Baff. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Baff. Our feaft fhall be much honour'd in your marriage. Gra. We'll play with them, the first boy for a thoufand ducats. Ner. What, and ftake down? Gra. No, we fhall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? Enter Lorenzo, Jeffica, and Salanio. Baf. Lorenzo and Salanio, welcome hither; (Sweet Portia), welcome. Por. So do I, my Lord; they are entirely welcome. My purpofe was not to have feen you here ; But meeting with Salanio by the way, Sal. I did, my Lord, And I have reafon for 't; Signior Anthonio Baf. Ere I ope his letter, [Gives Baffanio a letter. I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. Will fhew you his eftate. [Baffanio opens the letter. Gra. Neriffa, cheer yond ftranger: bid her wel come. Your hand, Salanio; what's the news from Venice ? I know he will be glad of our fuccefs: We are the Jafons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would you had won the fleece that he hath loft! Por. There are fome fhrewd contents in yond fame That steal the colour from Baffanio's cheek: [paper, Some dear friend dead; elfe nothing in the world Could turn fo much the conftitution Of any conftant man. What, worfe and worse ! Here are a few of the unpleasant'ft words How much I was a braggart. When I told you, And not one veffel 'fcap'd the dreadful touch Sal. Not one, my Lord. Befides, it fhould appear, that if he had Of forfeiture, of juftice, and his bond. Jef. When I was with him, I have heard him fwear, To Tubal and to Chus his countrymen, That he would rather have Anthonio's flesh, Por. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? Pay him fix thoufand, and deface the bond; Shall lofe a hair through my Baffanio's fault.. Baff.reads. Sweet Baffanio, my ships have all mifcarry'd, my creditors grow cruel, my eftate is very low, my bond to the Few is forfeit and fince, in paying it, it is impoffible I fhould live, all debts are cleared between you and me, if I might but fee you at my death notwithstanding, ufe your pleasure: if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my letter. your wedding-day. Bid your friends welcome, fhew a merry chcer; Por. O love! dispatch all bufinefs, and be gone. No reft be interpofer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Changes to a fireet in Venice. Enter Shylock, Solarino, Anthonio, and the Goaler. Shy. Goaler, look to him: tell not me of mercy. This is the fool that lent out money gratis. Goaler, look to him. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; fpeak not against my bond :: I've fworn an oath that I will have my bond. Thou call'dft me dog before thou hadft a caufe; But fince I am a dog, beware my fangs : The Duke shall grant me juftice. I do wonder, Thou naughty goaler, that thou art fo fond To come abroad with him at his request. Ant. I pray thee, hear me fpeak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak ; I'll have my bond; and therefore fpeak no more; I'll not be made a foft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and figh, and yield To Chriftian interceffors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit Shylock. Sola. It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone, I'll follow him no more with bootlefs pray'rs : I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many, that have at times made moan to me; Therefore he hates me.. Sola. I am fure the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The Duke cannot deny the courfe of law; For the commodity that ftrangers have With us in Venice, if it be deny'd, Will much impeach the juftice of the ftate; Since that the trade and profit of the city Well, goaler, on; pray God, Baffanio come To fee me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE V. Changes to Belmont. Enter Portia, Neriffa, Lorenzo, Jeffica, and Balthazar. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your prefence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of God-like amity; which appears moft ftrongly How little is the coft I have bestow'd, Until her husband and my Lord's return. A MAI |