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The Merchant of Venice

Actus primus.

Enter AnthonioSalarinoand Salanio.

Anthonio. In sooth I know not why I am so sad
It wearies me: you say it wearies you;
But how I caught itfound itor came by it
What stuffe 'tis made ofwhereof it is borne
I am to learne: and such a Want-wit sadnesse makes of
mee
That I haue much ado to know my selfe

Sal. Your minde is tossing on the Ocean
There where your Argosies with portly saile
Like Signiors and rich Burgers on the flood
Or as it were the Pageants of the sea
Do ouer-peere the pettie Traffiquers
That curtsie to themdo them reuerence
As they flye by them with their wouen wings

Salar. Beleeue me sirhad I such venture forth
The better part of my affectionswould
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still
Plucking the grasse to know where sits the winde
Peering in Maps for portsand peersand rodes:
And euery obiect that might make me feare
Misfortune to my venturesout of doubt
Would make me sad

Sal. My winde cooling my broth
Would blow me to an Aguewhen I thought
What harme a winde too great might doe at sea.
I should not see the sandie houre-glasse runne
But I should thinke of shallowsand of flats
And see my wealthy Andrew docks in sand
Vailing her high top lower then her ribs
To kisse her buriall; should I goe to Church
And see the holy edifice of stone
And not bethinke me straight of dangerous rocks
Which touching but my gentle Vessels side
Would scatter all her spices on the streame
Enrobe the roring waters with my silkes
And in a wordbut euen now worth this
And now worth nothing. Shall I haue the thought
To thinke on thisand shall I lacke the thought
That such a thing bechaunc'd would make me sad?
But tell meI know Anthonio
Is sad to thinke vpon his merchandize

Anth. Beleeue me noI thanke my fortune for it
My ventures are not in one bottome trusted
Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate
Vpon the fortune of this present yeere:
Therefore my merchandize makes me not sad

Sola. Why then you are in loue


Anth. Fiefie

Sola. Not in loue neither: then let vs say you are sad
Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easie
For you to laugh and leapeand say you are merry
Because you are not sad. Now by two-headed Ianus
Nature hath fram'd strange fellowes in her time:
Some that will euermore peepe through their eyes
And laugh like Parrats at a bag-piper.
And other of such vineger aspect
That they'll not shew their teeth in way of smile
Though Nestor sweare the iest be laughable.
Enter BassanioLorensoand Gratiano.

Sola. Heere comes Bassanio
Your most noble Kinsman
Gratianoand Lorenso. Faryewell
We leaue you now with better company

Sala. I would haue staid till I had made you merry
If worthier friends had not preuented me

Ant. Your worth is very deere in my regard.
I take it your owne busines calls on you
And you embrace th' occasion to depart

Sal. Good morrow my good Lords

Bass. Good signiors bothwhen shall we laugh? saywhen?
You grow exceeding strange: must it be so?
Sal. Wee'll make our leysures to attend on yours.

Exeunt. Salarinoand Solanio.

Lor. My Lord Bassaniosince you haue found Anthonio
We two will leaue youbut at dinner time
I pray you haue in minde where we must meete

Bass. I will not faile you

Grat. You looke not well signior Anthonio
You haue too much respect vpon the world:
They loose it that doe buy it with much care
Beleeue me you are maruellously chang'd

Ant. I hold the world but as the world Gratiano
A stagewhere euery man must play a part
And mine a sad one

Grati. Let me play the foole
With mirth and laughter let old wrinckles come
And let my Liuer rather heate with wine
Then my heart coole with mortifying grones.
Why should a man whose bloud is warme within
Sit like his Grandsirecut in Alablaster?
Sleepe when he wakes? and creep into the Iaundies
By being peeuish? I tell thee what Anthonio
I loue theeand it is my loue that speakes:
There are a sort of menwhose visages
Do creame and mantle like a standing pond
And do a wilfull stilnesse entertaine
With purpose to be drest in an opinion
Of wisedomegrauityprofound conceit


As who should sayI am sir an Oracle
And when I ope my lipslet no dogge barke.
O my AnthonioI do know of these
That therefore onely are reputed wise
For saying nothing; when I am verie sure
If they should speakewould almost dam those eares
Which hearing them would call their brothers fooles:
Ile tell thee more of this another time.
But fish not with this melancholly baite
For this foole Gudginthis opinion:
Come good Lorenzofaryewell a while
Ile end my exhortation after dinner


Lor. Wellwe will leaue you then till dinner time.
I must be one of these same dumbe wise men.
For Gratiano neuer let's me speake

Gra. Wellkeepe me company but two yeares mo
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine owne tongue

Ant. Far you wellIle grow a talker for this geare

Gra. Thankes ifaithfor silence is onely commendable
In a neats tongue dri'dand a maid not vendible.
Enter.

Ant. It is that any thing now

Bas. Gratiano speakes an infinite deale of nothing
more then any man in all Venicehis reasons are two
graines of wheate hid in two bushels of chaffe: you shall
seeke all day ere you finde them& when you haue them
they are not worth the search

An. Well: tel me nowwhat Lady is the same
To whom you swore a secret Pilgrimage
That you to day promis'd to tel me of?

Bas. Tis not vnknowne to you Anthonio
How much I haue disabled mine estate
By something shewing a more swelling port
Then my faint meanes would grant continuance:
Nor do I now make mone to be abridg'd
From such a noble ratebut my cheefe care
Is to come fairely off from the great debts
Wherein my time something too prodigall
Hath left me gag'd: to you Anthonio
I owe the most in moneyand in loue
And from your loue I haue a warrantie
To vnburthen all my plots and purposes
How to get cleere of all the debts I owe

An. I pray you good Bassanio let me know it
And if it stand as you your selfe still do
Within the eye of honourbe assur'd
My pursemy personmy extreamest meanes
Lye all vnlock'd to your occasions

Bass. In my schoole dayeswhen I had lost one shaft
I shot his fellow of the selfesame flight
The selfesame waywith more aduised watch
To finde the other forthand by aduenturing both
I oft found both. I vrge this child-hoode proofe
Because what followes is pure innocence.
I owe you muchand like a wilfull youth


That which I owe is lost: but if you please
To shoote another arrow that selfe way
Which you did shoot the firstI do not doubt
As I will watch the ayme: Or to finde both
Or bring your latter hazard backe againe
And thankfully rest debter for the first


An. You know me welland herein spend but time
To winde about my loue with circumstance
And out of doubt you doe more wrong
In making question of my vttermost
Then if you had made waste of all I haue:
Then doe but say to me what I should doe
That in your knowledge may by me be done
And I am prest vnto it: therefore speake

Bass. In Belmont is a Lady richly left
And she is faireand fairer then that word
Of wondrous vertuessometimes from her eyes
I did receiue faire speechlesse messages:
Her name is Portianothing vndervallewd
To Cato's daughterBrutus Portia
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth
For the four windes blow in from euery coast
Renowned sutorsand her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece
Which makes her seat of Belmont Cholchos strond
And many Iasons come in quest of her.
O my Anthoniohad I but the meanes
To hold a riuall place with one of them
I haue a minde presages me such thrift
That I should questionlesse be fortunate

Anth. Thou knowst that all my fortunes are at sea
Neither haue I moneynor commodity
To raise a present summetherefore goe forth
Try what my credit can in Venice doe
That shall be rackt euen to the vttermost
To furnish thee to Belmont to faire Portia.
Goe presently enquireand so will I
Where money isand I no question make
To haue it of my trustor for my sake.

Exeunt.

Enter Portia with her waiting woman Nerissa.

Portia. By my troth Nerrissamy little body is a wearie
of this great world

Ner. You would be sweet Madamif your miseries
were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are:
and yet for ought I seethey are as sicke that surfet with
too muchas they that starue with nothing; it is no smal
happinesse therefore to bee seated in the meanesuperfluitie
comes sooner by white hairesbut competencie
liues longer

Portia. Good sentencesand well pronounc'd

Ner. They would be better if well followed

Portia. If to doe were as easie as to know what were
good to doeChappels had beene Churchesand poore


mens cottages Princes Pallaces: it is a good Diuine that
followes his owne instructions; I can easier teach twentie
what were good to be donethen be one of the twentie
to follow mine owne teaching: the braine may deuise
lawes for the bloodbut a hot temper leapes ore a
colde decreesuch a hare is madnesse the youthto skip
ore the meshes of good counsaile the cripple; but this
reason is not in fashion to choose me a husband: O mee
the word chooseI may neither choose whom I would
nor refuse whom I dislikeso is the wil of a liuing daughter
curb'd by the will of a dead father: it is not hard Nerrissa
that I cannot choose onenor refuse none

Ner. Your father was euer vertuousand holy men
at their death haue good inspirationstherefore the lotterie
that hee hath deuised in these three chests of gold
siluerand leadewhereof who chooses his meaning
chooses youwil no doubt neuer be chosen by any rightly
but one who you shall rightly loue: but what warmth
is there in your affection towards any of these Princely
suters that are already come?

Por. I pray thee ouer-name themand as thou namest
themI will describe themand according to my description
leuell at my affection

Ner. First there is the Neopolitane Prince

Por. I that's a colt indeedefor he doth nothing but
talke of his horseand hee makes it a great appropriation
to his owne good parts that he can shoo him himselfe:
I am much afraid my Ladie his mother plaid false
with a Smyth

Ner. Than is there the Countie Palentine

Por. He doth nothing but frowne (as who should
sayand you will not haue mechoose: he heares merrie
tales and smiles notI feare hee will proue the weeping
Phylosopher when he growes oldbeing so full of vnmannerly
sadnesse in his youth.) I had rather to be married
to a deaths head with a bone in his mouththen to either
of these: God defend me from these two

Ner. How say you by the French LordMounsier
Le Boune?

Por. God made himand therefore let him passe for a
manin truth I know it is a sinne to be a mockerbut he
why he hath a horse better then the Neopolitansa better
bad habite of frowning then the Count Palentinehe
is euery man in no manif a Trassell singhe fals straight
a capringhe will fence with his owne shadow. If I should
marry himI should marry twentie husbands: if hee
would despise meI would forgiue himfor if he loue me
to madnesseI should neuer requite him

Ner. What say you then to Fauconbridgethe yong
Baron of England?

Por. You know I say nothing to himfor hee vnderstands
not menor I him: he hath neither LatineFrench
nor Italianand you will come into the Court & sweare
that I haue a poore pennie-worth in the English: hee is a
proper mans picturebut alas who can conuerse with a
dumbe show? how odly he is suitedI thinke he bought
his doublet in Italiehis round hose in Francehis bonnet


in Germanieand his behauiour euery where

Ner. What thinke you of the other Lord his neighbour?

Por. That he hath a neighbourly charitie in himfor
he borrowed a boxe of the eare of the Englishmanand
swore he would pay him againe when hee was able: I
thinke the Frenchman became his suretieand seald vnder
for another

Ner. How like you the yong Germainethe Duke of
Saxonies Nephew?

Por. Very vildely in the morning when hee is sober
and most vildely in the afternoone when hee is drunke:
when he is besthe is a little worse then a manand when
he is worsthe is little better then a beast: and the worst
fall that euer fellI hope I shall make shift to go without
him

Ner. If he should offer to chooseand choose the right
Casketyou should refuse to performe your Fathers will
if you should refuse to accept him

Por. Therefore for feare of the worstI pray thee set
a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket
for if the diuell be withinand that temptation without
I know he will choose it. I will doe any thing Nerrissa
ere I will be married to a spunge

Ner. You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of
these Lordsthey haue acquainted me with their determinations
which is indeede to returne to their home
and to trouble you with no more suitevnlesse you may
be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition
depending on the Caskets

Por. If I liue to be as olde as SibillaI will dye as
chaste as Diana: vnlesse I be obtained by the manner
of my Fathers will: I am glad this parcell of wooers
are so reasonablefor there is not one among them but
I doate on his verie absence: and I wish them a faire departure

Ner. Doe you not remember Ladie in your Fathers
timea Veneciana Scholler and a Souldior that
came hither in companie of the Marquesse of Mountferrat?

Por. Yesyesit was Bassanioas I thinkeso was hee
call'd

Ner. True Madamhee of all the men that euer my
foolish eyes look'd vponwas the best deseruing a faire
Lady

Por. I remember him welland I remember him worthy
of thy praise.
Enter a Seruingman.

Ser. The four Strangers seeke you Madam to take
their leaue: and there is a fore-runner come from a fift
the Prince of Morocowho brings word the Prince his
Maister will be here to night

Por. If I could bid the fift welcome with so good
heart as I can bid the other foure farewellI should be
glad of his approach: if he haue the condition of a Saint
and the complexion of a diuellI had rather hee should


shriue me then wiue me. Come Nerrissasirra go before;
whiles wee shut the gate vpon one wooeranother
knocks at the doore.

Exeunt.

Enter Bassanio with Shylocke the Iew.

Shy. Three thousand ducateswell

Bass. I sirfor three months

Shy. For three monthswell

Bass. For the whichas I told you
Anthonio shall be bound

Shy. Anthonio shall become boundwell

Bass. May you sted me? Will you pleasure me?
Shall I know your answere

Shy. Three thousand ducats for three months
and Anthonio bound

Bass. Your answere to that

Shy. Anthonio is a good man

Bass. Haue you heard any imputation to the contrary

Shy. Ho nononono: my meaning in saying he is a
good manis to haue you vnderstand me that he is sufficient
yet his meanes are in supposition: he hath an Argosie
bound to Tripolisanother to the IndiesI vnderstand
moreouer vpon the Ryaltahe hath a third at Mexico
a fourth for Englandand other ventures hee hath
squandred abroadbut ships are but boordsSaylers but
menthere be land ratsand water ratswater theeues
and land theeuesI meane Pyratsand then there is the
perrill of waterswindesand rocks: the man is not withstanding
sufficientthree thousand ducatsI thinke I may
take his bond

Bas. Be assured you may

Iew. I will be assured I may: and that I may be assured
I will bethinke meemay I speake with Anthonio?
Bass. If it please you to dine with vs

Iew. Yesto smell porketo eate of the habitation
which your Prophet the Nazarite coniured the diuell
into: I will buy with yousell with youtalke with
youwalke with youand so following: but I will
not eate with youdrinke with younor pray with you.
What newes on the Ryaltawho is he comes here?
Enter Anthonio.

Bass. This is signior Anthonio

Iew. How like a fawning publican he lookes.
I hate him for he is a Christian:
But morefor that in low simplicitie
He lends out money gratisand brings downe


The rate of vsance here with vs in Venice.
If I can catch him once vpon the hip
I will feede fat the ancient grudge I beare him.
He hates our sacred Nationand he railes
Euen there where Merchants most doe congregate
On memy bargainesand my well-worne thrift
Which he cals interrest: Cursed by my Trybe
If I forgiue him


Bass. Shylockdoe you heare

Shy. I am debating of my present store
And by the neere gesse of my memorie
I cannot instantly raise vp the grosse
Of full three thousand ducats: what of that?
Tuball a wealthy Hebrew of my Tribe
Will furnish me: but softhow many months
Doe you desire? Rest you faire good signior
Your worship was the last man in our mouthes

Ant. Shylockealbeit I neither lend nor borrow
By takingnor by giuing of excesse
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend
Ile breake a custome: is he yet possest
How much he would?

Shy. IIthree thousand ducats

Ant. And for three months

Shy. I had forgotthree monthsyou told me so.
Well thenyour bond: and let me seebut heare you
Me thoughts you saidyou neither lend nor borrow
Vpon aduantage

Ant. I doe neuer vse it

Shy. When Iacob graz'd his vncle Labans sheepe
This Iacob from our holy Abram was
(As his wise mother wrought in his behalfe)
The third possesser; Ihe was the third

Ant. And what of himdid he take interrest?

Shy. Nonot take interestnot as you would say
Directly interestmarke what Iacob did
When Laban and himselfe were compremyz'd
That all the eanelings which were streakt and pied
Should fall as Iacobs hierthe Ewes being rancke
In end of Autumne turned to the Rammes
And when the worke of generation was
Betweene these woolly breeders in the act
The skilfull shepheard pil'd me certaine wands
And in the dooing of the deede of kinde
He stucke them vp before the fulsome Ewes
Who then conceauingdid in eaning time
Fall party-colour'd lambsand those were Iacobs.
This was a way to thriueand he was blest:
And thrift is blessing if men steale it not

Ant. This was a venture sir that Iacob seru'd for
A thing not in his power to bring to passe
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heauen.
Was this inserted to make interrest good?
Or is your gold and siluer Ewes and Rams?

Shy. I cannot tellI make it breede as fast


But note me signior

Ant. Marke you this Bassanio

The diuell can cite Scripture for his purpose

An euill soule producing holy witnesse

Is like a villaine with a smiling cheeke

A goodly apple rotten at the heart.

O what a goodly outside falsehood hath

Shy. Three thousand ducats'tis a good round sum.
Three months from tweluethen let me see the rate

Ant. Well Shylockeshall we be beholding to you?

Shy. Signior Anthoniomany a time and oft

In the Ryalto you haue rated me

About my monies and my vsances:

Still haue I borne it with a patient shrug

(For suffrance is the badge of all our Tribe.)

You call me misbeleeuercut-throate dog

And spet vpon my Iewish gaberdine

And all for vse of that which is mine owne.

Well thenit now appeares you neede my helpe:

Goe to thenyou come to meand you say

Shylockewe would haue moneyesyou say so:

You that did voide your rume vpon my beard

And foote me as you spurne a stranger curre

Ouer your thresholdmoneyes is your suite.

What should I say to you? Should I not say

Hath a dog money? Is it possible

A curre should lend three thousand ducats? or

Shall I bend lowand in a bond-mans key

With bated breathand whispring humblenesse

Say this: Faire siryou spet on me on Wednesday last;

You spurn'd me such a day; another time

You cald me dog: and for these curtesies

Ile lend you thus much moneyes

Ant. I am as like to call thee so againe

To spet on thee againeto spurne thee too.

If thou wilt lend this moneylend it not

As to thy friendsfor when did friendship take

A breede of barraine mettall of his friend?

But lend it rather to thine enemie

Who if he breakethou maist with better face

Exact the penalties

Shy. Why looke you how you storme

I would be friends with youand haue your loue

Forget the shames that you haue staind me with

Supplie your present wantsand take no doite

Of vsance for my moneyesand youle not heare me

This is kinde I offer

Bass. This were kindnesse

Shy. This kindnesse will I showe

Goe with me to a Notarieseale me there

Your single bondand in a merrie sport

If you repaie me not on such a day

In such a placesuch sum or sums as are

Exprest in the conditionlet the forfeite

Be nominated for an equall pound

Of your faire fleshto be cut off and taken

In what part of your bodie it pleaseth me


Ant. Content infaithIle seale to such a bond
And say there is much kindnesse in the Iew

Bass. You shall not seale to such a bond for me
Ile rather dwell in my necessitie

Ant. Why feare not manI will not forfaite it
Within these two monthsthat's a month before
This bond expiresI doe expect returne
Of thrice three times the valew of this bond

Shy. O father Abramwhat these Christians are
Whose owne hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others: Praie you tell me this
If he should breake his daiewhat should I gaine
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of mans flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimableprofitable neither
As flesh of MuttonsBeefesor GoatesI say
To buy his fauourI extend this friendship
If he will take itso: if not adiew
And for my loue I praie you wrong me not

Ant. Yes ShylockeI will seale vnto this bond

Shy. Then meete me forthwith at the Notaries
Giue him direction for this merrie bond
And I will goe and purse the ducats straite.
See to my house left in the fearefull gard
Of an vnthriftie knaue: and presentlie
Ile be with you.
Enter.

Ant. Hie thee gentle Iew. This Hebrew will turne
Christianhe growes kinde

Bass. I like not faire tearmesand a villaines minde

Ant. Come onin this there can be no dismaie
My Shippes come home a month before the daie.

Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.

Enter Morochus a tawnie Moore all in whiteand three or foure
followers
accordinglywith PortiaNerrissaand their traine. Flo. Cornets.

Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion
The shadowed liuerie of the burnisht sunne
To whom I am a neighbourand neere bred.
Bring me the fairest creature North-ward borne
Where Phoebus fire scarce thawes the ysicles
And let vs make incision for your loue
To proue whose blood is reddesthis or mine.
I tell thee Ladie this aspect of mine
Hath feard the valiant(by my loue I sweare)
The best regarded Virgins of our Clyme
Haue lou'd it to: I would not change this hue
Except to steale your thoughts my gentle Queene


Por. In tearmes of choise I am not solie led
By nice direction of a maidens eies:
Besidesthe lottrie of my destenie
Bars me the right of voluntarie choosing:
But if my Father had not scanted me
And hedg'd me by his wit to yeelde my selfe
His wifewho wins me by that meanes I told you
Your selfe (renowned Prince) than stood as faire
As any commer I haue look'd on yet
For my affection

Mor. Euen for that I thanke you
Therefore I pray you leade me to the Caskets
To trie my fortune: By this Symitare
That slew the Sophieand a Persian Prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman
I would ore-stare the sternest eies that looke:
Out-braue the heart most daring on the earth:
Plucke the yong sucking Cubs from the she Beare
Yeamocke the Lion when he rores for pray
To win the Ladie. But alasthe while
If Hercules and Lychas plaie at dice
Which is the better manthe greater throw
May turne by fortune from the weaker hand:
So is Alcides beaten by his rage
And so may Iblinde fortune leading me
Misse that which one vnworthier may attaine
And die with grieuing

Port. You must take your chance
And either not attempt to choose at all
Or sweare before you chooseif you choose wrong
Neuer to speake to Ladie afterward
In way of marriagetherefore be aduis'd

Mor. Nor will notcome bring me vnto my chance

Por. First forward to the templeafter dinner
Your hazard shall be made

Mor. Good fortune then

Cornets.

To make me blest or cursed'st among men.

Exeunt.

Enter the Clowne alone.

Clo. Certainelymy conscience will serue me to run
from this Iew my Maister: the fiend is at mine elbow
and tempts mesaying to meIobbeLauncelet Iobbegood
Launceletor good Iobbeor good Launcelet Iobbevse
your legstake the startrun awaie: my conscience saies
no; take heede honest Launcelettake heed honest Iobbe
or as afore-said honest Launcelet Iobbedoe not runne
scorne running with thy heeles; wellthe most coragious
fiend bids me packefia saies the fiendaway saies
the fiendfor the heauens rouse vp a braue minde saies
the fiendand run; wellmy conscience hanging about
the necke of my heartsaies verie wisely to me: my honest
friend Launceletbeing an honest mans sonneor rather
an honest womans sonnefor indeede my Father did


something smacksomething grow too; he had a kinde of
taste; welmy conscience saies Lancelet bouge notbouge
saies the fiendbouge not saies my conscienceconscience
say I you counsaile wellfiend say I you counsaile well
to be rul'd by my conscience I should stay with the Iew
my Maister(who God blesse the marke) is a kinde of diuell;
and to run away from the Iew I should be ruled by
the fiendwho sauing your reuerence is the diuell himselfe:
certainely the Iew is the verie diuell incarnation
and in my consciencemy conscience is a kinde of hard
conscienceto offer to counsaile me to stay with the Iew;
the fiend giues the more friendly counsaile: I will runne
fiendmy heeles are at your commandementI will
runne.
Enter old Gobbe with a Basket.

Gob. Maister yong-manyou I praie youwhich is the
waie to Maister Iewes?

Lan. O heauensthis is my true begotten Fatherwho
being more then sand-blindehigh grauel blindeknows
me notI will trie confusions with him

Gob. Maister yong GentlemanI praie you which is
the waie to Maister Iewes

Laun. Turne vpon your right hand at the next turning
but at the next turning of all on your left; marrie
at the verie next turningturne of no handbut turn down
indirectlie to the Iewes house

Gob. Be Gods sonties 'twill be a hard waie to hitcan
you tell me whether one Launcelet that dwels with him
dwell with him or no

Laun. Talke you of yong Master Launceletmarke
me nownow will I raise the waters; talke you of yong
Maister Launcelet?

Gob. No Maister sirbut a poore mans sonnehis Father
though I say't is an honest exceeding poore man
and God be thanked well to liue

Lan. Welllet his Father be what a willwee talke of
yong Maister Launcelet

Gob. Your worships friend and Launcelet

Laun. But I praie you ergo old manergo I beseech you
talke you of yong Maister Launcelet

Gob. Of Launceletant please your maistership

Lan. Ergo Maister Lancelettalke not of maister Lancelet
Fatherfor the yong gentleman according to fates and
destiniesand such odde sayingsthe sisters three& such
branches of learningis indeede deceasedor as you
would say in plaine tearmesgone to heauen

Gob. Marrie God forbidthe boy was the verie staffe
of my agemy verie prop

Lau. Do I look like a cudgell or a houell-posta staffe
or a prop: doe you know me Father


Gob. Alacke the dayI know you not yong Gentleman
but I praie you tell meis my boy God rest his soule
aliue or dead

Lan. Doe you not know me Father

Gob. Alacke sir I am sand blindeI know you not

Lan. Nayindeede if you had your eies you might
faile of the knowing me: it is a wise Father that knowes
his owne childe. Wellold manI will tell you newes of
your songiue me your blessingtruth will come to light
murder cannot be hid longa mans sonne maybut in the
end truth will out

Gob. Praie you sir stand vpI am sure you are not
Lancelet my boy

Lan. Praie you let's haue no more fooling about
itbut giue mee your blessing: I am Lancelet your
boy that wasyour sonne that isyour childe that
shall be

Gob. I cannot thinke you are my sonne

Lan. I know not what I shall thinke of that: but I am
Lancelet the Iewes manand I am sure Margerie your wife
is my mother

Gob. Her name is Margerie indeedeIle be sworne if
thou be Lanceletthou art mine owne flesh and blood:
Lord worshipt might he bewhat a beard hast thou got;
thou hast got more haire on thy chinthen Dobbin my
philhorse has on his taile

Lan. It should seeme then that Dobbins taile
growes backeward. I am sure he had more haire of his
taile then I haue of my face when I last saw him

Gob. Lord how art thou chang'd: how doost thou
and thy Master agreeI haue brought him a present; how
gree you now?

Lan. Wellwellbut for mine owne partas I haue set
vp my rest to run awaieso I will not rest till I haue run
some ground; my Maister's a verie Iewgiue him a present
giue him a halterI am famisht in his seruice. You
may tell euerie finger I haue with my ribs: Father I am
glad you are comegiue me your present to one Maister
Bassaniowho indeede giues rare new Liuoriesif I serue
not himI will run as far as God has anie ground. O rare
fortunehere comes the manto him Fatherfor I am a
Iew if I serue the Iew anie longer.
Enter Bassanio with a follower or two.

Bass. You may doe sobut let it be so hasted that
supper be readie at the farthest by fiue of the clocke:
see these Letters deliueredput the Liueries to making
and desire Gratiano to come anone to my lodging

Lan. To him Father

Gob. God blesse your worship

Bass. Gramerciewould'st thou ought with me


Gob. Here's my sonne sira poore boy

Lan. Not a poore boy sirbut the rich Iewes man that
would sir as my Father shall specifie

Gob. He hath a great infection siras one would say
to serue

Lan. Indeede the short and the long isI serue the
Iewand haue a desire as my Father shall specifie

Gob. His Maister and he (sauing your worships reuerence)
are scarce catercosins

Lan. To be briefethe verie truth isthat the Iew
hauing done me wrongdoth cause me as my Father being
I hope an old man shall frutifie vnto you

Gob. I haue here a dish of Doues that I would bestow
vpon your worshipand my suite is

Lan. In verie briefethe suite is impertinent to my
selfeas your worship shall know by this honest old man
and though I say itthough old manyet poore man my
Father

Bass. One speake for bothwhat would you?
Lan. Serue you sir


Gob. That is the verie defect of the matter sir

Bass. I know thee wellthou hast obtain'd thy suite
Shylocke thy Maister spoke with me this daie
And hath prefer'd theeif it be preferment
To leaue a rich Iewes seruiceto become
The follower of so poore a Gentleman

Clo. The old prouerbe is verie well parted betweene
my Maister Shylocke and you siryou haue the grace of
God sirand he hath enough

Bass. Thou speak'st well; go Father with thy Son
Take leaue of thy old Maisterand enquire
My lodging outgiue him a Liuerie
More garded then his fellowes: see it done

Clo. Father inI cannot get a seruicenoI haue nere
a tongue in my headwell: if anie man in Italie haue a
fairer table which doth offer to sweare vpon a bookeI
shall haue good fortune; goe toohere's a simple line
of lifehere's a small trifle of wiuesalasfifteene wiues
is nothinga leuen widdowes and nine maides is a simple
comming in for one manand then to scape drowning
thriceand to be in perill of my life with the edge
of a featherbedhere are simple scapes: wellif Fortune
be a womanshe's a good wench for this gere: Father
comeIle take my leaue of the Iew in the twinkling.

Exit Clowne.

Bass. I praie thee good Leonardo thinke on this
These things being bought and orderly bestowed
Returne in hastefor I doe feast to night


My best esteemd acquaintancehie thee goe

Leon. my best endeuors shall be done herein.

Exit Le.

Enter Gratiano.

Gra. Where's your Maister

Leon. Yonder sir he walkes

Gra. Signior Bassanio

Bas. Gratiano

Gra. I haue a sute to you

Bass. You haue obtain'd it

Gra. You must not denie meI must goe with you to
Belmont

Bass. Why then you must: but heare thee Gratiano
Thou art to wildeto rudeand bold of voyce
Parts that become thee happily enough
And in such eyes as ours appeare not faults;
But where they are not knownewhy there they show
Something too liberallpray thee take paine
To allay with some cold drops of modestie
Thy skipping spiritleast through thy wilde behauiour
I be misconsterd in the place I goe to
And loose my hopes

Gra. Signor Bassanioheare me
If I doe not put on a sober habite
Talke with respectand sweare but now and than
Weare prayer bookes in my pocketlooke demurely
Nay morewhile grace is saying hood mine eyes
Thus with my hatand sigh and say Amen:
Vse all the obseruance of ciuillitie
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his Grandamneuer trust me more

Bas. Wellwe shall see your bearing

Gra. Nay but I barre to nightyou shall not gage me
By what we doe to night

Bas. No that were pittie
I would intreate you rather to put on
Your boldest suite of mirthfor we haue friends
That purpose merriment: but far you well
I haue some businesse

Gra. And I must to Lorenso and the rest
But we will visite you at supper time.

Exeunt.

Enter Iessica and the Clowne.

Ies. I am sorry thou wilt leaue my Father so
Our house is helland thou a merrie diuell


Did'st rob it of some taste of tediousnesse;
But far thee wellthere is a ducat for thee
And Lanceletsoone at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzowho is thy new Maisters guest
Giue him this Letterdoe it secretly
And so farewell: I would not haue my Father
see me talke with thee


Clo. Adueteares exhibit my tonguemost beautifull
Paganmost sweete Iewif a Christian doe not play the
knaue and get theeI am much deceiued; but aduethese
foolish drops doe somewhat drowne my manly spirit:
adue.
Enter.

Ies. Farewell good Lancelet.
Alackewhat hainous sinne is it in me
To be ashamed to be my Fathers childe
But though I am a daughter to his blood
I am not to his manners: O Lorenzo
If thou keepe promise I shall end this strife
Become a Christianand thy louing wife.
Enter.

Enter GratianoLorenzoSalarinoand Salanio.

Lor. Naywe will slinke away in supper time
Disguise vs at my lodgingand returne all in an houre

Gra. We haue not made good preparation

Sal. We haue not spoke vs yet of Torch-bearers

Sol. 'Tis vile vnlesse it may be quaintly ordered
And better in my minde not vndertooke

Lor. 'Tis now but foure of clockwe haue two houres
To furnish vs; friend Lancelet what's the newes.
Enter Lancelet with a Letter.

Lan. And it shall please you to breake vp thisshall it
seeme to signifie

Lor. I know the handin faith 'tis a faire hand
And whiter then the paper it writ on
Is the faire hand that writ

Gra. Loue newes in faith

Lan. By your leaue sir

Lor. Whither goest thou?
Lan. Marry sir to bid my old Master the Iew to sup
to night with my new Master the Christian

Lor. Hold heretake thistell gentle Iessica
I will not faile herspeake it priuately:
Go Gentlemenwill you prepare you for this Maske to
night
I am prouided of a Torch-bearer.

Exit. Clowne


Sal. I marryile be gone about it strait

Sol. And so will I

Lor. Meete me and Gratiano at Gratianos lodging
Some houre hence

Sal. 'Tis good we do so.
Enter.

Gra. Was not that Letter from faire Iessica?

Lor. I must needes tell thee allshe hath directed
How I shall take her from her Fathers house
What gold and iewels she is furnisht with
What Pages suite she hath in readinesse:
If ere the Iew her Father come to heauen
It will be for his gentle daughters sake;
And neuer dare misfortune crosse her foote
Vnlesse she doe it vnder this excuse
That she is issue to a faithlesse Iew:
Come goe with mepervse this as thou goest
Faire Iessica shall be my Torch-bearer.
Enter.

Enter Iewand his man that was the Clowne.

Iew. Wellthou shall seethy eyes shall be thy iudge
The difference of old Shylocke and Bassanio;
What Iessicathou shalt not gurmandize
As thou hast done with me: what Iessica?
And sleepeand snoreand rend apparrell out.
Why Iessica I say

Clo. Why Iessica

Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call

Clo. Your worship was wont to tell me
I could doe nothing without bidding.
Enter Iessica.

Ies. Call you? what is your will?

Shy. I am bid forth to supper Iessica
There are my Keyes: but wherefore should I go?
I am not bid for louethey flatter me
But yet Ile goe in hateto feede vpon
The prodigall Christian. Iessica my girle
Looke to my houseI am right loath to goe
There is some ill a bruing towards my rest
For I did dreame of money bags to night

Clo. I beseech you sir goemy yong Master
Doth expect your reproach

Shy. So doe I his

Clo. And they haue conspired togetherI will not say
you shall see a Maskebut if you doethen it was not for
nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on blacke monday
lastat six a clocke ith morningfalling out that yeere on
ashwensday was foure yeere in th' afternoone

Shy. What are their maskes? heare you me Iessica
Lock vp my dooresand when you heare the drum


And the vile squealing of the wry-neckt Fife
Clamber not you vp to the casements then
Nor thrust your head into the publique streete
To gaze on Christian fooles with varnisht faces:
But stop my houses earesI meane my casements
Let not the sound of shallow fopperie enter
My sober house. By Iacobs staffe I sweare
I haue no minde of feasting forth to night:
But I will goe: goe you before me sirra
Say I will come


Clo. I will goe before sir
Mistris looke out at window for all this;
There will come a Christian by
Will be worth a Iewes eye

Shy. What saies that foole of Hagars off-spring?
ha

Ies. His words were farewell mistrisnothing else

Shy. The patch is kinde enoughbut a huge feeder:
Snaile-slow in profitbut he sleepes by day
More then the wilde-cat: drones hiue not with me
Therefore I part with himand part with him
To one that I would haue him helpe to waste
His borrowed purse. Well Iessica goe in
Perhaps I will returne immediately;
Doe as I bid youshut dores after youfast bindefast
finde
A prouerbe neuer stale in thriftie minde.
Enter.

Ies. Farewelland if my fortune be not crost
I haue a Fatheryou a daughter lost.
Enter.

Enter the MaskersGratiano and Salino.

Gra. This is the penthouse vnder which Lorenzo
Desired vs to make a stand

Sal. His houre is almost past

Gra. And it is meruaile he out-dwels his houre
For louers euer run before the clocke

Sal. O ten times faster Venus Pidgions flye
To steale loues bonds new madethen they are wont
To keepe obliged faith vnforfaited

Gra. That euer holdswho riseth from a feast
With that keene appetite that he sits downe?
Where is the horse that doth vntread againe
His tedious measures with the vnbated fire
That he did pace them first: all things that are
Are with more spirit chased then enioy'd.
How like a yonger or a prodigall
The skarfed barke puts from her natiue bay
Hudg'd and embraced by the strumpet winde:
How like a prodigall doth she returne
With ouer-wither'd ribs and ragged sailes
Leanerentand begger'd by the strumpet winde?
Enter Lorenzo.


Salino. Heere comes Lorenzomore of this hereafter

Lor. Sweete friendsyour patience for my long abode
Not Ibut my affaires haue made you wait;
When you shall please to play the theeues for wiues
Ile watch as long for you then: approach
Here dwels my father Iew. Hoawho's within?

Iessica aboue.

Iess. Who are you? tell me for more certainty
Albeit Ile sweare that I do know your tongue

Lor. Lorenzoand thy Loue

Ies. Lorenzo certaineand my loue indeed
For who loue I so much? and now who knowes
But you Lorenzowhether I am yours?

Lor. Heauen and thy thoughts are witness that thou
art

Ies. Heerecatch this casketit is worth the paines
I am glad 'tis nightyou do not looke on me
For I am much asham'd of my exchange:
But loue is blindeand louers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselues commit
For if they couldCupid himselfe would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy

Lor. Descendfor you must be my torch-bearer

Ies. Whatmust I hold a Candle to my shames?
They in themselues goodsooth are too too light.
Why'tis an office of discouery Loue
And I should be obscur'd

Lor. So you are sweet
Euen in the louely garnish of a boy: but come at once
For the close night doth play the run-away
And we are staid for at Bassanio's feast

Ies. I will make fast the doores and guild my selfe
With some more ducatsand be with you straight

Gra. Now by my hooda gentleand no Iew

Lor. Beshrew me but I loue her heartily.
For she is wiseif I can iudge of her.
And faire she isif that mine eyes be true
And true she isas she hath prou'd her selfe:
And therefore like her selfewisefaireand true
Shall she be placed in my constant soule.
Enter Iessica.

Whatart thou come? on gentlemenaway
Our masking mates by this time for vs stay.
Enter.

Enter Anthonio.

Ant. Who's there?
Gra. Signior Anthonio?
Ant. FiefieGratianowhere are all the rest?



'Tis nine a clockeour friends all stay for you
No maske to nightthe winde is come about
Bassanio presently will goe aboord
I haue sent twenty out to seeke for you


Gra. I am glad on'tI desire no more delight
Then to be vnder saileand gone to night.

Exeunt.

Enter Portia with Morrochoand both their traines.

Por. Goedraw aside the curtainesand discouer
The seuerall Caskets to this noble Prince:
Now make your choyse

Mor. The first of goldwho this inscription beares
Who chooseth meshall gaine what men desire.
The second siluerwhich this promise carries
Who chooseth meshall get as much as he deserues.
This thirddull leadwith warning all as blunt
Who chooseth memust giue and hazard all he hath.
How shall I know if I doe choose the right?
How shall I know if I doe choose the right

Por. The one of them containes my picture Prince
If you choose thatthen I am yours withall

Mor. Some God direct my iudgementlet me see
I will suruay the inscriptionsbacke againe:
What saies this leaden casket?
Who chooseth memust giue and hazard all he hath.
Must giuefor what? for leadhazard for lead?
This casket threatens men that hazard all
Doe it in hope of faire aduantages:
A golden minde stoopes not to showes of drosse
Ile then nor giue nor hazard ought for lead.
What saies the Siluer with her virgin hue?
Who chooseth meshall get as much as he deserues.
As much as he deserues; pause there Morocho
And weigh thy value with an euen hand
If thou beest rated by thy estimation
Thou doost deserue enoughand yet enough
May not extend so farre as to the Ladie:
And yet to be afeard of my deseruing
Were but a weake disabling of my selfe.
As much as I deseruewhy that's the Lady.
I doe in birth deserue herand in fortunes
In gracesand in qualities of breeding:
But more then thesein loue I doe deserue.
What if I strai'd no fartherbut chose here?
Let's see once more this saying grau'd in gold.
Who chooseth me shall gaine what many men desire:
Why that's the Ladyall the world desires her:
From the foure corners of the earth they come
To kisse this shrinethis mortall breathing Saint.
The Hircanion desertsand the vaste wildes
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
For Princes to come view faire Portia.
The waterie Kingdomewhose ambitious head
Spets in the face of heauenis no barre
To stop the forraine spiritsbut they come
As ore a brooke to see faire Portia.
One of these three containes her heauenly picture.


Is't like that Lead containes her? 'twere damnation
To thinke so base a thoughtit were too grose
To rib her searecloath in the obscure graue:
Or shall I thinke in Siluer she's immur'd
Being ten times vndervalued to tride gold;
O sinfull thoughtneuer so rich a Iem
Was set in worse then gold! They haue in England
A coyne that beares the figure of an Angell
Stampt in goldbut that's insculpt vpon:
But here an Angell in a golden bed
Lies all within. Deliuer me the key:
Here doe I chooseand thriue I as I may

Por. There take it Princeand if my forme lye there
Then I am yours

Mor. O hell! what haue we herea carrion death
Within whose emptie eye there is a written scroule;
Ile reade the writing.
All that glisters is not gold
Often haue you heard that told;
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold;
Guilded timber doe wormes infold:
Had you beene as wise as bold
Yong in limbsin iudgement old
Your answere had not beene inscrold
Fareyouwellyour suite is cold

Mor. Cold indeedeand labour lost
Then farewell heateand welcome frost:
Portia adewI haue too grieu'd a heart
To take a tedious leaue: thus loosers part.
Enter.

Por. A gentle riddance: draw the curtainesgo:
Let all of his complexion choose me so.

Exeunt.

Enter Salarino and Solanio.

Flo. Cornets

Sal. Why man I saw Bassanio vnder sayle;
With him is Gratiano gone along;
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not

Sol. The villaine Iew with outcries raisd the Duke.
Who went with him to search Bassanios ship

Sal. He comes too latethe ship was vndersaile;
But there the Duke was giuen to vnderstand
That in a Gondilo were seene together
Lorenzo and his amorous Iessica.
BesidesAnthonio certified the Duke
They were not with Bassanio in his ship

Sol. I neuer heard a passion so confusd
So strangeoutragiousand so variable
As the dogge Iew did vtter in the streets;
My daughterO my ducatsO my daughter
Fled with a ChristianO my Christian ducats!
Iusticethe lawmy ducatsand my daughter;
A sealed bagtwo sealed bags of ducats


Of double ducatsstolne from me by my daughter
And iewelstwo stonestwo rich and precious stones
Stolne by my daughter: iusticefinde the girle
She hath the stones vpon herand the ducats


Sal. Why all the boyes in Venice follow him
Crying his stoneshis daughterand his ducats

Sol. Let good Anthonio looke he keepe his day
Or he shall pay for this

Sal. Marry well remembred
I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday
Who told mein the narrow seas that part
The French and Englishthere miscaried
A vessell of our countrey richly fraught:
I thought vpon Anthonio when he told me
And wisht in silence that it were not his

Sol. You were best to tell Anthonio what you heare.
Yet doe not suddainelyfor it may grieue him

Sal. A kinder Gentleman treads not the earth
I saw Bassanio and Anthonio part
Bassanio told him he would make some speede
Of his returne: he answereddoe not so
Slubber not businesse for my sake Bassanio
But stay the very riping of the time
And for the Iewes bond which he hath of me
Let it not enter in your minde of loue:
Be merryand imploy your chiefest thoughts
To courtshipand such faire ostents of loue
As shall conueniently become you there;
And euen there his eye being big with teares
Turning his facehe put his hand behinde him
And with affection wondrous sencible
He wrung Bassanios handand so they parted

Sol. I thinke he onely loues the world for him
I pray thee let vs goe and finde him out
And quicken his embraced heauinesse
With some delight or other

Sal. Doe we so.

Exeunt.

Enter Nerrissa and a Seruiture.

Ner. Quickquick I pray theedraw the curtain strait
The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath
And comes to his election presently.
Enter Arragonhis traineand Portia. Flor. Cornets.

Por. Beholdthere stand the caskets noble Prince
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd
Straight shall our nuptiall rights be solemniz'd:
But if thou failewithout more speech my Lord
You must be gone from hence immediately

Ar. I am enioynd by oath to obserue three things;
Firstneuer to vnfold to any one
Which casket 'twas I chose; nextif I faile
Of the right casketneuer in my life


To wooe a maide in way of marriage:
Lastlyif I doe faile in fortune of my choyse
Immediately to leaue youand be gone


Por. To these iniunctions euery one doth sweare
That comes to hazard for my worthlesse selfe

Ar. And so haue I addrest mefortune now
To my hearts hope: goldsiluerand base lead.
Who chooseth me must giue and hazard all he hath.
You shall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard.
What saies the golden chesthalet me see.
Who chooseth meshall gaine what many men desire:
What many men desirethat many may be meant
By the foole multitude that choose by show
Not learning more then the fond eye doth teach
Which pries not to th' interiorbut like the Martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall
Euen in the force and rode of casualtie.
I will not choose what many men desire
Because I will not iumpe with common spirits
And ranke me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why then to thee thou Siluer treasure house
Tell me once morewhat title thou doost beare;
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues:
And well said too; for who shall goe about
To cosen Fortuneand be honourable
Without the stampe of merritlet none presume
To weare an vndeserued dignitie:
O that estatesdegreesand offices
Were not deriu'd corruptlyand that cleare honour
Were purchast by the merrit of the wearer;
How many then should couer that stand bare?
How many be commanded that command?
How much low pleasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seede of honor? And how much honor
Pickt from the chaffe and ruine of the times
To be new varnisht: Wellbut to my choise.
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues.
I will assume desert; giue me a key for this
And instantly vnlocke my fortunes here

Por. Too long a pause for that which you finde there

Ar. What's herethe portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a sceduleI will reade it:
How much vnlike art thou to Portia?
How much vnlike my hopes and my deseruings?
Who chooseth meshall haue as much as he deserues.
Did I deserue no more then a fooles head
Is that my prizeare my deserts no better?

Por. To offend and iudge are distinct offices
And of opposed natures

Ar. What is here?
The fier seauen times tried this
Seauen times tried that iudgement is
That did neuer choose amis
Some there be that shadowes kisse
Such haue but a shadowes blisse:
There be fooles aliue Iwis
Siluer'd o'reand so was this:
Take what wife you will to bed
I will euer be your head:


So be goneyou are sped

Ar. Still more foole I shall appeare
By the time I linger here
With one fooles head I came to woo
But I goe away with two.
Sweet adueIle keepe my oath
Patiently to beare my wroath

Por. Thus hath the candle sing'd the moath:
O these deliberate fooles when they doe choose
They haue the wisdome by their wit to loose

Ner. The ancient saying is no heresie
Hanging and wiuing goes by destinie

Por. Come draw the curtaine Nerrissa.
Enter Messenger.

Mes. Where is my Lady?
Por. Herewhat would my Lord?
Mes. Madamthere is a-lighted at your gate


A yong Venetianone that comes before
To signifie th' approaching of his Lord
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
To wit (besides commends and curteous breath)
Gifts of rich value; yet I haue not seene
So likely an Embassador of loue.
A day in Aprill neuer came so sweete
To show how costly Sommer was at hand
As this fore-spurrer comes before his Lord


Por. No more I pray theeI am halfe a-feard
Thou wilt say anone he is some kin to thee
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him:
Comecome Nerryssafor I long to see
Quicke Cupids Postthat comes so mannerly

Ner. Bassanio Lordloue if thy will it be.

Exeunt.

Actus Tertius.

Enter Solanio and Salarino.

Sol. Nowwhat newes on the Ryalto?

Sal. Why yet it liues there vnchecktthat Anthonio
hath a ship of rich lading wrackt on the narrow Seas; the
Goodwins I thinke they call the placea very dangerous
flatand fatallwhere the carcasses of many a tall shiplye
buriedas they sayif my gossips report be an honest woman
of her word

Sol. I would she were as lying a gossip in thatas euer
knapt Gingeror made her neighbours beleeue she wept
for the death of a third husband: but it is truewithout
any slips of prolixityor crossing the plaine high-way of
talkethat the good Anthoniothe honest Anthonio; o that
I had a title good enough to keepe his name company!

Sal. Comethe full stop

Sol. Hawhat sayest thouwhy the end ishe hath lost


a ship

Sal. I would it might proue the end of his losses

Sol. Let me say Amen betimesleast the diuell crosse
my praierfor here he comes in the likenes of a Iew. How
now Shylockewhat newes among the Merchants?
Enter Shylocke.

Shy. You knew none so wellnone so well as youof
my daughters flight

Sal. That's certaineI for my part knew the Tailor
that made the wings she flew withall

Sol. And Shylocke for his owne part knew the bird was
fledg'dand then it is the complexion of them al to leaue
the dam

Shy. She is damn'd for it

Sal. That's certaineif the diuell may be her Iudge

Shy. My owne flesh and blood to rebell

Sol. Out vpon it old carrionrebels it at these yeeres

Shy. I say my daughter is my flesh and bloud

Sal. There is more difference betweene thy flesh and
hersthen betweene Iet and Iuoriemore betweene your
bloodsthen there is betweene red wine and rennish: but
tell vsdoe you heare whether Anthonio haue had anie
losse at sea or no?

Shy. There I haue another bad matcha bankrouta
prodigallwho dare scarce shew his head on the Ryalto
a begger that was vsd to come so smug vpon the Mart:
let him look to his bondhe was wont to call me Vsurer
let him looke to his bondhe was wont to lend money
for a Christian curtsielet him looke to his bond

Sal. Why I am sure if he forfaitethou wilt not take
his fleshwhat's that good for?

Shy. To baite fish withallif it will feede nothing
elseit will feede my reuenge; he hath disgrac'd meand
hindred me halfe a millionlaught at my lossesmockt at
my gainesscorned my Nationthwarted my bargaines
cooled my friendsheated mine enemiesand what's the
reason? I am a Iewe: Hath not a Iew eyes? hath not a
Iew handsorgansdementionssencesaffectionspassions
fed with the same foodehurt with the same weapons
subiect to the same diseaseshealed by the same
meaneswarmed and cooled by the same Winter and
Sommer as a Christian is: if you pricke vs doe we not
bleede? if you tickle vsdoe we not laugh? if you poison
vs doe we not die? and if you wrong vs shall we not reuenge?
if we are like you in the restwe will resemble you
in that. If a Iew wrong a Christianwhat is his humility
reuenge? If a Christian wrong a Iewwhat should his sufferance
be by Christian examplewhy reuenge? The villanie
you teach me I will executeand it shall goe hard
but I will better the instruction.
Enter a man from Anthonio.


Gentlemenmy maister Anthonio is at his houseand
desires to speake with you both

Sal. We haue beene vp and downe to seeke him.
Enter Tuball.

Sol. Here comes another of the Tribea third cannot
be matchtvnlesse the diuell himselfe turne Iew.

Exeunt. Gentlemen

Shy. How now Tuballwhat newes from Genowa? hast
thou found my daughter?
Tub. I often came where I did heare of herbut cannot
finde her

Shy. Why theretheretheretherea diamond gone
cost me two thousand ducats in Franckfordthe curse neuer
fell vpon our Nation till nowI neuer felt it till now
two thousand ducats in thatand other preciousprecious
iewels: I would my daughter were dead at my foot
and the iewels in her eare: would she were hearst at my
footeand the duckets in her coffin: no newes of them
why so? and I know not how much is spent in the search:
why thou losse vpon lossethe theefe gone with so
muchand so much to finde the theefeand no satisfaction
no reuengenor no ill luck stirring but what lights
a my shouldersno sighes but a my breathingno teares
but a my shedding

Tub. Yesother men haue ill lucke tooAnthonio as I
heard in Genowa?
Shy. Whatwhatwhatill luckeill lucke

Tub. Hath an Argosie cast away comming from Tripolis

Shy. I thanke GodI thanke Godis it trueis it true?
Tub. I spoke with some of the Saylers that escaped
the wracke

Shy. I thanke thee good Tuballgood newesgood
newes: hahahere in Genowa

Tub. Your daughter spent in Genowaas I heardone
night fourescore ducats

Shy. Thou stick'st a dagger in meI shall neuer see my
gold againefourescore ducats at a sittingfourescore ducats

Tub. There came diuers of Anthonios creditors in my
company to Venicethat sweare hee cannot choose but
breake

Shy. I am very glad of itile plague himile torture
himI am glad of it
Tub. One of them shewed me a ring that hee had of
your daughter for a Monkie

Shy. Out vpon herthou torturest me Tuballit was
my TurkiesI had it of Leah when I was a Batcheler: I
would not haue giuen it for a wildernesse of Monkies

Tub. But Anthonio is certainely vndone


Shy. Naythat's truethat's very truegoe Tuballsee
me an Officerbespeake him a fortnight beforeI will
haue the heart of him if he forfeitfor were he out of Venice
I can make what merchandize I will: goe Tuball
and meete me at our Sinagoguegoe good Tuballat our
Sinagogue Tuball.

Exeunt.

Enter BassanioPortiaGratianoand all their traine.

Por. I pray you tarriepause a day or two
Before you hazardfor in choosing wrong
I loose your companie; therefore forbeare a while
There's something tels me (but it is not loue)
I would not loose youand you know your selfe
Hate counsailes not in such a quallitie;
But least you should not vnderstand me well
And yet a maiden hath no tonguebut thought
I would detaine you here some month or two
Before you venture for me. I could teach you
How to choose rightbut then I am forsworne
So will I neuer beso may you misse me
But if you doeyoule make me wish a sinne
That I had beene forsworne: Beshrow your eyes
They haue ore-lookt me and deuided me
One halfe of me is yoursthe other halfe yours
Mine owne I would say: but of mine then yours
And so all yours; O these naughtie times
Puts bars betweene the owners and their rights.
And so though yoursnot yours (proue it so)
Let Fortune goe to hell for itnot I.
I speake too longbut 'tis to peize the time
To ich itand to draw it out in length
To stay you from election

Bass. Let me choose
For as I amI liue vpon the racke

Por. Vpon the racke Bassaniothen confesse
What treason there is mingled with your loue

Bass. None but that vglie treason of mistrust.
Which makes me feare the enioying of my loue:
There may as well be amitie and life
'Tweene snow and fireas treason and my loue

Por. Ibut I feare you speake vpon the racke
Where men enforced doth speake any thing

Bass. Promise me lifeand ile confesse the truth

Por. Well thenconfesse and liue

Bass. Confesse and loue
Had beene the verie sum of my confession:
O happie tormentwhen my torturer
Doth teach me answers for deliuerance:
But let me to my fortune and the caskets

Por. Away thenI am lockt in one of them
If you doe loue meyou will finde me out.
Nerryssa and the reststand all aloofe
Let musicke sound while he doth make his choise


Then if he loose he makes a Swan-like end
Fading in musique. That the comparison
May stand more propermy eye shall be the streame
And watrie death-bed for him: he may win
And what is musique than? Than musique is
Euen as the flourishwhen true subiects bowe
To a new crowned Monarch: Such it is
As are those dulcet sounds in breake of day
That creepe into the dreaming bride-groomes eare
And summon him to marriage. Now he goes
With no lesse presencebut with much more loue
Then yong Alcideswhen he did redeeme
The virgine tributepaied by howling Troy
To the Sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice
The rest aloofe are the Dardanian wiues:
With bleared visages come forth to view
The issue of th' exploit: Goe Hercules
Liue thouI liue with much more dismay
I view the sightthen thou that mak'st the fray.


Here Musicke. A Song the whilst Bassanio comments on the
Caskets to
himselfe.


Tell me where is fancie bred
Or in the heartor in the head:
How begothow nourished. Repliereplie.
It is engendred in the eyes
With gazing fedand Fancie dies
In the cradle where it lies:
Let vs all ring Fancies knell.
Ile begin it.
Dingdongbell


All. Dingdongbell

Bass. So may the outward showes be least themselues

The world is still deceiu'd with ornament.

In Lawwhat Plea so tainted and corrupt

But being season'd with a gracious voice

Obscures the show of euill? In Religion

What damned errorbut some sober brow

Will blesse itand approue it with a text

Hiding the grosenesse with faire ornament:

There is no voice so simplebut assumes

Some marke of vertue on his outward parts;

How manie cowardswhose hearts are all as false

As stayers of sandweare yet vpon their chins

The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars

Who inward searchthaue lyuers white as milke

And these assume but valors excrement

To render them redoubted. Looke on beautie

And you shall see 'tis purchast by the weight

Which therein workes a miracle in nature

Making them lightest that weare most of it:

So are those crisped snakie golden locks

Which makes such wanton gambols with the winde

Vpon supposed fairenesseoften knowne

To be the dowrie of a second head

The scull that bred them in the Sepulcher.

Thus ornament is but the guiled shore

To a most dangerous sea: the beautious scarfe

Vailing an Indian beautie; In a word

The seeming truth which cunning times put on


To intrap the wisest. Therefore then thou gaudie gold
Hard food for MidasI will none of thee
Nor none of thee thou pale and common drudge
'Tweene man and man: but thouthou meager lead
Which rather threatnest then dost promise ought
Thy palenesse moues me more then eloquence
And here choose Iioy be the consequence


Por. How all the other passions fleet to ayre
As doubtfull thoughtsand rash imbrac'd despaire:
And shuddring feareand greene-eyed iealousie.
O loue be moderateallay thy extasie
In measure raine thy ioyscant this excesse
I feele too much thy blessingmake it lesse
For feare I surfeit

Bas. What finde I here?
Faire Portias counterfeit. What demie God
Hath come so neere creation? moue these eies?
Or whether riding on the bals of mine
Seeme they in motion? Here are seuer'd lips
Parted with suger breathso sweet a barre
Should sunder such sweet friends: here in her haires
The Painter plaies the Spiderand hath wouen
A golden mesh t' intrap the hearts of men
Faster then gnats in cobwebs: but her eies
How could he see to doe them? hauing made one
Me thinkes it should haue power to steale both his
And leaue it selfe vnfurnisht: Yet looke how farre
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
In vnderprising itso farre this shadow
Doth limpe behinde the substance. Here's the scroule
The continentand summarie of my fortune.
You that choose not by the view
Chance as faireand choose as true:
Since this fortune fals to you
Be contentand seeke no new.
If you be well pleasd with this
And hold your fortune for your blisse
Turne you where your Lady is
And claime her with a louing kisse

Bass. A gentle scroule: Faire Ladyby your leaue
I come by note to giueand to receiue
Like one of two contending in a prize
That thinks he hath done well in peoples eies:
Hearing applause and vniuersall shout
Giddie in spiritstill gazing in a doubt
Whether those peales of praise be his or no.
So thrice faire Lady stand I euen so
As doubtfull whether what I see be true
Vntill confirm'dsign'dratified by you

Por. You see my Lord Bassiano where I stand
Such as I am; though for my selfe alone
I would not be ambitious in my wish
To wish my selfe much betteryet for you
I would be trebled twenty times my selfe
A thousand times more faireten thousand times
More richthat onely to stand high in your account
I might in vertuesbeautiesliuingsfriends
Exceed account: but the full summe of me
Is sum of nothing: which to terme in grosse
Is an vnlessoned girlevnschool'dvnpractiz'd


Happy in thisshe is not yet so old
But she may learne: happier then this
Shee is not bred so dull but she can learne;
Happiest of allis that her gentle spirit
Commits it selfe to yours to be directed
As from her Lordher Gouernourher King.
My selfeand what is mineto you and yours
Is now conuerted. But now I was the Lord
Of this faire mansionmaster of my seruants
Queene ore my selfe: and euen nowbut now
This housethese seruantsand this same my selfe
Are yoursmy LordI giue them with this ring
Which when you part fromlooseor giue away
Let it presage the ruine of your loue
And be my vantage to exclaime on you


Bass. Maddamyou haue bereft me of all words
Onely my bloud speakes to you in my vaines
And there is such confusion in my powers
As after some oration fairely spoke
By a beloued Princethere doth appeare
Among the buzzing pleased multitude
Where euery something being blent together
Turnes to a wilde of nothingsaue of ioy
Exprestand not exprest: but when this ring
Parts from this fingerthen parts life from hence
O then be bold to say Bassanio's dead

Ner. My Lord and Ladyit is now our time
That haue stood by and seene our wishes prosper
To cry good ioygood ioy my Lord and Lady

Gra. My Lord Bassanioand my gentle Lady
I wish you all the ioy that you can wish:
For I am sure you can wish none from me:
And when your Honours meane to solemnize
The bargaine of your faith: I doe beseech you
Euen at that time I may be married too

Bass. With all my heartso thou canst get a wife

Gra. I thanke your Lordshipyou haue got me one.
My eyes my Lord can looke as swift as yours:
You saw the mistresI beheld the maid:
You lou'dI lou'd for intermission
No more pertaines to me my Lord then you;
Your fortune stood vpon the caskets there
And so did mine tooas the matter falls:
For wooing heere vntill I swet againe
And swearing till my very rough was dry
With oathes of loueat lastif promise last
I got a promise of this faire one heere
To haue her loue: prouided that your fortune
Atchieu'd her mistresse

Por. Is this true Nerrissa?
Ner. Madam it is soso you stand pleas'd withall


Bass. And doe you Gratiano meane good faith?
Gra. Yes faith my Lord


Bass. Our feast shall be much honored in your marriage

Gra. Weele play with them the first boy for a thousand


ducats

Ner. What and stake downe?

Gra. Nowe shal nere win at that sportand stake
downe.
But who comes heere? Lorenzo and his Infidell?
What and my old Venetian friend Salerio?
Enter LorenzoIessicaand Salerio.

Bas. Lorenzo and Saleriowelcome hether
If that the youth of my new interest heere
Haue power to bid you welcome: by your leaue
I bid my verie friends and Countrimen
Sweet Portia welcome

Por. So do I my Lordthey are intirely welcome

Lor. I thanke your honor; for my part my Lord
My purpose was not to haue seene you heere
But meeting with Salerio by the way
He did intreate mee past all saying nay
To come with him along

Sal. I did my Lord
And I haue reason for itSignior Anthonio
Commends him to you

Bass. Ere I ope his Letter
I pray you tell me how my good friend doth

Sal. Not sicke my Lordvnlesse it be in minde
Nor welvnlesse in minde: his Letter there
Wil shew you his estate.

Opens the Letter.

Gra. Nerrissacheere yond strangerbid her welcom.
Your hand Saleriowhat's the newes from Venice?
How doth that royal Merchant good Anthonio;
I know he will be glad of our successe
We are the Iasonswe haue won the fleece

Sal. I would you had won the fleece that hee hath
lost

Por. There are some shrewd contents in yond same
Paper
That steales the colour from Bassianos cheeke
Some deere friend deadelse nothing in the world
Could turne so much the constitution
Of any constant man. Whatworse and worse?
With leaue Bassanio I am halfe your selfe
And I must freely haue the halfe of any thing
That this same paper brings you

Bass. O sweet Portia
Heere are a few of the vnpleasant'st words
That euer blotted paper. Gentle Ladie
When I did first impart my loue to you
I freely told you all the wealth I had
Ran in my vaines: I was a Gentleman
And then I told you true: and yet deere Ladie
Rating my selfe at nothingyou shall see
How much I was a Braggartwhen I told you


My state was nothingI should then haue told you
That I was worse then nothing: for indeede
I haue ingag'd my selfe to a deere friend
Ingag'd my friend to his meere enemie
To feede my meanes. Heere is a Letter Ladie
The paper as the bodie of my friend
And euerie word in it a gaping wound
Issuing life blood. But is it true Salerio
Hath all his ventures faildwhat not one hit
From Tripolisfrom Mexico and England
From LisbonBarbaryand India
And not one vessell scape the dreadfull touch
Of Merchant-marring rocks?


Sal. Not one my Lord.
Besidesit should appearethat if he had
The present money to discharge the Iew
He would not take it: neuer did I know
A creature that did beare the shape of man
So keene and greedy to confound a man.
He plyes the Duke at morning and at night
And doth impeach the freedome of the state
If they deny him iustice. Twenty Merchants
The Duke himselfeand the Magnificoes
Of greatest port haue all perswaded with him
But none can driue him from the enuious plea
Of forfeitureof iusticeand his bond

Iessi. When I was with himI haue heard him sweare
To Tuball and to Chushis Countri-men
That he would rather haue Anthonio's flesh
Then twenty times the value of the summe
That he did owe him: and I know my Lord
If lawauthoritieand power denie not
It will goe hard with poore Anthonio

Por. Is it your deere friend that is thus in trouble?

Bass. The deerest friend to methe kindest man
The best condition'dand vnwearied spirit
In doing curtesies: and one in whom
The ancient Romane honour more appeares
Then any that drawes breath in Italie

Por. What summe owes he the Iew?
Bass. For me three thousand ducats


Por. Whatno more?
Pay him sixe thousandand deface the bond:
Double sixe thousandand then treble that
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a haire through Bassanio's fault.
First goe with me to Churchand call me wife
And then away to Venice to your friend:
For neuer shall you lie by Portias side
With an vnquiet soule. You shall haue gold
To pay the petty debt twenty times ouer.
When it is paydbring your true friend along
My maid Nerrissaand my selfe meane time
Will liue as maids and widdowes; come away
For you shall hence vpon your wedding day:
Bid your friends welcomeshow a merry cheere
Since you are deere boughtI will loue you deere.
But let me heare the letter of your friend.
Sweet Bassaniomy ships haue all miscarriedmy Creditors
grow cruellmy estate is very lowmy bond to the Iew is


forfeitand since in paying itit is impossible I should liueall
debts are cleerd between you and Iif I might see you at my
death: notwithstandingvse your pleasureif your loue doe not
perswade you to comelet not my letter

Por. O loue! dispach all busines and be gone

Bass. Since I haue your good leaue to goe away
I will make hast; but till I come againe
No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay
Nor rest be interposer twixt vs twaine.

Exeunt.

Enter the Iewand Solanioand Anthonioand the Iaylor.

Iew. Iaylorlooke to himtell not me of mercy
This is the foole that lends out money gratis.
Iaylorlooke to him

Ant. Heare me yet good Shylok

Iew. Ile haue my bondspeake not against my bond
I haue sworne an oath that I will haue my bond:
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause
But since I am a dogbeware my phangs
The Duke shall grant me iusticeI do wonder
Thou naughty Iaylorthat thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request

Ant. I pray thee heare me speake

Iew. Ile haue my bondI will not heare thee speake
Ile haue my bondand therefore speake no more
Ile not be made a soft and dull ey'd foole
To shake the headrelentand sighand yeeld
To Christian intercessors: follow not
Ile haue no speakingI will haue my bond.

Exit Iew.

Sol. It is the most impenetrable curre
That euer kept with men

Ant. Let him alone
Ile follow him no more with bootlesse prayers:
He seekes my lifehis reason well I know;
I oft deliuer'd from his forfeitures
Many that haue at times made mone to me
Therefore he hates me

Sol. I am sure the Duke will neuer grant
this forfeiture to hold

An. The Duke cannot deny the course of law:
For the commoditie that strangers haue
With vs in Veniceif it be denied
Will much impeach the iustice of the State
Since that the trade and profit of the citty
Consisteth of all Nations. Therefore goe
These greefes and losses haue so bated mee
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
To morrowto my bloudy Creditor.
Well Iayloronpray God Bassanio come


To see me pay his debtand then I care not.

Exeunt.

Enter PortiaNerrissaLorenzoIessicaand a man of Portias.

Lor. Madamalthough I speake it in your presence
You haue a noble and a true conceit
Of god-like amitywhich appeares most strongly
In bearing thus the absence of your Lord.
But if you knew to whom you shew this honour
How true a Gentleman you send releefe
How deere a louer of my Lord your husband
I know you would be prouder of the worke
Then customary bounty can enforce you

Por. I neuer did repent for doing good
Nor shall not now: for in companions
That do conuerse and waste the time together
Whose soules doe beare an egal yoke of loue.
There must be needs a like proportion
Of lyniamentsof mannersand of spirit;
Which makes me thinke that this Anthonio
Being the bosome louer of my Lord
Must needs be like my Lord. If it be so
How little is the cost I haue bestowed
In purchasing the semblance of my soule;
From out the state of hellish cruelty
This comes too neere the praising of my selfe
Therefore no more of it: heere other things
Lorenso I commit into your hands
The husbandry and mannage of my house
Vntill my Lords returne; for mine owne part
I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vow
To liue in prayer and contemplation
Onely attended by Nerrissa heere
Vntill her husband and my Lords returne:
There is a monastery too miles off
And there we will abide. I doe desire you
Not to denie this imposition
The which my loue and some necessity
Now layes vpon you

Lorens. Madamewith all my heart
I shall obey you in all faire commands

Por. My people doe already know my minde
And will acknowledge you and Iessica
In place of Lord Bassanio and my selfe.
So far you well till we shall meete againe

Lor. Faire thoughts & happy houres attend on you

Iessi. I wish your Ladiship all hearts content

Por. I thanke you for your wishand am well pleas'd
To wish it backe on you: faryouwell Iessica.

Exeunt.


Now Balthaseras I haue euer found thee honest true
So let me finde thee still: take this same letter
And vse thou all the indeauor of a man
In speed to Mantuasee thou render this



Into my cosins handDoctor Belario
And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee
Bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speed
Vnto the Tranectto the common Ferrie
Which trades to Venice; waste no time in words
But get thee goneI shall be there before thee


Balth. MadamI goe with all conuenient speed

Por. Come on NerissaI haue worke in hand
That you yet know not of; wee'll see our husbands
Before they thinke of vs?

Nerrissa. Shall they see vs?

Portia. They shall Nerrissa: but in such a habit
That they shall thinke we are accomplished
With that we lacke; Ile hold thee any wager
When we are both accoutered like yong men
Ile proue the prettier fellow of the two
And weare my dagger with the brauer grace
And speake betweene the change of man and boy
With a reede voyceand turne two minsing steps
Into a manly stride; and speake of frayes
Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lyes
How honourable Ladies sought my loue
Which I denyingthey fell sicke and died.
I could not doe withall: then Ile repent
And wish for all thatthat I had not kil'd them;
And twentie of these punie lies Ile tell
That men shall sweare I haue discontinued schoole
Aboue a twelue moneth: I haue within my minde
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Iacks
Which I will practise

Nerris. Whyshall wee turne to men?

Portia. Fiewhat a questions that?
If thou wert nere a lewd interpreter:
But comeIle tell thee all my whole deuice
When I am in my coachwhich stayes for vs
At the Parke gate; and therefore haste away
For we must measure twentie miles to day.

Exeunt.

Enter Clowne and Iessica.

Clown. Yes truly; for looke youthe sinnes of the Father
are to be laid vpon the childrentherefore I promise
youI feare youI was alwaies plaine with youand so
now I speake my agitation of the matter: therfore be of
good cheerefor truly I thinke you are damn'dthere is
but one hope in it that can doe you anie goodand that is
but a kinde of bastard hope neither

Iessica. And what hope is that I pray thee?
Clow. Marrie you may partlie hope that your father
got you notthat you are not the Iewes daughter

Ies. That were a kinde of bastard hope indeedso the
sins of my mother should be visited vpon me

Clow. Truly then I feare you are damned both by father
and mother: thus when I shun Scilla your fatherI
fall into Charibdis your mother; wellyou are gone both
waies


Ies. I shall be sau'd by my husbandhe hath made me
a Christian

Clow. Truly the more to blame hewe were Christians
enow beforee'ne as many as could wel liue one by another:
this making of Christians will raise the price of
Hogsif wee grow all to be porke-eaterswee shall not
shortlie haue a rasher on the coales for money.
Enter Lorenzo.

Ies. Ile tell my husband Lancelet what you sayheere
he comes

Loren. I shall grow iealous of you shortly Lancelet
if you thus get my wife into corners?

Ies. Nayyou need not feare vs LorenzoLauncelet
and I are outhe tells me flatly there is no mercy for mee
in heauenbecause I am a Iewes daughter: and hee saies
you are no good member of the common wealthfor
in conuerting Iewes to Christiansyou raise the price
of Porke

Loren. I shall answere that better to the Commonwealth
than you can the getting vp of the Negroes bellie:
the Moore is with childe by you Launcelet?

Clow. It is much that the Moore should be more then
reason: but if she be lesse then an honest womanshee is
indeed more then I tooke her for

Loren. How euerie foole can play vpon the wordI
thinke the best grace of witte will shortly turne into silence
and discourse grow commendable in none onely
but Parrats: goe in sirrabid them prepare for dinner?

Clow. That is done sirthey haue all stomacks?
Loren. Goodly Lordwhat a witte-snapper are you
then bid them prepare dinner

Clow. That is done to sironely couer is the word

Loren. Will you couer than sir?
Clow. Not so sir neitherI know my dutie


Loren. Yet more quarreling with occasionwilt thou
shew the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant; I pray
thee vnderstand a plaine man in his plaine meaning: goe
to thy fellowesbid them couer the tableserue in the
meatand we will come in to dinner

Clow. For the table sirit shall be seru'd infor the
meat sirit shall bee coueredfor your comming in to
dinner sirwhy let it be as humors and conceits shall gouerne.

Exit Clowne.

Lor. O deare discretionhow his words are suted
The foole hath planted in his memory
An Armie of good wordsand I doe know
A many fooles that stand in better place
Garnisht like himthat for a tricksie word
Defie the matter: how cheer'st thou Iessica
And now good sweet say thy opinion
How dost thou like the Lord Bassiano's wife?

Iessi. Past all expressingit is very meete


The Lord Bassanio liue an vpright life
For hauing such a blessing in his Lady
He findes the ioyes of heauen heere on earth
And if on earth he doe not meane itit
Is reason he should neuer come to heauen?
Whyif two gods should play some heauenly match
And on the wager lay two earthly women
And Portia one: there must be something else
Paund with the otherfor the poore rude world
Hath not her fellow


Loren. Euen such a husband
Hast thou of meas she is for a wife

Ies. Naybut aske my opinion to of that?
Lor. I will anonefirst let vs goe to dinner?
Ies. Naylet me praise you while I haue a stomacke?
Lor. No pray theelet it serue for table talke

Then how som ere thou speakst 'mong other things
I shall digest it?
Iessi. WellIle set you forth.

Exeunt.

Actus Quartus.

Enter the Dukethe MagnificoesAnthonioBassanioand
Gratiano

Duke. Whatis Anthonio heere?
Ant. Readyso please your grace?
Duke. I am sorry for theethou art come to answere

A stonie aduersaryan inhumane wretch
Vncapable of pittyvoydand empty
From any dram of mercie

Ant. I haue heard
Your Grace hath tane great paines to qualifie
His rigorous course: but since he stands obdurate
And that no lawful meanes can carrie me
Out of his enuies reachI do oppose
My patience to his furyand am arm'd
To suffer with a quietnesse of spirit
The very tiranny and rage of his

Du. Go one and cal the Iew into the Court

Sal. He is ready at the doorehe comes my Lord.
Enter Shylocke.

Du. Make roomeand let him stand before our face.
Shylocke the world thinkesand I thinke so to
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy mallice
To the last houre of actand then 'tis thought
Thou'lt shew thy mercy and remorse more strange
Than is thy strange apparant cruelty;
And where thou now exact'st the penalty
Which is a pound of this poore Merchants flesh
Thou wilt not onely loose the forfeiture
But touch'd with humane gentlenesse and loue:
Forgiue a moytie of the principall
Glancing an eye of pitty on his losses
That haue of late so hudled on his backe


Enow to presse a royall Merchant downe;
And plucke commiseration of his state
From brassie bosomesand rough hearts of flints
From stubborne Turkes and Tarters neuer traind
To offices of tender curtesie
We all expect a gentle answer Iew?


Iew. I haue possest your grace of what I purpose
And by our holy Sabbath haue I sworne
To haue the due and forfeit of my bond.
If you denie itlet the danger light
Vpon your Charterand your Cities freedome.
You'l aske me why I rather choose to haue
A weight of carrion fleshthen to receiue
Three thousand Ducats? Ile not answer that:
But say it is my humor; Is it answered?
What if my house be troubled with a Rat
And I be pleas'd to giue ten thousand Ducates
To haue it bain'd? Whatare you answer'd yet?
Some men there are loue not a gaping Pigge:
Some that are madif they behold a Cat:
And otherswhen the bag-pipe sings i'th nose
Cannot containe their Vrine for affection.
Masters of passion swayes it to the moode
Of what it likes or loathsnow for your answer:
As there is no firme reason to be rendred
Why he cannot abide a gaping Pigge?
Why he a harmlesse necessarie Cat?
Why he a woollen bag-pipe: but of force
Must yeeld to such ineuitable shame
As to offend himselfe being offended:
So can I giue no reasonnor I will not
More then a lodg'd hateand a certaine loathing
I beare Anthoniothat I follow thus
A loosing suite against him? Are you answered?

Bass. This is no answer thou vnfeeling man
To excuse the currant of thy cruelty

Iew. I am not bound to please thee with my answer

Bass. Do all men kil the things they do not loue?
Iew. Hates any man the thing he would not kill?
Bass. Euerie offence is not a hate at first

Iew. What wouldst thou haue a Serpent sting thee
twice?

Ant. I pray you thinke you question with the Iew:
You may as well go stand vpon the beach
And bid the maine flood baite his vsuall height
Or euen as well vse question with the Wolfe
The Ewe bleate for the Lambe:
You may as well forbid the Mountaine Pines
To wagge their high topsand to make no noise
When they are fretted with the gusts of heauen:
You may as well do any thing most hard
As seeke to soften thatthen which what harder?
His Iewish heart. Therefore I do beseech you
Make no more offersvse no farther meanes
But with all briefe and plaine conueniencie
Let me haue iudgementand the Iew his will

Bas. For thy three thousand Ducates heere is six

Iew. If euerie Ducat in sixe thousand Ducates
Were in sixe partsand euery part a Ducate


I would not draw themI would haue my bond?
Du. How shalt thou hope for mercierendring none?
Iew. What iudgement shall I dread doing no wrong?

You haue among you many a purchast slaue
Which like your Assesand your Dogs and Mules
You vse in abiect and in slauish parts
Because you bought them. Shall I say to you
Let them be freemarrie them to your heires?
Why sweate they vnder burthens? Let their beds
Be made as soft as yours: and let their pallats
Be season'd with such Viands: you will answer
The slaues are ours. So do I answer you.
The pound of flesh which I demand of him
Is deerely bought'tis mineand I will haue it.
If you deny me; fie vpon your Law
There is no force in the decrees of Venice;
I stand for iudgementanswerShall I haue it?


Du. Vpon my power I may dismisse this Court
Vnlesse Bellario a learned Doctor
Whom I haue sent for to determine this
Come heere to day

Sal. My Lordheere stayes without
A Messenger with Letters from the Doctor
New come from Padua

Du. Bring vs the LettersCall the Messengers

Bass. Good cheere Anthonio. What mancorage yet:
The Iew shall haue my fleshbloodbonesand all
Ere thou shalt loose for me one drop of blood

Ant. I am a tainted Weather of the flocke
Meetest for deaththe weakest kinde of fruite
Drops earliest to the groundand so let me;
You cannot better be employ'd Bassanio
Then to liue stilland write mine Epitaph.
Enter Nerrissa.

Du. Came you from Padua from Bellario?
Ner. From both.
My Lord Bellario greets your Grace

Bas. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
Iew. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrout there

Gra. Not on thy soale: but on thy soule harsh Iew
Thou mak'st thy knife keene: but no mettall can
Nonot the hangmans Axe beare halfe the keennesse
Of thy sharpe enuy. Can no prayers pierce thee?

Iew. Nonone that thou hast wit enough to make

Gra. O be thou damn'dinexecrable dogge
And for thy life let iustice be accus'd:
Thou almost mak'st me wauer in my faith;
To hold opinion with Pythagoras
That soules of Animals infuse themselues
Into the trunkes of men. Thy currish spirit
Gouern'd a Wolfewho hang'd for humane slaughter
Euen from the gallowes did his fell soule fleet;
And whil'st thou layest in thy vnhallowed dam
Infus'd it selfe in thee: For thy desires
Are Woluishbloodysteru'dand rauenous


Iew. Till thou canst raile the seale from off my bond
Thou but offend'st thy Lungs to speake so loud:
Repaire thy wit good youthor it will fall
To endlesse ruine. I stand heere for Law

Du. This Letter from Bellario doth commend
A yong and Learned Doctor in our Court;
Where is he?

Ner. He attendeth heere hard by
To know your answerwhether you'l admit him

Du. With all my heart. Some three or four of you
Go giue him curteous conduct to this place
Meane time the Court shall heare Bellarioes Letter.
Your Grace shall vnderstandthat at the receite of your
Letter I am very sicke: but in the instant that your messenger
camein louing visitationwas with me a yong Doctor
of Romehis name is Balthasar: I acquainted him with
the cause in Controuersiebetweene the Iew and Anthonio
the Merchant: We turn'd ore many Bookes together: hee is
furnished with my opinionwhich bettred with his owne learning
the greatnesse whereof I cannot enough commendcomes
with him at my importunityto fill vp your Graces request in
my sted. I beseech youlet his lacke of years be no impediment
to let him lacke a reuerend estimation: for I neuer knewe so
yong a bodywith so old a head. I leaue him to your gracious
acceptancewhose trial shall better publish his commendation.
Enter Portia for Balthazar.

Duke. You heare the learn'd Bellario what he writes
And heere (I take it) is the Doctor come.
Giue me your hand: Came you from old Bellario?

Por. I did my Lord

Du. You are welcome: take your place;
Are you acquainted with the difference
That holds this present question in the Court

Por. I am enformed throughly of the cause.
Which is the Merchant heere? and which the Iew?
Du. Anthonio and old Shylockeboth stand forth

Por. Is your name Shylocke?
Iew. Shylocke is my name


Por. Of a strange nature is the sute you follow
Yet in such rulethat the Venetian Law
Cannot impugne you as you do proceed.
You stand within his dangerdo you not?

Ant. Iso he sayes

Por. Do you confesse the bond?
Ant. I do


Por. Then must the Iew be mercifull

Iew. On what compulsion must I ? Tell me that

Por. The quality of mercy is not strain'd
It droppeth as the gentle raine from heauen
Vpon the place beneath. It is twice blest
It blesseth him that giuesand him that takes
'Tis mightiest in the mightiestit becomes
The throned Monarch better then his Crowne.


His Scepter shewes the force of temporall power
The attribute to awe and Maiestie
Wherein doth sit the dread and feare of Kings:
But mercy is aboue this sceptred sway
It is enthroned in the hearts of Kings
It is an attribute to God himselfe;
And earthly power doth then shew likest Gods
When mercie seasons Iustice. Therefore Iew
Though Iustice be thy pleaconsider this
That in the course of Iusticenone of vs
Should see saluation: we do pray for mercie
And that same prayerdoth teach vs all to render
The deeds of mercie. I haue spoke thus much
To mittigate the iustice of thy plea:
Which if thou followthis strict course of Venice
Must needes giue sentence 'gainst the Merchant there


Shy. My deeds vpon my headI craue the Law
The penaltie and forfeite of my bond

Por. Is he not able to discharge the money?

Bas. Yesheere I tender it for him in the Court
Yeatwice the summeif that will not suffice
I will be bound to pay it ten times ore
On forfeit of my handsmy headmy heart:
If this will not sufficeit must appeare
That malice beares downe truth. And I beseech you
Wrest once the Law to your authority.
To do a great rightdo a little wrong
And curbe this cruell diuell of his will

Por. It must not bethere is no power in Venice
Can alter a decree established:
'Twill be recorded for a President
And many an error by the same example
Will rush into the state: It cannot be

Iew. A Daniel come to iudgementyea a Daniel.
O wise young Iudgehow do I honour thee

Por. I pray you let me looke vpon the bond

Iew. Heere 'tis most reuerend Doctorheere it is

Por. Shylockethere's thrice thy monie offered thee

Shy. An oathan oathI haue an oath in heauen:
Shall I lay periurie vpon my soule?
No not for Venice

Por. Why this bond is forfeit
And lawfully by this the Iew may claime
A pound of fleshto be by him cut off
Neerest the Merchants heart; be mercifull
Take thrice thy moneybid me teare the bond

Iew. When it is paid according to the tenure.
It doth appeare you are a worthy Iudge:
You know the Lawyour exposition
Hath beene most sound. I charge you by the Law
Whereof you are a well-deseruing pillar
Proceede to iudgement: By my soule I sweare
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me: I stay heere on my bond


An. Most heartily I do beseech the Court
To giue the iudgement

Por. Why then thus it is:
You must prepare your bosome for his knife

Iew. O noble IudgeO excellent yong man

Por. For the intent and purpose of the Law
Hath full relation to the penaltie
Which heere appeareth due vpon the bond

Iew. 'Tis verie true: O wise and vpright Iudge
How much more elder art thou then thy lookes?
Por. Therefore lay bare your bosome

Iew. Ihis brest
So sayes the bonddoth it not noble Iudge?
Neerest his heartthose are the very words

Por. It is so: Are there ballance heere to weigh the
flesh?
Iew. I haue them ready

Por. Haue by some Surgeon Shylock on your charge
To stop his woundsleast he should bleede to death

Iew. It is not nominated in the bond?
Por. It is not so exprest: but what of that?
'Twere good you do so much for charitie

Iew. I cannot finde it'tis not in the bond

Por. Come Merchanthaue you any thing to say?

Ant. But little: I am arm'd and well prepar'd.
Giue me your hand Bassaniofare you well.
Greeue not that I am falne to this for you:
For heerein fortune shewes her selfe more kinde
Then is her custome. It is still her vse
To let the wretched man out-liue his wealth
To view with hollow eyeand wrinkled brow
An age of pouerty. From which lingring penance
Of such miseriedoth she cut me off:
Commend me to your honourable Wife
Tell her the processe of Anthonio's end:
Say how I lou'd you; speake me faire in death:
And when the tale is toldbid her be iudge
Whether Bassanio had not once a Loue:
Repent not you that you shall loose your friend
And he repents not that he payes your debt.
For if the Iew do cut but deepe enough
Ile pay it instantlywith all my heart

Bas. AnthonioI am married to a wife
Which is as deere to me as life it selfe
But life it selfemy wifeand all the world
Are not with me esteem'd aboue thy life.
I would loose allI sacrifice them all
Heere to this deuillto deliuer you

Por. Your wife would giue you little thanks for that
If she were by to heare you make the offer


Gra. I haue a wife whom I protest I loue
I would she were in heauenso she could
Intreat some power to change this currish Iew

Ner. 'Tis well you offer it behinde her backe
The wish would make else an vnquiet house

Iew. These be the Christian husbands: I haue a daughter
Would any of the stocke of Barrabas
Had beene her husbandrather then a Christian.
We trifle timeI pray thee pursue sentence

Por. A pound of that same marchants flesh is thine
The Court awards itand the law doth giue it

Iew. Most rightfull Iudge

Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast
The Law allowes itand the Court awards it

Iew. Most learned Iudgea sentencecome prepare

Por. Tarry a littlethere is something else
This bond doth giue thee heere no iot of bloud
The words expresly are a pound of flesh:
Then take thy bondtake thou thy pound of flesh
But in the cutting itif thou dost shed
One drop of Christian bloudthy lands and goods
Are by the Lawes of Venice confiscate
Vnto the state of Venice

Gra. O vpright Iudge
Marke Iewo learned Iudge

Shy. Is that the law?

Por. Thy selfe shalt see the Act:
For as thou vrgest iusticebe assur'd
Thou shalt haue iustice more then thou desirest

Gra. O learned Iudgemark Iewa learned Iudge

Iew. I take this offer thenpay the bond thrice
And let the Christian goe

Bass. Heere is the money

Por. Softthe Iew shall haue all iusticesoftno haste
He shall haue nothing but the penalty

Gra. O Iewan vpright Iudgea learned Iudge

Por. Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh
Shed thou no bloudnor cut thou lesse nor more
But iust a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more
Or lesse then a iust poundbe it so much
As makes it light or heauy in the substance
Or the deuision of the twentieth part
Of one poore scruplenay if the scale doe turne
But in the estimation of a hayre
Thou diestand all thy goods are confiscate

Gra. A second Daniela Daniel Iew
Now infidell I haue thee on the hip


Por. Why doth the Iew pausetake thy forfeiture

Shy. Giue me my principalland let me goe

Bass. I haue it ready for theeheere it is

Por. He hath refus'd it in the open Court
He shall haue meerly iustice and his bond

Gra. A Daniel still say Ia second Daniel
I thanke thee Iew for teaching me that word

Shy. Shall I not haue barely my principall?
Por. Thou shalt haue nothing but the forfeiture
To be taken so at thy perill Iew

Shy. Why then the Deuill giue him good of it:
Ile stay no longer question

Por. Tarry Iew
The Law hath yet another hold on you.
It is enacted in the Lawes of Venice
If it be proued against an Alien
That by director indirect attempts
He seeke the life of any Citizen
The party gainst the which he doth contriue
Shall seaze one halfe his goodsthe other halfe
Comes to the priuie coffer of the State
And the offenders life lies in the mercy
Of the Duke onelygainst all other voice.
In which predicament I say thou standst:
For it appeares by manifest proceeding
That indirectlyand directly to
Thou hast contriu'd against the very life
Of the defendant: and thou hast incur'd
The danger formerly by me rehearst.
Downe thereforeand beg mercy of the Duke

Gra. Beg that thou maist haue leaue to hang thy selfe
And yet thy wealth being forfeit to the state
Thou hast not left the value of a cord
Therefore thou must be hang'd at the states charge

Duk. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit
I pardon thee thy life before thou aske it:
For halfe thy wealthit is Anthonio's
The other halfe comes to the generall state
Which humblenesse may driue vnto a fine

Por. I for the statenot for Anthonio

Shy. Naytake my life and allpardon not that
You take my housewhen you do take the prop
That doth sustaine my house: you take my life
When you doe take the meanes whereby I liue

Por. What mercy can you render him Anthonio?
Gra. A halter gratisnothing else for Gods sake


Ant. So please my Lord the Dukeand all the Court
To quit the fine for one halfe of his goods
I am content: so he will let me haue
The other halfe in vseto render it
Vpon his deathvnto the Gentleman


That lately stole his daughter.
Two things prouided morethat for this fauour
He presently become a Christian:
The otherthat he doe record a gift
Heere in the Court of all he dies possest
Vnto his sonne Lorenzoand his daughter

Duk. He shall doe thisor else I doe recant
The pardon that I late pronounced heere

Por. Art thou contented Iew? what dost thou say?
Shy. I am content


Por. Clarkedraw a deed of gift

Shy. I pray you giue me leaue to goe from hence
I am not wellsend the deed after me
And I will signe it

Duke. Get thee gonebut doe it

Gra. In christning thou shalt haue two godfathers
Had I been iudgethou shouldst haue had ten more
To bring thee to the gallowesnot to the font.
Enter.

Du. Sir I intreat you with me home to dinner

Por. I humbly doe desire your Grace of pardon
I must away this night toward Padua
And it is meete I presently set forth

Duk. I am sorry that your leysure serues you not:
Anthoniogratifie this gentleman
For in my minde you are much bound to him.

Exit Duke and his traine.

Bass. Most worthy gentlemanI and my friend
Haue by your wisedome beene this day acquitted
Of greeuous penaltiesin lieu whereof
Three thousand Ducats due vnto the Iew
We freely cope your curteous paines withall

An. And stand indebted ouer and aboue
In loue and seruice to you euermore

Por. He is well paid that is well satisfied
And I deliuering youam satisfied
And therein doe account my selfe well paid
My minde was neuer yet more mercinarie.
I pray you know me when we meete againe
I wish you welland so I take my leaue

Bass. Deare sirof force I must attempt you further
Take some remembrance of vs as a tribute
Not as fee: grant me two thingsI pray you
Not to denie meand to pardon me

Por. You presse mee farreand therefore I will yeeld
Giue me your glouesIle weare them for your sake
And for your loue Ile take this ring from you
Doe not draw backe your handile take no more
And you in loue shall not deny me this?


Bass. This ring good siralas it is a trifle
I will not shame my selfe to giue you this

Por. I wil haue nothing else but onely this
And now methinkes I haue a minde to it

Bas. There's more depends on this then on the valew
The dearest ring in Venice will I giue you
And finde it out by proclamation
Onely for this I pray you pardon me

Por. I see sir you are liberall in offers
You taught me first to begand now me thinkes
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd

Bas. Good sirthis ring was giuen me by my wife
And when she put it onshe made me vow
That I should neither sellnor giuenor lose it

Por. That scuse serues many men to saue their gifts
And if your wife be not a mad woman
And know how well I haue deseru'd this ring
Shee would not hold out enemy for euer
For giuing it to me: wellpeace be with you.

Exeunt.

Ant. My L[ord]. Bassaniolet him haue the ring
Let his deseruings and my loue withall
Be valued against your wiues commandement

Bass. Goe Gratianorun and ouer-take him
Giue him the ringand bring him if thou canst
Vnto Anthonios houseawaymake haste.

Exit Grati.

Comeyou and I will thither presently
And in the morning early will we both
Flie toward Belmontcome Anthonio.

Exeunt.

Enter Portia and Nerrissa.

Por. Enquire the Iewes house outgiue him this deed
And let him signe itwee'll away to night
And be a day before our husbands home:
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
Enter Gratiano.

Gra. Faire siryou are well ore-tane:
My L[ord]. Bassanio vpon more aduice
Hath sent you heere this ringand doth intreat
Your company at dinner

Por. That cannot be;
His ring I doe accept most thankfully
And so I pray you tell him: furthermore
I pray you shew my youth old Shylockes house

Gra. That will I doe

Ner. SirI would speake with you:


Ile see if I can get my husbands ring
Which I did make him sweare to keepe for euer

Por. Thou maist I warrantwe shal haue old swearing
That they did giue the rings away to men;
But weele out-face themand out-sweare them to:
Awaymake hastethou know'st where I will tarry

Ner. Come good sirwill you shew me to this house.

Exeunt.

Actus Quintus.

Enter Lorenzo and Iessica.

Lor. The moone shines bright. In such a night as this
When the sweet winde did gently kisse the trees
And they did make no noysein such a night
Troylus me thinkes mounted the Troian walls
And sigh'd his soule toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressed lay that night

Ies. In such a night
Did Thisbie fearefully ore-trip the dewe
And saw the Lyons shadow ere himselfe
And ranne dismayed away

Loren. In such a night
Stood Dido with a Willow in her hand
Vpon the wilde sea bankesand waft her Loue
To come againe to Carthage

Ies. In such a night
Medea gathered the inchanted hearbs
That did renew old Eson

Loren. In such a night
Did Iessica steale from the wealthy Iewe
And with an Vnthrift Loue did runne from Venice
As farre as Belmont

Ies. In such a night
Did young Lorenzo sweare he lou'd her well
Stealing her soule with many vowes of faith
And nere a true one

Loren. In such a night
Did pretty Iessica (like a little shrow)
Slander her Loueand he forgaue it her

Iessi. I would out-night you did no body come:
But harkeI heare the footing of a man.
Enter Messenger.

Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
Mes. A friend


Loren. A friendwhat friend? your name I pray you friend?

Mes. Stephano is my nameand I bring word
My Mistresse will before the breake of day
Be heere at Belmontshe doth stray about
By holy crosses where she kneeles and prayes


For happy wedlocke houres

Loren. Who comes with her?
Mes. None but a holy Hermit and her maid:
I pray you is my Master yet return'd?

Loren. He is notnor we haue not heard from him
But goe we in I pray thee Iessica
And ceremoniously let vs prepare
Some welcome for the Mistresse of the house
Enter Clowne.

Clo. Solasola: wo ha hosolasola

Loren. Who calls?
Clo. Soladid you see M[aster]. Lorenzo& M[aster]. Lorenzo
sola
Lor. Leaue hollowing manheere

Clo. Solawherewhere?
Lor. Heere?
Clo. Tel him ther's a Post come from my Masterwith


his horne full of good newesmy Master will be here ere
morning sweete soule

Loren. Let's inand there expect their comming.
And yet no matter: why should we goe in?
My friend Stephensignifie pray you
Within the houseyour Mistresse is at hand
And bring your musique foorth into the ayre.
How sweet the moone-light sleepes vpon this banke
Heere will we sitand let the sounds of musicke
Creepe in our eares soft stilnesand the night
Become the tutches of sweet harmonie:
Sit Iessicalooke how the floore of heauen
Is thicke inlayed with pattens of bright gold
There's not the smallest orbe which thou beholdst
But in his motion like an Angell sings
Still quiring to the young eyed Cherubins;
Such harmonie is in immortall soules
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grosly close in itwe cannot heare it:
Come hoeand wake Diana with a hymne
With sweetest tutches pearce your Mistresse eare
And draw her home with musicke

Iessi. I am neuer merry when I heare sweet musique.

Play musicke.

Lor. The reason isyour spirits are attentiue:
For doe but note a wilde and wanton heard
Or race of youthful and vnhandled colts
Fetching mad boundsbellowing and neighing loud
Which is the hot condition of their bloud
If they but heare perchance a trumpet sound
Or any ayre of musicke touch their eares
You shall perceiue them make a mutuall stand
Their sauage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of musicke: therefore the Poet
Did faine that Orpheus drew treesstonesand floods.
Since naught so stockishhardand full of rage
But musicke for time doth change his nature
The man that hath no musicke in himselfe
Nor is not moued with concord of sweet sounds


Is fit for treasonsstratagemsand spoyles
The motions of his spirit are dull as night
And his affections darke as Erobus
Let no such man be trusted: marke the musicke.
Enter Portia and Nerrissa.


Por. That light we see is burning in my hall:
How farre that little candell throwes his beames
So shines a good deed in a naughty world

Ner. When the moone shone we did not see the candle?

Por. So doth the greater glory dim the lesse
A substitute shines brightly as a King
Vntill a King be byand then his state
Empties it selfeas doth an inland brooke
Into the maine of waters: musiqueharke.

Musicke.

Ner. It is your musicke Madame of the house

Por. Nothing is good I see without respect
Methinkes it sounds much sweeter then by day?
Ner. Silence bestowes that vertue on it Madam

Por. The Crow doth sing as sweetly as the Larke
When neither is attended: and I thinke
The Nightingale if she should sing by day
When euery Goose is cacklingwould be thought
No better a Musitian then the Wren?
How many things by seasonseason'd are
To their right praiseand true perfection:
Peacehow the Moone sleepes with Endimion
And would not be awak'd.

Musicke ceases.

Lor. That is the voice
Or I am much deceiu'd of Portia

Por. He knowes me as the blinde man knowes the

Cuckow by the bad voice?
Lor. Deere Lady welcome home?
Por. We haue bene praying for our husbands welfare

Which speed we hope the better for our words
Are they return'd?

Lor. Madamthey are not yet:
But there is come a Messenger before
To signifie their comming

Por. Go in Nerrissa
Giue order to my seruantsthat they take
No note at all of our being absent hence
Nor you LorenzoIessica nor you.

A Tucket sounds.

Lor. Your husband is at handI heare his Trumpet
We are no tell-tales Madamfeare you not

Por. This night methinkes is but the daylight sicke
It lookes a little paler'tis a day
Such as the day iswhen the Sun is hid.
Enter BassanioAnthonioGratianoand their Followers.


Bas. We should hold day with the Antipodes
If you would walke in absence of the sunne

Por. Let me giue lightbut let me not be light
For a light wife doth make a heauie husband
And neuer be Bassanio so for me
But God sort all: you are welcome home my Lord

Bass. I thanke you Madamgiue welcom to my friend
This is the manthis is Anthonio
To whom I am so infinitely bound

Por. You should in all sence be much bound to him
For as I heare he was much bound for you

Anth. No more then I am wel acquitted of

Por. Siryou are verie welcome to our house:
It must appeare in other waies then words
Therefore I scant this breathing curtesie

Gra. By yonder Moone I sweare you do me wrong
Infaith I gaue it to the Iudges Clearke
Would he were gelt that had it for my part
Since you do take it Loue so much at hart

Por. A quarrel hoe alreadiewhat's the matter?

Gra. About a hoope of Golda paltry Ring
That she did giue mewhose Poesie was
For all the world like Cutlers Poetry
Vpon a knife; Loue meeand leaue mee not

Ner. What talke you of the Poesie or the valew:
You swore to me when I did giue it you
That you would weare it til the houre of death
And that it should lye with you in your graue
Though not for meyet for your vehement oaths
You should haue beene respectiue and haue kept it.
Gaue it a Iudges Clearke: but wel I know
The Clearke wil nere weare haire on's face that had it

Gra. He wiland if he liue to be a man

Nerrissa. Iif a Woman liue to be a man

Gra. Now by this hand I gaue it to a youth
A kinde of boya little scrubbed boy
No higher then thy selfethe Iudges Clearke
A prating boy that begg'd it as a Fee
I could not for my heart deny it him

Por. You were too blameI must be plaine with you
To part so slightly with your wiues first gift
A thing stucke on with oathes vpon your finger
And so riueted with faith vnto your flesh.
I gaue my Loue a Ringand made him sweare
Neuer to part with itand heere he stands:
I dare be sworne for himhe would not leaue it
Nor plucke it from his fingerfor the wealth
That the world masters. Now in faith Gratiano
You giue your wife too vnkinde a cause of greefe
And 'twere to me I should be mad at it


Bass. Why I were best to cut my left hand off
And sweare I lost the Ring defending it

Gra. My Lord Bassanio gaue his Ring away
Vnto the Iudge that beg'd itand indeede
Deseru'd it too: and then the Boy his Clearke
That tooke some paines in writinghe begg'd mine
And neyther man nor master would take ought
But the two Rings

Por. What Ring gaue you my Lord?
Not that I hope which you receiu'd of me

Bass. If I could adde a lie vnto a fault
I would deny it: but you see my finger
Hath not the Ring vpon itit is gone

Por. Euen so voide is your false heart of truth.
By heauen I wil nere come in your bed
Vntil I see the Ring

Ner. Nor I in yourstil I againe see mine

Bass. Sweet Portia
If you did know to whom I gaue the Ring
If you did know for whom I gaue the Ring
And would conceiue for what I gaue the Ring
And how vnwillingly I left the Ring
When nought would be accepted but the Ring
You would abate the strength of your displeasure?

Por. If you had knowne the vertue of the Ring
Or halfe her worthinesse that gaue the Ring
Or your owne honour to containe the Ring
You would not then haue parted with the Ring:
What man is there so much vnreasonable
If you had pleas'd to haue defended it
With any termes of Zeale: wanted the modestie
To vrge the thing held as a ceremonie:
Nerrissa teaches me what to beleeue
Ile die for'tbut some Woman had the Ring?

Bass. No by mine honor Madamby my soule
No Woman had itbut a ciuill Doctor
Which did refuse three thousand Ducates of me
And beg'd the Ring; the which I did denie him
And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away:
Euen he that had held vp the verie life
Of my deere friend. What should I say sweete Lady?
I was inforc'd to send it after him
I was beset with shame and curtesie
My honor would not let ingratitude
So much besmeare it. Pardon me good Lady
And by these blessed Candles of the night
Had you bene thereI thinke you would haue beg'd
The Ring of meto giue the worthie Doctor?

Por. Let not that Doctor ere come neere my house
Since he hath got the iewell that I loued
And that which you did sweare to keepe for me
I will become as liberall as you
Ile not deny him any thing I haue
Nonot my bodynor my husbands bed:
Know him I shallI am well sure of it.
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argos
If you doe notif I be left alone
Now by mine honour which is yet mine owne


Ile haue the Doctor for my bedfellow

Nerrissa. And I his Clarke: therefore be well aduis'd
How you doe leaue me to mine owne protection

Gra. Welldoe you so: let not me take him then
For if I doeile mar the yong Clarks pen

Ant. I am th' vnhappy subiect of these quarrels

Por. Sirgrieue not you
You are welcome notwithstanding

Bas. Portiaforgiue me this enforced wrong
And in the hearing of these manie friends
I sweare to theeeuen by thine owne faire eyes
Wherein I see my selfe

Por. Marke you but that?
In both my eyes he doubly sees himselfe:
In each eye onesweare by your double selfe
And there's an oath of credit

Bas. Naybut heare me.
Pardon this faultand by my soule I sweare
I neuer more will breake an oath with thee

Anth. I once did lend my bodie for thy wealth
Which but for him that had your husbands ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound againe
My soule vpon the forfeitthat your Lord
Will neuer more breake faith aduisedlie

Por. Then you shall be his suretie: giue him this
And bid him keepe it better then the other

Ant. Heere Lord Bassanioswear to keep this ring

Bass. By heauen it is the same I gaue the Doctor

Por. I had it of him: pardon Bassanio
For by this ring the Doctor lay with me

Ner. And pardon me my gentle Gratiano
For that same scrubbed boy the Doctors Clarke
In liew of thislast night did lye with me

Gra. Why this is like the mending of high waies
In Sommerwhere the waies are faire enough:
Whatare we Cuckolds ere we haue deseru'd it

Por. Speake not so grosselyyou are all amaz'd;
Heere is a letterreade it at your leysure
It comes from Padua from Bellario
There you shall finde that Portia was the Doctor
Nerrissa there her Clarke. Lorenzo heere
Shall witnesse I set forth as soone as you
And but eu'n now return'd: I haue not yet
Entred my house. Anthonio you are welcome
And I haue better newes in store for you
Then you expect: vnseale this letter soone
There you shall finde three of your Argosies
Are richly come to harbour sodainlie.
You shall not know by what strange accident


I chanced on this letter

Antho. I am dumbe

Bass. Were you the Doctorand I knew you not?
Gra. Were you the Clark that is to make me cuckold

Ner. Ibut the Clark that neuer meanes to doe it
Vnlesse he liue vntill he be a man

Bass. (Sweet Doctor) you shall be my bedfellow
When I am absentthen lie with my wife

An. (Sweet Ladie) you haue giuen me life & liuing;
For heere I reade for certaine that my ships
Are safelie come to Rode

Por. How now Lorenzo?
My Clarke hath some good comforts to for you

Ner. Iand Ile giue them him without a fee.
There doe I giue to you and Iessica
From the rich Iewea speciall deed of gift
After his deathof all he dies possess'd of

Loren. Faire Ladies you drop Manna in the way
Of starued people

Por. It is almost morning
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these euents at full. Let vs goe in
And charge vs there vpon intergatories
And we will answer all things faithfully

Gra. Let it be sothe first intergatory
That my Nerrissa shall be sworne onis
Whether till the next night she had rather stay
Or goe to bednow being two houres to day
But were the day comeI should wish it darke
Till I were couching with the Doctors Clarke.
Wellwhile I liueIle feare no other thing
So soreas keeping safe Nerrissas ring.

Exeunt.

FINIS. The Merchant of Venice.