Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being Exact the penalty.

In end of autumn turned to the rams; [rank,
And when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act,
The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands,
And, in the doing of the deed of kind,
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,
Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time
Fall party-colour'd lambs, and those were
Jacob's.

This was the way to thrive, and he was blest:
And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob
serv'd for;

A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand
heaven.

of

Was this inserted to make interest good?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast :-
But note me, signior.

Ant.
Mark you this, Bassanio,
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul, producing holy witness,
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek;
A goodly apple rotten at the heart :
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
Shy. Three thousand ducats,-'tis a good
[rate.
Three months from twelve, then let me see the
Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden
to you?

round sum.

Sky. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft,
In the Rialto, you have rated me
About my monies and my usances:
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug;
For suffrance is the badge of all our tribe.
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
And all for use of that which is mine own.
Well, then, it now appears you need my help:
Go to, then; you come to me, and you say,
"Shylock, we would have monies :"-you say

You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me, as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold: monies is your suit.
What should I say to you? Should I not say,
* Hath a dog money? Is it possible,
A car can lend three thousand ducats?' or
Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key,
With 'bated breath, and whisp'ring humble-
Say this,-
[ness,
"Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;
You spurn'd me such a day; another time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much monies?"

Ant. I am as like to call thee so again,
To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends; (for when did friendship take
A breed for barren metal of his friend?)
But lend it rather to thine enemy;
Who, if he break, thou may'st with better face

Shy. Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love,

[with,
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me
Supply your present wants, and take no doit,
Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear
This is kind I offer.
[me:

Ant. This were kindness.
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,

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 for

feit it:

Whose own hard dealing 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.
Ant.
Hie thee, gentle Jew.
This Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows
kind.
[mind.

[Exit.

Bass. I like not fair terms and a villain's Ant. Come on in this there can be no dismay;

My ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-Belmont. A Room in Portia's
House.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of
Morocco, and his train; Portia, Nerissa,
and other Attendants.

est Gobbo;" or, as aforesaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels." Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: Via!" says the fiend; away!" says the fiend; "for the heavens, rouse up a brave mind," says the fiend," and run.' Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me,

Το prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love, I swear" My honest friend Launcelot, being an hon-
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.

"

est 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. Consci-
ence, say I, you counsel well; fiend, say I,
you counsel well to be ruled by my con-
science, I should stay with the Jew my master,
who (God bless the mark !) is a kind of devil;
and, to run away from the Jew, I should be
ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence,
is the devil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the
very devil incarnation; 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 com-
mandment; I will run.

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
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 sucking cubs from the she-which is the way to master Jew's?

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,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

Por.
You must take your chance;
And either not attempt to choose at all,
Or swear before you choose,-if you choose

Enter Old Gobbo, with a basket.
Gob. Master, young man, you, I pray you,

Laun. [Aside.] O heavens, this is my true begotten father! who, being more than sandblind, 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. By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one LaunceNever to speak to lady afterward [wrong, lot, that dwells with him, dwell with him or In way of marriage: therefore be advis'd. no? Mor. Nor will not. Come, bring me unto Laun. Talk you of young master Launcemy chance. [dinner lot?[Aside.] Mark me now; now will I Por. First, forward to the temple; after raise the waters. Talk you of young master Your hazard shall be made. Launcelot ?

Mor.
Good fortune then?
To make me blest, or cursed'st among men!
[Cornets, and exeunt.
SCENE II.-Venice. A Street.
Enter Launcelot Gobbo.

The

Laun. Certainly, my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew, my master. 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

་་

Gob. Of Launcelot, an't please your mas-
Laun. Ergo, master Launcelot. Talk not

start, run away." My conscience says, No; of master Launcelot, father; for the young take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, hon- gentleman (according to fates and destinies,

[Exit a Servant.

and such odd sayings, the sisters three, and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging. 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. [Aside.] Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, 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. To him, father.
Gob. God bless your worship! [me!
Bass. Gramercy! wouldst thou aught with
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 have a desire, - as my father shall specify,

Gob. His master and he (saving your worLaun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, ship's reverence,) are scarce cater-cousins,you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the father that knows his own child. Well, old [Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me,→ man, I will tell you news of your son. Give as my father, being, I hope, an old man, shall me your blessing: truth will come to light; | frutify unto you,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, worshipped might he be! what a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my thili-horse has on his tail.

Laun. It should seem, then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward: I am sure he had more hair on his tail, than I have on my face, when I last saw him.

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 lordship 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
Laun. Serve you, sir.
[you?

Gob. That is the very defect of the matter,

sir.

[thy suit:

Bass. I know thee well, thou hast obtain'd
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 speaks't it well.-Go, father,

with thy son

Take leave of thy old master, and enquire
My lodging out. [To his followers.-] Give
him a livery

Gob. Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree. I have brought him a present. How 'gree you now! More guarded than his fellows; see it done. Laun. Well, well: but, for mine own part, Laun. Father, in.-I cannot get a service, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will no; I have ne'er a tongue in my head. Well, not rest till I have run some ground. My mas-[Looking on his palm;] if any man in Italy ter's a very Jew: give him a present! give him have a fairer table, which doth offer to swear a halter: I am famished in his service; you upon a book. I shall have good fortune. Go may tell every finger I have with my ribs. to, here's a simple line of life! here's a small Father, I am glad you are come : give me your trifle of wives! alas, fifteen wives is nothing! 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.-O rare fortune! here comes the man-to him, father; for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.

Enter Bassanio, with Leonardo, and other

followers.

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, 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: [stow'd,

Bass. You may do so:-but let it be so basted, that supper be ready at the very farthest by five of the clock. See these letters delivered; put the liveries to making; and These things being bought, and orderly be

Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild
behaviour,

I be misconstru'd 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 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 ostent
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
By what we do to-night.
[gage me
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.-Venice. 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 in talk with thee.

thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu! these
foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly
spirit: adieu !

Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.-
[Exit 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.-Venice. 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 as yet of torch-
bearers.
[order'd,
Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly
And better, in my mind, not undertook.
Lor. 'Tis now but four o'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. [Giving the 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.

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.
[sica,
Lor. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle Jes-
I will not fail her ;-speak it privately; go.
Gentlemen,
[Exit Launcelot.
Will you prepare you for this mask 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 gold and jewels she is furnish'd with; What page's suit she hath in readiness. 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,Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue. That she is issue to a faithless Jew. Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If Come, go with me: peruse this as thou goesta Christian do not play the knave, and get Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer. [Exeunt.