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.

Laun. I know not what I shall think of that; but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man, and,

my mother.

am sure, Margery, your wife, is

Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord! worshipp'd might he be! what a beard hast thou got: thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my phill-horse has on his tail.

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 agree 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 famish'd 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 Followers.

Bass. You may do so; but let it be so hasted, that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See these letters delivered: put the liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging. [Exit a Servant.

Laun. To him, father.

Gob. God bless your worship!

Bass. Gramercy. Would'st thou aught with me?
Gob. Here's my son, Sir, a poor boy,

Laun. Not a poor boy, Sir, but the rich Jew's man, that would, Sir, as my father shall specify.

Gob. He hath a great infection, Sir, as one would say, to

serve

Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify.

Gob. His master and he (saving your worship's reverence,) are scarce cater-cousins.

Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, I hope,

an old man, shall frutify unto you.

Gob. I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship; and my suit is,

-

Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your lordship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet, poor man, my father.

Bass. One speak for both. What would you?

Laun. Serve you, Sir.

Gob. That is the very defect of the matter, Sir.

Bass. I know thee well: thou hast obtain'd thy suit.

Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day,

And hath preferr'd thee; if it be preferment,

To leave a rich Jew's service, to become

The follower of so poor a gentleman.

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 thy son. Take leave of thy old master, and inquire

My lodging out. Give him a livery

More guarded than his fellows': see it done.

[To his followers.

Laun. Father, in. - I cannot get a service, no; I have ne'er a tongue in my head. - Well; [Looking on his palm;] 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: eleven 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.

[Exeunt LAUNCELOT and Old GOBBO.

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.

You have obtain❜d it.

I must go with you to Belmont. but hear thee, Gratiano.

Gra. You must not deny me.
Bass. Why, then you must;
Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice;
Parts, that become thee happily enough,

And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;

But where thou art not known, why, there they show
Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain

To allay with some cold drops of modesty

Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour,
I be misconstrued in the place I go to,

And lose my hopes.

Gra.

Signior Bassanio, hear me:

If I do not put on a sober habit,

Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely;
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say amen;

Use all the observance of civility,

Like one well studied in a sad ostent

To please his grandam, never trust me more.

Bass. Well, we shall see your bearing.

Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me By what we do to-night.

Bass.

No, that were pity.

I would entreat you rather to put on

Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment.
But fare you well,

I have some business.

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time.

SCENE III.

The Same. A Room in SHYLOCK'S 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.
And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest;
Give him this letter; do it secretly,

And so farewell: I would not have my father
See me in talk with thee.

pagan,

[Exeunt.

Laun. Adieu! - tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful most sweet Jew! If a Christian do 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.

Alack, what heinous sin is it in me,
To be asham'd to be my father's child!
But though I am a daughter to his blood,
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo!
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

[Exit.

[Exit.

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 torch-bearers. 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 To furnish us.

Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter.

Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to

signify.

[Giving a letter.

Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 't is a fair hand;

And whiter than the paper it writ on,

Is the fair hand that writ.

Gra.

Love-news, in faith.

Laun. By your leave, Sir.

Lor. Whither goest thou?

Laun. Marry, Sir, to bid my old master, the Jew, to sup tonight with my new master, the Christian.

Will you prepare you for this masque to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
Salan. And so will I.

Lor.

At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

Salar. 'Tis good we do so.

Meet me, and Gratiano,

[Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN.

Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica?