Laun. [Aside.] O heavens, this is my true | hair on his tail, than I have on my face, when begotten father! who, being more than sand- I last saw him. blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not:-I 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. 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. 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. 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 Launce- any longer. lot? Gob. By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launce lot, that dwells with him, dwell with him, or no? Laun. Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young master Launcelot. Gob. Your worship's friend, and Launcelot, Sir. Laun. But I pray you ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you; Talk you of young master Launcelot ? Gob. Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership. Laun. Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman (according to fates and destinies, and such odd sayings, the sisters three, and such branches of learning,) is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say, in plain terms, gone to 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? 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. Lann. It should seem then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward; I am sure he had more Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO, and other 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 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 I have a desire, as my fa ther 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, shali 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- Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day, 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 [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 à 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, coine; 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 beReturn in haste, for I do feast to-night [stow'd, bly best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein. Gra. I have a suit to you. Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with you to Belmont. Bass. Why, then you must;-But hear thee, Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice;- Something too liberal:*-pray thee, take pain Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me : Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely; [eyes Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine 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 Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. [Excunt. SCENE 111-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 talk with thee. Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.Most beautiful pagan,-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! [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 torchbearers. Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter. Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair And whiter than the paper it writ on, [hand; Is the fair hand that writ. Gra. Love-news, in faith. 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 Jessica, 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. [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; Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT. Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:- Laun. Why, Jessica! Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee Laun. Your worship was wont to tell me, I could do nothing without bidding. Enter JESSICA. Jes. Call you? What is your will? 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 me, Jessica : Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter Luun. I will go before, Sir.- Jes. His words were, Farewell, mistress; Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day me. Therefore I part vith him; and part with him Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; I have a father, you a daughter, lost. SCENE VI.-The same. [Exit. Enter GRATIANO and SALARNIO, masked. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Desir'd us to make stand. [Lorenzo * Invited. Salar. His hour is almost past. Salar. O, ten times faster Venus' pigions fly Gra. That ever holds: Who rises from a With that keen appetite that he sits down? Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue, Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed; Lor. Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch- Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the run-away. Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild my. self With some more ducats, and be with you Jew. Lor. Beshrew me, but I love her heartily: * Decorated with flags Enter JESSICA, below. What, art thou come ?-On, gentlemen, away; Our masking mates by this time for us stay. Exit with JESSICA and SALARINO. Enter ANTONIO. Ant. Who's there? Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano? where are all the rest? "Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you:No masque to-night; the wind is come about, Bassanio presently will go aboard: I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more delight, Than to be under sail, and gone to-night. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.—Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA'S House. Flourish of Cornets. Enter PORTIA with the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and both their Trains. Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince :Now make your choice. Mor. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears; [sire. Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men deThe second; silver, which this promise car ries ; Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves. This third, dulí lead, with warning all as blunt ; Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he huth. How shall I know if I do choose the right? Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Mor. Some god direct my judgement! Let me see, I will survey the inscriptions back again : Who chooseth me,must give and hazard all he hath. Must give-For what? for lead? hazard for lead? This casket threatens: Men, that hazard all, A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her: Is't like, that lead contains her? "Twere dam- A coin, that bears the figure of an angel Then I am yours. [He unlocks the golden casket. [Exit. Por. A gentle riddance :-Draw the curtains, go; Let all of his complexion choose me so. [Exeunt. But there the duke was given to understand, Salan. I never heard a passion so confus'd, Stol'n by my daughter!—Justice! find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats! Salar. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, [ducats. Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his Salan. Let good Antonio look he keep hia Or he shall pay for this. [day Sular. Marry, well remember'd: I reason'd: with a Frenchman yesterday; Who told me,-in the narrow seas, that part The French and English, there miscarried Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. [Exeunt. SCENE IX.-Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA'S Enter NERISSA, with a Servant. Ner. Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the The prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, Flourish of Cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF AR- Per. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, swear, now That comes to hazard for my worthless self. sire. Builds in the weather on the outward wall, To slubber, is to do a thing carelessly. Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house} Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times, Por. Too long a pause for that which you Ar. What's here? the portrait of a blinking Presenting me a schedule? I will read it. Ar. What is here? The fire seven times tried this; Some there be, that shadows kiss ; [Exeunt ARRAGON, and Train. Ner. The ancient saying is no heresy ;- Serv. Where is my lady? Thou wilt say anon, he is some kin to thee, |