no; [to his followers. More guarded than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father in: I cannot get a service, 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 a book. I shall have good for tune; 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- będ here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune, be a woman, she's a good wench for this geer. 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 Leopardo, think on this; These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for 1 do feast to-night My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein. Gra. I have a suit to you. Bass. Gratiano! * Bass. You have obtain'd it. Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with you to Belmont. Bass. Bass. Why, then you must; - But hear thee Gratiano; Thou art too wild, too rude, and hold of voice; Parts, that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; Something too liberal; show pray thee, take pain To allay with some cold drops of modesty Thy skipping spirit; lest, through behaviour, I be misconstrued in the place I go to, And lose my hopes. Gra. Siguior Bassanio, hear me: If I do not put on a sober habit, thy wild Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demu. rely; Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say, amen; Like one well studied in a sad ostent To please his grandam, never trust me more. 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. [Exeunt. VOL. IV. SCENE III. The same. A Room in Shylock's House. Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father 50; Our house is hell, and thou á merry devil, Didst rob it of some taste of tediuosness: But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee. soon at supper shalt thou And, Launcelot, see Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest; And so farewel; I would not have my father Laun. Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagàn, most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the kuave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But, adieu these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu! [Exit. Jes. Farewel, good Launcelot. [Exit. SCENE IV. The same.. A Street. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALANIO. SALARINO, and 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 Salan. 'Tis vile, bearers. unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four a-clock; we have two To furnish us: hours Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? 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 hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on. 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; - Will you prepare for this masque tonight? 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? rected, How I shall take her from her father's house; If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, Come, go with me; peruse this, as thou goest: SCENE V. [Exeunt. The same. Before Shylock's House. Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT. Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio: |