Lor. Goodly 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 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 Launcelot. Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited! The fool hath planted in his memory Is reason he should never come to heaven. Lor. Even such a husband Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. Jes. Nay, let me praise you, while I have a stomach. Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk, Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it. Jes. Well, I'll set you forth. [Exe. ACT IV. SCENE I-Venice. A court of Justice. Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes; Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salarino, Salanio, and others. Duke. What, is Antonio here? Ant. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to an swer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Ant. Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy's! reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury; and am arm'd Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our 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 (1) Hatred, malice. Thou'lt show thy mercy, and remorse, more strange We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I pur pose; And by our holy sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond: you deny it, let the danger light If Upon your charter, and your city's freedom. Why he, a harmless necessary cat; (1) Pity. (2) Seeming. (3) Whereas (4) Particular fancy. (5) Crying. (6) Prejudice. Why he, a swollen bag-pipe; but of force A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. What, would'st thou have a serpent sting thee twice? Ant. I pray you, think you question1 with the few: You may as well go stand upon the beach, To wag their high tops, and to make no noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do any thing most hard, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) His Jewish heart:-Therefore, I do beseech you, Make no more offers, use no further means, But, with all brief and plain conveniency, Let me have judgment, 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, rend'ring none? (1) Converse. Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Because you bought them :-Shall I say to you, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salar. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua. Duke. Bring us the letters; Call the messenger. The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Enter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your [Presents a letter. grace. Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so ear nestly? |