Por. Good sentences and well pronounced. Ner. They would be better if well followed. 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 is a good divine that follows his own instructions: I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree: such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. O me, the word 'choose'! I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none ? 29 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 be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love. But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come? Por. I pray thee; over-name them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them; and, according to my description, level at my affection. 41 Ner. First, there is the Neapolitan prince. Por. Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse; and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith. Ner. Then is there the County Palatine. Por. He doth nothing but frown, as who should say, 'If 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 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 ? 59 Por. God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker; but, he! why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine; he is every man in no man; if a throstle sing, he falls straight a-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 never requite him. 70 Ner. What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of England? Por. That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, and swore he would pay him again when he was able: I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another. Ner. How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew? 91 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 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, set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I'll be married to a sponge. 106 Ner. You need not fear, lady, the having any of theselords: they have acquainted me with their determinations; which is, indeed, to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition depending on the caskets. 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 a fair departure. 118 Ner. Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat? Por. Yes, yes: it was Bassanio; as I think, he was so called. 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 Servant. How now! what news? 130 Serv. The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave; and there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the prince his master will be here to-night. Por. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shy. Oh, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats and waterrats, water-thieves and land-thieves, I mean pirates: and then there is the peril of waters, 6) Your worship was the last man in our mouths. I'll break a custom. Is he yet possess'd How much ye would? Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Ant. And for three months. Shy. I had forgot three months; you told me so. Well then, your bond; and let me see. But Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow Ant. I do never use it. 71 Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's This Jacob from our holy Abram was, The third possessor: ay, he was the third, Ant. And what of him? did he take interest ? say, Directly interest: mark what Jacob did. In end of autumn turned to the rams; winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding. The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands, safficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond. Bass. Be assured you may. 29 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. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so follow ing; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here? Enter ANTΟΝΙΟ. Bass. This is Signior Antonio. 40 82 And, in the doing of the deed of kind, Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd A thing not in his power to bring to pass, Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast: Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Shy. Aside. How like a fawning publican he Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, I hate him for he is a Christian; But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis, and brings down If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Even there where merchants most do congregate, If I forgive him! A goodly apple rotten at the heart. O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! 100 Shy. Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft Bass. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store, And, by the near guess of my memory, Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, 110 I cannot instantly raise up the gross And all for use of that which is mine own. Of full three thousand ducats. What of that? Well then, it now appears you need my help: Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Go to then; you come to me, and you say, M Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too, If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion, A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who, if he break, thou my'st with better face 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, 140 Supply your present wants, and take no doit Ant. This were kindness. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden's eyes; Besides, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: But if my father had not scanted me And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself His wife who wins me by that means I told you, This kindness will I show. Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair Go with me to a notary, seal me there Your single bond; and, in a merry sport, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me. 150 Ant. Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bond, And say there is much kindness in the Jew. Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me: I'll rather dwell in my necessity. Ant. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it: Of thrice three times the value of this bond. 160 are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect As any comer I have look'd on yet Mor. Even for that I thank you: Por. You must take your chance; And either not attempt to choose at all, 41 Mor. Nor will not come, bring me unto my chance. A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, Is not so estimable, profitable neither, In way of marriage: therefore be advis'd. As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say, To buy his favour, I extend this friendship : 170 And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not. Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and purse the ducats straight, Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's; To make me blest or cursed'st among men. See to my house, left in the fearful guard Of an unthrifty knave, and presently I will be with you. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. Exit SHYLOCK. This Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind. Bass. I like not fair terms and a villain's mind. Cornets, and excunt. SCENE II. Venice. A Street. Laun. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow, and tempts me, saying to me, Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot,' or 10 'good Gobbo,' or 'good Launcelot Gobbo, use vour legs, take the start, run away. My conscience says, 'No; take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest Gobbo'; or, as aforesaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels.' Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: 'V'ia!' says the fiend; away!' says the fiend; 'for the heavens, 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': 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; and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at your commandment; I will run. Enter Old GOBBO, with a basket. 33 Gob. Master young man, you; I pray you, which is the way to Master Jew's? 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 with him. Gob Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jew's? 41 Laun. Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house. Gob. By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no? Laun. Talk you of young Ma-ter Launcelot? Aside. Mark me now; now will I raise the waters. Talk you of young Master Launcelot? 53 Gob. No master, sir, but a poor man's son: his father, though I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to live, Laun. Well, let his father be what a' will, we talk of young Master Launcelot. Gob. Your worship's friend, and Launcelot, sir. Laun. But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you, talk you of young Master Launcelot? Gob. Of Launcelot, an 't please your mastership. 62 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 indeed deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven. 70 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 me, father? Gob. Alack the day! I know you not, young gentleman; but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, God rest his soul! alive or dead? Laun. Do you not know me, father? Gob. Alack, sir, I am sand-blind; I know you not. 78 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 cannot be hid long; a man's son may, but in the end truth will out. Gob. Pray you, sir, stand up. I am sure you 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. 91 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 face, when I last saw him. Gob. Lord! how art thou changed. How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How 'gree you now? Laun, Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground. My master's a very Jew: give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come give me your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries. If I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. O rare fortune! here comes the man: to him, father; for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer. Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO, and other 120 Gob. That is the very defect of the matter, sir. Shylock thy master spoke with me this day, Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me: 200 If I do not put on a sober habit, Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me By what we do to-night. No, that were pity: 211 I would entreat you rather to put on Gra. And I must to Lorenzo and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. Excunt. 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 it well. Go, father, with SCENE III. - The Same. A Room in SHYLOCK'S Laus. Father, in. I cannot get a service, no; I have ne'er a tongue in my head. Well; if any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune. Go to; here's a simple line of life: here's a small trifle of wives: alas! fifteen wives is nothing: a 'leven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man; and then to 'scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed; here are simple 'scapes. Well, if Fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear. Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. 181 Exeunt LAUNCELOT and Old GoBво. 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. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein. Enter GRATIANO, Gra. Where is your master? House.. Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. Jes. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so: Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness. But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee: Laun. Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit: adieu! Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot. Exit LAUNCELOT. Alack! what heinoas sin is it in me SCENE IV. - 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 of torchbearers. Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd, And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours |