Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her wel come. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice? We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sale. 'Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon' same paper, That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Could turn so much the constitution Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?- And I must freely have the half of any thing Bass. And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady; The paper as the body of my friend, And every word in it a gaping wound, Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, Than twenty times the value of the sum It will go hard with poor Antonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. you Bass. [reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Bass. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste: but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE III. VENICE. A STREET. Enter Shylock, Salanio, Antonio, and Gaoler. Shy. Gaoler, look to him;-Tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis;- Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond: Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit Shylock. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; [Exeunt. SCENE IV. BELMONT. A ROOM IN PORTIA'S HOUSE. Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and Balthazar. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in You have a noble and a true conceit your presence, Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly |