I have engaged myself to a dear friend, And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, It will go hard with poor Antonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best conditioned and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Por. What sum owes he the Jew? What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Should lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; 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. No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Jailer. Shy. Jailer, look to him.-Tell not me of mercy;This is the fool that lends out money gratis. Jailer, 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. Thou call'dst me dog, before thou hadst a cause : Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak; To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield [Exit SHYLOCK. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men. Ant. Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the duke Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law; Will much impeach the justice of the state; Well, jailer, on.-Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Belmont. A Room in Portia's House. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of godlike amity; which appears most strongly How dear a lover of my lord your husband, The husbandry and manage of my house, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return. There is a monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition; 1 The word lineaments was used with great laxity by our ancient writers. 2 This term was anciently synonymous with friend. The which my love, and some necessity, Lor. Madam, with all my I shall obey you in all fair commands. heart Por. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica, In place of lord Bassanio and myself. So fare you well, till we shall meet again. Lor. Fair thoughts, and happy hours, attend on you. Jes. I wish your ladyship all heart's content. Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased To wish it back on you; fare you well, Jessica.[Exeunt JESSICA and LORENZO. Now, Balthazar, As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still. Take this same letter, In speed to Padua; see thou render this Into my cousin's hand, doctor Bellario; And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed1 Unto the tranect,2 to the common ferry Which trades to Venice.-Waste no time in words, [Exit. We'll see our husbands, Por. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand Shall they see us? Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, 1 i. e. with the celerity of imagination. 2 This word can only be illustrated at present by conjecture. It evidently implies the name of a place where the passage-boat set out, and is in some way derived from "tranare (Ital.), to pass or swim over:" perhaps, therefore, tranetto signified a little fording place or ferry, and hence the English word tranect; but no other instance of its use has yet occurred. |