Gra. I thank your lordship; you have got me one. And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady,
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: Rating myself at nothing, you shall see
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid ;

How much I was a braggart: When I told you You lov d, I lovd; for intermission

My state was nothing, I should then have told you No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.

That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed, Your fortune stood upon the caskets there;

I have engay'd myself to a dear friend, And so did mine too, as the matter falls:

Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy, For wooing here, until I sweat again ;

To feel my means. Here is a letter, lady; And swearing, till my very roof was dry

The paper as the body of my friend, With oaths of love; at last,-if promise last,

And every word in it a gaping wound, I got a promise of this fair one here,

Issuing life-blood. But is it trne, Salerio? To have her love, provided that your fortune

Have all his ventures faild? What, not one hit? Achierid her mistress.

From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England,
Per.
Is this true, Nerissa?

From Lisbon, Barbary, and India ?
Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal. And not one vessel 'scap'd the dreadfal touch
Bass. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? of merchant-marring rocks?
Gro. Yes, faith, my lord.

Sale.

Not one, my lord. Bass. Our feast shall be much honourd in your | Besides, it should appear, that if he had marriage.

The prezept money to discharge the Jew, Gra. We'll play with them, the first boy for a thou He would not take it : Never did I know sand dueats.

A creature, that did bear the shape of man, Ner. What, and stake down?

So keen and greedy to confound a man : Gra. No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake He plies the duke at morning, and at night; down

And doth impeach the freedom of the state, But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? If they deny him justice : twenty merchants, Wint, my old Venetian friend, Salerio ? .

The duke himself, and the magnificoes

Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him ;
Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salerio.

But none can drive him from the envious plea
Bass. Lorenzo, and Salerio, welcome hither ; Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.
I that the youth of my new interest here

Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, Hare power to bid you welcome : By your leave,

To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, I did my very friends and countrymen,

That he would rather have Antonio's flesh,
Sæt Portia, welcome.

Than twenty times the value of the sum
Por.
So do I, my lord ;

That he did owe him: and I know, my lord,
They are entirely welcome.

If law, authority, and power deny not, Lor. I thank your honour :-For my part, my lord,

It will go hard with poor Antonio. My purpose was not to have seen you here;

Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bet meeting with Salerio by the way,

Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, He did entreat me, past all saying nay,

The best condition d and unwearied spirit
To come with him along.

In doing courtesies; and one in whom
Sale.
I did, my lord,

The ancient Roman honour more appears,
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio

Than any that draws breath in Italy.
Cornmenus him to you. [Gives Bassanio a letter. Por. What sum owes he the Jew?
Boss.
Ere I ope his letter,

Bass. For me, three thousand ducats.
I pray you, tell me how my good friend doch.

Por.

What, no more : Sale. Not sick, my loni, unless it be in mind; Pay him six thousand, and deface the bood; Nor wel, unless in mind: his letter there

Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Will show you his estate.

Et-fore a friend of this description
Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger ; bid her welcome. | Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.
Your hand, Salerio ; What's the news from Venice? First: go with me to church, and call me wife:
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? And then away to Venice to your friend;
I know, he will be glad of our success ;

For never shall you lie by Portia's side
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold Sale. 'Would you had won the fleece that he hath To pay the peuty debt twenty times over; lost !

When it is paid, bring your true friend along: Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon same || My maid Nerissa, and myself, mean time, paper,

Will live as maids and widows. Come, away; That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek:

For you shall hence upon your wedding-day: Some dear friend deadl; else nothing in the world

Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer; Could turn so much the constitution

Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.Of any constant man. What, worse and worse? But let me hear the letter of your friend. With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself,

Bass. (Reads.] Sweet Bassania, my ships have all And I must freely have the half of any thing

miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my est

is very That this same paper brings you.

low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit ; and since, in pay Bass.

O sweet Portia, ing it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are clear Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words,

ed between you and I, if I might but sce you at my That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady,

death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure : if your When I did first impart my love to you,

love lo not persuade you to come, let net my letter. I freely toki you, all the wealth I had

Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Kau in my veins, I was a gentleman;

Bass. Since I have your good leave to go away,

For we must measure twenty miles today. (Exeunt.

I will make haste: but, till I come again,

In purchasing the semblance of my soul
No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay,

From out the state of hellish cruelty ?
No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt This comes too near the praising of myself;

Therefore, no more of it: bear other things.--
SCENE 111.-Venice. A Strect. Enter Shylock, '| Lorenzo, I commit into your hands
Salanio, Antonio, and Gaoler.

The husbandry and manage of my house,
Shy. Gaoler, look to him ;-Tell not me of mercy ;-

Until my lord's return: for mine own part, This is the fool that lent out money gratis ;

I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow,

To live in prayer and contemplation,
Gaoler, look to him.
Hear me yet, good Shylock.

Only attended by Nerissa kere,

Until her husband and my lord's return:
Shy. 171 bave my bond ; speak not against my bond;
I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bund :

There is a monastery two miles off,

And there we will abide. I do desire you,
Thou call dst me dog, before thou hadst a cause :

Not to deny this imposition ;
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs :
The duke shall grant me justice.-I do wonder,

The which my love, and some necessity,

Now lays upon you. Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond

Lor.

Madam, with all my heart; To come abroad with him at his request.

I shall obey you in all fair coinmands.
Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak
Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak :

Por. My people do already know my mind,
I'll have my bond ; and therefore speak no more.

And will acknowledge you and Jessica I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool,

In place of lord Bassanio and myself, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield

So fare you well, till we shall meet again. To Christian intercessors. Follow not;

Lor. Fair thoughts, and happy hours, attend on you! I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond.

Jes. I wish your ladyship áll heart's content. [Exit Shylock.

Por. I thunk you for your wish, and am well pleas d Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur,

To wish it back on you : fare you well, Jessica That ever kept with men.

[E.xeunt Jessica and Lorenzo. Ant. Let him alone;

Now, Balthazar, T'U follow him no more with bootless prayers.

As I have ever found thee honest, trae, He seeks my life; his reason well I know;

So let me find thee still : Take this same letter, I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures

And use thou all the endeavour of a man, Many that have at times made moan to me;

In speed to Padua ; see tbou render this Therefore he hates me.

Into my cousin's hand, doctor Bellario ;

And look, what notes and garments he doth give thee Salan.

I am sure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

Bring them, I pray thee, with imagind speed

Unto the tranect, to the common ferry
Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law;
For the commodity that strangers have

Which trades to Venice :-waste no time in words,
But

thee With us in Venice, if it be denied,

gone; I shall be there before thee. Will much jmpeach the justice of the state ;

Balth. Madam, I go with all convenient speed.

[Exile Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go :

Por. Come on, Nerissa ; I have work in hand, These griess and losses have so 'bated me,

That you yet know not of; we'll see our husbands,

Before they think of us. That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh

Ner. Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.—

Shall they see us? Well, gavler, on :-Pray God, Bassanio come

Por. They shall, Nerissa ; but in such a habit,

That they shall think we are accomplished To see me pay his debt, and then I care not. [Excunt.

With what we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,

When we are both accoutred like young men,
SCENE IV-Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and Bal-

I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two,

And wear my dagger with the braver grace; thazar.

And speak, between the change of man and boy, Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps You have a noble and a true conceit

Into a manly stride; and speak of fiays, of god-like anity; which appears most strongly Like a fine bragging youth : and tell quaint liqs In bearing thus the absence of your lorı.

How honourable ladies sought my love, But, if you kuew to whom you show this honour, Which I denying, they fell sick and died; How true a gentleman you send relief,

I could not do with all ;-then I'll repent, How dear a lover of my lord your husland,

And wish, for all that, that I had not killd them; I know, you would be prouder of the work,

And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell, Than customary bounty can enforce you.

That men shall swear, I have discontinued school Por. I never did repent for doing good,

Above a twelvemonth:-I have within my mind Nor shall not now: for in companions

A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks, That do converse and waste the time together,

Which I will practise Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,

Mer. There must be needs a like proportion

Por. Fie! what a question's thal, Of lipeainents, of manners, and of spirit;

If thou wert near a lewd interpreter? Which makes me think, that this Antonio,

But come, I'll tell thee all niy whole device Being the bosom lover of' my lord,

When I ain iu nuy coach, which stays for us Must needs be like my lord: 11 it be so,

At the park gate; and therefore haste away, How little is the cost I have bestowd,

Why, shall we turn to men?

1

SCENE T.-The same. A Garden. Enter Launce. And now, good sweet, say thy opinion, lot and Jessica

How dost thou like the lord Bassanio's wife? Laun. Yes, truly:--for, look you, the sins of the Jes. Past all expressing : It is very meet, father are to be laid upon the children; therefore, I The lord Bassanio live an upright life; promise you, I fear you. I was always plain with For, having such a blessing in his lady, you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter: He finds the joys of heaven here on earth ; Therefore, be of good cheer; for, truly, I think, you And, if on earth he do not mean it, it art damn d. There is but one hope in it that can do

Is reason he should never come to heaven. you any good; and that is bnt a kind of bastard hope | Why, if two gods should play soine heaveuly match, Deither.

And on the wager lay two earthły women, Jes. And what hope is that, I pray thee?

And Portia one, there must be something else Loun. Marry, you may partly hope that your father Pawnd with the other; for the poor rude world got you not, that you are not the Jew's daughter.

Hath not her fellow. Ja. That were a kind of bastard hope, indeed; so

Lor.

Even such a husband the sins of my mother shall be visited upon me.

Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife. Loun. Truly then I fear you are dawnd both by fa

Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. ther and mother: thus when I shun Scylla, your fa

Lor. I will anon ; first, let us go to dinner. ther, I fall into Charybdis, your mother: well, you Jes. Nay, let me praise you, while I have a stomach. are gone both ways.

Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk ; Jes. I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made

Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things me a Christian.

I shall digest it. Laur. Truly, the more to blame he: we were Chris

Jes.

Well, I'll set you forth. (Exeunt. tians enough before; e'en as many as could well live, mae by another: This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-caters, we

ACT IV. shall not shortly have a rusher on the coals for money.

SCENE 1.-Venice. A Court of Justice. Enter the Enter Lorenzo.

Duke, the Magnificues ; Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Jes. S'il tell my husbaud, Launcelot, what you say ;

Salarino, Salanio, and others. bere he comes.

Duke, Lør. I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot,

WHAT, is Antonio here? you thus get my wife into corners.

Ant. Ready, so please your grace. Jer. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo; Launcelot and I are out: he tells me flatly, there is no mercy for

Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter; and he

A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch says, you are no gooul member of the commonwealth; | Uncapable of pity, void and empty

From any dram of mercy. far, in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the

Ant.

I have heard, price of pork.

Your Ler. I shall answer that better to the commonwealth,

grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify

His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, you can the getting up of the vegro's belly: the

And that no lawful means can carry me
Moor is with child by you, Launcelot.
Leun. It is much, that the Moor should be more

Out of his envy's reach, I do oppnse than reason : but if she be less than an honest woman,

My patience to his fury; and am arm'd she is, indeed, more than I took her for.

To suffer with a quietness of spirit, Ler. How every fool can play upon the word ! I

The very tyranny and rage of his. think, the best grace of wit will shortly turn into si

Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. lence; and discourse grow commendable in none only

Salan. He's ready at the door: he comes, my lord. but parrots.-Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for din

Enter Shylock.

Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. Laun. That is done, sir ; they have all stomachs. -Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,

Ler. Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice hind theta prepare dinner.

To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought, Lain. That is done too, sir; only, cover is the word. | Thou'lt show thy mercy, and remorse, more strange Lor. Will you cover then, sir!

Than is thy strange apparent cruelty: Loun. Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty. And where thou now exact'st the penalty, Lør. Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou || (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh.) how the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray | Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, ther, understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go | But touchd with human gentleness and love, to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the Forgive a moiety of the principal; meat, and we will come in to dinner.

Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, Laur. For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for That have of late so huddied on his back; the meat, sit, it shall be covered; for your coming in | Enough to press a royal merchant down, to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits And pluck commiseration of his state gover.

(Exit Laun. From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited Froin stubborn Turks and Tartars, vever traiu'd The fool bath planted in his memory

To offices of tender courtesy. As army of good words; and I do know

We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. A many fools, that stand io better place,

Shy. I have possessid your grace of what I purposes Garnisht like him, that for a tricksy word

And by our holy sabbath have I sworn, Defy the matter. How cheerst thou, Jessica? To have the due and forfeit of my bond :

And here, I take it, is the doctor come

A pound of flesh, to be hy him cut off Enter Portia, dressed like a doctor of laws. Nearest the merchant's beart:-Be merciful; Give me your hand : Came you from old Bellario? Take thrice thy money ; bid me tear the bond. Por. I did, my lord.

Shy. When it is paid according to the tenor.Duke. You are welcome : take your place. || It doth appear, you are a worthy judge ; Are you acquainted with the difference

You know the law, your exposition
That holds this present question in the court ? Hath been most sound : I charge you by the law,

Per. I am informed throughly of the cause. Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,
Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Proceed to judgement : by my soul I swear,

Duike. Antonio and old Slıylock, both stand forth. There is no power in the tongue of man
Per. Is your name Shylock?

To alter me: I stay here on my bond.
Shy.

Shylock is my name. Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court
Per. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; To give the judgement.
Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law

Por,

Why then, thus it is. Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed.

You must prepare your bosom for his knife: You stand within his danger, do you not?

[To Ant.

Shy. O noble judge! O excellent young man! Ant. Ay, so he says.

Por. For the intent and purpose of the law Por.

Do you confess the bond ? Hath full relation to the penalty, Ant. I do.

Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Por Then must the Jew be merciful.

Shy. 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge! Sky. On what compulsion must I ? tell me that. How much more eller art thou than thy looks! Per. The quality of mercy is not strain'd;

Por. Therefore, lay bare your bosom. It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven,

Shy.

Ay, his breast : Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; So says the bond ;-Doth it not, noble judge ?It blessth him that gives, and him that takes : Nearest his heart, those are the very words. Tis mightiest in the mightiest ! it becomes

Por. It is so. Are there balance here, to weigh The throned monarch better than his crown:

The flesh? His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

Shy. I have them ready. The attribute to awe and majesty,

Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

charge, But merey is above this scepter'd sway,

To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond ? It is an attribute to God himself;

Por. It is not so express d; but what of that? And earthly power doth then show likest God's, 'Twere good you do so much for charity. When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say? That, in the course of justice, none of us

Ant. But little ; I am arm'd, and well prepar'd.-
Should see salvation: We do pray for mercy; Give me your hand, Bassanio ; fare you well!
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you ;
The deeds of merey. I have spoke thus much, For herein fortune shows herself more kind
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;

Than is her custom : it is still her use,
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice To let the wretched man out-live his wealth
Must needs give sentence gainst the merchant there. To view with hollow eye, and wrinklel brow,

Sky. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, An age of poverty; from which lingering penance
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

Of such a misery doth she cut me off.
Pr. Is be not able to discharge the money? Commend me to your honourable wife:

Bess. Yes, here I tender it for him in the court; Tell her the process of Antonio's end,
Ya, twice the sum : if that will not suffice,

Say, how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death';
I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er,

And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge, Od forfeit of my hands, my bead, my heart:

Whether Bassanio had not once a love. If this will not suffice, it must appear

Repent not you that you shall lose your friend, That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, And he repents not that he pays your debt; Wrest once the law to your authority:

For, if the Jew do cut but deep enough, To do a great right, do a little wrong;

I'll pay. it instantly with all my heart. And eurb this eruel devil of his will.

Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife, Por. It must not be; there is no power in Venice

Which is as dear to me as life itself; Can alter a decree established :

But-life itself, my wife, and all the world, Twill be recorded for a precedent ;

Are not with me esteem'd above thy life: And many an error, by the same example,

I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all Wil rush into the state: it cannot be.

Here to this devil, to deliver you. Sky. A Daniel come to judgement ! yea, a Daniel !

Por. Your wife would give you little thanks for that, Owive young judge, how do I honour thee!

If she were by, to hear you make the offer.
Pår. I pray you, let me look upon the bond.

Gra. I have a wife, whon, I protest, I love;
Shy. Here 'uis, most reverend doctor, here it is. I would she were in heaven, so she could
Per. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee.

Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.
Shy. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven: Ner. 'Tis well you offer it behind her back;
Shall I lay prjury upon my soul?'

The wish would make else an unquiet house. Xo, not for Venice.

Shy. These be the Christian husbands: I have a Why, this bond is forfeit;

daughter; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim

'Would, any of the stock of Barrabas

Por.