PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Venice. Prince of Morocco, suitors to Portia. Antonio, the merchant of Venice. Bassanio, his friend. Salanio, Salarino, Gratiano, friends to Antonio and Bassanio. Lorenzo, in love with Jessica. Shylock, a Jew. Tubal, a Jew, his friend. Launcelot Gobbo, a clown, servant to Shylock. Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot. Salerio, a messenger from Venice. Leonardo, servant to Bassanio. Balthazar, Stephano, servants to Portia. Portia, a rich heiress. Nerissa, her waiting-maid. Jessica, daughter to Shylock. Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the court of Justice, jailer, servants, and other attendants. Scene, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia, on the continent. MERCHANT OF VENICE. ACT I. SCENE I-Venice. A street. Enter Antonic Salarino, and Salanio. Antonio. IN sooth, I know not why I am so sad; It wearies me; you say, And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That curt'sy to them, do them reverence, 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 Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, (1) Ships of large burthen. Would blow me to an ague, when I thought And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks? But, tell not me; I know, Antonio Is sad to think upon his merchandise. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, Ant. are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy For you to laugh, and leap, and say, you are merry, Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time: That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, (1) Lowering. |