The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

The French and English, there miscarried
A vessel of our country richly fraught:
I thought upon Antonio, when he told me;
And wish'd in silence, that it were not his.
Salan. You were best to tell Antonio what
you hear;

Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.
Salar. A kinder gentleman treads not the
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: [earth.
Bassanio told him, he would make some speed
Of his return; he answer'd-Do not so,
Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,
But stay the very riping of the time;
And for the Jew's bond, which he hath of me,
Let it not enter in your mind of love:
Be merry and employ your chiefest thoughts
To courtship, and such fair ostents of love
As shall conveniently become you there:
And even there, his eye being big with tears,
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
And with affection wondrous sensible,
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.

Salan. I think, he only loves the world for
I pray thee, let us go, and find him out, [him.
And quicken his embraced heaviness‡
With some delight or other.
Salar. Do we so.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IX.-Belmont.-A Room in POR

TIA'S House.

Enter NERISSA, with a Servant.

Ner. Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight;

The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,
And comes to his election presently.
Flourish of Cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF AR-
RAGON, PORTIA, and their Trains.

Por. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince:

If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd; But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately.

Ar. I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three First, never to unfold to any one [things: Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone.

Por. To these injunctions every one doth

swear,

now

That comes to hazard for my worthless self. Ar. And so have I address'd me: Fortune [lead. To my heart's hope!-Gold, silver, and base Who chooseth me,must give and hazard all he hath. You shall look fairer, ere I give, or hazard. What says the golden chest? ha! let me see:Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men de[meant What many men desire.-That many may be By the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to the anterior, but, like the martlet,

sire.

Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force|| and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire,
Because I will not jump¶ with common spirits,
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.

*To slubber, is to do a thing carelessly.
† Shows, tokens. The heaviness he is fond of.
Prepared.
Jl Power.
Agree with.

Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house;
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear :
Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves.
And well said too: For who shall go about
To cozen fortune, and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit! Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O, that estates, degrees, and offices, [honour
Were not derived corruptly! and that clear
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!
How many then, should cover that stand bare?
How many be commanded, that command?
How much low pleasantry would then be glean'd
From the true seed of honour? and how much
honour

Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times,
To be new varnish'd? Well, but to my choice:
Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves.
I will assume desert;-Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

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

Ar. What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot,

Presenting me a schedule? I will read it.
How much unlike art thou to Portia? [ings?
How much unlike my hopes, and my deserv-
Who chooseth me,shall have as much as he deserves.
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head!
Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?
Por. To offend, and judge, are distinct offices,
And of opposed natures.

Ar. What is here?

The fire seven times tried this;
Seven times tried that judgement is,
That did never choose amiss:
Some there be, that shadows kiss;
Such have but a shadow's bliss:
There be fools alive, I wis,*
Silver'd o'er; and so was this.
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So begone, Sir, you are sped.
Still more fool I shall appear
By the time I linger here:
With one fool's head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.-
Sweet, adieu! I'll keep my oath,
Patiently to bear my wroth.

[Exeunt ARRAGON and Train. Por. Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth. O these deliberate fools! when they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.

Ner. The ancient saying is no heresy ;-
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
Por. Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. Where is my lady?

Por. Here; what would my lord?

Serv. Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify the approaching of his lord:
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets:†
To wit, besides commends, and courteous
breath,

Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen
So likely an embassador of love:
A day in April never came so sweet,
To show how costly summer was at hand,
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.

Por. No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard, Thou wilt say anon, he is some kin to thee, Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.

Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see
Quick Cupid's post, that comes so mannerly.
Ner. Bassanio, lord love, if thy will it be!
[Exeunt.

ACT III.

SCENE I-Venice.-A Street. Enter SALANIO and SALARINO. Salan. Now, what news on the Rialto?

Salar. Why, yet it lives there uncheck'd, that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wreck'd on the narrow seas; the Goodwins, I think they call the place; a very dangerous flat, and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip report be an honest woman of her word.

Salan. I would she were as lying a gossip in that, as ever knapp'd ginger, or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband: But it is true,-without any slips of prolixity, or crossing the plain highway of talk,-that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio, O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company!

Salar. Come, the full stop.

Salan. Ha,-what say'st thou?-Why the end is, he hath lost a ship.

Salar. I would it might prove the end of his losses!

Salan. Let me say amen betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer; for here he comes in the

likeness of a Jew.

Enter SHYLOCK.

How now, Shylock? what news among the

merchants?

Shy. You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight.

Salar. That's certain; I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal. Salan. And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledg'd; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. Shy. She is damn'd for it.

with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? if you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? if we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a ChrisChristian wrong a Jew, what should his suftian, what is his humility? revenge: If a ferance be by Christian example? why, re

venge.

execute; and it shall go hard, but I will better The villany, you teach me, I will

the instruction.

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house, and desires to speak with you both. Salar. We have been up and down to seek him.

Enter TUBAL.

Salan. Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew.

[Exeunt SALAN. SALAR. and SERVANT. Shy. How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa? hast thou found my daughter?

Tub. I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.

mond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in
Shy. Why there, there, there, there! a dia-
Frankfort! The curse never fell upon our nation
till now; I never felt it till now :-two thou-
sand ducats in that; and other precious, pre-
cious jewels.-I would, my daughter were
dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear!
'would she were hears'd at my foot, and the
ducats in her coffin! No news of them?--Why,
so:-and I know not what's spent in the
search: Why, thou loss upon loss! the thief
gone with so much, and so much to find the
thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge: nor no
ill luck stirring, but what lights o' my shoul-

Salar. That's certain, if the devil may be ders; no sighs, but o' my breathing; no tears,

her judge.

Shy. My own flesh and blood to rebel.
Salan. Out upon it, old carrion! rebels it at

these years?

Shy. I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.

Salar. There is more difference between thy flesh and hers, than between jet and ivory; more between your bloods, than there is between red wine and rhenish:-But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?

Shy. There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto;-a beggar, that used to come so smug upon the mart;-let him look to his bond: he was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy ;-let him look to his bond.

Salar. Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh; What's that good for?

Shy. To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me of half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew: Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed VOL. I.

A a

but o' my shedding.

Tub. Yes, other men have ill luck too; Antonio, as I heard in Genoa,

Shy. What, what, what? ill luck, ill luck? Tub. -hath an argosy cast away, coming from Tripolis.

Shy. I thank God, I thank God:-Is it true? is it true?

Tub. I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck.

Shy. I thank thee, good Tubal ;-Good news, good news: ha! ha!-Where? in Genoa?

Tub. Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night, fourscore ducats.

Shy. Thou stick'st a dagger in me:-shall never see my gold again: Fourscore ducats at a sitting! fourscore ducats.

Tub. There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice, that swear he cannot choose but break.

Shy. I am very glad of it: I'll plague him ;I'll torture him; I am glad of it.

Tub. One of them showed me a ring, that he had of your daughter for a monkey.

Shy. Out upon her! Thou torturest me,
Tubal: it was my torquoise ;* I had it of
Leah, when I was a bachelor: I would not
have given it for a wilderness of monkies.

Tub. But Antonio is certainly undone.
Shy. Nay, that's true, that's very true: Ge.
A precious stone.

Tubal, fee me an officer, bespeak him a fortnight before: I will have the heart of him, if he forfeit; for were he out of Venice, I can make what merchandise I will: Go, go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue; go, good Tubal; at our synagogue, Tubal. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Belmont.-A Room in
PORTIA'S House.

Enter BASSANIO, PORTIA, GRATIANO, NERIS-
SA, and Attendants. The caskets are set out.
Por. I pray you, tarry; pause a day or two,
Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,
I lose your company; therefore, forbear a while:
There's something tells me, (but it is not love,)
I would not lose you; and you know yourself,
Hate counsels not in such a quality:

But lest you should not understand me well,
(And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,)
I would detain you here some month or two,
Before you venture for me. I could teach you,
How to choose right, but then I am forsworn;
So will I never be so may you miss me;
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,
That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,
They have o'erlook'd me, and divided me;
One half of me is yours, the other half yours,-
Mine own, I would say, but if mine, then

yours,

And so all yours: O! these naughty times
Put bars between the owners and their rights;
And so, though yours, not yours.-Prove it so,
Let fortune go to hell for it,-not I.

I speak too long; but 'tis to peize* the time;
To eke it, and to draw it out in length,
To stay you from election.

Bass. Let me choose;
For, as I am, I live upon the rack.

Por. Upon the rack, Bassanio? then confess What treason there is mingled with your love. Bass. None, but that ugly treason of mistrust, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love: There may as well be amity and life

"Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.
Por. Ay, but, I fear, you speak upon the rack,
Where men enforced do speak any thing.
Bass. Promise me life, and I'll confess the

truth.

Por. Well then, confess, and live.
Bass. Confess, and love,

Had been the very sum of my confession:
O happy torment, when my torturer
Doth teach me answers for deliverance!
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.
Por. Away then: I am lock'd in one of

them ;

If you do love me, you will find me out.--
Nerissa, and the rest, stand all aloof.--
Let music sound, while he doth make his choice;
Then, if he lose, he makes a swanlike end,
Fading in music: that the comparison
May stand more proper, my eye shall be the
stream,

And wat'ry death-bed for him: He may win:

And what is music then? then music is
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow
To a new-crowned monarch: such it is,
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day,
That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear,
And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,
With no less presence,† but with much more
love,

Than young Alcides, when he did redeem
virgin tribute paid by howling Troy

The

To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice,
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,
With bleared visages, come forth to view
The issue of the exploit. Go, Hercules! [may
Live thou, I live :-With much much more dis-
I view the fight, than thou that mak'st the fray.
Music, whilst BASSANIO comments on the cask-
ets to himself.

SONG.

1. Tell me, where is fancy* bred, Or in the heart, or in the head? How begot, how nourished? Reply. 2. It is engender'd in the eyes, With gazing fed; and fancy dies In the cradle where it lies: Let us all ring fancy's knell : I'll begin it,-Ding dong, bell.

All. Bass.

Ding, dong, bell.

So may the outward shows be least
themselves;

The world is still deceiv'd with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt,
But, being season'd with a gracioust voice,
What damned error, but some sober brow
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
Will bless it, and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
There is no vice so simple, but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as
false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules, and frowning Mars;
Who, inward search'd, have livers white as
milk?

[wind,

And these assume but valour's excrement,
To render them redoubted. Look on beauty,
And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight;
Which therein works a miracle in nature,
Making them lightest that wear most of it:
Which make such wanton gambols with the
So are those crisped‡ snaky golden locks,
Upon supposed fairness, often known
The skull that bred them, in the sepulchre.
To be the dowry of a second head,
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore
To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,
The seeming truth which cunning times put on
To entrap the wisest. Therefore, thou gaudy

gold,

Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee: Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meager lead, [aught,

Which rather threat'nest, than dost promise Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence, And here choose I; Joy be the consequence!

Por. How all the other passions fleet to air, As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embrac'd despair,

And shudd'ring fear and green-ey'd jealousy. love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy,

In measure rain thy joy, scant this excess;
I feel too much thy blessing, make it less,
For fear I surfeit!

Bass. What find I here?

Fair Portia's counterfeit? What demi-god [Opening the leaden casket. Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes? Or whether, riding on the balls of mine, Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips, Parted with sugar breath; so sweet a bar * Love. Winning favour, 5 Treacherous.

Curled. Likeness, portra

Should sunder such sweet friends: Here in her hairs

one,

The painter plays the spider; and hath woven
A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men,
Faster than gnats in cobwebs: But her eyes,-
How could he see to do them? having made
[his,
Methinks, it should have power to steal both
And leave itself unfurnish'd: Yet look, how
far
[shadow,
The substance of my praise doth wrong this
lu underprizing it, so far this shadow,
Doth limp behind the substance.-Here's the
scroll,

The continent and summary of my fortune.
You that choose not by the view,
Chance as fair, and choose as true!
Since this fortune falls to you,
Be content and seek no new.
If you be well pleas'd with this,
And hold your fortune for your bliss,
Turn you where your lady is,
And claim her with a loving kiss.
A gentle scroll;-Fair lady, by your leave;
[Kissing her.

I come by note, to give, and to receive.
Like one of two contending in a prize,
That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes,
Hearing applause, and universal shout,
Giddy in spirit, still gazing, in a doubt
Whether those peals of praise be his or no;
So, thrice fair lady, stand I, even so;

As doubtful whether what I see be true,
Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.

Ner. My lord and lady, it is now our time, That have stood by, and seen our wishes prosper,

To cry, good joy; Good joy, my lord, and lady!
Gra. My lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady,
I wish you all the joy that you can wish;
For, I am sure, you can wish none from me:
And, when your honours mean to solemnize
The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you,
Even at that time I may be married too.
Bass. With all my heart, so thou canst get a
wife.

Gra. I thank your lordship; you have got

me one.

My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid;
You lov'd, I lov'd; for intermission*
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you,
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there;
And so did mine too, as the matter falls :
For wooing here, until I sweat again;
And swearing, till my very roof was dry
With oaths of love: at last,-if promise last,--
I got a promise of this fair one here,
To have her love, provided that your fortune

Achiev'd her mistress.

Por. Is this true, Nerissa?

Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal.

Bass. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Gra. Yes, 'faith, my lord.

Bass. Our feast shall be much honour'd in

your marriage.

Gra. We'll play with them, the first boy for

Por. You see me, lord Bassanio, where I a thousand ducats.

stand,

Such as I am though, for myself alone,
I would not be ambitious in my wish,
To wish myself much better; yet, for you,
I would be trebled twenty times myself;
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times
More rich;

That only to stand high on your account,
I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,
Exceed account: but the full sum of me
Is sum of something; which, to term in gross,
Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd:
Happy in this, she is not yet so old
But she may learn; and happier than this,
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;
Happiest of all, is, that her gentle spirit
Commits itself to yours to be directed,
As from her lord, her governor, her king.
Myself, and what is mine, to you, and yours
Is now converted: but now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,
Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now,
This house, these servants, and this same myself,
Are yours, my lord; I give them with this ring,
Which, when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let it presage the ruin of your love.
And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

Bass. Madam, you have bereft me of all words,

Only my blood speaks to you in my veins :
And there is such confusion in my powers,
As, after some oration fairly spoke
By a belov'd prince, there doth appear
Among the buzzing pleased multitude;
Where every something, being blent* together,
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy,
Express'd, and not express'd: But when this

ring

Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence; O, then be bold to say, Bassanio's dead.

*Blended.

Ner. What, and stake down?

Gra. No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down.

But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? What, my old Venetian friend, Salerio?

Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO.
Bass. Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither;
If that the youth of my new interest here
Have power to bid you welcome :-By your
leave,

I bid my very friends and countrymen,
Sweet Portia, welcome.

Por. So do I, my lord:
They are entirely welcome.

Lor. I thank your honour :-For my part, my

lord,

My purpose was not to have seen you here;
But meeting with Salerio by the way,
He did entreat me, past all saying nay,
To come with him along.

Saler. I did, my lord,
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio
Commends him to you.

[Gives BASSANIO a letter. Bass. Ere I ope his letter,

I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth.
Saler. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind;
Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there
Will show you his estate.

Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her
welcome.
[Venice?
Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?
I know, he will be glad of our success;
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.
Saler. 'Would you had won the fleece that he

hath lost!

Por. There are some shrewd contents in von' same paper,

*Pause. delay.

That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer;* Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. Could turn so much the constitution [world-But let me hear the letter of your friend.

Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?
With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself,
And I must freely have the half of any thing
That this same paper brings you.

Bass. O sweet Portia,

Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words,
That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady,
When I did first impart my love to you,
I freely told you, all the wealth I had
Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman;
And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady,
Rating myself at nothing, you shall see
How much I was a braggart: When I told you
My state was nothing, I should then have told
you

That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed,
I have engag'd myself to a dear friend,
Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy,
To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady;
The paper as the body of my friend,
And every word in it a gaping wound,
Issuing life-blood.-But is it true, Salerio?
Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one

From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, [hit?
From Lisbon, Barbary, and India?

And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Of merchant-marring rocks?

Saler. Not one, my lord.

Besides, it should appear, that if he had
The present money to discharge the Jew,
He would not take it: Never did I know
A creature, that did bear the shape of man,
So keen and greedy to confound a man:
He plies the duke at morning, and at night;
And doth impeach the freedom of the state,
If they deny him justice: twenty merchants,
The duke himself, and the magnificoes*
Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him;
But none can drive him from the envious plea
Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.

Jes. When I was with him, I have heard

him swear,

To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen,
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh,
Than twenty times the value of the sum
That he did owe him; and I know, my lord,
If law, authority, and power deny not,
It will go hard with poor Antonio.

Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.

Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. [away, Bass. Since I have your good leave to go I will make haste: but till I come again, No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt.

SCENE III-Venice.-A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Jailer.

Shy. Jailer, look to him;-Tell not me of mercy;

This is the fool that lent out money gratis ;

Jailer, look to him.

Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock.

Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against

my bond;

I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond: Thou call'dst me dog, before thou had'st a

cause:

But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs :
The duke shall grant me justice.-I do wonder,
Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fondt
To come abroad with him at his request.
Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak.

Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee

speak: [more. I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To Christian intercessors. Follow not;

I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond.
[Exit SHYLOCK.
Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur,
That ever kept with men.

Ant. Let him alone;

I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
He seeks my life; his reason well I know;
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures

Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in Many that have at times made moan to me;

trouble?

Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest

man,

The best condition'd and unwearied spirit
In doing courtesies; and one in whom
The ancient Roman honour more appears,
Than any that draws breath in Italy.

Por. What sum owes he the Jew?
Bass. For me, three thousand ducats,
Por, What, no more?

Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;
Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.
First, go with me to church, and call me wife:
And then away to Venice to your friend;
For never shall you lie by Portia's side
With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold
To pay the petty debt twenty times over; ⚫
When it is paid, bring your true friend along:
My maid Nerissa, and myself, mean time,
Will live as maids and widows. Come, away;
For you shall hence upon your wedding day;

*The chief men.

'Therefore he hates me.

Salan. I am sure, the duke

Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of For the commodity that strangers have [law; With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go: These griefs and losses have so 'bated me, That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh To-morrow to my bloody creditor.Well, jailer, on:-Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE IV-Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA'S House.

Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR.

Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your You have a noble and a true conceit [presence,

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: From the Text of ..., Volumen1