the Jew.
You may as well go stand upon the beach
And bid the main flood bate his usual height;
You may as well use question with the wolf,
Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;
You may as well forbid the mountain pines
To wag their high tops and to make no noise
When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven;
You may as well do anything most hard
As seek to soften that&mdash;than which what's harder?&mdash;
His Jewish heart. Therefore, I do beseech you,
Make no moe offers, use no farther means,
But with all brief and plain conveniency.
Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will.

BASSANIO.
For thy three thousand ducats here is six.

SHYLOCK.
If every ducat in six thousand ducats
Were in six parts, and every part a ducat,
I would not draw them, I would have my bond.

DUKE.
How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none?

SHYLOCK.
What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?
You have among you many a purchas'd slave,
Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,
You use in abject and in slavish parts,
Because you bought them. Shall I say to you
&ldquo;Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?
Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds
Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates
Be season'd with such viands&rdquo;? You will answer
&ldquo;The slaves are ours.&rdquo; So do I answer you:
The pound of flesh which I demand of him
Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it.
If you deny me, fie upon your law!
There is no force in the decrees of Venice.
I stand for judgment. Answer; shall I have it?

DUKE.
Upon my power I may dismiss this court,
Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,
Whom I have sent for to determine this,
Come here today.

SALARINO.
My lord, here stays without
A messenger with letters from the doctor,
New come from Padua.

DUKE.
Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.

BASSANIO.
Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all,
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.

ANTONIO.
I am a tainted wether of the flock,
Meetest for death, the weakest kind of fruit
Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.
You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio,
Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.

Enter Nerissa dressed like a lawyer's clerk.

DUKE.
Came you from Padua, from Bellario?

NERISSA.
From both, my lord. Bellario greets your Grace.

[Presents a letter.]

BASSANIO.
Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

SHYLOCK.
To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.

GRATIANO.
Not on thy sole but on thy soul, harsh Jew,
Thou mak'st thy knife keen. But no metal can,
No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness
Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?

SHYLOCK.
No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.

GRATIANO.
O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog!
And for thy life let justice be accus'd;
Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith,
To hold opinion with Pythagoras
That souls of animals infuse themselves
Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit
Govern'd a wolf who, hang'd for human slaughter,
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,
And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam,
Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires
Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd and ravenous.

SHYLOCK.
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond,
Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud.
Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall
To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.

DUKE.
This letter from Bellario doth commend
A young and learned doctor to our court.
Where is he?

NERISSA.
He attendeth here hard by,
To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.

DUKE OF VENICE.
With all my heart: some three or four of you
Go give him courteous conduct to this place.
Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.

[Reads.] Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick, but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome. His name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant. We turn'd o'er many books together. He is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning (the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend), comes with him at my importunity to fill up your Grace's request in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation.

You hear the learn'd Bellario what he writes,
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.

Enter Portia dressed like a doctor of laws.

Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?

PORTIA.
I did, my lord.

DUKE.
You are welcome. Take your place.
Are you acquainted with the difference
That holds this present question in the court?

PORTIA.
I am informed throughly of the cause.
Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew?

DUKE.
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

PORTIA.
Is your name Shylock?

SHYLOCK.
Shylock is my name.

PORTIA.
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.
[To Antonio.] You stand within his danger, do you not?

ANTONIO.
Ay, so he says.

PORTIA.
Do you confess the bond?

ANTONIO.
I do.

PORTIA.
Then must the Jew be merciful.

SHYLOCK.
On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

PORTIA.
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest,
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea,
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.

SHYLOCK.
My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

PORTIA.
Is he not able to discharge the money?

BASSANIO.
Yes, here I tender it for him in the court,
Yea, twice the sum, if that will not suffice,
I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er
On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.
If this will not suffice, it must appear
That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you,
Wrest once the law to your authority.
To do a great right, do a little wrong,
And curb this cruel devil of his will.

PORTIA.
It must not be, there is no power in Venice
Can alter a decree established;
'Twill be recorded for a precedent,
And many an error by the same example
Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

SHYLOCK.
A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel!
O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!

PORTIA.
I pray you let me look upon the bond.

SHYLOCK.
Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.

PORTIA.
Shylock, there's thrice thy money offered thee.

SHYLOCK.
An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven.
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
No, not for Venice.

PORTIA.
Why, this bond is forfeit,
And lawfully by this the Jew may claim
A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off
Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful,
Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.

SHYLOCK.
When it is paid according to the tenour.
It doth appear you are a worthy judge;
You know the law; your exposition
Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law,
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,
Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me. I stay here on my bond.

ANTONIO.
Most heartily I do beseech the court
To give the judgment.

PORTIA.
Why then, thus it is:
You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

SHYLOCK.
O noble judge! O excellent young man!

PORTIA.
For the intent and purpose of the law
Hath full relation to the penalty,
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

SHYLOCK.
'Tis very true. O wise and upright judge,
How much more elder art thou than thy looks!

PORTIA.
Therefore lay bare your bosom.

SHYLOCK.
Ay, his breast
So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?
&ldquo;Nearest his heart&rdquo;: those are the very words.

PORTIA.
It is so. Are there balance here to weigh
The flesh?

SHYLOCK.
I have them ready.

PORTIA.
Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,
To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.

SHYLOCK.
Is it so nominated in the bond?

PORTIA.
It is not so express'd, but what of that?
'Twere good you do so much for charity.

SHYLOCK.
I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.

PORTIA.
You, merchant, have you anything to say?

ANTONIO.
But little. I am arm'd and well prepar'd.
Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well,
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you,
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
Than is her custom: it is still her use
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow
An age of poverty, from which ling'ring penance
Of such misery doth she cut me off.
Commend me to your honourable wife,
Tell her the process of Antonio's end,
Say how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death.
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Repent but you that you shall lose your friend
And he repents not that he pays your debt.
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,
I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.

BASSANIO.
Antonio, I am married to a wife
Which is as dear to me as life itself,
But life itself, my wife, and all the world,
Are not with me esteem'd above thy life.
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, to deliver you.

PORTIA.
Your wife would give you little thanks for that
If she were by to hear you make the offer.

GRATIANO.
I have a wife who I protest I love.
I would she were in heaven, so she could
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.

NERISSA.
'Tis well you offer it behind her back,
The wish would make else an unquiet house.

SHYLOCK.
These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter&mdash;
Would any of the stock of Barabbas
Had been her husband, rather than a Christian!
We trifle time, I pray thee, pursue sentence.

PORTIA.
A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine,
The court awards it and the law doth give it.

SHYLOCK.
Most rightful judge!

PORTIA.
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.
The law allows it and the court awards it.

SHYLOCK.
Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare.

PORTIA.
Tarry a little, there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.
The words expressly are &ldquo;a pound of flesh&rdquo;:
Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,
But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate
Unto the state of Venice.

GRATIANO.
O upright judge! Mark, Jew. O learned judge!

SHYLOCK.
Is that the law?

PORTIA.
Thyself shalt see the act.
For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir'st.

GRATIANO.
O learned judge! Mark, Jew, a learned judge!

SHYLOCK.
I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice
And let the Christian go.

BASSANIO.
Here is the money.

PORTIA.
Soft!
The Jew shall have all justice. Soft! no haste!
He shall have nothing but the penalty.

GRATIANO.
O Jew, an upright judge, a learned judge!

PORTIA.
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more,
But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance,
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.

GRATIANO.
A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!
Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.

PORTIA.
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.

SHYLOCK.
Give me my principal, and let me go.

BASSANIO.
I have it ready for thee. Here it is.

PORTIA.
He hath refus'd it in the open court,
He shall have merely justice and his bond.

GRATIANO.
A Daniel still say I, a second Daniel!
I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

SHYLOCK.
Shall I not have barely my principal?

PORTIA.
Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture
To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.

SHYLOCK.
Why, then the devil give him good of it!
I'll stay no longer question.

PORTIA.
Tarry, Jew.
The law hath yet another hold on you.
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,
If it be proved against an alien
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen,
The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state,
And the offender's life lies in the mercy
Of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice.
In which predicament I say thou stand'st;
For it appears by manifest proceeding
That indirectly, and directly too,
Thou hast contrived against the very life
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd
The danger formerly by me rehears'd.
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.

GRATIANO.
Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself,
And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,
Thou hast not left the value of a cord;
Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge.

DUKE.
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;
The other half comes to the general state,
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

PORTIA.
Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.

SHYLOCK.
Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that.
You take my house when you do take the prop
That doth sustain my house; you take my life
When you do take the means whereby I live.

PORTIA.
What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

GRATIANO.
A halter gratis, nothing else, for God's sake!

ANTONIO.
So please my lord the Duke and all the court
To quit the fine for one half of his goods,
I am content, so he will let me have
The other half in use, to render it
Upon his death unto the gentleman
That lately stole his daughter.
Two things provided more, that for this favour,
He presently become a Christian;
The other, that he do record a gift,
Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.

DUKE.
He shall do this, or else I do recant
The pardon that I late pronounced here.

PORTIA.
Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?

SHYLOCK.
I am content.

PORTIA.
Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

SHYLOCK.
I pray you give me leave to go from hence;
I am not well; send the deed after me
And I will sign it.

DUKE.
Get thee gone, but do it.

GRATIANO.
In christ'ning shalt thou have two god-fathers.
Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,
To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.

[Exit Shylock.]

DUKE.
Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

PORTIA.
I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon,
I must away this night toward Padua,
And it is meet I presently set forth.

DUKE.
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.
Antonio, gratify this gentleman,
For in my mind you are much bound to him.

[Exeunt Duke and his train.]

BASSANIO.
Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof,
Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

ANTONIO.
And stand indebted, over and above
In love and service to you evermore.

PORTIA.
He is well paid that is well satisfied,
And I delivering you, am satisfied,
And therein do account myself well paid,
My mind was never yet more mercenary.
I pray you know me when we meet again,
I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

BASSANIO.
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.
Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,
Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you,
Not to deny me, and to pardon me.

PORTIA.
You press me far, and therefore I will yield.
[To Antonio.] Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake.
[To Bassanio.] And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you.
Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more,
And you in love shall not deny me this.

BASSANIO.
This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle,
I will not shame myself to give you this.

PORTIA.
I will have nothing else but only this,
And now methinks I have a mind to it.

BASSANIO.
There's more depends on this than on the value.
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,
And find it out by proclamation,
Only for this I pray you pardon me.

PORTIA.
I see, sir, you are liberal in offers.
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.

BASSANIO.
Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,
And when she put it on, she made me vow
That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.

PORTIA.
That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.
And if your wife be not a mad-woman,
And know how well I have deserv'd this ring,
She would not hold out enemy for ever
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!

[Exeunt Portia and Nerissa.]

ANTONIO.
My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.
Let his deservings and my love withal
Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment.

BASSANIO.
Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him;
Give him the ring, and bring him if thou canst
Unto Antonio's house. Away, make haste.

[Exit Gratiano.]

Come, you and I will thither presently,
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. The same. A street.

Enter Portia and Nerissa.

PORTIA.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,
And let him sign it, we'll away tonight,
And be a day before our husbands home.
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

Enter Gratiano.

GRATIANO.
Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en.
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice,
Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat
Your company at dinner.

PORTIA.
That cannot be;
His ring I do accept most thankfully,
And so I pray you tell him. Furthermore,
I pray you show my youth old Shylock's house.

GRATIANO.
That will I do.

NERISSA.
Sir, I would speak with you.
[Aside to Portia.]
I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.

PORTIA.
[To Nerissa.] Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old swearing
That they did give the rings away to men;
But we'll outface them, and outswear them too.
Away! make haste! Thou know'st where I will tarry.

NERISSA.
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

[Exeunt.]

ACT V

SCENE I. Belmont. The avenue to Portia's house.

Enter Lorenzo and Jessica.

LORENZO.
The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees,
And they did make no noise, in such a night,
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls,
And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.

JESSICA.
In such a night
Did Thisby fearfully o'ertrip the dew,
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself,
And ran dismay'd away.

LORENZO.
In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.

JESSICA.
In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.

LORENZO.
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.

JESSICA.
In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne'er a true one.

LORENZO.
In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.

JESSICA.
I would out-night you did no body come;
But hark, I hear the footing of a man.

Enter Stephano.

LORENZO.
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?

STEPHANO.
A friend.

LORENZO.
A friend! What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?

STEPHANO.
Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
By holy crosses where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.

LORENZO.
Who comes with her?

STEPHANO.
None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you is my master yet return'd?

LORENZO.
He is not, nor we have not heard from him.
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.

Enter Launcelet.

LAUNCELET.
Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!

LORENZO.
Who calls?

LAUNCELET.
Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Sola, sola!

LORENZO.
Leave holloaing, man. Here!

LAUNCELET.
Sola! Where, where?

LORENZO.
Here!

LAUNCELET.
Tell him there's a post come from my master with his horn full of good news. My master will be here ere morning.

[Exit.]

LORENZO.
Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter; why should we go in?
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand,
And bring your music forth into the air.

[Exit Stephano.]

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;
Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.

Enter Musicians.

Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn.
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.

[Music.]

JESSICA.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.

LORENZO.
The reason is, your spirits are attentive.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood,
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music: therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods,
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
But music for the time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.

Enter Portia and Nerissa.

PORTIA.
That light we see is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

NERISSA.
When the moon shone we did not see the candle.

PORTIA.
So doth the greater glory dim the less.
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters. Music! hark!

NERISSA.
It is your music, madam, of the house.

PORTIA.
Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

NERISSA.
Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.

PORTIA.
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended; and I think
The nightingale, if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
How many things by season season'd are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion,
And would not be awak'd!

[Music ceases.]

LORENZO.
That is the voice,
Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia.

PORTIA.
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,
By the bad voice.

LORENZO.
Dear lady, welcome home.

PORTIA.
We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
Are they return'd?

LORENZO.
Madam, they are not yet;
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming.

PORTIA.
Go in, Nerissa.
Give order to my servants, that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence,
Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you.

[A tucket sounds.]

LORENZO.
Your husband is at hand, I hear his trumpet.
We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not.

PORTIA.
This night methinks is but the daylight sick,
It looks a little paler. 'Tis a day
Such as the day is when the sun is hid.

Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano and their Followers.

BASSANIO.
We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.

PORTIA.
Let me give light, but let me not be light,
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,
And never be Bassanio so for me.
But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.

BASSANIO.
I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.

PORTIA.
You should in all sense be much bound to him,
For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.

ANTONIO.
No more than I am well acquitted of.

PORTIA.
Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
It must appear in other ways than words,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.

GRATIANO.
[To Nerissa.] By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong,
In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk.
Would he were gelt that had it, for my part,
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.

PORTIA.
A quarrel, ho, already! What's the matter?

GRATIANO.
About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me, whose posy was
For all the world like cutlers' poetry
Upon a knife, &ldquo;Love me, and leave me not.&rdquo;

NERISSA.
What talk you of the posy, or the value?
You swore to me when I did give it you,
That you would wear it till your hour of death,
And that it should lie with you in your grave.
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
You should have been respective and have kept it.
Gave it a judge's clerk! No, God's my judge,
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it.

GRATIANO.
He will, and if he live to be a man.

NERISSA.
Ay, if a woman live to be a man.

GRATIANO.
Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy,
No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk,
A prating boy that begg'd it as a fee,
I could not for my heart deny it him.

PORTIA.
You were to blame,&mdash;I must be plain with you,&mdash;
To part so slightly with your wife's first gift,
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger,
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
I gave my love a ring, and made him swear
Never to part with it, and here he stands.
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief,
An 'twere to me I should be mad at it.

BASSANIO.
[Aside.] Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,
And swear I lost the ring defending it.

GRATIANO.
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begg'd it, and indeed
Deserv'd it too. And then the boy, his clerk,
That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine,
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.

PORTIA.
What ring gave you, my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me.

BASSANIO.
If I could add a lie unto a fault,
I would deny it, but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it, it is gone.

PORTIA.
Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
Until I see the ring.

NERISSA.
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine!

BASSANIO.
Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
And how unwillingly I left the ring,
When nought would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.

PORTIA.
If you had known the virtue of the ring,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honour to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleas'd to have defended it
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe:
I'll die for't but some woman had the ring.

BASSANIO.
No, by my honour, madam, by my soul,
No woman had it, but a civil doctor,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me,
And begg'd the ring, the which I did deny him,
And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away,
Even he that had held up the very life
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
I was enforc'd to send it after him.
I was beset with shame and courtesy.
My honour would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady;
For by these blessed candles of the night,
Had you been there, I think you would have begg'd
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.

PORTIA.
Let not that doctor e'er come near my house,
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you,
I'll not deny him anything I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband's bed.
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus,
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now by mine honour which is yet mine own,
I'll have that doctor for mine bedfellow.

NERISSA.
And I his clerk. Therefore be well advis'd
How you do leave me to mine own protection.

GRATIANO.
Well, do you so. Let not me take him then,
For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen.

ANTONIO.
I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.

PORTIA.
Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.

BASSANIO.
Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong,
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,
Wherein I see myself&mdash;

PORTIA.
Mark you but that!
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself,
In each eye one. Swear by your double self,
And there's an oath of credit.

BASSANIO.
Nay, but hear me.
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.

ANTONIO.
I once did lend my body for his wealth,
Which but for him that had your husband's ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.

PORTIA.
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.

ANTONIO.
Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.

BASSANIO.
By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!

PORTIA.
I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio,
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.

NERISSA.
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk,
In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.

GRATIANO.
Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer, where the ways are fair enough.
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserv'd it?

PORTIA.
Speak not so grossly. You are all amaz'd.
Here is a letter; read it at your leisure.
It comes from Padua from Bellario.
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
And even but now return'd. I have not yet
Enter'd my house. Antonio, you are welcome,
And I have better news in store for you
Than you expect: unseal this letter soon.
There you shall find three of your argosies
Are richly come to harbour suddenly.
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chanced on this letter.

ANTONIO.
I am dumb.

BASSANIO.
Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?

GRATIANO.
Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?

NERISSA.
Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,
Unless he live until he be a man.

BASSANIO.
Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
When I am absent, then lie with my wife.

ANTONIO.
Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road.

PORTIA.
How now, Lorenzo!
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.

NERISSA.
Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee.
There do I give to you and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
After his death, of all he dies possess'd of.

LORENZO.
Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starved people.

PORTIA.
It is almost morning,
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us go in,
And charge us there upon inter'gatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.

GRATIANO.
Let it be so. The first inter'gatory
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is,
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
But were the day come, I should wish it dark
Till I were couching with the doctor's clerk.
Well, while I live, I'll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring.

[Exeunt.]

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