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, Solanio ? Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SOLANIO, L. Bass. [Crosses to Lor.] Lorenzo and Solanio, welcome hither, If that the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome :-by your leave, Sweet Portia, welcome. 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 Solanio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Sol. I did, my lord, And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio [Gives Bassanio a letter; all retire but Bassanio and Bass. Ere I ope his letter, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. Your hand, Solanio; 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. Sol. Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! [They retire up the Stage, R. Por. There are some shrewd contents in that same pa per, That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Of any constant man. What, worse and worse? [Crosses to him. leave, Bassanio; I am half y urself, I must freely have the half of anything this same paper brings you. ss. Oh, sweet Portia, e are a few of the unpleasant'st words, w much I was a braggart. when I told you [Solanio advances. ave all his ventures failed? What, not one hit? rom Tripolis, from Mexico, and England? nd not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch f merchant-marring rocks? Sol. (L.) Not one, my lord. esides, it should appear, that if he had [Gratiano and Nerissa advance, R. Por. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best conditioned and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Lorenzo advances L. of Bassanio. Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. Bass. [Reads.] "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 me. If I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter." Por. Oh, love, despatch all business, and be gone. I will make haste: but till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, SCENE III-A Street in Venice. [Exeunt, R. Enter SHYLOCK, ANTONIO, SALARINO, and GAOLer, l. Shy. Gaoler, look to him;-tell not me of mercy;— This is the fool that lent out money gratis :-) Gaoler, look to him. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; ave sworn an oath that I will have my bond: ou call'dst me dog, before thou had'st a cause; ■t, since I am a dog, beware my fangs : he Duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak : 11 have my bond; and therefore speak no more. ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, "o shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield Ant. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me Sala. I am sure, the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold [Exit, R Ant. The Duke cannot deny the course of law; Will much impeach the justice of the state; [Crosses, L Well, Gaoler, on:-Pray Heav'n Bassanio come To see me pay this debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt, L. SCENE IV.-Portia's House at Belmont. Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, PORTIA, NERISSA, and BALT HAZAR, R. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But if you knew to whom you show this hor pur, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, This comes too near the praising of myself; The husbandry and manage of my house, Until her husband and my lord's return: There is a monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition; The which my love, and some necessity, Lor. Madam, with all my heart; I shall obey you in all fair commands. Por. My people do already know my mind, In place of Lord Bassanio and myself. Lor. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you. Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleasea To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica. Now, Balthazar, [Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo, . [Balthazar advances, . As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still: take this same letter, In speed to Padua: 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, to the common ferry |