I'll break a custom :-Is he yet poffefs'd,
would?
How much

you

Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

Anth. And for three months.

You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me, as you purn a ftranger cur
Over your threthold; monies is your fuit.
What thould I fay to you? Should I not fay,

Soy. I had forgot-three months, you told me fo." Hath a dog money? Is it poffible

Well then, your bond; and, let me fee,

hear you;

-But" A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" or [row, Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key,

Methoughts, you faid, you neither lend, nor bor-With 'bated breath, and whifpering humbleness, Say this," Fair fir, you spit on me on Wednesday "laft ;

Upon advantage.

Anth. I do never use it.

Sby. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's fheep," You fpurn'd me fuch a day; another time

This Jacob from our holy Abraham was
(As his wife mother wrought in his behalf)
The third poffeffor; ay, he was the third.

Ath. And what of him? did he take intereft
Sty. No, not take intereft; not, as you would
fay,

Direly interest: mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were compromis'd,
That all the eanlings', which were ftreak'd, and
py'd,

Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank,
In the end of autumn turned to the rams:
And when the work of generation was
Between thefe woolly breeders in the act,
The ikilful fhepherd peel'd me certain wands,
And, in the doing of the deed of kind 2,
He tuck them up before the fulfome 3 ewes ;
Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time
Fali party-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.
This was a way to thrive, and he was bleft;
[for;
And thrift is blefling, if men steal it not.
Aub. This was a venture, fir, that Jacob ferv'd
A thing not in his power to bring to pafs,
But fway'd, and fashion'd, by the hand of heaven.
Was this inferted to make interest good?
Or is your gold and filver, ewes and rams?
Sey. I cannot tell; I make it breed as faft :-
But cute me, fignior.

Anth. Mark you this, Baffanio.

The devil can cite fcripture for his purpose.

An evil foul, producing holy witness,

rate.

I like a villain with a fmiling cheek;
A goodly apple rotten at the heart :
[fum.
0, what a goodly outfide falfhood hath!
Shy. Three thousand ducats,-'tis a good round
Three months from twelve, then let me fee the
[you
Anth. Well, Shylock, fhall we be beholden to
Shy. Signior Anthonio, many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my monies, and my ufances 4:
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug ;
For futerance is the badge of all our tribe:
You call me mifbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And fpit upon my Jewish gaberdine $,

And all for ufe of that which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears, you need my help:
Go to then you come to me, and you fay,
Shylock, we would have monies;" You fay fo;

"You call'd me-dog; and for these courtefies
"I'll lend you thus much monies."

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

Shy. Why, look you, how you ftorm!

I would be friends with you, and have your love,
Forget the fhames that you have ftain'd me with,
Supply your prefent wants, and take no doit
Of ufance for my monies, and you'll not hear me
This is kind I offer.

Anth. This were kindness.

Sby. This kindnefs will I fhow:
Go with me to a notary, feal me there
Your fingle bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on fuch a day,
In fuch a place, fuch fum, or fums, as are
Exprefs'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.

Anth. Content, in faith; I'll feal to fuch a bond,
And fay, there is much kindness in the Jew.

Baff. You shall not feal to fuch a bond for me,
I'll rather dwell 7 in my neceffity.

Anth. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it:
Within thefe two months, that's a month before
This bond expires, I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of the bond.
Sby, O father Abraham, what thefe Christians are;
Whofe own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others! Pray you, tell me this;
If he fhould break his day, what fhould I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture ?

A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man,
Is not fo eftimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I fay,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship;
If he will take it, fo; if not, adieu;
And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.
Anth. Yes, Shylock, I will feal unto this bond.
Sby. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and puríe the ducats ftrait;

3 Meaning, lafcivious, obfcene.

4 Ufe and usance

Ii. e. lambs juft dropt. 2 i. c. of nature. were both words formerly employed for ufury. 5 Agaberdine means a coarse frock. That is, inthed money bred from the principal, 7 To dwell, here feems to mean the fame as to continue.

See

Enter the Prince of Morocco, and three or four followers accordingly; with Portia, Neriffa, and ber train. Flourish Cornets.

Mor. MISLIKE me not for my complexion,

Never to fpeak to lady afterward

In way of marriage; therefore be advised.
Mor. Nor will not; come, bring me unto my
chance.

Por. First, forward to the temple; after dinner
Your hazard fhall be made.
Mor. Good fortune then!

[Cornets [Excunt,

The fhadow'd livery of the burnish'd To make me bleft, or curfed'ft among men.
fun,

To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the faireft creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire fearce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incifion for your love,

To prove whofe blood is reddeft, his, or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this afpect of mine

Hath fear'd 2 the valiant; by my love, I fwear,
The beft regarded virgins of our clime

Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to fteal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
Par. In terms of choice I am not folely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes:
Befides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary chufing:
But, if my father had not feanted me,
And hedg'd me by his will, to yield myfelf

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.

SCENE

II.

A Street in Venice.

Enter Launcelot Gabba.

Laun. Certainly, my confcience will ferve me to run from this Jew my mafter: The fiend is at mine elbow, and tempts me, faying to me," Gobbo, "Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot, or good Gobho, or good Launcelot Gobbo, ufe your legs, "take the start, run away."- -My confcience I fays," No; take heed, honeft Launcelot; take "heed, honeft Gobbo; or," as forefaid, "honest "Launcelot Gobbo; do not ru; fcorn running "with thy heels." Well, the moit courageous fiend bids me pack: "Via!" fays the fiend; "away!" fays the fiend, "for the heavens;" "rouse up a brave mind," fays the fiend, "and run." Well, my confcience hanging about the neck of my heart, fays very wifely to me," My honest "friend Launcelot, being an honeft man's fon,"or rather an honeft woman's fon ;-for, indeed, my father did fomething fmack, fomething grow to, he had a kind of tafte;-well, my confcience fays," Launcelot, budge not.", "Budge," fays the fiend." Budge not," fays my confcience.". Confcience, fay I, you counfel well. Fiend, fay I, you counfel well. To be rul'd by my confcience, I fhould ftay with the Jew my master, who, Ged blefs the mark, is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should be rul'd by the fiend, who, faving your reverence, is the devil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation; and, in my confcience, my conicience is but a kind of hard confcience, to offer to counfel me to stay with the Jew: The fiend gives the more friendly counfel. I will run, fiend; my heels are at your commandment, I will run.

· Mor. Even for that I thank you;
Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
To try my fortune. By this fcimitar,-
That flew the Sophy, and a Perfian prince,
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,-
I would out-ftare the fterneft eyes that look,
Out-brave the heart most daring on the earth,
Pluck the young fucking cubs from the the-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 fo may I, blind Fortune leading me,
Mifs that which one unworthier may attain,
Ard die with grieving.

Por. You must take your chance ;

And either not attempt to chufe at all,

Enter old Gobbo, bis father, with a basket.
Gob. Mafter, young man, you, I pray you

Or fwear, before you chufe,—if you chufe wrong, which is the way to mafter Jew's?

1 Fearful guard means a guard that is not to be trufted, but gives cause of fear, Probably Shakipeare wrote fear'd.

2 i. c. terrify'd.

Laun

Laus. [afide.] O heavens, this is my true-begot-ja beard haft thou got! Thou haft got more hair ter father! who, being more than fand-blind, on thy chin, than Dobbin my thill-horse 2 has on high-gravel blind, knows me not :-I will try con-his tail.

chufous with him.

Laun. It fhould feem then, that Dobbin's tail

Gob. Mafter young gentleman, I pray you, grows backward; I am fure he had more hair on which is the way to master Jew's? his tail, than I have on my face, when I laft faw him.

L. Turn up or your right hand, at the next turing, but, at the next turning of all, on your jett; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no 1222, but turn down indirectly to the Jew's houfe. Gab. By God's funties, 'twill be a hard way to Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell with him, or no?

Lam. Talk you of young mafter Launcelot Mrk me now, [ajid.] now will I raife the waters:-Talk you of young mafter Launcelot ?

G.ễ. No master, fir, but a poor man's fon; his feler, though I say it, is an honeft exceeding poor man, and, God be thanked, well to live.

Gob. Lord, how thou art chang'd! How doft thou and thy matter agice? I have brought him a prefent; How agree you now?

Laun. Well, well; but for mine own part, as I have fet up my reft to run away, fo I will not reft till I have run fome ground: My matter's a very Jew; give him a present! give him a halter: I am famith'd in his fervice; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come; give me your prefent to one master Ballanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries ;if I ferve not him, I will run as far as God has

Laan. Well, let his father be what he will, we any ground.--O rare fortune! here comes the talk of young matter Launcelot.

G. Your worthip's friend, and Launcelot, fir. Laan. But I pray you go, old man, ergo, I beseech you; Talk you of young mafter Launcel ?

man-to him, father; for I am a Jew, if I ferve the Jew any longer.

Enter Baffanio, with Leonardo, and a follower or

two more.

Baff. You may do fo;----but let it be so hafted,

Gd. Of Launcelot, an' please your mafterthip. that fupper be ready at the farthest by five of the iam. Erga, mafter Launcelot, talk not of mai-clock. See thefe letters deliver'd; put the liveries. ter Lancelot, father; for the young gentleman to making; and defire Gratiano to come anon to (according to fates and deftinies, and fuch odd fay-my lodging. ings, the fitters three, and fuch branches of learn

is, indeed, deceafed; or, as you would fay,| in plain terms, gone to heaven.

Ger. Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very ft of my age, my very prop.

Laan. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-poft, a ftat, or a prop :-Do you know me, father?

G. Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman: but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy (God reft his foul !) alive, or dead?

Lean. Do you not know me, father?
G. Alack, fir, I am fand-blind, I know you

Lan. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you me fail of the knowing me: it is a wife father Te knows his own child. Well, old man, I will you news of your fon : Give me your blefling; th will come to light; murder cannot be hid Ing, a man's fon may; but, in the end, truth will

CEL

Geb. Pray you, fir, ftand up; I am fure, you are not Launcelot, my boy.

Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling about but give me your bleifing; I am Launcelot, Your boy that was, your fon that is, your child that be.

Gb. I cannot think, you are my fon.

Lam. I know not what I thall think of that: b1am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and, I am e, Margery, your wife, is my mother. 6. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be fa or, if thou be Launcelot, thou art my own flesh a blood. Lord worthipp'd might he be! what

That is, I will try experiments with him.

Laan. To him, father.

Gob. God bless your worship!

Baff. Gramercy; Would it thou aught with me?
Gob. Here's my fon, fir, a poor boy,-

Laan. Not a poor boy, fir, but the rich Jew's man; that would, fir, as my father shall specify,-Geb. He hath a great infection, fir, as one would fay, to serve——

Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, Lferve the Jew, and have a defire, as my father shall ipecity,

Gob. His mafter and he (faving your worship's reverence) are fcarce cater-coufins :

Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth caufe me, as my father, being I hope an old man, fhall frutify unto you,

Gob. I have here a dish of doves, that I wouldbestow upon your worthip; and my fuit is,———-—-

Loun. In very brief, the fuit is impertinent to myself, as your worthip fhall know by this honest Told man; and though I fay it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.

Buff. One ipeak for both ;---What would you?
Laun. Serve you, fir.

Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, fir.
Baff. I know thee well, thou haft obtain'd thy

fuit:

Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day,
And hath preferr'd thee; if it be preferment,
To leave a rich Jew's fervice to become
The follower of fo poor a gentleman.

Laun. The old proverb is very well parted be

2 Thill, or fill, means the fhafts of a cart or waggon.

tween

tween my mafter Shylock and you, fir; you have the grace of God, fir, and he hath enough.

Baff. Thou fpeak'ft it well: Go, father, with
thy fon:

Take leave of thy old mafter, and enquire
My lodging out :-give him a livery

Baff. No, that were pity;

I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest fuit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpofe merriment: But fare you well,
I have fome business..

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the reft;
But we will vifit you at fupper-time.

SCENE

Shylock's boufe.

[Excust

IIL

Enter Fica and Launcelot.

[To his followers. More guarded than his fellows: fee it done. Laun. Father, in :---I cannot get a fervice, no;I have ne'er a tongue in my head.-—-—Well, [ looking on his palm] if any man in Italy have a fairer table2, which doth offer to fwear upon a book, I fhall have good fortune.--Go to, here's a fimple Our houfe is hell, and thou, a merry devil, Jef. I am forry, thou wilt leave my father so; line of life! here's a fmall trifle of wives: alas, fif-Didit rob it of fome tafte of tediousness: teen wives is nothing; eleven widows, and nine But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee. maids, is a fimple coming-in for one man: and And, Launcelot, foon at fupper shalt thou fee then, to 'fcape drowning thrice; and to be in pe-Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest: Til of my life with the edge of a feather-bed 3; Give him this letter; do it fecretly, bere are fimple 'fcapes! Well, if fortune be a woAnd fo farewell; I would not have my father man, the's a good wench for this geer.-Father,See me talk with thee, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.

[Exeunt Launcelot and old Gobbo.
Bo. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this;
Thefe things being bought, and orderly bestow'd,
Return in harte, for I do feast to-night
My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go.
Leon. My beit endeavours fhall be done herein.

Enter Gratiano.

Gra. Where's your mafter?

Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.Moft beautiful pagan, moft fweet Jew! if a Chriftian did not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceiv'd: but, adieu! thefe foolish drops do fomewhat drown my manly fpirit; adieu!

Alack, what heinous fin is it in me,
Jef. Farewel, good Launcelot.-

To be afham'd to be my father's child!
But though I am a daughter to his blood,

Leon. Yonder, fir, he walks. [Exit Lemardo. I am not to his manners: 0 Lorenzo,

Gra. Signior Bassanio,

Baff. Gratiano!

Gra, I have a fuit to you.

Bal. You have obtain'd it.

Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with

you to Belmont.

[Ext

[Exit.

Baff. Why, then you must ;-But hear thee, Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salaring, and Salanio.

Lor. Nay, we will flink away in fupper-time;
Difguife us at my lodging, and return
All in an hour.

Gra. We have not made good preparation.
Sal. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.
Sala. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered;
And better, in my mind, not undertook. [hours
Lor. "Tis now but four o'clock; we have tw●
To furnish us :-

Enter Launcelot with a letter.
Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

Laun. An it shall please you to break up this 6, it fhall feem to fignify.

Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
And whiter than the paper it writ on,
Is the fair hand that writ.

Gra. Love-news, in faith.
Laun. By your leave, fir.
Lor. Whither goest thou?

Laun. Marry, fir, to bid my old mafter the
Jew to fup to-night with my new mafter the
Chriftian.

1 That is, more ornamented. 2 The chiromantic term for the lines of the hand. phrafe to fignify the danger of marrying. 4 That is, too grofs, licentious. pearance. 6 To break up was a term in carving,

3 A cant

5 That is, grave ap

Lar. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle Jeffica,
I will not fail her ;-Speak it privately; go.-
Gentlemen,

Will you prepare you for this mask to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer. [Exit Laun.
Sal. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

Sala. And fo will I.

Lar. Meet me, and Gratiano,

At Gratiano's lodging fome hour hence.

Sal. 'Tis good we do fo. [Exe. Salar. and Salan.
Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jetfica?
Lar. I muft needs tell thee all: the hath
rested,

How I must take her from her father's house;
What gold, and jewels, the is furnifh'd with ;
What page's fuit fhe hath in readiness.

If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,

It will be for his gentle daughter's fake :
And never dare misfortune croís her foot,
Undefs the do it under this excufe,-

That the is fiue to a faithlefs Jew.

Come, 30 with me; perufe this, as thou goest;
Far Jedica thall be my torch-bearer.

SCENE V.
Shylock's boufe,

Enter Shylock, and Launcelot.

And the vile fqueaking of the wry-neck'd fife,
Clamber not you up to the cafements then,
Nor thruft your head into the public street,
To gaze on Chriftian fools with varnith'd faces:
But ftop my houfe's ears, I mean, my cafements;
Let not the found of thallow foppery enter
My fober houfe.-By Jacob's staff, I swear,
I have no mind of feafting forth to-night:
But I will go.-Go you before me, firrah;
Say, I will come.

thing elfe.

Laun. I will go before, fir.di-Mistress, look out at window, for all this; There will come a Chriftian by, Will be worth a Jewels' eye. [Exit Lasin. Shy. What fays that fool of Hagar's offspring, la? ff. His words were, Farewel, mistress; no[feedler, Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge Snail-flow in profit, and he fleeps by day More than the wild cat; drones hive not with me: Therefore I part with him; and part with hin To one that I would have him help to wafte His borrow'd purse.-Well, Jeffica, go in ; Perhaps, I will return immediately;

Enter Felica.

Call you what is your will?

Soy. I am bid forth to fupper, Jeflica;

Do, as I bid you.

Shut the doors after you: Faft bind, fast find ;:
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

[1ixit,

Jef. Farewel; and my fortune be not croft, have a father, you a daughter, loit.

.

Sal. O, ten times fatter Venus' pigeons fly
To feal love's bonds new made, than they are wont

There are my keys :-But wherefore thould I go? To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

I am not bid for love; they flatter me:
But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon
The prodigal chriftian.-Jeffica, my girl,
Look to my houfe :-I am right loth to go;
There is fome ill a-brewing towards my reft,
For I did dream of money-bags to-night.
Lawn. I beseech you, fir, go; my young mafter
duth expect your reproach.
Sey. So do I his.

Lans. And they have confpired together, I not fay, you shall fee a mafque; but if you Ay, then it was not for nothing that my nofe fell -bleeding on Black-Monday laft, at fix o'clock 'the morning, falling out that year on Ah-Wedadday was four year in the afternoon.

Shy. What are there mafques? Hear you me,
Jetlica:

Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum,

Gra. That ever holds: Who rifeth from a itaft
With that keen appetite that he fits down?
Where is the horse, that doth untread again
His tedious meafures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them firft? All things that are
Are with more spirit chafed than enjoy'd.
How like a younker, or a prodigal,
The fkarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg'd and embraced by the ftrumpet wind!
How like a prodigal doth the return;
With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged fails,
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the ftrumpet wine1 £
Enter Lorenzo.

Sal. Here comes Lorenzo :-more of this he re-
after.
[abodi

Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my
Not I, but my. affairs, have made you wait:
When you shall pleafe to play the thieves for wiv tes

1 Bla.k-Monday, according to Stowe, means Eafter-Monday, and was fo called from Edward III. Laving loft a part of his army, then behieging París, by cold on that day, which was alto rema: kMy dark and milty. 2 i, e. the fool.