THEMERCHANTOFVENICE

WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE

DRAMATISPERSONAE.

ASFIRSTPERFORMED,SATURDAY,JUNE12,1858.

DUKEOFVENICEMr.H.MELLON.

PRINCEOFMOROCCO(SuitorstoPortia)

PRINCEOFARRAGONMr.RAYMOND.

ANTONIO(theMerchantofVenice)

BASSANIO(hisFriend)

SALANIO(FriendstoAntonioandBassanio)

SALARINOMr.G.EVERETT.

GRATIANOMr.WALTERLACY.

LORENZO(inlovewithJessica)

SHYLOCK(aJew)

TUBAL(aJew,hisFriend)

LAUNCELOTGOBBO(aClown,servanttoShylock)

OLDGOBBO(FathertoLauncelot)

LEONARDO(ServantstoBassanio)

STEPHANO

BALTHAZAR(ServanttoPortia).

HERALD

PORTIA(arichHeiress).

NELISSA(herWaitingMaid)

JESSICA(DaughtertoShylock)

MagnificoesofVenice,OfficersoftheCourtofJustice,Gaoler,Servants,andotherAttendants.

ACTI.

SCENEI.—VENICE.SAINTMARK'SPLACE.

Various groups of Nobles, Citizens, Merchants, Foreigners, Water-Carriers,FlowerGirls,&c.,passandrepass.ProcessionoftheDoge,instate,acrossthesquare.

ANTONIO,SALARINO,andSALANIOcomeforward.

Ant.Insooth,IknownotwhyIamsosad;

Itweariesme;yousay,itweariesyou;

ButhowIcaughtit,foundit,orcamebyit,

Whatstuff'tismadeof,whereofitisborn,

Iamtolearn;

Andsuchawant-witsadnessmakesofme,

ThatIhavemuchadotoknowmyself.

Salar.Yourmindistossingontheocean;

There,whereyourargosieswithportlysail,

Likesigniorsandrichburghersontheflood,

Dooverpeerthepettytraffickers,

Thatcurt'sytothem,dothemreverence,

Astheyflybythemwiththeirwovenwings.

Sal.Believeme,Sir,hadIsuchventureforth,

Thebetterpartofmyaffectionswould

Bewithmyhopesabroad.Ishouldbestill

Pluckingthegrass,toknowwheresitsthewind;

Peeringinmaps,forports,andpiers,androads;

Andeveryobjectthatmightmakemefear

Misfortunetomyventures,outofdoubt,

Wouldmakemesad.

Salar.Mywind,coolingmybroth,

Wouldblowmetoanague,whenIthought

Whatharmawindtoogreatmightdoatsea.

Ishouldnotseethesandyhour-glassrun,

ButIshouldthinkofshallowsandofflats;

AndseemywealthyAndrewdock'dinsand,

Vailingherhigh-toplowerthanherribs,

Tokissherburial.

ShallIhavethethought

Tothinkonthis?andshallIlackthethought

Thatsuchathing,bechanc'd,wouldmakemesad?

Buttellnotme;IknowAntonio

Issadtothinkuponhismerchandize.

Ant.Believeme,no:Ithankmyfortuneforit,

Myventuresarenotinonebottomtrusted,

Nortooneplace;norismywholeestate

Uponthefortuneofthispresentyear:

Thereforemymerchandizemakesmenotsad.

Salar.Why,then,youareinlove.

Ant.Fie,fie!

Salar.Notinlove,neither?Thenletussayyouaresad,

Becauseyouarenotmerry:an'twereaseasy

Foryoutolaughandleap,andsayyouaremerry,

Becauseyouarenotsad.

Sal.HerecomesBassanio,yourmostnoblekinsman,

Gratiano,andLorenzo:Fareyouwell;

Weleaveyounowwithbettercompany.

Salar.IwouldhavestaidtillIhadmadeyoumerry,

Ifworthierfriendshadnotpreventedme.

Ant.Yourworthisverydearinmyregard.

Itakeityourownbusinesscallsonyou,

Andyouembracetheoccasiontodepart.

EnterBASSANIO,LORENZO,andGRATIANO.

Salar.Goodmorrow,mygoodlords.

Bas.Goodsigniors,both,whenshallwelaugh?Say,when?

Yougrowexceedingstrange:Mustitbeso?

Salar.We'llmakeourleisurestoattendonyours.

ExeuntSALARINOandSALANIO.

Lor.MylordBassanio,sinceyouhavefoundAntonio,

Wetwowillleaveyou;butatdinner-time

Iprayyouhaveinmindwherewemustmeet.

Bas.Iwillnotfailyou.

Gra.Youlooknotwell,SignorAntonio;

Youhavetoomuchrespectupontheworld:

Theyloseitthatdobuyitwithmuchcare.

Believeme,youaremarvellouslychang'd.

Ant.Iholdtheworldbutastheworld,Gratiano;

Astage,whereeverymanmustplayapart,

Andmineasadone.

Gra.Letmeplaythefool:

Withmirthandlaughterletoldwrinklescome;

Andletmyliverratherheatwithwine,

Thanmyheartcoolwithmortifyinggroans.

Whyshouldaman,whosebloodiswarmwithin,

Sitlikehisgrandsire,cutinalabaster?

Sleepwhenhewakes?andcreepintothejaundice

Bybeingpeevish?Itelltheewhat,Antonio,

Ilovethee,anditismylovethatspeaks;—

Thereareasortofmen,whosevisages

Docreamandmantlelikeastandingpond:

Anddoawilfulstillnessentertain,

Withpurposetobedress'dinanopinion

Ofwisdom,gravity,profoundconceit;

Aswhoshouldsay,'IamSirOracle,

AndwhenIopemylipsletnodogbark!'

O,myAntonio,Idoknowofthese,

Thatthereforeonlyarereputedwise

Forsayingnothing;whenIamverysure,

Iftheyshouldspeak,'twouldalmostdamnthoseears

Which,hearingthem,wouldcalltheirbrothersfools.

I'lltelltheemoreofthisanothertime:

Butfishnotwiththismelancholybait,

Forthisfoolgudgeon,thisopinion.

Come,goodLorenzo:—Fareyewell,awhile;

I'llendmyexhortationafterdinner.

Lor.Well,wewillleaveyou,then,tilldinner-time:

Imustbeoneofthesesamedumbwisemen,

ForGratianoneverletsmespeak.

Gra.Well,keepmecompanybuttwoyearsmore,

Thoushaltnotknowthesoundofthineowntongue.

Ant.Farewell:I'llgrowatalkerforthisgear.

Gra.Thanks,i'faith;forsilenceisonlycommendable

Inaneat'stonguedried,andamaidnotvendible.

ExeuntGRATIANOandLORENZO.

Ant.Isthatanythingnow?

Bas. Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing,more than anyman in allVenice.Hisreasonsareastwograinsofwheathidintwobushelsofchaff;youshall seek all day ere you find them; andwhenyouhave them they are notworththesearch.

Ant.Well;tellmenow,whatladyisthesame

Towhomyousworeasecretpilgrimage,

Thatyouto-daypromis'dtotellmeof?

Bas.'Tisnotunknowntoyou,Antonio,

HowmuchIhavedisabledmineestate,

Bysomethingshowingamoreswellingport

Thanmyfaintmeanswouldgrantcontinuance.

Toyou,Antonio,Iowethemostinmoneyandinlove;

AndfromyourloveIhaveawarranty

Tounburthenallmyplotsandpurposes,

HowtogetclearofallthedebtsIowe.

Ant.Iprayyou,goodBassanio,letmeknowit;

And,ifitstand,asyouyourselfstilldo,

Withintheeyeofhonour,beassur'd

Mypurse,myperson,myextremestmeans,

Lieallunlock'dtoyouroccasions.

Bas.Inmyschool-days,whenIhadlostoneshaft

Ishothisfellowoftheself-sameflight

Theself-sameway,withmoreadvisedwatch

Tofindtheotherforth;andbyadventuringboth

Ioftfoundboth.Iurgethischildhoodproof,

Becausewhatfollowsispureinnocence.

Ioweyoumuch;and,likeawastefulyouth,

ThatwhichIoweislost:butifyouplease

Toshootanotherarrowthatselfway

Whichyoudidshootthefirst,Idonotdoubt,

AsIwillwatchtheaim,ortofindboth,

Orbringyourlatterhazardbackagain,

Andthankfullyrestdebtorforthefirst.

Ant.Youknowmewell;andhereinspendbuttime,

Towindaboutmylovewithcircumstance;

ThendobutsaytomewhatIshoulddo,

Thatinyourknowledgemaybymebedone,

AndIamprestuntoit:thereforespeak.

Bas.InBelmontisaladyrichlyleft,

Andsheisfair,and,fairerthanthatword,

Ofwond'rousvirtues.Sometimesfromhereyes

Ididreceivefairspeechlessmessages:

HernameisPortia;nothingundervalued

ToCato'sdaughter,Brutus'Portia.

Noristhewideworldignorantofherworth;

Forthefourwindsblowinfromeverycoast

Renownedsuitors.

O,myAntonio!hadIbutthemeans

Toholdarivalplacewithoneofthem,

Ihaveamindpresagesmesuchthrift.

ThatIshouldquestionlessbefortunate.

Ant.Thouknow'stthatallmyfortunesareatsea;

NeitherhaveImoney,norcommodity

Toraiseapresentsum:thereforegoforth,

TrywhatmycreditcaninVenicedo;

Thatshallberack'd,eventotheuttermost,

TofurnishtheetoBelmont,tofairPortia.

Go,presentlyinquire,andsowillI,

Wheremoneyis;andInoquestionmake,

Tohaveitofmytrust,orformysake.

Exeunt.

SCENEII.—BELMONT.AROOMINPORTIA'SHOUSE.

EnterPORTIAandNERISSA.

Por.Bymytroth,Nerissa,mylittlebodyisa-wearyofthisgreatworld.

Ner. You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the sameabundanceasyourgoodfortunesare.Andyet,foraughtIsee,theyareassickthat surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing. It is no smallhappiness, therefore, to be seated in themean; superfluity comes sooner bywhitehairs,butcompetencyliveslonger.

Por.Goodsentences,andwellpronounced.

Ner.Theywouldbebetter,ifwellfollowed.

Por.Iftodowereaseasyastoknowwhatweregoodtodo,chapelshadbeenchurches, and poormen's cottages princes' palaces. It is a good divine that

followshisowninstructions:Icaneasierteachtwentywhatweregoodtobedone, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. But thisreasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband:—Ome, the wordchoose!ImayneitherchoosewhomIwould,norrefusewhomIdislike,soisthewillofalivingdaughtercurb'dbythewillofadeadfather:—Isitnothard,Nerissa,thatIcannotchooseone,norrefusenone?

Ner.Your fatherwas ever virtuous; and holymen at their death have goodinspirations;therefore,thelotterythathehathdevisedinthesethreechests,ofgold,silver,and lead(whereofwhochooseshismeaningchoosesyou),will,nodoubt,neverbechosenbyanyrightly,butonewhoyoushallrightlylove.But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princelysuitorsthatarealreadycome?

Por. I pray thee, over-name them; and as thou namest them I will describethem;andaccordingtomydescriptionlevelatmyaffection.

Ner.First,thereistheNeapolitanprince.

Por.Ay,that'sacolt,indeed,forhedothnothingbuttalkofhishorse,andhemakes it a great approbation of his own good parts that he can shoe himhimself.

Ner.Then,istherethecountyPalatine.

Por.Hedothnothingbutfrown;aswhoshouldsay,'Anyouwillnothaveme,choose;'hehearsmerrytales,andsmilesnot:Ifearhewillprovetheweepingphilosopherwhen he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in hisyouth.Ihadrathertobemarriedtoadeath'sheadwithaboneinhismouth,thantoeitherofthese.Heavendefendmefromthesetwo!

Ner.HowsayyoubytheFrenchlord,MonsieurLeBon?

Por.Heavenmadehim,andthereforelethimpassforaman.

Ner.HowlikeyoutheyoungGerman,theDukeofSaxony'snephew?

Por. Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and most vilely in theafternoon,whenheisdrunk:whenheisbestheisalittleworsethanaman;andwhenheisworstheislittlebetterthanabeast:antheworstfallthateverfell,IhopeIshallmakeshifttogowithouthim.

Ner. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you shouldrefusetoperformyourfather'swillifyoushouldrefusetoaccepthim.

Por.Therefore, for fearof theworst, Ipray theesetadeepglassofRhenishwine on the contrary casket; for, if the devil bewithin, and that temptationwithout,Iknowhewillchooseit.

Ner. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords; they haveacquaintedmewith their determinations:which is, indeed, to return to theirhomeandtotroubleyouwithnomoresuit;unlessyoumaybewonbysomeothersortthanyourfather'simposition,dependingonthecaskets.

Por. I am glad this parcel ofwooers are so reasonable; for there is not oneamongthembutIdoteonhisveryabsence,andIwishthemafairdeparture.

Ner.Doyounotremember, lady, inyourfather's time,aVenetian,ascholar,andasoldier,thatcamehitherincompanyoftheMarquisofMontferrat?

Por.Yes,yes,itwasBassanio;asIthinksowashecalled.

Ner.True,madam;he,ofall thementhatevermyfoolisheyes lookeduponwasthebestdeservingafairlady.

Por. I rememberhimwell;andI rememberhimworthyof thypraise.—Hownow?—Whatnews?

EnterBALTHAZAR.

Ser.The four strangers seekyou,madam, to take their leave: and there is afore-runner come froma fifth, the prince ofMorocco;whobringsword theprince,hismaster,willbehereto-night.

Por.IfIcouldbidthefifthwelcomewithsogoodheartasIcanbidtheotherfourfarewell,Ishouldbegladofhisapproach.

Come,Nerissa.Sirrah,gobefore.

Whilesweshutthegateupononewooer,anotherknocksatthedoor.

Exeunt.

SCENEIII.—THEMERCHANT'SEXCHANGEONTHERIALTOISLAND.SANJACOPO,THEMOSTANCIENTCHURCHINVENICE,OCCUPIESONESIDEOFTHE

SQUARE.

EnterBASSANIOandSHYLOCK.

Shy.Threethousandducats,—well,

Bas.Ay,sir,forthreemonths.

Shy.Forthreemonths,—well.

Bas.Forthewhich,asItoldyou,Antonioshallbebound.

Shy.Antonioshallbecomebound,—well.

Bas.Mayyousteadme?Willyoupleasureme?ShallIknowyouranswer?

Shy.Threethousandducats,forthreemonths,andAntoniobound.

Bas.Youranswertothat.

Shy.Antonioisagoodman.

Bas.Haveyouheardanyimputationtothecontrary?

Shy.Ohno,no,no,no;—mymeaninginsayingheisagoodmanis,tohaveyouunderstandme thathe issufficient;yethismeansare insupposition:hehath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand,moreover,upontheRialto,hehathathirdatMexico,afourthforEngland;andotherventureshehath,squander'dabroad.Butshipsarebutboards,sailorsbutmen:therebelandratsandwaterrats,landthievesandwaterthieves;Imean,pirates; and then, there is theperilofwaters,winds, and rocks:Theman is,notwithstanding, sufficient;—three thousand ducats;—I think Imay take hisbond.

Bas.Beassuredyoumay.

Shy.IwillbeassuredImay;andthatImaybeassuredIwillbethinkme:MayIspeakwithAntonio?

Bas.Ifitpleaseyoutodinewithus.

Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet, theNazarite,conjuredthedevilinto!Iwillbuywithyou,sellwithyou,talkwithyou,walkwithyou,andsofollowing;butIwillnoteatwithyou,drinkwithyou,norpraywithyou.—WhatnewsontheRialto?—Whoishecomeshere?

Bas.ThisissigniorAntonio.

ExitBASSANIO.

Shy.(aside.)Howlikeafawningpublicanhelooks!

Ihatehim,forheisaChristian:

Butmore,forthat,inlowsimplicity,

Helendsoutmoneygratis,andbringsdown

TherateofusanceherewithusinVenice.

IfIcancatchhimonceuponthehip,

IwillfeedfattheancientgrudgeIbearhim.

Hehatesoursacrednation:andherails

Eventherewheremerchantsmostdocongregate,

Onme,mybargains,andmywell-wonthrift.

Whichhecallsinterest:Cursedbemytribe

IfIforgivehim!

Re-enterBASSANIOwithANTONIO.

Bas.Shylock,doyouhear?

Shy.Iamdebatingofmypresentstore;

And,bythenearguessofmymemory,

Icannotinstantlyraiseupthegross

Offullthreethousandducats:Whatofthat?

Tubal,awealthyHebrewofmytribe,

Willfurnishme:Butsoft:Howmanymonths

Doyoudesire?—Restyoufair,goodsignior:

ToANTONIO.

Yourworshipwasthelastmaninourmouths.

Ant.Shylock,albeit,Ineitherlendnorborrow,

Bytaking,norbygivingofexcess.

Yet,tosupplytheripewantsofmyfriend,

I'llbreakacustom:—-Isheyetpossess'd

Howmuchyouwould?

Shy.Ay,ay,threethousandducats.

Ant.Andforthreemonths.

Shy.Ihadforgot,—threemonths,youtoldmeso.

Wellthen,yourbond;and,letmesee.Buthearyou:

Methoughtyousaid,youneitherlendnorborrow,

Uponadvantage.

Ant.Idoneveruseit.

Shy.WhenJacobgraz'dhisuncleLaban'ssheep,

ThisJacobfromourholyAbrahamwas

(Ashiswisemotherwroughtinhisbehalf)

Thethirdpossessor;ay,hewasthethird.

Ant.Andwhatofhim?didhetakeinterest?

Shy.No,nottakeinterest;not,asyouwouldsay,

Directlyinterest:markwhatJacobdid.

WhenLabanandhimselfwerecompromis'd

Thatalltheeanlingswhichwerestreak'dandpied

Shouldfall,asJacob'shire;

Theskilfulshepherdpeel'dmecertainwands,

And,inthedoingofthedeedofkind,

Hestuckthemupbeforethefulsomeewes;

Who,thenconceiving,didineaning-time

Fallparty-colouredlambs,andthosewereJacob's.

Thiswasawaytothrive,andhewasblest;

Andthriftisblessing,ifmenstealitnot.

Ant.Thiswasaventure,Sir,thatJacobserv'dfor;

Athingnotinhispowertobringtopass,

Butsway'dandfashion'dbythehandofHeaven.

Wasthisinsertedtomakeinterestgood?

Orisyourgoldandsilverewesandrams?

Shy.Icannottell;Imakeitbreedasfast.

Ant.Markyouthis,Bassanio,

Thedevilcancitescriptureforhispurpose.

Anevilsoulproducingholywitness

Islikeavillainwithasmilingcheek;

Agoodlyapplerottenattheheart;

O,whatagoodlyoutsidefalsehoodhath!

Shy.Threethousandducats,—'tisagoodroundsum.

Threemonthsfromtwelve,thenletmeseetherate.

Ant.Well,Shylock,shallwebebeholdentoyou?

Shy.SigniorAntonio,manyatimeandoft

IntheRialtoyouhaveratedme

Aboutmymonies,andmyusances:

StillhaveIborneitwithapatientshrug;

Forsufferanceisthebadgeofallourtribe:

Youcallmemisbeliever,cut-throatdog,

AndspetuponmyJewishgaberdine,

Andallforuseofthatwhichismineown.

Well,then,itnowappearsyouneedmyhelp:

Goto,then;youcometome,andyousay,

'Shylock,wewouldhavemonies;'Yousayso;

You,thatdidvoidyourrheumuponmybeard,

Andfootme,asyouspurnastrangercur

Overyourthreshhold;moniesisyoursuit,

WhatshouldIsaytoyou?ShouldInotsay

'Hathadogmoney?isitpossible

Acurcanlendthreethousandducats?'or

ShallIbendlow,andinabondman'skey,

With'batedbreath,andwhisperinghumbleness,

Saythis,—

'FairSir,youspetonmeonWednesdaylast;

Youspurn'dmesuchaday;anothertime

Youcall'dmedog;andforthesecourtesies

I'lllendyouthusmuchmonies?'

Ant.Iamasliketocalltheesoagain,

Tospetontheeagain,tospurntheetoo.

Ifthouwiltlendthismoney,lenditnot

Astothyfriends;(forwhendidfriendshiptake

Abreedofbarrenmetalofhisfriend?)

Butlenditrathertothineenemy;

Who,ifhebreak,thoumay'stwithbetterface

Exactthepenalties.

Shy.Why,lookyou,howyoustorm!

Iwouldbefriendswithyou,andhaveyourlove;

Forgettheshamesthatyouhavestain'dmewith;

Supplyyourpresentwants,andtakenodoit

Ofusanceformymonies,andyou'llnothearme:

ThisiskindIoffer.

Ant.Thiswerekindness.

Shy.ThiskindnesswillIshow:

Gowithmetoanotary:sealmethere

Yoursinglebond;and,inamerrysport,

Ifyourepaymenotonsuchaday,

Insuchaplace,suchsum,orsums,asare

Express'dinthecondition,lettheforfeit

Benominatedforanequalpound

Ofyourfairflesh,tobecutoffandtaken

Inwhatpartofyourbodypleasethme.

Ant.Content,infaith;I'llsealtosuchabond,

Andsay,thereismuchkindnessintheJew.

Bas.Youshallnotsealtosuchabondforme

I'llratherdwellinmynecessity.

Ant.Why,fearnot,man;Iwillnotforfeitit;

Withinthesetwomonths,that'samonthbefore

Thisbondexpires,Idoexpectreturn

Ofthricethreetimesthevalueofthisbond.

Shy.OfatherAbraham,whattheseChristiansare.

Whoseownharddealingsteachesthemsuspect

Thethoughtsofothers!Prayyou,tellmethis

Ifheshouldbreakhisday,whatshouldIgain

Bytheexactionoftheforfeiture?

Apoundofman'sflesh,takenfromaman,

Isnotsoestimable,profitableneither,

Asfleshofmuttons,beefs,orgoats.Isay,

TobuyhisfavourIextendthisfriendship;

Ifhewilltakeit,so;ifnot,adieu;

And,formylove,Iprayyouwrongmenot.

Ant.Yes,Shylock,Iwillsealuntothisbond.

Shy.Thenmeetmeforthwithatthenotary's;

Givehimdirectionforthismerrybond,

AndIwillgoandpursetheducatsstraight;

Seetomyhouse,leftinthefearfulguard

Ofanunthriftyknave;andpresently

Iwillbewithyou.

Exit.

Ant.Hiethee,gentleJew.

ThisHebrewwillturnChristian;hegrowskind.

Bas.Ilikenotfairtermsandavillain'smind.

Ant.Come,on;inthistherecanbenodismay,

Myshipscomehomeamonthbeforetheday.

Exeunt.

SCENEIV.—SALOONOFTHECASKETSINPORTIA'SHOUSE,ATBELMONT.

Flourish of Cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and hisTrain;PORTIA,NERISSA,andotherofherAttendants.

Mor.Mislikemenotformycomplexion,

Theshadow'dliveryoftheburningsun,

TowhomIamaneighbour,andnearbred.

Bringmethefairestcreaturenorthwardborn,

WherePhoebus'firescarcethawstheicicles,

Andletusmakeincisionforyourlove,

Toprovewhosebloodisreddest,hisormine.

Bylove,Iswear,Iwouldnotchangethishue,

Excepttostealyourthoughts,mygentlequeen.

I'lltrymyfortune;

E'enthoughImay(blindfortuneleadingme)

Missthatwhichoneunworthiermayattain,

Anddiewithgrieving.

Por.Youmusttakeyourchance;

Andeithernotattempttochooseatall,

Orswear,beforeyouchoose,—ifyouchoosewrong,

Nevertospeaktoladyafterward

Inwayofmarriage;thereforebeadvis'd.

Mor.Norwillnot;come,bringmeuntomychance.

HowshallIknowifIdochoosetheright?

Por.Theoneofthemcontainsmypicture,prince;

Ifyouchoosethat,thenIamyourswithal.

Mor.Somegoddirectmyjudgment!Letmesee.

Thefirst,ofgold,whothisinscriptionbears:

"Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire."

Thesecond,silver,whichthispromisecarries:

"Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves."

Thethird,dulllead,withwarningallasblunt:

"Whochoosethmemustgiveandhazardallhehath."

Oneofthesethreecontainsherheavenlypicture.

Is'tlikethatleadcontainsher?'Twereperdition

Tothinksobaseathought;

OrshallIthinkinsilvershe'simmur'd,

Beingtentimesundervaluedtotriedgold?

Osinfulthought.Neversorichagem

Wassetinworsethangold.

Delivermethekey;

HeredoIchoose,andthriveIasImay!

Por.There,takeitprince,andifmyformliethere,

ThenIamyours.

Heunlocksthegoldencasket.

Mor.Whathavewehere?

Acarriondeath,withinwhoseemptyeye

Thereisawrittenscroll.I'llreadthewriting.

"Allthatglittersisnotgold,Oftenhaveyouheardthattold:

"Hadyoubeenaswiseasbold,Younginlimbs,injudgmentold,Youranswerhadnotbeeninscrol'd:Fareyouwell;yoursuitiscold."

Cold,indeed;andlabourlost:

Then,farewell,heat;andwelcomefrost—Portia,

adieu!Ihavetoogriev'daheart

Totakeatediousleave:thusloserspart.

Exit.

Por.Agentleriddance:—go:—

Letallofhiscomplexionchoosemeso.

ENDOFACTFIRST.

ACTII.

SCENEI.—VENICE.EXTERIOROFSHYLOCK'SHOUSE.

EnterLAUNCELOTGOBBO.

Lau.CertainlymyconsciencewillservemetorunfromthisJew,mymaster:Thefiendisatmineelbow,andtemptsme;sayingtome,—Gobbo,LauncelotGobbo,goodLauncelot,orgoodGobbo,orgoodLauncelotGobbo,useyourlegs, take thestart, runaway:—Myconsciencesays,—No: takeheed,honestLauncelot; take heed, honest Gobbo: or (as aforesaid) honest LauncelotGobbo; donot run: scorn runningwith thyheels.Well themost courageousfiendbidsmepack.Via!saysthefiend;Away!saysthefiend,fortheheavens;rouseupabravemind,saysthefiend,andrun.Well,myconscience,hangingabout the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, my honest friend,Launcelot,beinganhonestman'sson,orratheranhonestwoman'sson;—for,indeed,myfatherdidsomethingsmack,somethinggrowto,hehadakindoftaste;—well,myconsciencesays,Launcelot,budgenot;budge,saysthefiend;budgenot,saysmyconscience.Conscience,sayI,youcounselwell;fiend,sayI,youcounselwell;toberuledbymyconscienceIshouldstaywiththeJew,mymaster,who(Heavenblessthemark!)isakindofdevil;andtorunawayfromtheJewIshouldberuledbythefiend,who,savingyourreverence,isthedevil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation; and in my

conscience,myconscienceisakindofhardconscience,tooffertocounselmeto staywith the Jew. The fiend gives themore friendly counsel: Iwill run,fiend;myheelsareatyourcommandment,Iwillrun.

Asheisgoingoutinhaste

EnterOLDGOBBO,withabasket.

Gob.Master,youngman,you,Iprayyou;whichisthewaytomasterJew's?

Lau.(aside.)Oheavens,thisismytrue-begottenfather!who,beingmorethansand-blind,high-gravelblind,knowsmenot:Iwilltryconclusionswithhim.

Gob.Masteryounggentleman,IprayyouwhichisthewaytomasterJew's?

Lau.Turnuponyourrighthandatthenextturning,but,atthenextturningofall,onyourleft;marry,attheverynextturning,turnofnohand,butturndownindirectlytotheJew'shouse.

Gob.'Twillbeahardwaytohit.CanyoutellmewhetheroneLauncelotthatdwellswithhim,dwellwithhim,orno?

Lau, Talk you of youngmaster Launcelot?—markme, now—(aside.)—nowwillIraisethewaters.TalkyouofyoungmasterLauncelot?

Gob.Nomaster, sir: but a poorman's son: his father, though I say it, is anhonestexceedingpoorman,and,Heavenbethanked,welltolive.

Lau,Well,lethisfatherbewhathewill,wetalkofyoungmasterLauncelot.

Gob.OfLauncelot,an'tpleaseyourmastership.

Lau. Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of master Launcelot, father; for theyounggentleman(accordingtofatesanddestinies,andsuchoddsayings,thesisters three,andsuchbranchesof learning), is, indeed,deceased;or,asyouwouldsayinplainterms,gonetoheaven.

Gob.Marry,Heaven forbid! theboywas thevery staff ofmy age,myveryprop.

Lau. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-post, a staff, or a prop?—Do youknowme,father?

Gob.Alacktheday,Iknowyounot,younggentleman;but,Iprayyoutellme,ismyboy(resthissoul!)aliveordead?

Lau.Doyounotknowme,father?

Gob.Alack!sir,Iamsand-blind,Iknowyounot.

Lau.Nay,indeed,ifyouhadyoureyes,youmightfailoftheknowingme:itisawisefatherthatknowshisownchild.Well,oldman,Iwilltellyounewsofyour son:Givemeyourblessing: (kneels.)Truthwill come to light;murdercannotbehidlong;aman'ssonmay;but,intheend,truthwillout.

Gob.Prayyou,sir,standup:IamsureyouarenotLauncelot,myboy.

Lau.Prayyou,let'shavenomorefoolingaboutit,butgivemeyourblessing;IamLauncelot,yourboythatwas,yoursonthatis,yourchildthatshallbe.

Gob.Icannotthinkyouaremyson.

Lau.IknownotwhatIshallthinkofthat;butIamLauncelot,theJew'sman;andIamsureMargery,yourwife,ismymother.

Gob.HernameisMargery,indeed:I'llbeswornifthoubeLauncelot,thouartmineownfleshandblood.Whatabeardhastthougot:thouhastgotmorehaironthychinthanDobbin,myphill-horse,hasonhistail.

Lau.Itshouldseem,then,thatDobbin'stailgrowsbackward;IamsurehehadmorehairofhistailthanIhaveofmyface,whenIlastsawhim.

Gob.Lord,howartthouchanged!Howdostthouandthymasteragree?Ihavebroughthimapresent.

Lau. (rises.) Give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in hisservice;youmaytelleveryfingerIhavewithmyribs.Father,Iamgladyouare come: givemeyour present to onemasterBassanio,who, indeed, givesrare new liveries; if I serve not him, I will run as far as Heaven has anyground.—Orarefortune!herecomestheman;—tohim,father;forIamaJewifIservetheJewanylonger.

EnterBASSANIO,withLEONARDO,andSTEPHANO.

Bas.Seetheselettersdeliver'd;puttheliveriestomaking;anddesireGratianotocomeanontomylodging.

ExitaSERVANT.

Lau.Tohim,father.

Gob.Heavenblessyourworship!

Bas.Gramercy!Would'stthouaughtwithme?

Gob.Here'smyson,sir,apoorboy—

Lau.Notapoorboy,sir;buttherichJew'sman;thatwould,sir,asmyfathershallspecify.

Gob.Hehathagreatinfection,sir,asonewouldsay,toserve——

Lau.Indeed,theshortandthelongis,IservetheJew,andhaveadesireasmyfathershallspecify.

Gob.Hismaster and he (saving yourworship's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins.

Lau.Tobebrief, theverytruthis, that theJewhavingdonemewrong,dothcauseme,asmyfather,beingIhopeanoldman,shallfrutifyuntoyou.

Gob.Ihavehereadishofdoves,thatIwouldbestowuponyourworship;andmysuitis——

Lau. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shallknowbythishonestoldman;and,thoughIsayit, thougholdman,yetpoorman,myfather.

Bas.Onespeakforboth.Whatwouldyou?

Lau.Serveyou,sir.

Gob.Thatistheverydefectofthematter,sir.

Bas.Iknowtheewell;thouhastobtain'dthysuit:

Shylock,thymaster,spokewithmethisday,

Andhathpreferr'dthee,ifitbepreferment,

ToleavearichJew'sservice,tobecome

Thefollowerofsopooragentleman.

Lau. The old proverb is verywell parted betweenmymaster, Shylock, andyou,sir;youhavethegraceofHeaven,sir,andhehath——enough.

Bas.Thouspeak'stitwell.Go,father,withthyson:—

Takeleaveofthyoldmaster,andinquire

Mylodgingout:—givehimalivery.TohisFollowers.

Moreguardedthanhisfellows':Seeitdone.

Lau. Father, in:—(Exit OLDGOBBO.) I cannot get a service, no!—I havene'era tongue inmyhead!—Well; (lookingonhispalm) ifanymaninItalyhavea fairer table;whichdothoffer to swearuponabook I shallhavegoodfortune!Goto,here'sasimplelineoflife!here'sasmalltrifleofwives:Alas,fifteenwivesisnothing;elevenwidowsandninemaids,isasimplecominginforoneman:andthen,to'scapedrowningthrice;andtobeinperilofmylife

with theedgeofa feather-bed,herearesimple 'scapes!Well, if fortunebeawomanshe'sagoodwenchforthisgear.—I'lltakemyleaveoftheJewinthetwinklingofaneye.

ExitLAUNCELOT.

Bas.Ipraythee,goodLeonardo,thinkonthis;Thesethingsbeingboughtandorderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night My best-esteem'dacquaintance:hiethee,go.

Leo.Mybestendeavoursshallbedoneherein.

EnterGRATIANO.

Gra.Whereisyourmaster?

Leo.Yonder,sir,hewalks.

ExitLEONARDO

Gra.SigniorBassanio,—

Bas.Gratiano!

Gra.Ihaveasuittoyou.

Bas.Youhaveobtainedit.

Gra.Youmustnotdenyme:ImustgowithyoutoBelmont.

Bas.Why,thenyoumust.—Buthearthee,Gratiano;

Thouarttoowild,toorude,andboldofvoice;

Parts,thatbecometheehappilyenough,

Andinsucheyesasoursappearnotfaults;

But,wheretheyarenotknown,why,theretheyshow

Somethingtooliberal:—praytheetakepain

Toallaywithsomecolddropsofmodesty

Thyskippingspirit;lest,throughthywildbehaviour,

IbemisconstruedintheplaceIgoto,

Andlosemyhopes.

Gra.SigniorBassanio,hearme:

IfIdonotputonasoberhabit,

Talkwithrespect,andswearbutnowandthen,

Wearprayer-booksinmypocket,lookdemurely;

Naymore,whilegraceissaying,hoodmineeyes

Thuswithmyhat,andsigh,andsayamen;

Usealltheobservanceofcivility,

Likeonewellstudiedinasadostent;

Topleasehisgrandam,—nevertrustmemore.

Bas,Well,weshallseeyourbearing.

Gra.Nay,butIbarto-night;youshallnotgageme

Bywhatwedoto-night.

Bas.No,thatwerepity;

Iwouldentreatyourathertoputon

Yourboldestsuitofmirth,forwehavefriends

Thatpurposemerriment:Butfareyouwell,

Ihavesomebusiness.

Gra.AndImusttoLorenzoandtherest;

Butwewillvisityouatsuppertime.

Exeunt.EnterJESSICAandLAUNCELOTfromSHYLOCK'Shouse.

Jes.Iamsorrythouwiltleavemyfatherso;

Ourhouseishell,andthou,amerrydevil,

Didstrobitofsometasteoftediousness:

Butfaretheewell:thereisaducatforthee;

And,Launcelot,soonatsuppershallthousee

Lorenzo,whoisthynewmaster'sguest:

Givehimthisletter;doitsecretly,

Andsofarewell;Iwouldnothavemyfather

Seemeintalkwiththee.

Lau.Adieu!—Tearsexhibitmytongue.Mostbeautiful

pagan,—mostsweetJew!Adieu!thesefoolishdropsdo

somewhatdrownmymanlyspirit:adieu.

Exit.

Jes.Farewell,goodLauncelot.

Alack,whatheinoussinisitinme,

Tobeasham'dtobemyfather'schild!

ButthoughIamadaughtertohisblood,

Iamnottohismanners:OLorenzo,

Ifthoukeeppromise,Ishallendthisstrife;

BecomeaChristian,andthylovingwife.

Exitintohouse.

EnterGRATIANO,LORENZO,SALARINO,andSALANIO.

Lor.Nay,wewillslinkawayinsuppertime;

Disguiseusatmylodging,andreturn

Allinanhour.

Gra.Wehavenotmadegoodpreparation.

Salar.Wehavenotspokeusyetoftorch-bearers.

Sal.'Tisvile,unlessitmaybequaintlyorder'd;

Andbetter,inmymind,notundertook.

Lor.'Tisnowbutfouro'clock;wehavetwohours

Tofurnishus.—

EnterLAUNCELOTwithaletter.

FriendLauncelot,what'sthenews?

Lau.Anitshallpleaseyoutobreakupthis,itshallseemtosignify.

Lor.Iknowthehand:infaith,'tisafairhand;

Andwhiterthanthepaperitwriton

Isthefairhandthatwrit.

Gra.Love-news,infaith.

Lau.Byyourleave,sir.

Lor.Whithergoestthou?

Lau.Marry, sir, to bidmy oldmaster the Jew to sup to-nightwithmy newmastertheChristian.

Lor. Hold here, take this:—tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her;—speak itprivately;go.

ExitLAUNCELOTintohouse.

Gentlemen,

Willyouprepareyouforthismasqueto-night?

Iamprovidedofatorch-bearer.

Salar.Ay,marry,I'llbegoneaboutitstraight.

Sal.AndsowillI.

Lor.MeetmeandGratiano

AtGratiano'slodgingsomehourhence.

Salar.'Tisgoodwedoso.

ExeuntSALARINOandSALANIO.

Gra.WasnotthatletterfromfairJessica?

Lor.Imustneedstelltheeall:Shehathdirected

HowIshalltakeherfromherfather'shouse;

Whatgoldandjewelssheisfurnish'dwith;

Come,gowithme;perusethisasthougoest:

FairJessicashallbemytorch-bearer.

Exeunt.EnterSHYLOCKandLAUNCELOTfromHouse.

Shy.Well,thoushaltsee,thyeyesshallbethyjudge,

ThedifferenceofoldShylockandBassanio:

What,Jessica!—thoushaltnotgormandize,

Asthouhastdonewithme;—What,Jessica!—

Andsleepandsnore,andrendapparelout;—

Why,Jessica,Isay!

Lau.Why,Jessica!

Shy.Whobidstheecall?Idonotbidtheecall.

Lau.YourworshipwaswonttotellmeIcoulddonothingwithoutbidding.

EnterJESSICA.

Jes.Callyou?Whatisyourwill?

Shy.Iambidforthtosupper,Jessica;

Therearemykeys:—ButwhereforeshouldIgo?

Iamnotbidforlove:theyflatterme:

ButyetI'llgoinhate,tofeedupon

TheprodigalChristian:—Jessica,mygirl,

Looktomyhouse:—Iamrightloathtogo;

Thereissomeillabrewingtowardsmyrest,

ForIdiddreamofmoney-bagstonight.

Lau.Ibeseechyou,sir,go;myyoungmasterdothexpectyourreproach.

Shy.SodoIhis.

Lau. And they have conspired together,—I will not say, you shall see amasque;butifyoudo,thenitwasnotfornothingthatmynosefellableedingonBlackMonday last, at six o'clock i'themorning, falling out that year onAsh-Wednesdaywasfouryearintheafternoon.

Shy.What!aretheremasques?Hearyoume,Jessica:

Lockupmydoors;andwhenyouhearthedrum,

Andthevilesqueakingofthewry-neck'dfife,

Clambernotyouuptothecasementsthen,

Northrustyourheadintothepublicstreet,

TogazeonChristianfoolswithvarnish'dfaces:

Butstopmyhouse'sears,Imeanmycasements;

Letnotthesoundofshallowfopperyenter

Mysoberhouse.—ByJacob'sstaffIswear,

Ihavenomindoffeastingforthto-night:

ButIwillgo.—Goyoubeforeme,sirrah;

Say,Iwillcome.

Lau.Iwillgobefore,Sir.—

Mistress,lookoutatwindow,forallthis;

TherewillcomeaChristianby,

WillbeworthaJewess'eye.

ExitLAUNCELOT.

Shy.WhatsaysthatfoolofHagar'soffspring,ha?

Jes.Hiswordswere,Farewell,mistress;nothingelse.

Shy.Thepatchiskindenough;butahugefeeder,

Snail-slowinprofit,andhesleepsbyday

Morethanthewildcat:droneshivenotwithme,

ThereforeIpartwithhim;andpartwithhim

ToonethatIwouldhavehimhelptowaste

Hisborrow'dpurse.—Well,Jessica,goin;

Perhaps,Iwillreturnimmediately;

DoasIbidyou,

Shutdoorsafteryou:Fastbind,fastfind;

Aproverbneverstaleinthriftymind.

Exit.

Jes.Farewell;andifmyfortunebenotcrost,

Ihaveafather,youadaughter,lost.

Exitintohouse.EnterGRATIANOandSALARINO,masqued.

Gra.Thisisthepent-house,underwhichLorenzo

Desir'dustomakestand.

Sal.Hishourisalmostpast.

Gra.Anditismarvelheout-dwellshishour,

Forloverseverrunbeforetheclock.

Sal.O,tentimesfasterVenus'pigeonsfly

Toseallove'sbondsnewmade,thantheyarewont

Tokeepobligedfaithunforfeited!

Gra.Thateverholds:whorisethfromafeast,

Withthatkeenappetitethathesitsdown?

Whereisthehorsethatdothuntreadagain

Histediousmeasureswiththeunbatedfire

Thathedidpacethemfirst?Allthingsthatare,

Arewithmorespiritchasedthanenjoy'd.

EnterLORENZO.

Sal.HerecomesLorenzo.

Lor.Sweetfriends,yourpatienceformylongabode:

NotI,butmyaffairs,havemadeyouwait:

Whenyoushallpleasetoplaythethievesforwives,

I'llwatchaslongforyouthen.—

HeredwellsmyfatherJew:—

GLEE.

O happy fair!Your eyes are lode-stars, and your tongue sweet air!Moretuneablethanlarktoshepherd'searWhenwheatisgreen,whenhawthornbudsappear!

Ho!who'swithin?

EnterJESSICA,above.

Jes.Whoareyou?Tellme,formorecertainty,

AlbeitI'llswearthatIdoknowyourtongue.

Lor.Lorenzo,andthylove.

Jes.Lorenzo,certain;andmylove,indeed;

ForwholoveIsomuch?Andnowwhoknows

Butyou,Lorenzo,whetherIamyours?

Lor.Heaven,andthythoughts,arewitnessthatthouart.

Jes.Here,catchthiscasket;itisworththepains.

Lor.Come,comeatonce;

Fortheclosenightdothplaytherun-away,

AndwearestaidforatBassanio'sfeast.

Jes.Iwillmakefastthedoors,andgildmyself

Withsomemoreducats,andbewithyoustraight.

Exitfromabove.

Gra.Now,bymyhood,aGentileandnoJew.

Lor.Beshrewme,butIloveherheartily:

Forsheiswise,ifIcanjudgeofher;

Andfairsheis,ifthatmineeyesbetrue;

Andtruesheis,asshehathprov'dherself;

Andtherefore,likeherself,wise,fair,andtrue,

Shallshebeplacedinmyconstantsoul.

EnterJESSICA,below.

What,artthoucome?—On,gentlemen,away;

Ourmasquingmatesbythistimeforusstay.

Exeunt

EntervariouspartiesofMaskers,Revellers,&c.

ENDOFSECONDACT.

ACTIII.

SCENEI.—SALOONOFTHECASKETSINPORTIA'SHOUSEATBELMONT.

EnterNERISSA,withSERVANTS.

Ner.TheprinceofArragonhathta'enhisoath,

Andcomestohiselectionpresently.

FlourishofTrumpets.

EnterthePRINCEOFARRAGON,PORTIA,andtheirTrains.

Por.Behold,therestandthecaskets,nobleprince;

IfyouchoosethatwhereinIamcontain'd,

Straightshallournuptialritesbesolemniz'd;

Butifyoufail,withoutmorespeech,mylord,

Youmustbegonefromhenceimmediately.

Arr.Iamenjoin'dbyoathtoobservethreethings:

First,nevertounfoldtoanyone

Whichcasket'twasIchose;next,ifIfail

Oftherightcasket,neverinmylife

Towooamaidinwayofmarriage;lastly,

IfIdofailinfortuneofmychoice,

Immediatelytoleaveyouandbegone.

Por.Totheseinjunctionseveryonedothswear

Thatcomestohazardformyworthlessself.

Arr.AndsohaveIaddress'dme:Fortunenow

Tomyheart'shope!—Gold,silver,andbaselead.

'Whochoosethmemustgiveandhazardallhehath.'

Whatsaysthegoldenchest?ha!letmesee:

'Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire.'

Whatmanymendesire.—Thatmanymaybemeant

Bythefoolmultitude,thatchoosebyshow,

Why,then,tothee,thousilvertreasure-house;

Tellmeoncemorewhattitlethoudostbear:

'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves;'

Andwellsaidtoo.Forwhoshallgoabout

Tocozenfortune,andbehonourable

Withoutthestampofmerit!

O,thatestates,degrees,andoffices,

Werenotderiv'dcorruptly!andthatclearhonour

Werepurchas'dbythemeritofthewearer!

Howmanythenshouldcoverthatstandbare?

Howmanybecommandedthatcommand?

Andhowmuchhonour

Pick'dfromthechaffandruinofthetimes,

Tobenewvarnish'd?Well,buttomychoice:

'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves:'

Iwillassumedesert:—Givemeakeyforthis,

Andinstantlyunlockmyfortuneshere.

Por.Toolongapauseforthatwhichyoufindthere.

Arr.What'shere:theportraitofablinkingidiot,

Presentingmeaschedule?Iwillreadit.

Some there be that shadows kiss;Such have but a shadow's bliss:There befoolsalive,Iwis,Silver'do'er;andsowasthis.'

StillmorefoolIshallappearBythetimeI lingerhere:Withonefool'sheadIcametowoo,ButIgoawaywithtwo.

Sweet,adieu!I'llkeepmyoath,

Patientlytobearmywroath.

ExeuntARRAGONandTrain.

Por.Thushaththecandlesing'dthemoth.

Othesedeliberatefools!whentheydochoose,

Theyhavethewisdombytheirwittolose.

Ner.Theancientsayingisnoheresy;—

Hangingandwivinggoesbydestiny.

EnterBALTHAZAR.

Ser.Madam,thereisalightedatyourgate

AyoungVenetian,onethatcomesbefore

Tosignifytheapproachingofhislord:

Fromwhomhebringethsensibleregreets;

Towit,besidescommendsandcourteousbreath,

Giftsofrichvalue;yetIhavenotseen

Solikelyanambassadoroflove.

Por.Nomore,Ipraythee.

Come,come,Nerissa;forIlongtosee

QuickCupid'spostthatcomessomannerly.

Ner.Bassanio,lordlove,ifthywillitbe!

Exeunt.

SCENEII.—RIALTOBRIDGE,ANDGRANDCANAL.

EnterSALARINOandSALANIO.

Salar.Why,man,IsawBassanioundersail;

WithhimisGratianogonealong;

Andintheirship,Iamsure,Lorenzoisnot.

Sal.ThevillainJewwithoutcriesrais'dtheduke;

WhowentwithhimtosearchBassanio'sship.

Salar.Hecametoolate,theshipwasundersail;

Buttherethedukewasgiventounderstand,

Thatinagondolawereseentogether

LorenzoandhisamorousJessica;

Besides,Antoniocertifiedtheduke,

TheywerenotwithBassanioinhisship.

Sal.Ineverheardapassionsoconfus'd,

Sostrange,outrageous,andsovariable,

AsthedogJewdidutterinthestreets;

"Mydaughter!—O,myducats!—O,mydaughter!

FledwithaChristian!—O,myChristianducats!—

Justice!thelaw!myducats,andmydaughter.!"

LetgoodAntoniolookhekeephisday,

Orheshallpayforthis.

Salar.Marry,well remember'd: I reason'dwith a Frenchman yesterday,whotoldmethatAntoniohathashipofrichladingwreck'donthenarrowseasthatpart the French andEnglish,—theGoodwins, I think they call the place—averydangerousflatandfatal,wherethecarcasesofmanyatallshiplieburied,astheysay,ifmygossipreportbeanhonestwomanofherword.

Sal.Iwouldshewereaslyingagossipinthat,aseverknapp'dginger,ormadeherneighboursbelievesheweptforthedeathofathirdhusband:Butitistrue,thatthegoodAntonio,thehonestAntonio,—O,thatIhadatitlegoodenoughtokeephisnamecompany!—

Salar.Come,thefullstop.

Sal.Why,theendis,hehathlostaship.

Salar.Iwoulditmightprovetheendofhislosses!

Sal. Let me say amen betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer; for here hecomesinthelikenessofaJew.

EnterSHYLOCK.

Salar.Hownow,Shylock?whatnewsamongthemerchants?

Shy.Youknew,nonesowell,nonesowellasyou,ofmydaughter'sflight?

Sal.That'scertain.I,formypart,knewthetailorthatmadethewingssheflewwithal.

Salar.AndShylock,forhisownpart,knewthebirdwasfledg'd;andthenitisthecomplexionofthemalltoleavethedam.

Shy.Sheisdamn'dforit.

Sal.That'scertain,ifthedevilmaybeherjudge.

Shy.Myownfleshandbloodtorebel!

Salar.Buttellus,doyouhearwhetherAntoniohavehadanylossatseaorno?

Shy.ThereIhaveanotherbadmatch:abankrupt,aprodigal,whodarescarceshowhisheadon theRialto; abeggar, that used to come so smugupon themart.—Lethimlooktohisbond:hewaswonttocallmeusurer;—lethimlookto his bond: hewaswont to lendmoney for aChristian courtesy;—let himlooktohisbond.

Sal.Why,Iamsure,ifheforfeit,thouwiltnottakehisflesh?What'sthatgoodfor?

Shy.Tobaitfishwithal:ifitwillfeednothingelseitwillfeedmyrevenge.Hehath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,mocked at my gains, scornedmy nation, thwartedmy bargains, cooledmyfriends,heatedmineenemies:andwhat'shisreason?IamaJew.HathnotaJew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections,passions?fedwiththesamefood,hurtwiththesameweapons,subjecttothesame diseases, healed by the samemeans,warmed and cooled by the samewinterandsummerasaChristianis?Ifyouprickus,dowenotbleed?ifyoutickleus,dowenotlaugh?ifyoupoisonus,dowenotdie?andifyouwrongus,shallwenotrevenge?Ifwearelikeyouintherest,wewillresembleyouin that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? revenge: If aChristianwrongaJew,whatshouldhissufferancebebyChristianexample?why,revenge.ThevillanyyouteachmeIwillexecute:anditshallgohardbutIwillbettertheinstruction.

Salar.Herecomesanotherof thetribe;athirdcannotbematched,unlessthedevilhimselfturnJew.

ExeuntSALANIO,SALARINO,andServant.

EnterTUBAL.

Shy.Hownow,Tubal,whatnewsfromGenoa?hastthoufoundmydaughter?

Tub.IoftencamewhereIdidhearofher,butcannotfindher.

Shy.Why, there, there, there, there! a diamondgone, costme two thousandducatsinFrankfort!Thecurseneverfelluponournationtillnow;Ineverfeltittillnow:—twothousandducatsinthat;andotherprecious,preciousjewels.—Iwouldmydaughterweredeadatmyfoot,andthejewelsinherear!'wouldshewerehears'datmyfoot,andtheducatsinhercoffin!Nonewsofthem?—Why, so:—and I know notwhat's spent in the search:Why, thou loss uponloss! the thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and nosatisfaction, no revenge: nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' myshoulders;nosighsbuto'mybreathing;notearsbuto'myshedding.

Tub.Yes,othermenhaveillluck,too.Antonio,asIheardinGenoa,—

Shy.What,what,what?illluck,illluck?

Tub.Hathanargosycastaway,comingfromTripolis.

Shy.IthankGod,IthankGod:—Isittrue?isittrue?

Tub.Ispokewithsomeofthesailorsthatescapedthewreck.

Shy.Ithankthee,goodTubal;—Goodnews,goodnews:ha!ha!—Where?inGenoa?

Tub.YourdaughterspentinGenoa,asIheard,onenight,fourscoreducats!

Shy.Thoustick'stadaggerinme:—Ishallneverseemygoldagain:Fourscoreducatsatasitting!fourscoreducats!

Tub.TherecamediversofAntonio'screditorsinmycompanytoVenice,thatswearhecannotchoosebutbreak.

Shy.Iamverygladofit:I'llplaguehim;I'lltorturehim;Iamgladofit.

Tub. One of them showed me a ring, that he had of your daughter for amonkey.

Shy.Outuponher!Thoutorturestme,Tubal:itwasmyturquoise;IhaditofLeah,when Iwas a bachelor: Iwouldnot havegiven it for awildernessofmonkeys.

Tub.ButAntonioiscertainlyundone.

Shy.Nay, that's true, that's very true:Go,Tubal, feeme an officer, bespeakhimafortnightbefore:Iwillhavetheheartofhim,ifheforfeit;forwerehe

outofVenice,IcanmakewhatmerchandizeIwill.Go,Tubal,andmeetmeatoursynagogue:go,goodTubal;atoursynagogue,Tubal.

Exeunt.

SCENEIII.—SALOONOFTHECASKETS,INPORTIA'SHOUSE,ATBELMONT.

BASSANIO,PORTIA,GRATIANO,NERISSA,andAttendants.

Por.Iprayyou,tarry;pauseadayortwo,

Beforeyouhazard;for,inchoosingwrong

Iloseyourcompany;Icouldteachyou

Howtochooseright,butthenIamforsworn;

SowillIneverbe:somayyoumissme;

Butifyoudo,you'llmakemewishasin,

ThatIhadbeenforsworn.

Bas.Letmechoose;

For,asIam,Iliveupontherack.

Come,letmetomyfortuneandthecaskets.

Por.Awaythen:Iamlock'dinoneofthem;

Ifyoudoloveme,youwillfindmeout.

Letmusicsound,whilehedothmakehischoice:

Then,ifhelose,hemakesaswan-likeend,

Fadinginmusic.—Thatthecomparison

Maystandmoreproper,myeyeshallbethestream

Andwat'rydeath-bedforhim.

Music,whilstBASSANIOcommentsontheCasketstohimself.

SONG.

1.Tellmewhereisfancybred.Orintheheart,orinthehead?Howbegot,hownourishedReply,reply.

2. It is engender'd in the eyes,With gazing fed; and fancy diesIn the cradlewhere it lies:Let us all ring fancy's knell;I'll begin it.—Ding, dong, bell.All.Ding,dong,bell.

ExeuntallbutPORTIAandBASSANIO.

Bas.Somaytheoutwardshowsbeleastthemselves;

Theworldisstilldeceiv'dwithornament.

Inlaw,whatpleasotaintedandcorrupt,

But,beingseason'dwithagraciousvoice,

Obscurestheshowofevil?Inreligion,

Whatdamnederror,butsomesoberbrow

Willblessitandapproveitwithatext,

Hidingthegrossnesswithfairornament?

Thereisnovicesosimple,butassumes

Somemarkofvirtueonhisoutwardparts.

Thusornamentisbuttheguiledshore

Toamostdangeroussea;thebeauteousscarf

VeilinganIndianbeauty.Therefore,thougaudygold,

HardfoodforMidas,Iwillnoneofthee:

Nornoneofthee,thoupaleandcommondrudge

'Tweenmanandman.Butthou,thoumeagrelead,

Whichratherthreat'nestthandostpromiseaught,

Thyplainnessmovesmemorethaneloquence,

AndherechooseI.Joybetheconsequence!

Por.Howalltheotherpassionsfleettoair!

Olove,bemoderate,allaythyecstacy,

Ifeeltoomuchthyblessing,makeitless,

ForfearIsurfeit!

Bas.WhatfindIhere!

Openingtheleadencasket.

FairPortia'scounterfeit?—Here'sthescroll,

Thecontinentandsummaryofmyfortune.

'Youthatchoosenotbytheview,Chanceasfelt,andchooseastrue!Sincethisfortune falls toyou,Becontent, and seeknonew.Ifyoubewellpleas'dwiththis,And hold your fortune for your bliss.Turn you where your lady is,Andclaimherwithalovingkiss.'

Agentlescroll.—Fairlady,byyourleave,

Icomebynote,togiveandtoreceive.

YetdoubtfulwhetherwhatIseebetrue,

Untilconfirm'd,sign'd,ratifiedbyyou.

Por.Yousee,mylordBassanio,whereIstand,

SuchasIam:though,formyselfalone,

Iwouldnotbeambitiousinmywish,

Towishmyselfmuchbetter;yet,foryou,

Iwouldbetrebledtwentytimesmyself.

ButnowIwasthelord

Ofthisfairmansion,masterofmyservants,

Queeno'ermyself;andevennow,butnow,

Thishouse,theseservants,andthissamemyself.

Areyours,mylord,—Igivethemwiththisring;

Which,whenyoupartfrom,lose,orgiveaway,

Letitpresagetheruinofyourlove,

Andbemyvantagetoexclaimonyou.

Bas.Madam,youhavebereftmeofallwords;

Onlymybloodspeakstoyouinmyveins:

Butwhenthisring

Partsfromthisfinger,thenpartslifefromhence;

O,thenbeboldtosay,Bassanio'sdead.

Ner.Mylordandlady,itisnowourtime,

Thathavestoodbyandseenourwishesprosper,

Tocrygoodjoy;Godjoy,mylordandlady!

Gra.MylordBassanio,andmygentlelady,

Iwishyouallthejoythatyoucanwish;

ForIamsureyoucanwishnonefromme:

And,whenyourhonoursmeantosolemnize

Thebargainofyourfaith,Idobeseechyou

EvenatthattimeImaybemarriedtoo.

Bas.Withallmyheart,sothoucanstgetawife.

Gra.Ithankyourlordship;youhavegotmeone.

Myeyes,mylord,canlookasswiftasyours:

Yousawthemistress,Ibeheldthemaid;

Youlov'd,Ilov'd;forintermission

Nomorepertainstome,mylord,thanyou.

Yourfortunestooduponthecasketsthere;

Andsodidminetoo,asthematterfalls:

Forwooinghere,untilmyroofwasdry

Withoathsoflove,atlast,—ifpromiselast,—

Igotapromiseofthisfaironehere,

Tohaveherlove,providedthatyourfortune

Achiev'dhermistress.

Por.Isthistrue,Nerissa?

Ner.Madam,itis,soyoustandpleas'dwithal.

Bas.Anddoyou,Gratiano,meangoodfaith?

Gra.Yes,faith,mylord.

Bas.Ourfeastshallbemuchhonour'dinyourmarriage.

Gra.Butwhocomeshere?Lorenzo,andhisinfidel?

What,andmyoldVenetianfriend,Solanio.

EnterLORENZO,JESSICA,andSALANIO.

Bas.Lorenzo,andSolanio,welcomehither;

Ifthattheyouthofmynewinteresthere

Havepowertobidyouwelcome:—Byyourleave,

Ibidmyveryfriendsandcountrymen,

SweetPortia,welcome.

Por.SodoI,mylord;

Theyareentirelywelcome.

Lor.Ithankyourhonour:—Formypart,mylord,

Mypurposewasnottohaveseenyouhere;

ButmeetingwithSolaniobytheway,

Hedidentreatme,pastallsayingnay,

Tocomewithhimalong.

Sal.Idid,mylord,

AndIhavereasonforit.SigniorAntonio

Commendshimtoyou.

GivesBASSANIOaletter.

Bas.EreIopethisletter,

Iprayyoutellmehowmygoodfrienddoth.

Sal.Notsick,mylord,unlessitbeinmind:

Norwell,unlessinmind:hisletterthere

Willshowyouhisestate.

Gra.Nerissa,cheeryonstranger;bidherwelcome.

Yourhand,Solanio.What'sthenewsfromVenice?

Howdoththatroyalmerchant,goodAntonio?

Iknowhewillbegladofoursuccess;

WearetheJasons,wehavewonthefleece.

Sal.'Wouldyouhadwonthefleecethathehathlost!

Por.Therearesomeshrewdcontentsinyonsamepaper,

ThatstealthecolourfromBassanio'scheek;

Somedearfrienddead;elsenothingintheworld

Couldturnsomuchtheconstitution

Ofanyconstantman.What,worseandworse?—

Withleave,Bassanio;Iamhalfyourself,

AndImustfreelyhavethehalfofanything

Thatthissamepaperbringsyou.

Bas.OsweetPortia,

Hereareafewoftheunpleasant'stwords

Thateverblottedpaper!Gentlelady,

WhenIdidfirstimpartmylovetoyou,

Ifreelytoldyou,allthewealthIhad

Raninmyveins,—Iwasagentleman:

AndthenItoldyoutrue:andyet,dearlady,

Ratingmyselfatnothing,youshallsee

HowmuchIwasabraggart:WhenItoldyou

Mystatewasnothing,Ishouldthenhavetoldyou

ThatIwasworsethannothing;for,indeed,

Ihaveengag'dmyselftoadearfriend,

Engag'dmyfriendtohismereenemy,

Tofeedmymeans.Hereisaletter,lady;

Thepaperasthebodyofmyfriend,

Andeverywordinitagapingwound,

Issuinglife-blood.Butisittrue,Solanio?

Haveallhisventuresfail'd?What,notonehit?

FromTripolis,fromMexico,andEngland,

FromLisbon,Barbary,andIndia?

Andnotonevessel'scapethedreadfultouch

Ofmerchant-marringrocks?

Sal.Notone,mylord.

Besides,itshouldappear,thatifhehad

ThepresentmoneytodischargetheJew,

Hewouldnottakeit:NeverdidIknow

Acreaturethatdidbeartheshapeofman,

Sokeenandgreedytoconfoundaman.

Hepliesthedukeatmorning,andatnight;

Anddothimpeachthefreedomofthestate

Iftheydenyhimjustice:twentymerchants,

Thedukehimself,andthemagnificoes

Ofgreatestport,haveallpersuadedwithhim;

Butnonecandrivehimfromtheenviousplea

Offorfeiture,ofjustice,andhisbond.

Por.Isityourdearfriendthatisthusintrouble?

Bas.Thedearestfriendtome,thekindestman,

Thebestcondition'dandunweariedspirit

Indoingcourtesies,andoneinwhom

TheancientRomanhonourmoreappears,

ThananythatdrawsbreathinItaly.

Por.WhatsumoweshetheJew?

Bas.Forme,threethousandducats.

Por.What,nomore?

Payhimsixthousand,anddefacethebond;

Doublesixthousand,andthentreblethat,

Beforeafriendofthisdescription

ShallloseahairthroughBassanio'sfault.

First,gowithmetochurch,andcallmewife:

AndthenawaytoVenicetoyourfriend!

FornevershallyoustaybyPortia'sside

Withanunquietsoul.Youshallhavegold

Topaythepettydebttwentytimesover;

Whenitispaid,bringyourtruefriendalong:

MymaidNerissa,andmyself,meantime,

Willliveasmaidsandwidows.Come,away;

Foryoushallhence,uponmywedding-day:

Butletmeheartheletterofyourfriend.

Bas.(reads.)

'SweetBassanio,my shipshaveallmiscarried,mycreditorsgrowcruel,myestateisverylow,mybondtotheJewisforfeit;andsince,inpayingit, it isimpossibleIshouldlive,alldebtsareclearedbetweenyouandme,ifImightbutseeyouatmydeath:notwithstanding,useyourpleasure: ifyour lovedonotpersuadeyoutocome,letnotmyletter.'

Por.Olove,despatchallbusiness,andbegone.

Bas.SinceIhaveyourgoodleavetogoaway,

Iwillmakehaste:but,tillIcomeagain,

Nobedshalle'erbeguiltyofmystay,

Norrestbeinterposer'twixtustwain.

Exeunt.

SCENEIV.—VENICE.THECOLUMNSOFST.MARK.

EnterSHYLOCK,SALARINO,ANTONIO,andGAOLER.

Shy,Gaoler,looktohim.Tellnotmeofmercy;—

Thisisthefoolthatlendsoutmoneygratis;—

Gaoler,looktohim.

Ant.Hearmeyet,goodShylock.

Shy.I'llhavemybond;speaknotagainstmybond;

IhaveswornanoaththatIwillhavemybond:

Thoucall'dstmedog,beforethouhad'stacause:

But,sinceIamadog,bewaremyfangs:

Thedukeshallgrantmejustice.—Idowonder,

Thounaughtygaoler,thatthouartsofond

Tocomeabroadwithhimathisrequest.

Ant.Ipraythee,hearmespeak.

Shy.I'llhavemybond;Iwillnotheartheespeak:

I'llhavemybond;andthereforespeaknomore.

I'llnotbemadeasoftanddull-ey'dfool,

Toshakethehead,relent,andsigh,andyield

ToChristianintercessors.Follownot;

I'llhavenospeaking;Iwillhavemybond.

ExitSHYLOCK.

Salar.Itisthemostimpenetrablecur

Thateverkeptwithmen.

Ant.Lethimalone;

I'llfollowhimnomorewithbootlessprayers.

Heseeksmylife.

Salar.Iamsuretheduke

Willnevergrantthisforfeituretohold.

Ant.Thedukecannotdenythecourseoflaw,

Forthecommoditythatstrangershave

WithusinVenice,ifitbedenied,

'Twillmuchimpeachthejusticeofthestate;

Sincethatthetradeandprofitofthecity

Consistethofallnations.

Well,gaoler,on:—Prayheaven,Bassaniocome

Toseemepayhisdebt,andthenIcarenot.

Exeunt.

SCENEV.—SALOONOFTHECASKETSINPORTIA'SHOUSEATBELMONT.

EnterPORTIA,NERISSA,LORENZO,JESSICA,andBALTHAZAR.

Lor.Madam,althoughIspeakitinyourpresence,

Youhaveanobleandatrueconceit

Ofgod-likeamity;whichappearsmoststrongly

Inbearingthustheabsenceofyourlord.

But,ifyouknewtowhomyoushowthishonour,

Howtrueagentlemanyousendrelief,

Howdearaloverofmylordyourhusband,

Iknowyouwouldbeprouderofthework,

Thancustomarybountycanenforceyou.

Por.Ineverdidrepentfordoinggood,

Norshallnotnow.

Thiscomestoonearthepraisingofmyself;

Therefore,nomoreofit:hearotherthings.

Lorenzo,Icommitintoyourhands

Thehusbandryandmanageofmyhouse,

Untilmylord'sreturn:formineownpart,

Ihavetowardheavenbreath'dasecretvow,

Toliveinprayerandcontemplation,

OnlyattendedbyNerissahere;

Thereisamonasterytwomilesoff,

Andtherewewillabide.Idodesireyou

Nottodenythisimposition;

Towhichmylove,andsomenecessity,

Nowlaysuponyou.

Lor.Madam,withallmyheart,

Ishallobeyyouinallfaircommands.

Por.Mypeopledoalreadyknowmymind,

AndwillacknowledgeyouandJessica

InplaceoflordBassanioandmyself.

Sofareyouwell,tillweshallmeetagain.

Lor.Fairthoughtsandhappyhoursattendonyou!

Jes.Iwishyourladyshipallheart'scontent.

Por.Ithankyouforyourwish,andamwellpleas'd

Towishitbackonyou:fareyouwell,Jessica!

ExeuntJESSICAandLORENZO.

Now,Balthazar,

AsIhaveeverfoundtheehonest,true,

Soletmefindtheestill:Takethissameletter;

Seethourenderthis

Intomycousin'shand,doctorBellario;

And,look,whatnotesandgarmentshedothgivethee

Bringthem,Ipraythee,withimagin'dspeed

Untothetranect,tothecommonferry

WhichtradestoVenice:—wastenotimeinwords,

Butgettheegone;Ishallbetherebeforethee.

Bal.Madam,Igowithallconvenientspeed.

Exit.

Por.Comeon,Nerissa;Ihaveworkinhand,

Thatyouyetknownotof:we'llseeourhusbands,

Beforetheythinkofus.

Ner.Shalltheyseeus?

Por.Theyshall,Nerissa:

Butcome,I'lltelltheeallmywholedevice

WhenIaminmycoach,whichstaysforus

Attheparkgate;andthereforehasteaway,

Forwemustmeasuretwentymilesto-day.

Exeunt.

ENDOFACTTHIRD.

ACTIV.

SCENEI.—VENICE.ACOURTOFJUSTICE.

TheDUKE,theMAGNIFICOESANTONIO,BASSANIO,GRATIANO,SALARINO,SALANIO,andothers.

Duke.WhatisAntoniohere?

Ant.Ready,sopleaseyourgrace.

Duke,Iamsorryforthee:themartcometoanswer

Astonyadversary,aninhumanwretch,

Uncapableofpity,voidandempty

Fromanydramofmercy.

Ant.Ihaveheard

Yourgracehathta'engreatpainstoqualify

Hisrigorouscourse;butsincehestandsobdurate,

Andthatnolawfulmeanscancarryme

Outofhisenvy'sreach,Idooppose

Mypatiencetohisfury;andamarm'd

Tosuffer,withaquietnessofspirit,

Theverytyrannyandrageofhis.

Duke.Goone,andcalltheJewintothecourt.

GrandCapt.He'sreadyatthedoor:hecomes,mylord.

EnterSHYLOCK.

Duke.Makeroom,andlethimstandbeforeourface.

Shylock,theworldthinks,andIthinkso,too,

Thatthoubutlead'stthisfashionofthymalice

Tothelasthourofact:andthen,'tisthought

Thou'ltshowthymercyandremorse,morestrange

Thanisthystrangeapparentcruelty:

Andwherethounowexact'stthepenalty,

(Whichisapoundofthispoormerchant'sflesh),

Thouwiltnotonlylosetheforfeiture,

Buttouch'dwithhumangentlenessandlove,

Forgiveamoietyoftheprincipal;

Glancinganeyeofpityonhislosses,

Thathaveoflatesohuddledonhisback,

Enoughtopressaroyalmerchantdown,

Andpluckcommiserationofhisstate

Frombrassybosoms,androughheartsofflint,

FromstubbornTurksandTartars,nevertrain'd

Toofficesoftendercourtesy.

Weallexpectagentleanswer,Jew.

Shy.Ihavepossess'dyourgraceofwhatIpurpose;

AndbyourholySabbathhaveIsworn,

Tohavethedueandforfeitofmybond:

Ifyoudenyit,letthedangerlight

Uponyourcharter,andyourcity'sfreedom.

You'llaskme,whyIratherchoosetohave

Aweightofcarrionflesh,thantoreceive

Threethousandducats:I'llnotanswerthat:

But,say,itismyhumour:Isitanswer'd?

Whatifmyhousebetroubledwitharat,

AndIbepleas'dtogivetenthousandducats

Tohaveitban'd?What,areyouanswer'dyet?

Somementherearelovenotagapingpig;

Some,thataremadiftheybeholdacat;

Nowforyouranswer.

Asthereisnofirmreasontoberender'd

Whyhecannotabideagapingpig;

Whyheaharmlessnecessarycat;

SocanIgivenoreason,norIwillnot,

Morethanalodg'dhate,andacertainloathing,

IbearAntonio,thatIfollowthus

Alosingsuitagainsthim.Areyouanswer'd?

Bas.Thisisnoanswer,thouunfeelingman,

Toexcusethecurrentofthycruelty.

Shy.Iamnotboundtopleasetheewithmyanswer.

Bas.Doallmenkillthethingstheydonotlove?

Shy.Hatesanymanthethinghewouldnotkill?

Bas.Everyoffenceisnotahateatfirst.

Shy.What,would'stthouhaveaserpentstingtheetwice?

Ant.Iprayyou,thinkyouquestionwiththeJew.

Youmayaswellgostanduponthebeach,

Andbidthemainfloodbatehisusualheight;

Yonmayaswellusequestionwiththewolf,

Whyhehathmadetheewebleatforthelamb;

Youmayaswellforbidthemountainpines

Towagtheirhightops,andtomakenonoise,

Whentheyarefrettedwiththegustsofheaven;

Youmayaswelldoanythingmosthard,

Asseektosoftenthat(thanwhichwhat'sharder?)

HisJewishheart:—Therefore,Idobeseechyou,

Makenomoreoffers,usenofurthermeans,

But,withallbriefandplainconveniency,

Letmehavejudgment,andtheJewhiswill.

Bas.Forthythreethousandducatsherearesix.

Shy.Ifeveryducatinsixthousandducats

Wereinsixparts,andeverypartaducat,

Iwouldnotdrawthem,—Iwouldhavemybond.

Duke.Howshallthouhopeformercy,rend'ringnone?

Shy.WhatjudgmentshallIdread,doingnowrong?

Youhaveamongyoumanyapurchas'dslave,

Which,likeyourasses,andyourdogs,andmules,

Youuseinabjectandinslavishparts,

Becauseyouboughtthem:—ShallIsaytoyou,

Letthembefree,marrythemtoyourheirs?

Whysweattheyunderburthens?lettheirbeds

Bemadeassoftasyours,andlettheirpalates

Beseason'dwithsuchviands?Youwillanswer,

Theslavesareours:—SodoIansweryou.

Thepoundofflesh,whichIdemandofhim.

Isdearlybought;'tismine,andIwillhaveit;

Ifyoudenyme,fieuponyourlaw!

ThereisnoforceinthedecreesofVenice:

Istandforjudgment:answer;shallIhaveit?

Duke.Uponmypower,Imaydismissthiscourt,

UnlessBellario,alearneddoctor,

WhomIhavesentfortodeterminethis,

Comeheretoday.

GrandCapt.Mylord,herestayswithout

Amessenger,withlettersfromthedoctor,

NewcomefromPadua.

Duke.Bringustheletters:—Callthemessenger.

Bas.Goodcheer,Antonio!What,man!courageyet!

TheJewshallhavemyflesh,blood,bones,andall,

Erethoushallloseformeonedropofblood.

Ant.Iamataintedwetheroftheflock,

Meetestfordeath;theweakestkindoffruit

Dropsearliesttotheground,andsoletme:

Youcannotbetterbeemploy'd,Bassanio,

Thantolivestill,andwritemineepitaph.

EnterNERISSA,dressedlikealawyer'sclerk.

Duke.CameyoufromPadua,fromBellario?

Ner.Fromboth,mylord;Bellariogreetsyourgrace.

Presentsaletter.

Bas.Whydostthouwhetthyknifesoearnestly?

Shy.Tocuttheforfeitfromthatbankruptthere.

Gra.Cannoprayerspiercethee?

Shy.No,nonethatthouhastwitenoughtomake.

Gra.O,bethoudamn'dinexorabledog!

Andforthylifeletjusticebeaccus'd.

Thoualmostmakstmewaverinmyfaith,

ToholdopinionwithPythagoras,

Thatsoulsofanimalsinfusethemselves

Intothetrunksofmen:thycurrishspirit

Govern'dawolf,who,hang'dforhumanslaughter,

Evenfromthegallowsdidhisfellsoulfleet,

Andwhilstthoulay'stinthyunhallow'ddam,

Infus'ditselfinthee;forthydesires

Arewolfish,bloody,starv'd,andravenous.

Shy.Tillthoucan'strailthesealfromoffmybond,

Thoubutoffend'stthylungstospeaksoloud:

Repairthywit,goodyouth;oritwillfall

Tocurelessruin.—Istandhereforlaw.

Duke.ThisletterfromBellariodothcommend

Ayoungandlearneddoctortaxourcourt:—

Whereishe?

Ner.Heattendethherehardby,

Toknowyouranswer,whetheryou'lladmithim.

Duke.Withallmyheart:—somethreeorfourofyou

Gogivehimcourteousconducttothisplace.—

Meantime,thecourtshallhearBellario'sletter.

Heraldreads]"Yourgraceshallunderstand,that,atthereceiptofyourletter,Iam very sick; but that in the instant that your messenger came, in lovingvisitation was with me a young doctor of Home; his name is Balthasar: Iacquaintedhimwith thecause incontroversybetween theJewandAntonio,themerchant:we turned o'ermany books together; he is furnishedwithmyopinion;which,better'dwithhisownlearning(thegreatnesswhereofIcannotenoughcommend),comeswithhim,atmyimportunity,tofillupyourgrace'srequestinmystead.Ibeseechyou,lethislackofyearsbenoimpedimenttolethimlackareverendestimation;forIneverknewsoyoungabodywithsooldahead. I leavehim toyourgraciousacceptance,whose trial shallbetterpublishhiscommendation."

Duke.Youhearthelearn'dBellario,whathewrites:

Andhere,Itakeit,isthedoctorcome.

EnterPORTIA,dressedlikeaDoctorofLaws.

Givemeyourhand:CameyoufromoldBellario?

Por.Idid,mylord.

Duke.Youarewelcome:takeyourplace.

Areyouacquaintedwiththedifference

Thatholdsthispresentquestioninthecourt?

Por.Iaminformedthroughlyofthecause.

Whichisthemerchanthere,andwhichtheJew?

Duke.AntonioandoldShylock,bothstandforth.

Por.IsyournameShylock?

Shy.Shylockismyname.

Por.Ofastrangenatureisthesuityoufollow;

YetinsuchrulethattheVenetianlaw

Cannotimpugnyou,asyoudoproceed.—You

standwithinhisdanger,doyounot?

ToANTONIO.

Ant.Ay,sohesays.

Por.Soyouconfessthebond?

Ant.Ido.

Por.ThenmusttheJewbemerciful.

Shy.OnwhatcompulsionmustI?Tellmethat.

Por.Thequalityofmercyisnotstrain'd;

Itdroppeth,asthegentlerainfromheaven

Upontheplacebeneath:itistwicebless'd;

Itblessethhimthatgives,andhimthattakes;

'Tismightiestinthemightiest:itbecomes

Thethronedmonarchbetterthanhiscrown;

Hissceptreshowstheforceoftemporalpower,

Theattributetoaweandmajesty,

Whereindothsitthedreadandfearofkings;

Butmercyisabovethissceptredsway,

Itisenthronedintheheartsofkings,

ItisanattributetoGodhimself;

AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod's

Whenmercyseasonsjustice.Therefore,Jew,

Thoughjusticebethyplea,considerthis—-That

inthecourseofjustice,noneofus

Shouldseesalvation:wedoprayformercy;

Andthatsameprayerdothteachusalltorender

Thedeedsofmercy.Ihavespokethusmuch,

Tomitigatethejusticeofthyplea;

Whichifthoufollow,thisstrictcourtofVenice

Mustneedsgivesentence'gainstthemerchantthere.

Shy.,Mydeedsuponmyhead!Icravethelaw,

Thepenaltyandforfeitofmybond.

Por.Ishenotabletodischargethemoney?

Bas.Yes,hereItenderitforhiminthecourt;

Yea,thricethesum:ifthatwillnotsuffice,

Iwillbeboundtopayittentimeso'er,

Onforfeitofmyhands,myhead,myheart:

Ifthiswillnotsuffice,itmustappear

Thatmalicebearsdowntruth.AndIbeseechyou,

Wrestoncethelawtoyourauthority:

Todoagreatrighttodoalittlewrong;

Andcurbthiscrueldevilofhiswill.

Por.Itmustnotbe;thereisnopowerinVenice

Canalteradecreeestablished:

'Twillberecordedforaprecedent;

Andmanyanerror,bythesameexample,

Willrushintothestate;itcannotbe.

Shy.ADanielcometojudgment!yea,aDaniel!

Owiseyoungjudge,howdoIhonourthee!

Por.Iprayyou,letmelookuponthebond.

Shy.Here'tis,mostreverenddoctor,hereitis.

Por.Shylock,there'sthricethymoneyoffer'dthee.

Shy.Anoath,anoath,Ihaveanoathinheaven:

ShallIlayperjuryuponmysoul?

No,notforVenice.

Por.Why,thisbondisforfeit;

AndlawfullybythistheJewmayclaim

Apoundofflesh,tobebyhimcutoff

Nearestthemerchant'sheart:—Bemerciful;

Takethricethymoney;bidmetearthebond.

Shy.Whenitispaidaccordingtothetenour.

Itdothappearyouareaworthyjudge;

Youknowthelaw,yourexposition

Hathbeenmostsound:Ichargeyoubythelaw,

Whereofyouareawell-deservingpillar,

Proceedtojudgment:bymysoulIswear,

Thereisnopowerinthetongueofman

Toalterme:Istayhereonmybond.

Ant.MostheartilyIdobeseechthecourt

Togivethejudgment.

Por.Whythen,thusitis:

Youmustprepareyourbosomforhisknife.

Shy.Onoblejudge!Oexcellentyoungman!

Por.Fortheintentandpurposeofthelaw

Hathfullrelationtothepenalty,

Whichhereappearethdueuponthebond.

Shy.'Tisverytrue:Owiseanduprightjudge!

Howmuchmoreelderartthouthanthylooks!

Por.Therefore,laybareyourbosom.

Shy.Ay,hisbreast:

Sosaysthebond;—Dothitnot,noblejudge?—Nearest

hisheart,thosearetheverywords.

Por.Itisso.Aretherebalanceheretoweigh

Theflesh?

Shy.Ihavethemready.

Por.Havebysomesurgeon,Shylock,onyourcharge,

Tostophiswounds,lestheshouldbleedtodeath.

Shy.Isitsonominatedinthebond?

Por.Itisnotsoexpress'd;butwhatofthat?

'Tweregoodyoudosomuchforcharity.

Shy.Icannotfindit;'tisnotinthebond.

Por.Come,merchant,haveyouanythingtosay?

Ant.Butlittle;Iamarm'dandwellprepar'd.—

Givemeyourhand,Bassanio;fareyouwell!

GrievenotthatIamfallentothisforyou;

Forhereinfortuneshowsherselfmorekind

Thanishercustom:itisstillheruse,

Toletthewretchedmanoutlivehiswealth,

Toviewwithholloweyeandwrinkledbrow,

Anageofpoverty:fromwhichlingeringpenance

Ofsuchamiserydothshecutmeoff.

Commendmetoyourhonorablewife:

TellhertheprocessofAntonio'send;

Say,howIlov'dyou,speakmefairindeath;

And,whenthetaleistold,bidherbejudge

WhetherBassaniohadnotoncealove.

Repentnotyouthatyoushallloseyourfriend,

Andherepentsnotthathepaysyourdebt;

For,iftheJewdocutbutdeepenough,

I'llpayitinstantlywithallmyheart.

Bas.Antonio,Iammarriedtoawife,

Whichisasdeartomeaslifeitself;

Butlifeitself,mywife,andalltheworld,

Arenotwithmeesteem'dabovethylife;

Iwouldloseall,ay,sacrificethemall

Heretothisdevil,todeliveryou.

Gra.Ihaveawife,whomIprotestIlove;

Iwouldshewereinheaven,soshecould

EntreatsomepowertochangethiscurrishJew.

Shy.ThesebetheChristianhusbands:Ihaveadaughter;

WouldanyofthestockofBarrabas

Hadbeenherhusband,ratherthanaChristian!Aside.

Wetrifletime;Ipraytheepursuesentence.

Por.Apoundofthatsamemerchant'sfleshisthine;

Thecourtawardsit,andthelawdothgiveit.

Shy.Mostrightfuljudge!

Por.Andyoumustcutthisfleshfromoffhisbreast!

Thelawallowsit,andthecourtawardsit.

Shy.Mostlearnedjudge!—Asentence;come,prepare.

Por.Tarryalittle;—thereissomethingelse.—

Thisbonddothgivetheeherenojotofblood;

Thewordsexpresslyareapoundofflesh:

Thentakethybond,takethouthypoundofflesh;

But,inthecuttingit,ifthoudostshed

OnedropofChristianblood,thylandsandgoods

Are,bythelawsofVenice,confiscate

UntothestateofVenice.

Gra.Ouprightjudge!—Mark,Jew!—Olearnedjudge!

Shy.Isthatthelaw?

Por.Thyselfshallseetheact;

For,asthouurgestjustice,beassur'd

Thoushalthavejusticemorethanthoudesir'st.

Gra.Olearnedjudge!—MarkJew;—alearnedjudge!

Shy.Itakehisoffer,then,—paythebondthrice,

AndlettheChristiango.

Bas.Hereisthemoney.

Por.Soft.

TheJewshallhavealljustice;—soft;—nohaste;—He

shallhavenothingbutthepenalty.

Gra.OJew!anuprightjudge,alearnedjudge!

Por.Therefore,preparetheetocutofftheflesh.

Shedthounoblood;norcutthouless,normore,

Butjustapoundofflesh:ifthoutak'stmore,

Orless,thanajustpound,—beitbutsomuch

Asmakesitlightorheavyinthebalance,

Orthedivisionofthetwentiethpart

Ofonepoorscruple,—nay,ifthescaledoturn

Butintheestimationofahair,—

Thoudiest,andallthygoodsareconfiscate.

Gra.AsecondDaniel,aDaniel,Jew!

Now,infidel,Ihavetheeonthehip.

Por.WhydoththeJewpause?takethyforfeiture.

Shy.Givememyprincipal,andletmego.

Bas.Ihaveitreadyforthee;hereitis.

Por.Hehathrefus'ditintheopencourt;

Heshallhavemerelyjustice,andhisbond.

Gra.ADaniel,stillsayI;asecondDaniel!—

thankthee,Jew,forteachingmethatword.

Shy.ShallInotbarelyhavemyprincipal?

Por.Thoushalthavenothingbuttheforfeiture,

Tobesotakenatthyperil,Jew.

Shy.Whythenthedevilgivehimgoodofit!

I'llstaynolongerquestion.

Por.Tarry,Jew;

Thelawhathyetanotherholdonyou.

ItisenactedinthelawsofVenice,—If

itbeprovedagainstanalien,

Thatbydirectorindirectattempts

Heseekthelifeofanycitizen,

Theparty'gainstthewhichhedothcontrive

Shallseizeonehalfhisgoods;theotherhalf

Comestotheprivycofferofthestate;

Andtheoffender'slifeliesinthemercy

Ofthedukeonly,'gainstallothervoice.

Inwhichpredicament,Isay,thoustand'st:

Foritappearsbymanifestproceeding,

That,indirectly,anddirectly,too,

Thouhastcontriv'dagainsttheverylife

Ofthedefendant;andthouhastincurr'd

Thedangerformerlybymerehears'd.

Down,therefore,andbegmercyoftheduke.

Gra.Begthatthoumay'sthaveleavetohangthyself:

Andyet,thywealthbeingforfeittothestate,

Thouhastnotleftthevalueofacord;

Therefore,thoumustbehang'datthestate'scharge.

Duke.Thatthoushallseethedifferenceofourspirit,

Ipardontheethylifebeforethouaskit:

Forhalfthywealth,itisAntonio's;

Theotherhalfcomestothegeneralstate,

Whichhumblenessmaydriveuntoafine.

Por.Ay,forthestate;notforAntonio.

Shy.Nay,takemylifeandall,pardonnotthat:

Youtakemyhouse,whenyoudotaketheprop

Thatdothsustainmyhouse;youtakemylife,

WhenyoudotakethemeanswherebyIlive.

Por.Whatmercycanyourenderhim,Antonio?

Gra.Ahaltergratis;nothingelse,forHeaven'ssake.

Ant.Sopleasemylordtheduke,andallthecourt,

Toquitthefineforonehalfofhisgoods;

Iamcontent,sohewillletmehave

Theotherhalfinuse,torenderit,

Uponhisdeath,untothegentleman

Thatlatelystolehisdaughter;

Twothingsprovidedmore,—Thatforthisfavour,

HepresentlybecomeaChristian;

Theother,thathedorecordagift,

Hereinthecourt,ofallhediespossess'd,

UntohissonLorenzoandhisdaughter.

Duke.Heshalldothis;orelseIdorecant

ThepardonthatIlatepronouncedhere.

Por.Artthoucontented,Jew?Whatdostthousay?

Shy.Iamcontent.

Por.Clerk,drawadeedofgift.

Shy.Iprayyougivemeleavetogofromhence:

Iamnotwell;sendthedeedafterme,

AndIwillsignit.

Duke.Gettheegone,butdoit.

Gra.Inchristening;thoushalthavetwogodfathers;

HadIbeenjudge,thoushould'sthavehadtenmore,

Tobringtheetothegallows,nottothefont.

ExitSHYLOCK.

Duke.Sir,Ientreatyouwithmehometodinner.

Por.Ihumblydodesireyourgraceofpardon.

ImustawaythisnighttowardPadua;

AnditismeetIpresentlysetforth.

Duke.Iamsorrythatyourleisureservesyounot:

Antonio,gratifythisgentleman;

For,inmymind,youaremuchboundtohim.

ExeuntDUKE,Magnificoes,andTrain.

Bas.Mostworthygentleman,Iandmyfriend,

Havebyyourwisdombeenthisdayacquitted

Ofgrievouspenalties;inlieuwhereof,

Threethousandducats,dueuntotheJew,

Wefreelycopeyourcourteouspainswithal.

Ant.Andstandindebted,overandabove,

Inloveandservicetoyouevermore.

Por.Heiswellpaidthatiswellsatisfied:

AndI,deliveringyou,amsatisfied,

Andthereindoaccountmyselfwellpaid;

Mymindwasneveryetmoremercenary.

Iprayyouknowme,whenwemeetagain;

Iwishyouwell,andsoItakemyleave.

Bas.DearSir,offorceImustattemptyoufurther;

Takesomeremembranceofus,asatribute,

Notasafee:grantmetwothings,Iprayyou,

Nottodenyme,andtopardonme.

Por.Youpressmefar,andthereforeIwillyield,

Givemeyourgloves,I'llwearthemforyoursake;

And,foryourlove,I'lltakethisringfromyou:—Do

notdrawbackyourhand;I'lltakenomore;

Andyouinloveshallnotdenymethis.

Bas.Thisring,goodSir,—alas,itisatrifle;

Iwillnotshamemyselftogiveyouthis.

Por.Iwillhavenothingelsebutonlythis;

Andnow,methinks,Ihaveamindtoit.

Bas.There'smoredependsonthisthanonthevalue.

ThedearestringinVenicewillIgiveyou,

Andfinditoutbyproclamation;

OnlyforthisIprayyoupardonme.

Por.Isee,Sir,youareliberalinoffers:

Youtaughtmefirsttobeg;andnow,methinks,

Youteachmehowabeggarshouldbeanswer'd.

Bas.GoodSir,thisringwasgivenmebymywife;

Andwhensheputiton,shemademevow

ThatIshouldneithersell,norgive,norloseit.

Por.That'scuseservesmanymentosavetheirgifts.

Anifyourwifebenotamadwoman,

AndknowhowwellIhavedeserv'dthisring,

Shewouldnotholdoutenemyforever,

Forgivingittome.Well,peacebewithyou!

ExeuntPORTIAandNERISSA.

Ant.MylordBassanio,lethimhavethering;

Lethisdeservings,andmylovewithal,

Bevalued'gainstyourwife'scommandment.

Bas.Go,Gratiano,runandovertakehim;

Givehimthering;andbringhim,ifthoucan'st,

UntoAntonio'shouse;—away,makehaste.

ExitGRATIANO.

Come,youandIwillthitherpresently;

Andinthemorningearlywillweboth

FlytowardBelmont:Come,Antonio.

Exeunt.

SCENEII.—VENICE.THEFOSCARIGATEOFTHEDUCALPALACE,LEADINGTOTHEGIANT'SSTAIRCASE.

EnterPORTIAandNERISSA.

Por.InquiretheJew'shouseout,givehimthisdeed,Andlethimsignit;we'llawayto-night,Andbeadaybeforeourhusbandshome:ThisdeedwillbewellwelcometoLorenzo.

EnterGRATIANO.

Gra.FairSir, youarewellovertaken:My lordBassanio,uponmoreadvice,Hathsentyouherethisring;anddothentreatYourcompanyatdinner.

Por.Thatcannotbe:ThisringIdoacceptmostthankfully,Andso,Iprayyou,tellhim:Furthermore,Iprayyou,showmyyoutholdShylock'shouse.

Gra.ThatwillIdo.

Ner.Sir,Iwouldspeakwithyou:—I'llseeifIcangetmyhusband'sring,

ToPORTIA.

WhichIdidmakehimsweartokeepforever.

Por.Thoumay'st, Iwarrant.Weshallhaveoldswearing,That theydidgivetheringsawaytomen;Butwe'lloutfacethem,andoutswearthem,too.Away,makehaste;thouknow'stwhereIwilltarry.

Ner.Come,goodSir,willyoushowmetothishouse?

Exeunt.

ENDOFACTFOURTH.

ACTV.

SCENEI.—BELMONT.AVENUETOPORTIA'SHOUSE.

EnterLORENZOandJESSICA.

Lor.Themoonshinesbright:—Insuchanightasthis,

Whenthesweetwinddidgentlykissthetrees,

Andtheydidmakenonoise,—insuchanight,

Troilus,methinks,mountedtheTrojanwalls,

Andsigh'dhissoultowardtheGreciantents,

WhereCressidlaythatnight.

Jes.Insuchanight

BidyoungLorenzoswearhelov'dmewell;

Stealingmysoulwithmanyvowsoffaith,

Andne'eratrueone.

Lor.Insuchanight,

DidprettyJessica,likealittleshrew,

Slanderherlove,andheforgaveither.

Jes.Iwouldout-nightyou,didnobodycome:

But,hark,Ihearthefootingofaman.

EnterBALTHAZAR.

Lor.Whocomessofastinsilenceofthenight?

Bal.Afriend,

Lor.Afriend?whatfriend?yourname,Iprayyou,

friend.

Bal.Balthazarismyname:andIbringword,

Mymistresswillbeforethebreakofday

BehereatBelmont.

Iprayyou,ismymasteryetreturn'd?

Lor.Heisnot,norwehavenotheardfromhim.—

Butgowein,Ipraythee,Jessica,

Andceremoniouslyletusprepare

Somewelcomeforthemistressofthehouse.

EnterLANCELOT.

Lau.Sola,sola,weha,ho,sola,sola.

Lor.Whocalls?

Lau.Sola!DidyouseemasterLorenzo,andmistressLorenzo?sola,sola

Lor.Leaveholloing,man;here.

Lau.Sola!where?where?

Lor.Here.

Lau.Tellhim,there'sapostcomefrommymaster,withhishornfullofgoodnews;mymasterwillbehereeremorning.

Exit.

Lor.MyfriendBalthazar,signify,Iprayyou,

Withinthehouse,yourmistressisathand:

Andbringyourmusicforthintotheair.ExitBALTHAZAR.

Howsweetthemoon-lightsleepsuponthisbank!

Herewillwesit,andletthesoundsofmusic

Creepinourears:softstillness,andthenight,

Becomethetouchesofsweetharmony.

Sit,Jessica.Lookhowthefloorofheaven

Isthickinlaidwithpatinesofbrightgold.

There'snotthesmallestorbwhichthoubehold'st

Butinhismotionlikeanangelsings,

Stillquiringtotheyoung-eyedcherubins:

Suchharmonyisinimmortalsouls,

Butwhilstthismuddyvestureofdecay

Dothgrosslycloseitin,wecannothearit.—

EnterMUSICIANS.

GLEE.

Itwasaloverandhislass,Withaheyandaho,andaheynonino;Thato'erthegreencornfieldsdidpass,Inthespring-time,theprettyspringtime,Whenbirdsdosing,heyding-a-ding,ding:—Sweetloverslovethespring.

Andthereforetakethepresenttime,Withaheyandaho,andaheynonino;ForloveiscrownedwiththeprimeInthespring-time,theprettyspringtime,Whenbirdsdosing,heyding-a-ding,ding:—Sweetloverslovethespring.

Jes.IamnevermerrywhenIhearsweetmusic.

Lor.Thereasonisyourspiritsareattentive:

Fordobutnoteawildandwantonherd,

Ifanyairofmusictouchtheirears,

Youshallperceivethemmakeamutualstand,

Theirsavageeyesturn'dtoamodestgaze,

Bythesweetpowerofmusic.Therefore,thepoet

DidfeignthatOrpheusdrewtrees,stones,andfloods;

Sincenoughtsostockish,hard,andfullofrage,

Butmusicforthetimedothchangehisnature:

Themanthathathnomusicinhimself,

Norisnotmov'dwithconcordofsweetsounds,

Isfitfortreasons,stratagems,andspoils;

Themotionsofhisspiritaredullasnight,

AndhisaffectionsdarkasErebus:

Letnosuchmanbetrusted.—Markthemusic.

EnterPORTIAandNERISSA,atadistance.

Por.Thatlightweseeisburninginmyhall.

Howfarthatlittlecandlethrowshisbeams!

Soshinesagooddeedinanaughtyworld.Music!hark!

Ner.Itisyourmusic,madam,ofthehouse.

Por.Nothingisgood,Isee,withoutrespect;

Methinksitsoundsmuchsweeterthanbyday.

Ner.Silencebestowsthatvirtueonit,madam.

Musicceases.

Por.Howmanythingsbyseasonseason'dare

Totheirlightpraise,andtrue-perfection!—

Lor.Thatisthevoice,

OrIammuchdeceiv'd,ofPortia.

Por.Heknowsme,astheblindmanknowsthecuckoo,

Bythebadvoice.

Lor.Dearlady,welcomehome.

Por.Wehavebeenprayingforourhusbands'welfare,

Whichspeed,wehope,thebetterforourwords.

Aretheyreturn'd?

Lor.Madam,theyarenotyet;

Butthereiscomeamessengerbefore,

Tosignifytheircoming.

Por.Goin,Nerissa;

Giveordertomyservants,thattheytake

Nonoteatallofourbeingabsenthence;

Noryou,Lorenzo;—Jessica,noryou.

Atrumpetsounds.

Lor.Yourhusbandisathand;Ihearhistrumpet:

Wearenotell-tales,madam;fearyounot.

EnterBASSANIO,ANTONIO,GRATIANO,andtheirFollowers.

Por.Youarewelcomehome,mylord.

Bas.Ithankyou,madam:givewelcometomyfriend.—

Thisistheman,thisisAntonio,

TowhomIamsoinfinitelybound.

Por.Youshouldinallsensebemuchboundtohim,

For,asIhear,hewasmuchboundforyou.

Ant.NomorethanIamwellacquittedof.

Por.Sir,youareverywelcometoourhouse:

Itmustappearinotherwaysthanwords,

Therefore,Iscantthisbreathingcourtesy.

GRATIANOandNERISSAseemtotalkapart.

Gra.Byyondermoon,Iswearyoudomewrong;

Infaith,Igaveittothejudge'sclerk:

Wouldhewerehang'dthathadit,formypart,

Sinceyoudotakeit,love,somuchatheart.

Por.Aquarrel,ho,already?What'sthematter?

Gra.Aboutahoopofgold,apaltryring

Thatshedidgivetome;whoseposywas

Foralltheworld,likecutler'spoetry

Uponaknife,'Loveme,andleavemenot.'

Ner.Whattalkyouoftheposy,orthevalue?

Yousworetome,whenIdidgiveityou,

Thatyouwouldwearittillthehourofdeath:

Andthatitshouldliewithyouinyourgrave;

Thoughnotforme,yetforyourvehementoaths,

Youshouldhavebeenrespective,andhavekeptit.

Gaveitajudge'sclerk!—butwellIknow,

Theclerkwillne'erwearhairon'sfacethathadit.

Gra.Hewill,anifhelivetobeaman.

Ner.Ay,ifawomanlivetobeaman.

Gra.Now,bythishand,Igaveittoayouth,—

kindofboy;alittlescrubbedboy,

Nohigherthanthyself,thejudge'sclerk;

Apratingboy,thatbegg'ditasafee;

Icouldnotformyheartdenyithim.

Por.Youweretoblame,Imustbeplainwithyou,

Topartsoslightlywithyourwife'sfirstgift:

Athingstuckonwithoathsuponyourfinger,

Andsorivetedwithfaithuntoyourflesh.

Igavemylovearing,andmadehimswear

Nevertopartwithit;andherehestands,—

Idarebeswornforhim,hewouldnotleaveit,

Norpluckitfromhisfinger,forthewealth

Thattheworldmasters.Now,infaith,Gratiano,

Yougiveyourwifetoounkindacauseofgrief;

An'tweretome,Ishouldbemadatit.

Bas.Why,Iwerebesttocutmylefthandoff,

Andswear,Ilosttheringdefendingit.

Aside.

Gra.MylordBassaniogavehisringaway

Untothejudgethatbegg'dit,and,indeed,

Deserv'dit,too;andthentheboy,hisclerk,

Thattooksomepainsinwriting,hebegg'dmine:

Andneitherman,normaster,wouldtakeaught

Butthetworings.

Por.Whatringgaveyou,mylord;

Notthat,Ihope,whichyoureceiv'dofme.

Bas.IfIcouldaddalieuntoafault,

Iwoulddenyit;butyousee,myfinger

Hathnottheringuponit,itisgone.

Por.Evensovoidisyourfalseheartoftruth.

Byheaven,Iwillne'ercomeinyoursight

UntilIseethering.

Ner.NorIinyours,

TillIagainseemine.

Bas.SweetPortia,

IfyoudidknowtowhomIgavethering,

IfyoudidknowforwhomIgavethering,

AndwouldconceiveforwhatIgavethering,

AndhowunwillinglyIleftthering,

Whennoughtwouldbeacceptedbutthering,

Youwouldabatethestrengthofyourdispleasure.

Por.Ifyouhadknownthevirtueofthering,

Orhalfherworthinessthatgavethering,

Oryourownhonourtocontainthering,

Youwouldnotthenhavepartedwiththering.

Whatmanistheresomuchunreasonable,

Ifyouhadpleas'dtohavedefendedit

Withanytermsofzeal,wantedthemodesty

Tourgethethingheldasaceremony?

Nerissateachesmewhattobelieve;

I'lldiefor't,butsomewomanhadthering.

Bas.No,byminehonour,madam,bymysoul,

Nowomanhadit,butacivildoctor,

Whichdidrefusethreethousandducatsofme,

Andbegg'dthering;thewhichIdiddenyhim,

Andsuffer'dhimtogodispleas'daway;

Evenhethathadhelduptheverylife

Ofmydearfriend.WhatshouldIsay,sweetlady?

Iwasenforc'dtosenditafterhim.

Hadyoubeenthere,Ithinkyouwouldhavebegg'd

Theringofmetogivetheworthydoctor.

Por.Letnotthatdoctore'ercomenearmyhouse:

SincehehathgotthejewelthatIlov'd,

Andthatwhichyoudidsweartokeepforme,

Iwillbecomeasliberalasyou.

Ant.Iamtheunhappysubjectofthesequarrels.

Por.Sir,grievenotyou;youarewelcomenotwithstanding.

Bas.Portia,forgivemethisenforcedwrong;

Andinthehearingofthesemanyfriends,

Isweartothee,evenbythineownfaireyes,

Inevermorewillbreakanoathwiththee.

Ant.Ioncedidlendmybodyforhiswealth;

Which,butforhimthathadyourhusband'sring,

ToPORTIA.

Hadquitemiscarried:Idarebeboundagain,

Mysoulupontheforfeit,thatyourlord

Willnevermorebreakfaithadvisedly.

Por.Thenyoushallbehissurety:givehimthis;

Andbidhimkeepitbetterthantheother.

Ant.Here,lordBassanio;sweartokeepthisring.

Bas.ByheavenitisthesameIgavethedoctor!

Por.Ihaditofhim:pardonme,Bassanio.

Ner.Andpardonme,mygentleGratiano;

Forthatsamescrubbedboy,thedoctor'sclerk,

Didgivemethis.

Gra.Whythisislikethemendingofhighways

Insummer,whenthewaysarefairenough.

Por.Youareallamaz'd:

Hereisaletter,readitatyourleisure;

ItcomesfromPadua,fromBellario:

Thereyoushallfind,thatPortiawasthedoctor;

Nerissathere,herclerk:Lorenzohere

Shallwitness,Isetforthassoonasyou,

Andbute'ennowreturn'd;Ihavenotyet

Enter'dmyhouse.—Antonio,youarewelcome;

AndIhavebetternewsinstoreforyou

Thanyouexpect:unsealthislettersoon,

Thereyoushallfindthreeofyourargosies

Arerichlycometoharboursuddenly:

Youshallnotknowbywhatstrangeaccident

Ichancedonthisletter.

Bas.Wereyouthedoctor,andIknewyounot?

Gra.Wereyoutheclerk,andIknewyounot?

Ant.Sweetlady,youhavegivenmelife,andliving;

ForhereIreadforcertain,thatmyships

Aresafelycometoroad.

Por.Hownow,Lorenzo?

Myclerkhassomegoodcomfortstooforyou.

Ner.Ay,andI'llgivethemhimwithoutafee.—

TheredoIgivetoyouJessica,

FromtherichJewaspecialdeedofgift,

Afterhisdeath,ofallhediespossessedof.

Lor.Fairladies,youdropmannainthewayofstarvedpeople.

Por.Itisalmostmorning,

AndyetIamsureyouarenotsatisfied

Oftheseeventsatfull:Letusgoin;

Andchargeusthereuponinter'gatories,

Andwewillanswerallthingsfaithfully.

Exeunt.

Gra.Letitbeso,thefirstintergatoryThatmyNerrissashallbesworneon,is,Whethertillthenextnightshehadratherstay,Orgoetobed,nowbeingtwohourestoday,Butwerethedaycome,Ishouldwishitdarke,TillIwerecouchingwiththeDoctorsClarke.Well,whileIliue,IlefearenootherthingSosore,askeepingsafeNerrissasring.

Exeunt.

FINIS.TheMerchantofVenice.

THEEND

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