PERSONS REPRESENTED, DUKE of Venice. Prince of Morocco, Suitors to Portia. ANTONIO, the Merchant of Venice./ SALANIO, SALARINO, GRATIANO, Friends to Antonio and Bassanio. LORENZO, in love with Jessica. SHYLOCK, a Jew. TUBAL, á Jew, his Friend. LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a Clown, Servant to Shylock. OLD GOBBO, Father to Launcelot. SALERIO, a Messenger from Venice. BALTHAZAR, STEPHANO, Servants to Portia. PORTIA, a rich Heiress. NERISSA, her Waiting-Maid. JESSICA, Daughter to Shylock. Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Jus tice, Jailer, Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmon the Seat of Portia, on the Continent. MERCHANT OF VENICE. ACT I SCENE I. Venice. A Street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That curt'sy to them, do them reverence,, Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still And see the noly edifice of stone, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks; That such a thing, bechanc'd, would make me sad? Is sad to think upon his merchandise. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, Therefore, my merchandise makes me not sad. Ant. Fye, fye! Salan. Not in love neither? Then let's say, you are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy And other of such vinegar aspect, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and GRATIANO. Salan. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo: Fare you well; We leave you now with better company. Salar. I would have staid till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. Ant. Your worth is very dear in my regard. I take it, your own business calls on you, Bass. Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? You grow exceeding strange: Must it be so? Salar. We'll make our leisures to attend on yours. [Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN. Lor, My lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio, |