Shy. This kindness will I show :-
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum, or sums, as are
Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.
Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a
bond,

His wife, who wins me by that means I told

you,

Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair,
As any comer I have look'd on yet,
For my affection.

Mor. Even for that I thank you :

Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
To try my fortune. By this scimitar,-
That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince,
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,—
I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look,
Out-brave the heart most daring on the earth,
Pluck the young suckling cubs from the she
bear,

Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win thee, lady: But, alas the while!
If Hercules, and Lichas, play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
So is Alcides beaten by his page;
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,

And say, there is much kindness in the Jew.
Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for
I'll rather dwell in my necessity. [me,
Ant. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it;
Within these two months, that's a month before
This bond expires, I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
Shy. O father Abraham, what these Chris-Miss that which one unworthier may attain,

tians are;

Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others! Pray you, tell me this;
If he should break his day, what should I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man's flesh taken from a man,
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:
If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;
And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.
Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and purse the ducats straight;
See to my house, left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave; and presently
I will be with you.

[Exit.
Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew.
[kind.
This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows
Bass. I like not fair terms, and a villain's

mind.

And die with grieving.

Laun. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew, my master: The fiend is at mine elbow; and tempts me, saying to me, Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot, or good Gobbo, or good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away: My conscience says,no; take heed, honest Launcelat; take heed, honest Gobbo; or, as aforesaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thyheels: Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack; via! says the fiend; away! says the fiend, for SCENE I-Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA's the heavens; rouse up a brave mind, says the

Ant. Come on: in this there can be no dismay, My ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt.

ACT II.

House.

Flourish of Cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF
MOROCCO, and his Train; PORTIA, NERISSA,
and other of her Attendants.

Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun,
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incisiont for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspéct of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love, I swear,
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes:
Besides the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But, if my father had not scanted me,
And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself

* Abide.

† Allusion to the eastern custom for lovers to testify their passion by cutting themselves in their mistresses' sight. ‡ Terrified.

fiend, and run. Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me,―my honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's son, or rather an honest woman's son;-for, indeed, my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste; well, my conscience says, Launcelot, budge not; budge, says the fiend; budge not, says my conscience: Conscience, says I, you counsel well; fiend, says I, you counsel well: to be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who, (God bless the the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, mark!) is a kind of devil; and, to run away from Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnasaving your reverence, is the devil himself: tion; and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew: The fiend gives the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at your commandment, I will run.

Enter old GOBBO, with a Basket. Gob. Master, young man, you, I pray you; which is the way to master Jew's?

*Not precipitate.

Laun. [Aside.] O heavens, this is my true begotten father! who, being more than sandblind, high-gravel blind, knows me not:-1 will try conclusions* with him.

Gob. Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to master Jew's?

Laun. Turn up on your right hand, at the next turning, but, at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house.

hair on his tail, than I have on 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 'gree 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. Gob. By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way Father, I am glad you are come; give me to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launce-your present to one master Bassanio, who, inlot, that dwells with him, dwell with him, or deed, gives rare new liveries; if I serve not no? him, I will run as far as God has any ground. Laun. Talk you of young master Launce--O rare fortune! here comes the man;-to lot?-Mark me now; [Aside.] now will I raise him, father; for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew the waters:-Talk you of young master Laun- any longer. celot?

heaven.

Gob. Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop.

Laun. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovelpost, a staff, or a prop?-Do you know me, father?

Gob. Alack the day, I know you not young gentleman: but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, (God rest his soul !) alive, or dead?

Laun. Do you not know me, father? Gob. Alack, Sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not.

Laun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father, that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: Give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long, a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will out.

Gob. Pray you, Sir, stand up; I am sure, you are not Launcelot, my boy.

Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but 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, I am sure, Margery, your wife, is my mother.

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 thillhorset has on his tail.

Laun. It should seem then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward; I am sure he had more

* Experiments.

↑ Shaft-horse.

Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO, and other
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 deliver'd; put the liveries to making; and desire Gratiano to [Exit a Servant. come anon to my lodging.

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 I 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 worship 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. This 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

[To his Followers. More guarded* than his fellows': See it done.

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 * Ornamented. The palm of the hand extended.

a book. I shall have good fortune; Go to, | And so farewell; I would not have my father here's a simple line of life! here's a small trifle See me talk with thee. of wives: Alas, fifteen wives is nothing; Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.eleven widows, and nine maids, is a simple Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If a coming-in for one man: and then, to 'scape Christian do not play the knave, and get thee, drowning thrice; and to be in peril of my life I am much deceived: But, adieu! these foolwith the edge of a feather-bed;-here are sim-ish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit ; ple 'scapes! Well, if fortune be a woman, she's adieu! 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 be-
Return in haste, for I do feast to-night [stow'd,
My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.
Leon. My best endeavours shall be done
herein.

Gra. I have a suit to you.
Bass. You have obtain'd it.

Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with you to Belmont.

Bass. Why, then you must ;-But hear thee,
Gratiano;

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 be-
I be misconstrued in the place I go to, [haviour,
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 de-
murely;
[eyes
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say, amen;
Use all the observance of civility,
Like one well studied in a sad ostentt
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. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.—The same.-A Room in SHY-
LOCK'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.

[Exit.

Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.-
Alack, what heinous sin it is 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: 0 Lorenzo,
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife;
Become a Christian, and thy loving wife.

[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
To furnish us :-

Friend Launcelot, what's the news?
Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter.

[hours

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

Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair
Is the fair hand that writ.
And whiter than the paper it writ on, [hand;

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 to-night with my new master the
Christian.

Lor. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle Jes-
sica,

I will not fail her ;-speak it privately; go.--
Gentlemen,
[Exit LAUNCELOT.
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. Meet me, and Gratiano,

At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
Salar. 'Tis good we do so.

[Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath

directed,

How I shall take her from her father's house;
What page's suit she hath in readiness.
What gold, and jewels, she is furnish'd with;
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake:
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
Unless she do it under this excuse,-
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
Come, go with me; peruse this, as thou goest:
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer. [Exeunt.

And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see SCENE V.-The same.-Before SHYLOCK's

Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest:

Give him this letter; do it secretly,

House.

Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT.

Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be

thy judge,

The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio :-
What, Jessica!-thou shall not gormandize,
As thou hast done with me;-What, Jessica!
And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out ;-
Why, Jessica, I say!

Laun. Why, Jessica!

Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.

Salar. His hour is almost past.
Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.

Salar. O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
To seal love's bonds new made, than they are
To keep obliged faith unforfeited! [wont,
Gra. That ever holds: Who rises from a
feast,

Laun. Your worship was wont to tell me, I With that keen appetite that he sits down; could do nothing without bidding.

Enter JESSICA.

Jes. Call you? What is your will?
Shy. I am bid* forth to supper, Jessica;
There are my keys :-But wherefore should I
I am not bid for love; they flatter me: [go?
But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon
The prodigal Christian.-Jessica, my girl,
Look to my house :-I am right loath to go;
There is some ill a brewing towards my rest,
For I did dream of money-bags to-night.

Laun. I beseech you, Sir, go; my young master doth expect your reproach.

Shy. So do I his.

Laun. And they have conspired together, I will not say, you shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on Black-Monday last, at six o'clock i'the morning, falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the after

noon.

Shy. What! are there masques? Hear you
[drum,
me, Jessica :
Lock up my doors; and when you hear the
And the vile squeaking of the wry-neck'd fife,
Clamber not you up to the casements then,
Nor thrust your head into the public street,
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces:
But stop my house's ears, I mean my case-
ments;

Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter
My sober house.-By Jacob's staff, I swear,
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night:
But I will go.-Go you before me, sirrah;
Say, I will come.

Laun. I will go before, Sir.-
Mistress, look out at window, for all this;

There will come a Christian by,
Will be worth a Jewess' eye. [Exit LAUN.
Shy. What says that fool of Hagar's off-
spring, ha?

Jes. His words were, Farewell, mistress;
nothing else.

Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge
feeder.

Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
More than the wild cat; drones hive not with

Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.
How like a younker, or a prodigal,
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!
How like the prodigal doth she return;
With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails,
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
Enter LORENZO.

Salar. Here comes Lorenzo;-more of this
hereafter.

Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;

Not I,

but my affairs, have made you wait; When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,

I'll watch as long for you then.-Approach;
Here dwells my father Jew:-Ho!

within.

who's

I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
For I am much asham'd of my exchange:
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit;
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy.

Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-
bearer.

Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my
shames?
[light.
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love;
And I should be obscur'd.

Lor. So are you, sweet,
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
But come at once;

For the close night doth play the run-away,
And we are staid for at Bassanio's feast.

Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild my

self

This casket threatens: Men, that hazard all,
Do it in hope of fair advantages:

A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross;
I'll then nor give, nor hazard, aught for lead.
What says the silver, with her virgin hue?
Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves.
As much as he deserves? Pause there, Morocco,
And weigh thy value with an even hand:
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation,
Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough
May not extend so far as to the lady;
And yet to be afeard of my deserving,
Were but a weak disabling of myself.
As much as I deserve!-Why, that's the lady:
I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,
In graces, and in qualities of breeding;
But more than these, in love I do deserve.
What if I stray'd no further, but chose here?
Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold:
Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men de-

Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her:
From the four corners of the earth they come,
To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint.
The Hyrcanian deserts, and the vasty wilds
Of wide Arabia, are as through-fares now,
For princes to come view fair Portia :
The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head
Spits in the face of heaven, is no bar
To stop the foreign spirits; but they come,
As o'er a brook, to see fair Portia. [ture.
One of these three contains her heavenly pic-