Have power to bid you welcome: - By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, Por. So do I, my Lord; They are entirely welcome, Lor. I thank your Honour: my Lord, For my part, My purpose was not to have seen you here; He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Sale. I did, my Lord, And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio [Gives BASSANIO a letter. Bass. Ere I ope his letter, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Sale. Not sick, my Lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her welcome. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice ? Sale. Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon" same paper, 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? And I must freely have the half of any thing Bass. O sweet Portia. Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words, How much I was a braggart: When I told you My state was nothing, I should then have told you That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed, To feed my means. The paper as the body of my friend, Here is a letter, Lady; And every word in it a. gaping wound, Issuing life blood. Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit ? From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Not one, my Lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; But none can drive him from the envious plea . Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his country men, Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. But let me hear the letter of your friend. Bass. [reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is for feit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, 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. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Bass. Since I have your good leave to go 1 away, I will make haste: but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt, 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; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond; VOL. IV. 11 But none can drive him from the envious plea Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his country men, trouble? that is thus in Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. |