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. Basș. Thou speak'st it well: Go, father, with thy

· son:Take leave of thy old master, and enquire 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 a book 23.-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 featherbed 24;-—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 Leonardo, think on this; These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.

Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein.

Enter GratiaNO. Gra. Where is your master?

Leon.

Yonder, sir, he walks.

[Exit Leonardo. Gra. Signior Bassanio, Bass. Gratiano! 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, Gra

tiano;
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 as ;—pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild beha-

viour,
I be misconstrued in the place I go to,
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 demurely;
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say, amen;
Use all the observance of civility,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent 26
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 Shylock's House.

Enter Jessica and LAUNCELOT.
Jess. 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 is it 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: O 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 27.
Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly orderd;
And better, in my mind, not undertook.
Lor. 'Tis now but four a-clock; we have two

hours To furnish us:

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.