Introductory matter
1 note.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
The Duke of Venice.
The Prince of Morocco2 note, suitor to Portia.
The Prince of Arragon, suitor to Portia.
Antonio, a merchant of Venice.
Bassanio, his friend, suitor likewise to Portia.
Salanio [Solanio], friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
Salarino, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
Gratiano, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
Salerio3 note, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
Lorenzo, in love with Jessica.
Shylock, a rich Jew.
Tubal, a Jew, his friend.
Launcelot Gobbo, the clown, servant to Shylock.
Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot.
Leonardo, servant to Bassanio.
Balthasar4 note, servant to Portia.
Stephano, servant to Portia.
Portia, a rich heiress.
Nerissa, her waiting-maid.
Jessica, daughter to Shylock.
Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, Servants to Portia, and other Attendants.
[Servant]
Scene5 note—Partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia, on the Continent.
-- 279 --
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.
ACT I.
Scene I.
Venice. A street.
Enter Antonio, Salarino, and Salanio note.
Ant.
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,
note
I am to learn;
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself.
Salar.
Your mind is tossing on the ocean;
There, where your argosies with portly sail,
Like signiors and rich burghers on note the flood,
Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea,
Do overpeer the petty traffickers,
That curt'sy note to them, do them reverence,
As they fly by them with their woven wings.
Salan.
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 note in maps for ports, and piers, and roads;
And every object that might make me fear
-- 280 --
Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt
Would make me sad.
Salar.
My wind, cooling my broth,
Would blow me to an ague, when I thought
What harm a wind too great at sea might do note.
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 note 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 note 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 bechanced would make me sad?
But tell not me; I know, Antonio
Is sad to think upon his merchandise.
Ant.
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.
Salar.
Why, then you are note in love.
Ant.
Fie, fie! note
Salar.
Not in love neither? note Then let us note say you are sad,
Because you are not merry: and note 'twere as easy
For you to laugh, and leap, and say you are merry,
Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,
-- 281 --
Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time:
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes,
And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper;
And other note of such vinegar aspect,
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile,
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.
Enter note Bassanio, Lorenzo, and Gratiano.
Salan.
Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,
Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare ye well note:
We leave you now with better company.
Salar.
I would have stay'd till I had made you merry,
If worthier friends had not prevented me.
Ant.
Your worth is very dear in my regard.
I take it, your own business calls on you,
And you embrace the occasion to depart.
Salar.
Good morrow, my good lords.
Bass.
Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when?
You grow exceeding strange: must it be so?
Salar.
We'll make our leisures to attend on yours.
[Exeunt note Salarino and Salanio.
Lor. note
My Lord Bassanio, since you have note found Antonio,
We two will leave you: but, at dinner-time,
I pray you, have in mind where we must meet.
note
Bass.
I will not fail you.
Gra.
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 changed.
Ant.
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano;
A stage, where every man note must play a part,
-- 282 --
And mine a sad one.
Gra.
Let me play the fool:
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come;
And let my liver rather heat with wine
Than my heart note cool with mortifying groans.
Why should a man, whose blood is warm within,
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster note?
Sleep when he wakes, and creep into the jaundice
By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio—,
I love thee, and it is note my love that speaks,—
There are a sort of men, whose visages
Do cream note 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, ‘I am Sir note Oracle,
And, when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!’
O my Antonio, I do know of these note,
That therefore only are reputed wise
For saying nothing; when note, I am note very sure,
If they should speak, would note almost damn note 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 note gudgeon, this opinion.
Come, good Lorenzo. Fare ye well note awhile:
I'll end my exhortation after dinner.
Lor.
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.
Gra.
Well, keep me company but two years moe note,
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue.
-- 283 --
Ant.
Farewell note: I'll grow a talker for this gear note.
Gra.
Thanks, i'faith; for silence is only commendable
In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendible.
[Exeunt Gratiano and Lorenzo. note
Ant.
Is that any thing now note? note
Bass.
Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more
than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as note 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.
Ant.
Well, tell me now, what lady is the note same
To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage,
That you to-day promised to tell me of?
Bass.
'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate,
By something showing note a more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance note:
Nor do I now make moan to be abridged
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 gaged. 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.
Ant.
I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;
And if it stand, as you yourself still do,
Within the eye of honour, be assured,
My purse, my person, my extremest means,
Lie all unlock'd to your occasions.
-- 284 --
Bass.
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 note; 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 note youth note,
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.
Ant.
You know me well; and herein spend but time
To wind about my love with circumstance;
And out of doubt you do me now note 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 note: therefore, speak.
Bass.
In Belmont is a lady richly left;
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
Of wondrous virtues: sometimes note from her eyes
I did receive fair speechless messages note:
Her name is Portia; nothing undervalued
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;
-- 285 --
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strond note,
And many Jasons come note 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 note thrift,
That I should questionless be fortunate!
Ant.
Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea;
Neither note 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. note
Enter note Portia and Nerissa.
Por.
By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary note
of this great world.
Ner.
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 note, to be seated in the mean: superfluity
comes sooner by white hairs; but competency lives longer.
Por.
Good sentences, and well pronounced.
Ner.
They would be better, if well followed.
-- 286 --
Por.
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 note is a good divine that follows his own
instructions: I can easier teach twenty what were good to be
done, than be note 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 note is not in note the fashion note to choose me a husband.
O me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose whom I
would, nor refuse whom note I dislike; so is the will of a living
daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it note not
hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?
Ner.
Your father was ever virtuous; and holy men, at
their death, have good inspirations: therefore, the lottery,
that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver,
and lead,—whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you,—
will, no doubt, never note be chosen by any rightly, but one
who note shall rightly love. But what warmth is there in your
affection towards any of these princely suitors that are
already come?
Por.
I pray thee note, over-name them; and as thou namest
them, I will describe them; and, according to my description,
level at my affection.
Ner.
First, there is the Neapolitan prince.
Por.
Ay, that's a colt note indeed, for he doth nothing but
talk of his horse; and he makes it a great appropriation to note
his own good parts, that he can shoe him note himself. I am
much afeard note my lady his mother played false with a smith.
Ner.
Then there is note the County Palatine note.
-- 287 --
Por.
He doth nothing but frown; as who should say,
‘if note you will not have me, choose:’ 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 note married to a death's-head with
a bone in his mouth than to either of these. God defend
me from these two!
Ner.
How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le
Bon note?
Por.
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a
man. In truth, I know it is a sin note to be mocker: but, he!
—why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's; a
better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine note: he is
every man in no man; if a throstle note sing, he falls straight a
capering: 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 note never requite him.
Ner.
What say you note, then, to Falconbridge, the young
baron of England?
Por.
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 note come into the court and swear
that I have a poor pennyworth in the English note. He is a
proper man's picture; but, alas, who can converse with a
dumbshow? 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 every where.
Ner.
What think you of the Scottish note lord, his neighbour?
Por.
That he hath a neighbourly charity in him; for he
borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, and swore note he
-- 288 --
would pay him again when he was able: I think the Frenchman
became his surety, and sealed under for another.
Ner.
How like you the young German, the Duke of
Saxony's nephew?
Por.
Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and
most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is
best, he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst,
he is little better than a beast: an the worst note fall that ever
fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him.
Ner.
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.
Por.
Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee note, 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 any thing, Nerissa, ere I'll note
be married to a sponge.
Ner.
You need not fear, lady, the having any of these
lords: they have acquainted me with their determinations note;
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 note father's imposition, depending on the
caskets.
Por.
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 note a fair departure.
Ner.
Do you not remember, lady, in your father's
time, a Venetian, a scholar note, and a soldier, that came hither
in company of the Marquis of Montferrat?
Por.
Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think he was so note
called.
-- 289 --
Ner.
True, madam: he, of all the men that ever my
foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.
Por.
I remember him well; and I remember him worthy
of thy praise.
Enter a Serving-man.
How now! what news? note
Serv.
The four strangers seek for you note, 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 to-night.
Por.
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good a note
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
notethan wive me.
Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before.
Whiles we shut the gates note upon one wooer, another knocks at the door.
[Exeunt.
Scene III.
Venice. A public place.
Enter Bassanio and Shylock.
Shy.
Three thousand ducats; well.
Bass.
Ay, sir, for three months.
Shy.
For three months note; well.
Bass.
For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be
bound.
Shy.
Antonio shall become bound; well.
Bass.
May you stead me? will you pleasure me? shall
I know your answer?
Shy.
Three thousand ducats for three months, and
Antonio bound.
-- 290 --
Bass.
Your answer to that.
Shy.
Antonio is a good man.
Bass.
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
Shy.
Ho, no, no, no, no note: 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 note, he hath a third at Mexico, a
fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squandered note
abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be
land-rats note and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves note, I
mean pirates; 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.
Bass.
Be assured you may.
Shy.
I will be assured I may; and, that I may be
assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?
Bass.
If it please you to dine with us.
Shy.
Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation
which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. note
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 note?
Who is he note comes here?
Enter Antonio.
Bass.
This is Signior Antonio.
Shy. [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
-- 291 --
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 note thrift,
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him!
Bass.
Shylock note, do you hear?
Shy.
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 Ant.] Rest you fair, good signior;
Your worship was the last man in our mouths.
Ant.
Shylock, although note I neither lend nor borrow,
By taking nor by giving of excess,
Yet, to supply the ripe note wants of my friend,
I'll break a custom. Is he yet possess'd
How much ye would? note
Shy.
Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.
Ant.
And for three months.
Shy.
I had forgot; three months, you told note me so.
Well then, your bond; and let note me see; but hear you;
Methought note you said you neither lend nor borrow
Upon advantage.
Ant.
I do never use it.
Shy.
When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep,—
-- 292 --
This Jacob from our holy Abram was,
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,
The third possessor; ay, he was the third,—
Ant.
And what of him? did he take interest?
Shy.
No, not take interest; not, as you would say,
Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were note compromised note
That all the eanlings note which were streak'd and pied
Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank,
In the end note of autumn turned to the rams;
And note when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act,
The skilful shepherd peel'd note 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 note 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.
Ant.
This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served 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 note to make interest good?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
Shy.
I cannot tell; I make it breed note as fast:
But note me, signior.
Ant.
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 note goodly apple rotten at the heart:
-- 293 --
O, what a goodly outside note falsehood hath!
Shy.
Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.
Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate— note
Ant.
Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding note to you?
Shy.
Signior Antonio, many a time and oft
In note the Rialto you have rated me
About my moneys and my usances:
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug;
For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.
You call note me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit note upon my Jewish gaberdine,
And all for use of that which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears you need my help:
Go to, then; you come to me, and you say
‘Shylock, we would have moneys note:’ 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
‘Hath a dog money? is it possible
A cur can note lend three thousand ducats?’ or
Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,
With bated breath and whispering humbleness,
Say this,—
‘Fair sir, you spit note on me on Wednesday last note note;
You note spurn'd me such a day; another note time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much moneys’?
Ant.
I am as like to call thee so again,
-- 294 --
To spit note on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends note; for when did friendship take
A breed for note barren note metal of his friend?
But lend it rather to thine enemy;
Who if he break, thou mayst with better face
Exact the penalty note.
Shy.
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 note kind I offer.
Bass. note
This were note kindness.
Shy.
This kindness will I show.
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum or sums as are
Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth note me.
Ant.
Content, i'faith note: I'll seal to such a bond,
And say there is much kindness in the Jew note.
Bass.
You shall not seal to such a bond for me:
I'll rather dwell in my necessity.
Ant.
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
-- 295 --
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
Shy.
O father Abram, what these Christians are,
Whose own hard dealings teaches them note 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.
Ant.
Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Shy.
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 note to my house, left in the fearful note guard
Of an unthrifty knave; and presently
I will note be with you.
Ant.
Hie thee, gentle Jew.
[Exit Shylock.
The note Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind note.
Bass.
I like not fair terms note and a villain's mind.
Ant.
Come on: in this there can be no dismay;
My ships come home a month before the day.
[Exeunt.
-- 296 --
ACT II.
Scene I.
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.
Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Morocco and his train; Portia, Nerissa, and others attending. note
Mor.
Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd note sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me note 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 note loved it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
Por.
In terms of choice I am not solely note led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But if my father had not scanted me
And hedged me by his wit note, 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.
Mor.
Even for that I thank you:
Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
-- 297 --
To try my fortune. By this scimitar note
That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
I would outstare note 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 note roars for prey,
To win thee, lady note. But, alas the while!
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
So is Alcides beaten by his page note;
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.
Por.
You must take your chance;
And either not attempt to choose at all,
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong,
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage: therefore be advised.
Mor.
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto note note my chance.
Por.
First, forward to the temple: after dinner
Your hazard shall be made.
Mor.
Good fortune then!
To make me blest note or cursed'st among men.
[Cornets, and exeunt.
Scene II.
Venice. A street.
Enter Launcelot. note
Laun.
Certainly my conscience will note serve me to run
from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow, and
-- 298 --
tempts me, saying to me, ‘Gobbo, Launcelot note Gobbo note, good
Launcelot,’ or ‘good Gobbo,’ or ‘good Launcelot note Gobbo note,
use your legs, take the start, run away.’ My conscience
says, ‘No; take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest
Gobbo,’ or, as aforesaid, ‘honest Launcelot note Gobbo note; do not
run; scorn running with note thy heels.’ Well, the most courageous note
fiend bids me pack: ‘Via note!’ says the fiend; ‘away!’
says the fiend; ‘for the note heavens, note rouse up a brave mind,’
says the fiend, ‘and run.’ Well, my conscience, hanging
about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, ‘My
honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's son,’—or
rather an honest woman's son;—for, indeed, my father did
something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of
taste;—well, my conscience says, ‘Launcelot, budge not.’
‘Budge,’ says the fiend. ‘Budge not,’ says my conscience.
‘Conscience,’ say I, ‘you counsel well;’ ‘Fiend,’ say I, ‘you
counsel well note:’ 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 incarnal note;
and, in my conscience, my conscience is but note 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 command note; I will run.
Enter Old Gobbo, with a basket.
Gob.
Master young man note, you, I pray you, which is the
way to master Jew's?
-- 299 --
Laun. [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 note with him.
Gob.
Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is
the way to master Jew's?
Laun.
Turn up on note 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 note the Jew's house.
Gob.
By note God's sonties note, 'twill be a hard way to hit.
Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with
him, dwell with him or no?
Laun.
Talk you of young Master Launcelot? [Aside]
Mark me now; now will I raise the waters. Talk you of
young Master Launcelot?
Gob.
No master, sir, but a poor man's son: his father,
though I say it note, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God
be thanked, well to live.
Laun.
Well, let his father be what a' will, we talk of
young Master Launcelot.
Gob.
Your worship's friend, and Launcelot note, sir note.
Laun.
But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech
you, talk of young Master Launcelot? note
Gob.
Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership.
Laun.
Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master
Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman, according to
Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters
Three and such branches of learning, is note indeed deceased;
or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.
Gob.
Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of
my age, my very prop.
Laun.
Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff
or a prop? Do you know note me, father?
-- 300 --
Gob.
Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman:
but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, God rest his
soul, alive or dead?
Laun.
Do you not know me, father?
Gob.
Alack, sir, I am sand-blind; I know you not.
Laun.
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 note
cannot be hid long; a man's son may; but, at the length note,
truth will out note.
Gob.
Pray you, sir, stand up: I am sure you are not
Launcelot, my boy.
Laun.
Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it,
but give me your blessing: I am Launcelot, your boy that
was, your son that is, your child that shall be.
Gob.
I cannot think you are my son.
Laun.
I know not what I shall think of that: but
I am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and I am sure Margery
your wife is my mother.
Gob.
Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if
thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood.
Lord worshipped might note he be! what a beard hast thou
got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my
fill-horse note has on his tail.
Laun.
It should seem, then, that Dobbin's tail grows
backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail than
I have of my note face when I last note saw him.
Gob.
Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou
and thy master agree? I have brought him a present.
How 'gree note you now?
Laun.
Well, well: but, for mine own part, as I have
-- 301 --
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 note 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 note, 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 note Bassanio, with Leonardo and other followers.
Bass.
You may do so; but let it be so hasted, that
supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See
these letters delivered; put the liveries to making; and
desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.
[Exit note a Servant.
Laun.
To him, father.
Gob.
God bless your worship!
Bass.
Gramercy! wouldst thou aught with me?
Gob.
Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,—
Laun.
Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man;
that would, sir,—as my father shall specify,—
Gob.
He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say,
to serve,—
Laun.
Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the
Jew, and have a desire,—as my father shall specify,—
Gob.
His master and he, saving your worship's reverence,
are scarce cater-cousins,—
Laun.
To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew,
having done me wrong, doth cause me,—as my father,
being, I hope, an old man, shall frutify note unto you,—
Gob.
I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow
upon your worship, and my suit is,—
Laun.
In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself,
-- 302 --
as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and,
though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.
Bass.
One speak for both. What would you?
Laun.
Serve you, sir.
Gob.
That is the very defect of the matter, sir.
Bass.
I know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit:
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,
And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment
To leave a rich Jew's service, to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.
Laun.
The old proverb is very well parted between
my master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of
God, sir, and he hath enough.
Bass.
Thou speak'st note it well. Go, father, with thy son.
Take leave of thy old master and inquire
My lodging out. Give him a livery
More guarded than his fellows': see it done.
Laun.
Father, in. I cannot get a service, no; note I have note
notene'er a tongue in my head. note Well, note if any man in Italy have
a fairer table which doth note offer to swear upon a book note, I note
shall have good note fortune. note Go to, here's a simple line of
life: here's a small trifle of wives: alas, fifteen wives is
nothing! a'leven note widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in
for one man: and then to 'scape note 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
-- 303 --
a good wench for this gear. Father, come; I'll take my
leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye note.
[Exeunt note Launcelot and Old Gobbo.
Bass.
I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this:
These things being bought and orderly bestow'd,
Return in haste, for I do feast to-night
My best-esteem'd acquaintance: hie thee, go note.
Leon.
My best endeavours shall be done herein.
noteEnter Gratiano.
Gra.
Where is your master?
Leon.
Yonder, sir, he walks.
[Exit. note
Gra.
Signior Bassanio,—
Bass.
Gratiano!
Gra.
I have a note suit to you.
Bass.
You have obtain'd it.
Gra.
You must note not deny me: I must go with you to
Belmont.
Bass.
Why, then you must. But hear thee note, 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, note why, there they show
Something too liberal. Pray thee note, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild behaviour,
I be misconstrued note in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes note.
Gra.
Signior Bassanio, hear me:
-- 304 --
If I note do not put on a sober habit,
Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
Wear prayer-books in my pocket note, look demurely;
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say ‘amen;’
Use all the observance of civility,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his grandam, never trust me more.
Bass.
Well, we shall see your bearing.
Gra.
Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me
By what we do to-night.
Bass.
No, that were pity:
I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment. But fare you well note:
I have some business.
Gra.
And I must to Lorenzo and the rest:
But we will visit you at supper-time.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
The same. A room in Shylock's house.
Enter note Jessica and Launcelot.
Jes.
I am note sorry thou wilt leave my father so:
Our house is hell; and thou, a merry devil,
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.
But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee:
And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest:
Give him this letter; do it secretly;
And so farewell: I would not have my father
See me in talk note with thee.
Laun.
Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful
-- 305 --
pagan, most sweet Jew! if a Christian did note not play
the knave, and get thee note, I am much deceived. But, adieu:
these foolish drops do something note drown my manly spirit:
adieu.
Jes.
Farewell, good Launcelot.
[Exit Launcelot.
Alack, what heinous sin is it in me
To be ashamed to be my father's child! note
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.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
The same. A street.
Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salanio.
Lor.
Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return
All in an hour.
Gra.
We have not made good preparation.
Salar.
We have not spoke us yet note of torch-bearers.
Salan.
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,
And better in my mind not undertook.
Lor.
'Tis now but four o' noteclock: we have two hours
To furnish us.
Enter note Launcelot, with a letter.
Friend Launcelot, what's the news?
Laun.
An it shall note please you to break up this, it shall
seem note to signify.
Lor.
I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
-- 306 --
And whiter note than the paper it writ on
Is note the fair hand that writ.
Gra.
Love-news, in faith.
Laun.
By your leave, sir.
Lor.
Whither goest thou?
Laun.
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup
to-night with my new master the Christian.
Lor.
Hold here, take this: tell gentle Jessica
I will not fail her; speak it privately.
Go, gentlemen note,
[Exit Launcelot. note
Will you prepare you note for this note masque to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.
Salar.
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
Salan.
And so will I.
Lor.
Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
Salar.
'Tis good we do so.
[Exeunt Salar. and Salan.
Gra.
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
Lor.
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.
-- 307 --
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
The same. Before Shylock's house.
Enter Shylock and Launcelot. note
Shy.
Well, thou shalt note see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:—
What, Jessica!—thou shalt not gormandise,
As thou hast done with me:—What, Jessica!—
And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out;—
Why, Jessica, I say!
Laun.
Why, Jessica!
Shy.
Who bids thee call? I do note not bid thee call.
note
Laun.
Your worship was wont to tell me that note I could
do nothing without bidding.
Enter Jessica.
Jes.
Call you? what is your will?
Shy.
I am bid forth to supper, Jessica:
There are my keys. But wherefore should I go?
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 to-night.
Laun.
I beseech you, sir, go: my young master doth
expect your reproach.
Shy.
So do I his.
Laun.
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' the note morning, falling out that year on
Ash-Wednesday was four year, in the afternoon.
-- 308 --
Shy.
What, are there note masques? Hear you note me, Jessica:
Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum,
And the vile squealing note of the wry-neck'd note 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 foppery enter
My sober house. By Jacob's staff, I swear
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night:
But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah;
Say I will come.
Laun.
I will go before note, sir. Mistress, look out at note window,
for all this;
There will come a Christian by,
Will be worth a Jewess' note eye.
[Exit.
Shy.
What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha?
Jes.
His words were, ‘ Farewell, mistress;’ nothing else.
Shy.
The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder;
Snail-slow in profit, and he note 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 borrow'd purse. Well, Jessica, go in:
Perhaps I will return immediately:
Do as I bid you note; shut doors note after you:
Fast bind, fast note find note,
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.
[Exit.
Jes.
Farewell; and if my fortune be not crost,
I have a father, you a daughter, lost.
[Exit.
-- 309 --
note
Scene VI. [Footnote:
The same.
Enter note Gratiano and Salarino, masqued.
Gra.
This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make note stand note.
Salar.
His hour is almost note past.
Gra.
And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.
Salar.
O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons note fly
To seal note love's bonds new-made, than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
Gra.
That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.
How like a younker note or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!
How like the note prodigal doth she note return,
With over-weather'd note ribs and ragged sails,
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
Salar.
Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter.
Enter Lorenzo.
Lor.
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;
Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
-- 310 --
I'll watch as long for you then note. Approach note note;
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! note who's note within?
Enter Jessica, above, in boy's clothes.
Jes.
Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.
Lor.
Lorenzo, and thy love.
Jes.
Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed,
For who love I so much? And now who knows
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
Lor.
Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
Jes.
Here, catch this casket; it is note worth the pains.
I am note glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
For I am much ashamed of my exchange:
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit;
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy.
Lor.
Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.
Jes.
What, must I hold a candle to my shames note?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love;
And I should be obscured.
Lor.
So are you note, sweet,
Even in the lovely garnish of a note boy.
But come at once;
For the close night doth play the runaway,
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
Jes.
I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
With some more note ducats, and be with you straight.
[Exit above.
-- 311 --
Gra.
Now, by my hood, a Gentile note, and no Jew.
Lor.
Beshrew note 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 proved herself;
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
Enter Jessica, below.
What, art thou come? On, gentlemen note; away!
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
[Exit note with Jessica and Salarino.
Enter Antonio.
Ant.
Who's there note?
Gra.
Signior Antonio!
Ant.
Fie, fie note, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
'Tis nine o'clock: our friends all stay for you.
No masque to-night: the wind is come about;
Bassanio presently will go aboard:
I have sent twenty out to seek for you note.
note
Gra.
I am glad on't: I desire no more delight
Than to be under sail and gone to-night.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene VII. [Footnote:
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.
Flourish of cornets. note Enter note Portia, with the Prince of Morocco, and their trains.
Por.
Go draw aside the curtains, and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince.
Now make your choice.
-- 312 --
Mor.
The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,
‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many note men desire;’
The second, silver, which this promise carries,
‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves;’
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,
‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’
How shall I know if I do choose the right? note
Por.
The one of them contains my picture, prince:
If you choose that, then I am yours withal note.
Mor.
Some god direct my judgment! Let me see;
I will survey the inscriptions back again.
What says this leaden casket?
‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’
Must give,—for what? for lead? hazard for lead?
This casket threatens. Men note that hazard all
Do it in hope of fair advantages:
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross;
I'll then nor give note nor hazard aught for lead.
What says the silver with her virgin hue?
‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’
As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco note,
And weigh thy value with an even hand:
If thou be'st rated by thy note estimation,
Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough
May not extend so far as to the lady:
And yet to be afeard note 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 note.
What if I stray'd no further, but chose here?
Let's see once more this saying graved in gold;
-- 313 --
‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.’
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 note wilds
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
For princes to come view fair Portia:
The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head
Spits note 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 note her cerecloth in the obscure grave.
Or shall I think in silver she's immured,
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 note 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!
Por.
There, take it, prince; and if my form lie there,
Then I am yours.
[He unlocks the golden casket. note
Mor.
O hell! what have we here?
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye
There is a written scroll note! I'll read the writing note.
[Reads.
All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
-- 314 --
Gilded tombs do note worms infold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
note
Your note 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 grieved a heart
To take a tedious leave: thus losers part.
[Exit with his train. Flourish of cornets. note
Por.
A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.
Let all of his complexion choose me so.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene VIII. [Footnote:
Venice. A street.
Enter Salarino and Salanio.
Salar.
Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail:
With him is Gratiano gone along;
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.
Salan.
The villain Jew with outcries raised the Duke,
Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.
Salar.
He came note too late, the ship was under sail:
But there the Duke was given to understand
That in a gondola note were seen together
Lorenzo and his amorous note Jessica:
Besides, Antonio certified the Duke
They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
Salan.
I never heard a passion so confused,
So strange, outrageous, and so variable,
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets:
-- 315 --
‘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, stolen from me by my daughter!
And jewels, two stones, two note rich and precious stones,
Stolen by my daughter! Justice! find the girl!
She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats!’
Salar.
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,
Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.
Salan.
Let good Antonio look he keep his day,
Or he shall pay for this.
Salar.
Marry, well remember'd.
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.
Salan.
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear;
Yet do not note suddenly, for note it may grieve him.
Salar.
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 answer'd, ‘Do not so;
Slubber note 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 note love note:
Be merry; and employ note your chiefest thoughts
To courtship, and such fair ostents of love
As shall conveniently become you there:’
-- 316 --
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.
Salan.
I think he only loves the world for him.
I pray thee, let us go and find him out,
And quicken his embraced note heaviness
With some delight or other.
Salar.
Do we so.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IX. [Footnote:
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.
Enter Nerissa with a Servitor.
Ner.
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. note Enter note the Prince of Arragon, Portia, and their trains.
Por.
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince:
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized:
But if you note fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
Ar.
I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to any one
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 note fail in fortune of my choice,
-- 317 --
Immediately to leave you and be gone.
Por.
To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
Ar.
And so have I address'd me. Fortune now
To my heart's hope! note Gold; silver; and base lead.
‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’
note
You shall look fairer, ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? ha! let me see:
‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.’
What many men desire! note that ‘many’ may note be meant
By the note fool note multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to the note interior, but, like the martlet,
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road note 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 note.
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house;
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear:
‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves:’
And well said too; for who shall go about
To cozen fortune, and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit? note Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and note that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
-- 318 --
How much low peasantry note would then be glean'd
From the true seed of honour! and how much honour
Pick'd note from the chaff note and ruin note of the times,
To be new-varnish'd note! Well, but to my choice:
‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this note,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
[He opens the silver casket. note
Por.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.
Ar.
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 note!
‘Who chooseth me shall have note as much as he deserves.’
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?
Is that my prize note? are my deserts no better?
Por.
To offend, and judge, are distinct offices,
And of opposed natures.
Ar.
What is note here?
[Reads]
The fire seven times tried this:
Seven times tried that judgement note 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 note,
Silver'd o'er; and so was this.
Take what wife note you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone note: you are sped.
-- 319 --
Still note 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 note.
[Exeunt Arragon and train. note
Por.
Thus hath the candle singed the moth note.
O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose,
They have the wisdom note by their wit to lose.
Ner.
The ancient saying is no heresy,
Hanging and wiving goes note by destiny.
Por.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
Enter a Servant. note
Serv.
Where is my lady?
Por. note
Here: what would my lord?
Serv.
Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify the approaching of his lord;
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,
To wit, besides commends and courteous note 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 note comes before his lord.
Por.
No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard note
Thou wilt note say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.
-- 320 --
Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see
Quick Cupid's post note that comes so mannerly.
Ner.
Bassanio, lord Love, note if thy will it be!
[Exeunt.
ACT III.
Scene I.
Venice. A street.
Enter Salanio and Salarino.
Salan.
Now, what news on the Rialto?
Salar.
Why, yet it lives there unchecked, that Antonio
hath a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas; the
Goodwins, I think they call the place; a very dangerous flat
and fatal, where the carcases of many a tall ship lie buried,
as they say, if my gossip Report note be an honest woman of
her word.
Salan.
I would she were as lying a note 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 note,—O that I
had a title good enough to keep his name company!—
Salar.
Come, the full stop.
Salan.
Ha! what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he
hath lost a ship.
Salar.
I would it might prove the end of his losses.
Salan.
Let me say ‘amen’ betimes, lest the devil cross
my note prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew.
Enter Shylock. note
How now, Shylock! what news among the merchants?
-- 321 --
Shy.
You knew note, none so well, none so well as you, of
my daughter's flight.
Salar.
That's certain: I, for my part, knew the tailor
that made the wings she flew withal.
Salan.
And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird
was fledged note; and then it is the complexion of them all to
leave the dam.
Shy.
She is damned for it.
Salar.
That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.
Shy.
My own flesh and blood to rebel!
Salan.
Out upon it, old carrion! rebels it at these years note?
Shy.
I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood note.
Salar.
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 note. But tell us, do
you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea note or no?
Shy.
There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a
prodigal note, who dare note scarce show his head on the Rialto; a
beggar, that was used note to come so smug upon the mart; let
him look to his bond: he was wont to call me usurer; let
him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a
Christian courtesy; let him look to his bond.
Salar.
Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take
his flesh: what's that good for?
Shy.
To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it
will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered
me half note a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my
gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my
friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason note? 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,
-- 322 --
healed by the same means note, warmed and cooled by the
same winter and summer note, 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 note. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what
should his sufferance be by Christian note example? Why, revenge. note
The villany you teach me, I will execute; and it
shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
Enter a Servant. note
Serv.
Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house,
and desires to speak with you both.
Salar.
We have been up and down to seek him.
Enter Tubal.
Salan.
Here comes another of the tribe: a third cannot
be matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew.
[Exeunt note Salan. Salar. and Servant.
Shy.
How now, Tubal! what news from Genoa note? hast
thou found my daughter?
Tub.
I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot
find her.
Shy.
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 note she were hearsed at my foot, and
-- 323 --
the ducats in her coffin! No news of them? Why, so: note—
and I know not what's note spent in the search: why, thou note 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 on note my shoulders; no sighs but
of note my breathing; no tears but of my shedding.
Tub.
Yes, other men have ill luck too: Antonio, as I
heard in note Genoa note,—
Shy.
What, what, what? note ill luck, ill luck?
Tub.
Hath an argosy cast away, coming from Tripolis.
Shy.
I thank God, I thank God! Is't true, is't note true?
Tub.
I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the
wreck.
Shy.
I thank thee note, good Tubal: good news, good
news! ha, ha! where note? in Genoa?
Tub.
Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, in note
one night fourscore ducats.
Shy.
Thou stickest a dagger in me: I shall never see
my gold again: fourscore ducats at a sitting! fourscore
ducats.
Tub.
There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my
company to note Venice, that swear note he cannot choose but break.
Shy.
I am very glad of it: I'll plague him; I'll torture
him: I am glad of it note.
Tub.
One of them showed me a ring that he had of
your daughter for a monkey.
Shy.
Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal: it
was my turquoise; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor:
I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.
-- 324 --
Tub.
But Antonio is certainly undone.
Shy.
Nay, that's true, that's very true. Go, Tubal note,
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, go note,
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 note Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, Nerissa, and Attendants.
Por. note
I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two
Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,
I lose your company: therefore note forbear awhile.
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,—
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,—
I would detain you here some month or two
Before you venture for me. I could teach you
How to choose right, but I am then note 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'er-look'd me, and divided me;
One half of me is yours, the other half yours note,
Mine own, I would say; but if note mine, then yours,
And so all yours! O note, these naughty times
Put note bars between the owners and their rights!
-- 325 --
And so, though yours, not yours note. Prove it so note,
Let fortune go to hell for it, not I note.
I speak too long; but 'tis to peize note the time,
To eke note it note and to draw note it out note in length,
To stay you from election.
Bass.
Let me choose;
For as I am, I live upon the rack.
Por.
Upon the rack, Bassanio! then confess
What treason there is mingled with your love.
Bass.
None but that ugly treason of mistrust,
Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love:
There may as well be amity and life note
'Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.
Por.
Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack,
Where men enforced do note speak any thing.
Bass.
Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.
Por.
Well then, confess and live.
Bass.
‘Confess,’ and ‘love,’
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.
Por.
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 note, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end,
Fading in music: that the comparison
May stand more proper note, my eye shall be the stream,
And watery death-bed for him. He may win;
And what is music then? Then music is
-- 326 --
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 note, 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 the exploit. Go, Hercules!
Live thou note, I live: with much much note more dismay
I note view the fight than thou that makest the fray.
Music, note whilst note Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself.
Song.
Tell me where is note fancy bred,
Or in the heart or in the head?
How begot, how nourished?
Reply, reply note.
It is engender'd in the eye note,
With gazing fed; and fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies.
Let us all ring fancy's knell;
I'll begin it note,—Ding, dong, bell.
All.
Ding, dong, bell.
Bass.
So may the outward shows be least themselves:
The world is still deceived with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt,
But, being seasoned with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
What damned error, but some sober brow
-- 327 --
Will bless it, and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
There is no vice note so simple, but assumes
Some mark note 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 purchased 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 note 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 note shore
To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty; note in a word,
The seeming truth which cunning times note put on
To entrap the wisest. Therefore note, thou gaudy gold,
Hard food note for Midas, I will none of thee;
Nor none of thee, thou pale note and common drudge
'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead,
Which rather threatenest than dost promise aught,
Thy paleness note moves me more than eloquence;
And here choose I: joy be the consequence!
-- 328 --
Por. [Aside note]
How all the other passions fleet to air,
As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embraced despair,
And shuddering note fear, and green-eyed note jealousy!
O love, be moderate note; allay thy ecstasy;
In measure rein note thy joy; scant this excess!
I feel too much thy blessing: make it less,
For fear I surfeit note!
Bass.
What find I note here?
[Opening note the leaden casket.
Fair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god
Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?
Or whether note, riding on the balls of mine,
Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips,
Parted with sugar note 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 to entrap note the hearts of men,
Faster than gnats in cobwebs: but her eyes,—
How could he see to do them? having made one,
Methinks it should have power to steal both his
And leave itself note unfurnish'd note. 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.
[Reads]
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.
-- 329 --
If you be well pleased with this,
And hold your fortune for your bliss,
Turn you where your lady is,
And claim her with a loving kiss.
A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave;
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 note doubt
Whether those peals note 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.
Por.
You see me note, Lord Bassanio note, 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 note times
note
More rich;
That only note 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, note which, to term in gross,
Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised;
Happy in this, she is not yet so old
But she may learn; happier than note this, note
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;
Happiest of all is note that her gentle spirit
-- 330 --
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 note was the lord note
Of this fair mansion, master note of my servants,
Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now,
This house, these servants, and this same myself,
Are yours, my lord note: 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.
Bass.
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 note dead!
Ner.
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!
Gra.
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.
Bass.
With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.
Gra.
I thank your lordship, you have note got me one.
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid;
-- 331 --
You loved, I loved for intermission. note
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.
Your fortune stood upon the casket note there,
And so did mine too, as the matter falls;
For wooing here note until I sweat note again,
And swearing till my very roof note 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
Achieved her mistress.
Por.
Is this true, Nerissa?
Ner.
Madam, it is, so note you stand pleased withal.
Bass.
And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?
Gra.
Yes, faith, my lord.
Bass.
Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage.
Gra.
We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand
ducats.
Ner.
What, and stake down?
Gra.
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 note?
noteEnter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salerio, a Messenger from Venice. note
Bass.
Lorenzo and Salerio note, welcome hither;
If that the youth of my new interest here
Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave,
I bid my very note friends and countrymen,
Sweet Portia, welcome.
-- 332 --
Por.
So do I, my lord:
They are entirely welcome.
Lor.
I thank your honour. For my part, my lord,
My purpose was not to have seen you here;
But meeting with Salerio note by the way,
He did entreat me, past all saying nay,
To come with him along.
Saler.
I note did, my lord;
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio
Commends him to you.
[Gives note Bassanio a letter.
Bass.
Ere I ope his letter,
I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth.
Saler.
Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind;
Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there
note
Will show you his estate.
Gra.
Nerissa, cheer yon note 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.
Saler.
I would note you had won the fleece that he hath lost.
Por.
There are some shrewd contents in yon note same paper,
That steals note the colour from Bassanio's note 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 note have the half of any thing
That this same paper brings you.
Bass.
O sweet Portia,
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words
-- 333 --
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 engaged myself to a dear friend,
Engaged my friend to his mere enemy,
To feed my means. Here is note a letter, lady;
The paper as note the body of my friend,
And every word in it a gaping wound,
Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio?
Have note all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit?
From Tripolis, from Mexico, and note England,
From Lisbon, Barbary, and India?
And not one vessel scape note the dreadful touch
Of merchant-marring rocks?
Saler.
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.
Jes.
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
-- 334 --
That he did owe him: and I know, my lord,
If law, authority and power deny not,
It will go hard with poor Antonio.
Por.
Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?
Bass.
The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,
The best-condition'd and note unwearied note spirit
In doing courtesies; and one in whom
The ancient Roman honour more appears
Than any that draws breath in Italy.
Por.
What sum owes he the Jew?
Bass.
For me three thousand ducats.
Por.
What, no more?
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;
Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Before a friend of this note description
Shall note lose a hair through note 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 note.
But let me hear the letter of your friend.
Bass. [reads note]
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 cleared between you and I note, if I might but see note you at my
-- 335 --
death. note Notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not
persuade you to come, let not my letter.
Por. note
O love, dispatch all business, and be gone!
Bass.
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,
No note rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
Venice. A street.
Enter Shylock, Salarino note, Antonio, and Gaoler.
Shy.
Gaoler note, look to him: tell not me of mercy;
This is the fool that lent note out money gratis:
Gaoler note, look to him.
Ant.
Hear me yet, good Shylock.
Shy.
I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond:
I have note sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Thou call'dst note 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.
Ant.
I pray thee note, hear me speak.
Shy.
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.
Salar.
It is the most impenetrable cur
That ever kept with men.
Ant.
Let him alone:
-- 336 --
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
He seeks my life; his reason well I know:
I oft deliver'd from note his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me;
Therefore he hates me.
Salar.
I am sure the Duke
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold note.
Ant.
The Duke cannot deny the course of law: note
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, note if it note be denied,
Will note much impeach the justice of his note state;
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
These griefs and losses have note so bated me,
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
To-morrow to my bloody creditor.
Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
Belmont. A room in Portia's house.
Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and Balthasar. note
Lor.
Madam, although I speak it in your note presence,
You have a noble and a true conceit
Of god-like note amity; which appears most note 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 note,
How dear a lover of my lord your husband,
-- 337 --
I know you would be prouder of the work
Than customary bounty can enforce you.
Por.
I never did repent for note doing good,
Nor note shall not now: for in companions
That do converse and waste the time together,
Whose souls do bear an equal note yoke of love,
There must be needs a like proportion
Of lineaments, of note 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 bestow'd
In purchasing the semblance of my soul
From out the state of hellish misery note!
This comes too near the praising of myself;
Therefore no more of it: hear other things. note
Lorenzo, I commit into your hands note
The husbandry and manage of my house
Until my lord's return: for mine own part,
I have toward heaven breathed a secret note 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 will we note abide. I do desire you
Not to deny this imposition;
The which my love and some necessity
Now lays note upon you note.
Lor.
Madam, with all my heart;
I shall obey you in all fair commands.
Por.
My people do already know my mind,
-- 338 --
And will acknowledge you and Jessica
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.
And so farewell note, till we shall meet again.
Lor.
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!
Jes.
I wish your ladyship all heart's content.
Por.
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased note
To wish it back on you: fare you well note, Jessica.
[Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo.
Now, Balthasar,
As I have ever found thee honest-true note note,
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,
And use thou all the endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua note: see thou render this
Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario;
And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee,
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed
Unto the tranect note, to the common ferry
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words note,
But get thee gone: I shall be there before thee note.
Balth.
Madam, I go with all convenient speed.
[Exit.
Por.
Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand
That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands
Before they think of us.
Ner.
Shall they see us?
Por.
They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit,
That they shall think we are accomplished
With that note we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,
When we are both accoutred note 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
-- 339 --
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 note: 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 note discontinued school
Above a twelvemonth. I have within my mind
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks,
Which I will practise.
Ner.
Why, shall we turn to men?
Por.
Fie, what a question's that,
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!
But come, I'll tell thee all my note 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 to-day.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
The same. A garden. note
Enter Launcelot and Jessica.
Laun.
Yes, truly; for, look you, the sins of the father
are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I promise ye note,
I fear note 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 damned. There is but
one hope in it that can do you any good; and that is but
a kind of bastard hope neither.
Jes.
And what hope is that, I pray thee?
Laun.
Marry, you may partly hope that your father
got you not, that you are not the Jew's daughter.
-- 340 --
Jes.
That were a kind of bastard hope, indeed: so the
sins of my mother should be visited upon me.
Laun.
Truly then I fear you are damned both by father
and mother: thus when I shun note Scylla, your father, I fall note
into Charybdis, your mother: well, you are gone both ways.
Jes.
I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made
me a Christian.
Laun.
Truly, the more to blame he: we were Christians
enow before; e'en note 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.
Jes.
I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you say: here
he comes. note
Lor.
I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot,
if you thus get my wife into corners.
Jes.
Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo: Launcelot
and I are out. He tells me flatly, there is 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.
Lor.
I shall answer that better to the commonwealth
than you can the getting up of the negro's belly: the Moor
is note with child by you, Launcelot.
Laun.
It is much that the Moor should be more than
reason: but if she be less note than an honest woman, she is
indeed more than I took her for.
Lor.
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.
Laun.
That is done, sir; they have all stomachs.
-- 341 --
Lor.
Goodly note Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then
bid them prepare dinner.
Laun.
That is done too, sir; only ‘cover’ is the word.
Lor.
Will you cover, then, sir?
Laun.
Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty.
Lor.
Yet more quarrelling with note 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.
Laun.
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.
Lor.
O dear note discretion, how his words are suited note!
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 note thou, Jessica?
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's note wife?
Jes.
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 mean it, then
In note 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
-- 342 --
Hath not her fellow.
Lor.
Even such a husband
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife note note.
Jes.
Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.
Lor.
I will anon: first, let us go to dinner.
Jes.
Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.
Lor.
No, pray thee note, let it serve for table-talk;
Then, howsoe'er note thou speak'st, 'mong note other things
I shall digest note it.
Jes.
Well, I'll set you forth.
[Exeunt note.
ACT IV.
Scene I.
Venice. A court note of justice.
Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio, and others. note
Duke.
What, is Antonio here?
Ant.
Ready, so please your Grace.
Duke.
I am note sorry for thee: thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram note of mercy.
Ant.
I have heard
note
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
-- 343 --
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.
Saler. note
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 lead'st 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 exact'st note the penalty note,
Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,
Thou wilt not only loose note the forfeiture,
But, touch'd with human note 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 note to press a royal merchant down,
And pluck commiseration of his state note
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint note,
From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd
To offices of tender courtesy.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
Shy.
I have possess'd your Grace of what I purpose;
And by our holy Sabbath note 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
-- 344 --
A weight of carrion-flesh than to receive
Three thousand ducats: I'll not answer that:
But, say, it note is note my humour: is it answer'd?
What if my house be troubled with a rat,
And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats
To have it baned note? 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 note sings i' the nose,
Cannot contain their urine: for affection,
Mistress of note passion, sways note 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 note bag-pipe; but of force
Must yield to such inevitable shame
As to offend, himself note being offended;
So can I give no reason, nor I will not,
More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing
I bear Antonio, that I follow thus
A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd?
Bass.
This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,
To excuse the current of thy cruelty.
Shy.
I am not bound to please thee with my answers note.
Bass.
Do all men kill the things note they do not love?
-- 345 --
Shy.
Hates any man the thing he would not kill?
Bass.
Every offence is not a hate at first.
Shy.
What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
Ant.
I pray you, think you note question with the note Jew:
You may as well go stand upon the beach,
And bid the main flood bate his usual height;
You may note as well use question with the wolf,
Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; note
You may as well forbid the mountain pines note
To wag their high tops, and to make no noise note,
When they are fretten note with the gusts of heaven;
You may as well do any thing most hard,
As seek to soften that—than which what's harder? note—
His Jewish heart: therefore, I do beseech you,
Make no more offers, use no farther means,
But with all brief and plain conveniency
Let me have judgement and the Jew his will.
Bass.
For thy three thousand ducats here is six.
Shy.
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, rendering none?
Shy.
What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?
You have among you many a purchased slave,
Which, like your asses note and your dogs and mules,
You use in abject and in slavish parts note,
Because you bought note them: shall I say to you,
Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?
Why sweat they under burthens? let their beds
Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates
-- 346 --
Be season'd with such viands? You will answer
‘The slaves are ours:’ so do I answer you:
The pound of flesh, which I demand of him,
Is dearly bought; 'tis note 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 judgement: 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 to-day.
Saler. note
My lord, here stays without
A messenger with letters from the doctor,
New come from Padua.
Duke.
Bring us the letters; call the messenger note.
Bass.
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.
Ant.
I am a tainted wether of the flock,
Meetest for death: the weakest kind of fruit
Drops earliest note to the ground; and note so let me:
You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio,
Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.
noteEnter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. note
Duke.
Came you from Padua, from Bellario?
Ner.
From both, my lord. note Bellario greets your Grace.
[Presenting note a letter.
Bass.
Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
Shy.
To cut the forfeiture note from that bankrupt there.
Gra.
Not on thy sole, but on thy soul note, harsh Jew,
-- 347 --
Thou makest thy knife keen; but note no metal can,
No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness
Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?
Shy.
No, none that thou hast note wit enough to make.
Gra.
O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable note dog!
And for thy life let justice be accused.
Thou almost makest 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 note slaughter,
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,
And, whilst thou lay'st note in thy unhallow'd dam,
Infused itself in thee; for thy desires
Are wolvish, bloody, starved note and ravenous.
Shy.
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 note ruin. I stand here note for law.
Duke.
This letter from Bellario doth commend
A young and learned doctor to note our court.
Where is he?
Ner.
He attendeth here hard by,
To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.
Duke.
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.
Clerk. [reads note]
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 Balthasar. I acquainted note him with the cause note in controversy
-- 348 --
between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turned 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.
Duke.
You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes:
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
Enter note Portia for Balthasar.
Give me your hand. Come note you from old Bellario?
Por.
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?
Por.
I am informed throughly of the cause.
Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?
Duke.
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.
Por.
Is your name Shylock?
Shy.
Shylock is my name.
Por.
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow;
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
Cannot impugn note you as you do proceed.
You stand within his danger, do you not note?
Ant.
Ay, so he says.
Por.
Do you confess the bond?
Ant.
I do.
Por.
Then must the Jew be merciful.
Shy.
On what compulsion must I? tell me that.
Por.
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest note;
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
-- 349 --
'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 note 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 note of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
Shy.
My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
Por.
Is he not able to discharge the money?
Bass.
Yes, here I tender it for him in the court;
Yea, twice note 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 note. 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.
Por.
It must not be; there is no power in Venice
Can alter a decree established:
'Twill be recorded for a precedent note,
And many an error, by the same example,
Will rush into the state: it cannot be.
-- 350 --
Shy.
A Daniel come to judgement! yea, a Daniel!
O wise young judge, how I do note honour thee!
Por.
I pray you, let me look upon the bond.
Shy.
Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.
Por.
Shylock, there's thrice note thy money offer'd thee.
Shy.
An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven:
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
No, not note for Venice.
Por.
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 note thy money; bid me tear the bond.
Shy.
When it is paid according to the tenour note.
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 judgement: by my soul I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me: I stay here on my bond.
Ant.
Most heartily I do beseech the court
To give the judgement.
Por.
Why then, thus it is:
You must prepare your bosom for his knife.
Shy.
O noble judge! O excellent young man!
Por.
For the intent and purpose of the law
Hath full relation to the penalty,
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
Shy.
'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge!
How much more elder art thou than thy looks!
Por.
Therefore lay bare your bosom.
Shy.
Ay, his breast:
So says the bond:—doth it not, noble judge?—
‘Nearest his heart:’ those are the very words.
-- 351 --
Por.
It is so. Are there balance here note to weigh
The flesh? note note
Shy.
I have them ready.
Por.
Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,
To stop his wounds, lest he do note bleed to death.
Shy.
Is it so nominated in the bond? note
Por.
It is not so express'd: but what of that?
'Twere good you do so much for charity.
Shy.
I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.
Por.
You, merchant note, have you any thing to say?
Ant.
But little: I am arm'd and well prepared.
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 note: 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 lingering penance
Of such note misery note doth she cut me off.
Commend me to your honourable wife:
Tell her the process of Antonio's end;
Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death;
And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love note.
Repent but note 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 presently note with all my heart.
Bass.
Antonio, I am married to a wife
-- 352 --
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, note sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, to deliver you.
Por.
Your wife would give you little thanks for that,
If she were by, to hear you make the offer.
Gra.
I have a wife, whom note, I protest, I love:
I would she were in heaven, so she could
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.
Ner.
'Tis well you offer it behind her back;
The wish would make else an unquiet house.
Shy.
These be the Christian husbands. I have note a daughter;
Would any of the stock of Barrabas
Had been her husband rather than a Christian!
[Aside. note
We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence.
Por.
A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine:
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.
Shy.
Most rightful judge!
Por.
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast:
The law allows it, and the court awards it.
Shy.
Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare!
Por.
Tarry a little; there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot note of blood;
The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh:’
Take then note 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.
Gra.
O upright judge! Mark, Jew: O learned judge!
Shy.
Is that the law?
Por.
Thyself shalt see the act:
For, as thou urgest justice, be assured
Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.
-- 353 --
Gra.
O learned judge! Mark, Jew: a learned judge!
Shy.
I take this note offer, then; pay the bond thrice note,
And let the Christian go.
Bass.
Here is the money.
Por.
Soft!
The Jew shall have all justice; soft! no haste:
He shall have nothing but the penalty.
Gra.
O Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge!
Por.
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 cut'st note more
Or less than a just pound, be it but note so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance note,
Or note the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do note turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.
Gra.
A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!
Now, infidel, I have you note on the hip.
Por.
Why doth the Jew pause? take thy note forfeiture.
Shy.
Give me my principal, and let me go.
Bass.
I have it ready for thee; here it is.
Por.
He hath refused it in the open court:
He note shall have merely justice and his bond.
Gra.
A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel!
I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.
Shy.
Shall I not have barely note my principal?
Por.
Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,
To be so taken note at thy peril, Jew.
Shy.
Why, then the devil give him good of it!
I'll stay no longer question note.
Por.
Tarry, Jew:
-- 354 --
The law hath yet another hold on you.
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,
If it be proved against an note 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 note half his goods; the other half
Comes to the privy coffer note 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 note contrived against note the very life
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd
The danger formerly note by me rehearsed.
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
Gra.
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 note see the difference of our spirits note,
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.
Por.
Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.
Shy.
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.
Por.
What mercy can you render him, Antonio?
Gra.
A halter gratis; nothing else, for God's sake note.
-- 355 --
Ant.
So please my lord the Duke and all the court
To quit note the fine for note one half of his goods,
I am content; so he will let me have
The other half in use, to render it,
Upon note his note 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 note,
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.
Duke.
He shall do this, or else I do recant
The pardon that I late pronounced here.
Por.
Art thou contented, Jew? what dost thou say?
Shy.
I am content.
Por.
Clerk, draw a deed of gift.
Shy.
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.
Gra. note
In christening shalt thou note have two godfathers:
Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,
To bring thee to the gallows, not note the font.
[Exit Shylock.
Duke.
Sir, I entreat you home with me note to dinner note.
Por.
I humbly do note desire your Grace of note 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.
-- 356 --
note
Bass.
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.
Ant.
And stand indebted, over and above,
In love and service to you evermore.
Por.
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 note mercenary.
I pray you, know me when we meet again:
I wish you well, and so I take my leave.
Bass.
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further:
Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute,
Not as a fee note: grant me two things, I pray you,
Not to deny me, and to pardon me.
Por.
You press me far, and therefore I will yield.
Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake;
[To Ant. note
And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you
[To Bass. note]:
Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more;
And you in love shall not deny me this.
Bass.
This ring, good sir, alas, it is a trifle!
I will not shame myself to give you this.
Por.
I will have nothing else but only this;
And now methinks I have a mind to it.
Bass.
There's more depends on this than on note the value.
The dearest ring in Venice will I note give you,
And find it out by proclamation:
Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.
Por.
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.
-- 357 --
Bass.
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.
Por.
That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.
An if your wife be not a mad-woman,
And know how well I have deserved the note ring,
She would not hold out enemy note for ever,
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
[Exeunt Portia and Nerissa.
Ant.
My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring:
Let his deservings and my love withal
Be valued 'gainst note your wife's note commandment note.
Bass.
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. note
Come, you and I will thither presently;
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont: come, Antonio.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
The same. A street. note
Enter Portia and Nerissa. note
Por.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed
And let him sign it: we'll away to-night
And be a day before our husbands home:
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
Enter Gratiano.
Gra.
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.
-- 358 --
Por.
That cannot be:
His note ring I do accept most thankfully:
And so, I pray you, tell him: furthermore,
I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house.
Gra.
That will I do.
Ner.
Sir, I would speak with you.
I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,
[Aside to Portia.
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.
Por. [Aside to Ner.]
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.
[Aloud]
Away! make haste: thou know'st where I will tarry.
Ner.
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?
[Exeunt.
ACT V.
Scene I.
Belmont. Avenue note to Portia's house.
Enter Lorenzo and Jessica.
note
Lor.
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 Troyan walls note,
And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents,
Where Cressid note lay that night.
Jes.
In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew,
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself,
And ran dismay'd away.
Lor.
In such a night
-- 359 --
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft note her love
To come again to Carthage.
Jes.
In such a night
Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.
Lor.
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
Jes.
In note such a night
Did young note Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith
And ne'er a true one.
Lor.
In note such a night
Did pretty note Jessica, like a little shrew note,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
Jes.
I would out-night you, did no body come;
But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.
Enter Stephano.
Lor.
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
Steph.
A friend.
Lor.
A friend! what friend? your name, I pray you, friend?
Steph.
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 note hours.
Lor.
Who comes with her?
Steph.
None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you, is note my master yet return'd?
Lor.
He is not, nor we have not note heard from him.
-- 360 --
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us note prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
Enter Launcelot.
Laun.
Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!
Lor.
Who calls?
Laun.
Sola! did you see Master Lorenzo? Master
Lorenzo note, sola, sola!
Lor.
Leave hollaing, man: here.
Laun.
Sola! where? where?
Lor.
Here.
Laun.
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.
Lor.
Sweet soul, let's in note, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter: why should we go in?
My friend note Stephano note, signify, I note pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand;
And bring your music forth into the air.
[Exit Stephano. note
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 patines note 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 note;
-- 361 --
Such harmony is in immortal souls note;
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in note, we cannot hear it.
Enter note Musicians.
Come, ho, and wake Diana with a hymn note!
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.
[Music. note
Jes.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
Lor.
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 note 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 note the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees note, stones and floods;
Since nought so stockish, hard and full of rage,
But music for the note time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved 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 note:
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
Enter Portia and Nerissa.
Por.
That light we see is burning in my hall.
-- 362 --
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
Ner.
When the moon shone, we did not see the candle. note
Por.
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!
Ner.
It is your music, madam, of the note house.
Por.
Nothing is good, I see, without respect:
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
Ner.
Silence bestows that note virtue on it, madam.
Por.
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 note.
How many things by season season'd are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace, ho! note the moon sleeps with Endymion,
And would not be awaked.
[Music ceases. note
note
Lor.
That is the voice,
Or I am much deceived, of Portia.
note
Por.
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,
By the bad voice.
Lor.
Dear lady, welcome home.
Por.
We have been praying for our husbands' healths note,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
Are they return'd?
Lor.
Madam, they are not yet;
But there is come a messenger before,
To signify their coming.
-- 363 --
Por.
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. note
Lor.
Your husband is at hand; I hear his note trumpet:
We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not.
Por.
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.
Bass.
We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
Por.
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 note me:
But God sort all! You are note welcome home, my lord.
Bass.
I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
Por.
You should in all sense be much bound to him,
For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.
Ant.
No more than I am well acquitted of.
Por.
Sir, you are very welcome to our house:
It must appear in other ways than words,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
Gra. [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.
Por.
A quarrel, ho, already! what's the matter?
Gra.
About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me note, whose posy note was
-- 364 --
For all the world like cutler's poetry
Upon a knife, ‘Love me, and leave me not.’
Ner.
What talk you of the posy note or the value?
You swore to me, when I did give it note you,
That you would wear it till your note 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 note,
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's note face that had it.
Gra.
He will, an if he live to be a man.
Ner.
Ay note, if a woman live to be a man.
Gra.
Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbed note 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.
Por.
You were to note blame, I must be plain with you,
To part so slightly with your wife's first gift;
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger
And so riveted note 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 note cause of grief:
An 'twere to me, I should be mad at it.
Bass. [Aside note]
Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
Gra.
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begg'd it and indeed
Deserved it too; and then the boy, his clerk,
-- 365 --
That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine;
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.
Por.
What ring gave you, my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
Bass.
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.
Por.
Even note so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
Until I see the ring.
Ner.
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine.
Bass.
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.
Por.
If you had known the virtue of the ring,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honour to contain note the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleased 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.
Bass.
No, by my honour note, madam, by my soul,
No woman had it, but a civil doctor,
Which note did refuse three thousand ducats of me,
And begg'd the ring; the which I did deny him,
And suffered him to go displeased away note;
-- 366 --
Even he that did uphold note the very life
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady;
I was enforced 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 note, 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 note worthy doctor.
Por.
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 any thing 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 note:
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now, by mine honour, which is yet mine own,
I'll have that note doctor for my note bedfellow.
Ner.
And I his clerk; therefore be well advised
How you do leave me to mine own protection.
Gra.
Well, do you so: let not me take him, then;
For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen.
Ant.
I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels.
note
Por.
Sir, grieve not you; you are welcome notwithstanding.
Bass.
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,—
Por.
Mark you but that!
In both my note eyes he doubly sees himself;
-- 367 --
In each eye, one: swear by your double self,
And there's an oath of credit.
Bass.
Nay, but hear me:
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.
Ant.
I once did lend my body for his note wealth note;
Which, but for him that had your husband's note ring,
Had quite miscarried: I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.
Por.
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.
Ant.
Here, Lord Bassanio; swear to keep this ring.
Bass.
By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
Por.
I had it of him: pardon me note, Bassanio;
For, by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
Ner.
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano;
For that same scrubbed note boy, the doctor's clerk,
In lieu of this note last night did lie with me.
Gra.
Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer, where note the ways are fair enough:
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
Por.
Speak not so grossly. You are all amazed:
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 note 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
-- 368 --
I chanced on this letter.
Ant.
I am dumb.
Bass.
Were you the doctor and I knew you not?
Gra.
Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
Ner.
Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,
Unless he live until he be a man.
Bass.
Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow:
When I am absent, then lie with my wife.
Ant.
Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road note.
Por.
How now, Lorenzo!
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
Ner.
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.
Lor.
Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starved people.
Por.
It is almost morning,
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us note go in;
And charge us there upon note inter'gatories note,
And we will answer all things faithfully.
Gra.
Let it be so: the first inter'gatory note
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is,
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, note being two hours to day:
But were the day come, I should wish it dark,
That note I were couching with the doctor's note clerk.
Well, while I live I'll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring.
[Exeunt.
