Ner. How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew? Por. Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is little worse than a man; and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: an the worst fall that ever fell, I hope, I shall make shift so go without him. Ner. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to perform your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him. I pray Por. Therefore, for fear of the worst thee, set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket: for, if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose" it. I will do any thing, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a spunge. Ner. You need not fear, Lady, the having any of these lords; they have acquainted me with their determinations: which is indeed, to return to their home, and to trouble you with no more suit; unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets. Por. If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will: I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable; for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I pray God grant them a fair departure. Ner. Do you not remember, Lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, VOL. IV. that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat? Por. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think, so was he called. Ner. True, Madam; he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes look'd upon, was the best deserving a fair lady. Por. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise. How now! what news? Enter a Servant. Serv. The four strangers seek for you, Madam, to take their leave: and there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco; who brings word, the Prince, his master will be here to - night. Por. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [Exeunt. Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound Shy. Antonio shall become bound, Bass. well. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer. Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound. Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shy. Ho, no, no, no, no; my meaning, in saying he is a good man, is to have you under stand me, that he is sufficient: yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tri palis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squander'd abroad: But ships are but boards, sailors but men : there be laud - rats, and waterrats, water - thieves, and land-thieves; I mean, pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks: The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient: three thousand ducats; I think, I may take his bond. Bass. Be assur'd you may. Shy. will be assur'd, I may; and, that I may be assur'd, I will bethink me: May I speak with Antonio? Bass. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habita tion which your prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the devil into: I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with Bass. This is Signior Antonio. Shy. [Aside.] How like a fawning publicau he. looks! I hate him for he is a christian: But more for that, in low simplicity, He lends out money grátis, and brings down I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Shy Shylock, do you hear? I am debating of my present store; And, by the near guess of my memory, 1 cannot instantly raise up the gross Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? Do you desire ? Will furnish me: But soft; How many months By taking, nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Shy. I had forgot, three months, you told me so. Well then, your bond; and, let me see, hear you: Methought, you said, you neither lend, nor Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's This Jacob from our holy Abraham was Ant. And what of him? did he take interest say, Directly interest: mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromis'd, Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank, Fall party colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's, Ant. This was a venture, Sir, that Jacob serv'd for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, heaven, |