Ner. Shall they see us? Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, And wear my dagger with the braver grace; [Exeunt. SCENE V. A Garden. Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and LAUNCELOT. Lor. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. Laun. That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. Lor. What a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner. Laun. That is done too, sir; only, cover is the word. Lor. Will you cover then, sir? Laun. Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty. Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Laun. For the table, sir, it shall be served in ; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern. [Exit LAUNCElot. Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited! The fool hath planted in his memory Is reason he should never come to heaven. Lor. Even such a husband Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife. Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. Jes. Nay, let me praise you, while I have a stomach. Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it. Jes. Well, I'll set you forth. [Exeunt. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. Venice. A Court of Justice. Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes; ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, SALARINO, SALANIO, and others. Duke. What, is Antonio here? Ant. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to an swer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Ant. I have heard, Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdúrate, And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury; and am arm'd Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Salan. He's ready at the door: he comes, my lord. Enter SHYLock. Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, 5 Pity. Than is thy strange apparent cruelty: We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I pur- And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, Upon your charter, and your city's freedom. A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? 6 Whereas. Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty. Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my an swer. Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. What, would'st thou have a serpent sting thee twice? Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew: As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) none? Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them:- Shall I say to you, Let them be free, marry them to your heirs? Why sweat they under burdens? let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates |