The Merchant of Venice from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.
Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies
Bodleian First Folio, Arch. G c.7
Autres contributions
The Merchant of Venice. §
Actus primus.
[Act 1, Scene 1] §
Anthonio.
mee,
Sal.
Salar.
Sal.
Anth.
Sola.
[46] Why then you are in loue.
Anth.
[47] Fie, fie.
Sola.
Sola.
Sala.
Ant.
Sal.
Bass.
(when?
Sal.
Lor.
Bass.
[74] I will not faile you.
Grat.
Ant.
Grati.
Lor.
Gra.
Ant.
[113] Far you well, Ile grow a talker for this geare.
Gra.
Ant.
[116] It is that any thing now.
Bas.
[117] Gratiano speakes an infinite deale of nothing, [l. 118] more then any man in all Venice, his reasons are two [l. 119] graines of wheate hid in two bushels of chaffe: you shall [l. 120] seeke all day ere you finde them, & when you haue them [l. 121] they are not worth the search.
An.
Bas.
An.
Bass.
An.
Bass.
Anth.
[Act 1, Scene 2] §
Portia.
[189] By my troth Nerrissa, my little body is a wea [l. 190] rie of this great world.
Ner.
[191] You would be sweet Madam, if your miseries [l. 192] were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are: [l. 193] and yet for ought I see, they are as sicke that surfet with [l. 194] too much, as they that starue with nothing; it is no smal [l. 195] happinesse therefore to bee seated in the meane, super [l. 196] fluitie comes sooner by white haires, but competencie [l. 197] liues longer.
Portia.
[198] Good sentences, and well pronounc'd.
Ner.
[199] They would be better if well followed.
Portia.
[200] If to doe were as easie as to know what were [l. 201] good to doe, Chappels had beene Churches, and poore [l. 202] mens cottages Princes Pallaces: it is a good Diuine that [l. 203] followes his owne instructions; I can easier teach twen [l. 204] tie what were good to be done, then be one of the twen [l. 205] tie to follow mine owne teaching: the braine may de [l. 206] uise lawes for the blood, but a hot temper leapes ore a [l. 207] colde decree, such a hare is madnesse the youth, to skip [l. 208] ore the meshes of good counsaile the cripple; but this [l. 209] reason is not in fashion to choose me a husband: O mee, [l. 210] the word choose, I may neither choose whom I would, [l. 211] nor refuse whom I dislike, so is the wil of a liuing daugh [l. 212] ter curb'd by the will of a dead father: it is not hard Ner [l. 213] rissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none.
Ner.
[214] Your father was euer vertuous, and holy men [l. 215] at their death haue good inspirations, therefore the lot [l. 216] terie that hee hath deuised in these three chests of gold, [l. 217] siluer, and leade, whereof who chooses his meaning, chooses {p. 163} The Merchant of Venice. [l. 218] chooses you, wil no doubt neuer be chosen by any right [l. 219] ly, but one who you shall rightly loue: but what warmth [l. 220] is there in your affection towards any of these Princely [l. 221] suters that are already come?
Por.
[222] I pray thee ouer‑name them, and as thou namest [l. 223] them, I will describe them, and according to my descrip [l. 224] tion leuell at my affection.
Ner.
[225] First there is the Neopolitane Prince.
Por.
[226] I that's a colt indeede, for he doth nothing but [l. 227] talke of his horse, and hee makes it a great appropria [l. 228] tion to his owne good parts that he can shoo him him [l. 229] selfe: I am much afraid my Ladie his mother plaid false [l. 230] with a Smyth.
Ner.
[231] Than is there the Countie Palentine.
Por.
[232] He doth nothing but frowne (as who should [l. 233] say, and you will not haue me, choose: he heares merrie [l. 234] tales and smiles not, I feare hee will proue the weeping [l. 235] Phylosopher when he growes old, being so full of vn [l. 236] mannerly sadnesse in his youth.) I had rather to be marri [l. 237] ed to a deaths head with a bone in his mouth, then to ei [l. 238] ther of these: God defend me from these two.
Ner.
[239] How say you by the French Lord, Mounsier [l. 240] Le Boune?
Por.
[241] God made him, and therefore let him passe for a [l. 242] man, in truth I know it is a sinne to be a mocker, but he, [l. 243] why he hath a horse better then the Neopolitans, a bet [l. 244] ter bad habite of frowning then the Count Palentine, he [l. 245] is euery man in no man, if a Trassell sing, he fals straight [l. 246] a capring, he will fence with his owne shadow. If I should [l. 247] marry him, I should marry twentie husbands: if hee [l. 248] would despise me, I would forgiue him, for if he loue me [l. 249] to madnesse, I should neuer requite him.
Ner.
Baron of England?
Por.
[251] You know I say nothing to him, for hee vnder [l. 252] stands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latine, French, [l. 253] nor Italian, and you will come into the Court & sweare [l. 254] that I haue a poore pennie‑worth in the English: hee is a [l. 255] proper mans picture, but alas who can conuerse with a [l. 256] dumbe show? how odly he is suited, I thinke he bought [l. 257] his doublet in Italie, his round hose in France, his bonnet [l. 258] in Germanie, and his behauiour euery where.
Ner.
bour?
Por.
[260] That he hath a neighbourly charitie in him, for [l. 261] he borrowed a boxe of the eare of the Englishman, and [l. 262] swore he would pay him againe when hee was able: I [l. 263] thinke the Frenchman became his suretie, and seald vnder [l. 264] for another.
Ner.
[265] How like you the yong Germaine, the Duke of [l. 266] Saxonies Nephew?
Por.
[267] Very vildely in the morning when hee is sober, [l. 268] and most vildely in the afternoone when hee is drunke: [l. 269] when he is best, he is a little worse then a man, and when [l. 270] he is worst, he is little better then a beast: and the worst [l. 271] fall that euer fell, I hope I shall make shift to go with [l. 272] out him.
Ner.
[273] If he should offer to choose, and choose the right [l. 274] Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, [l. 275] if you should refuse to accept him.
Por.
[276] Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set [l. 277] a deepe glasse of Reinish‑wine on the contrary Casket, [l. 278] for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, [l. 279] I know he will choose it. I will doe any thing Nerrissa [l. 280] ere I will be married to a spunge.
Ner.
[281] You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of [l. 282] these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their deter [l. 283] minations, which is indeede to returne to their home, [l. 284] and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may [l. 285] be won by some other sort then your Fathers impositi [l. 286] on, depending on the Caskets.
Por.
[287] If I liue to be as olde as Sibilla, I will dye as [l. 288] chaste as Diana: vnlesse I be obtained by the manner [l. 289] of my Fathers will: I am glad this parcell of wooers [l. 290] are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but [l. 291] I doate on his verie absence: and I wish them a faire de [l. 292] parture.
Ner.
[293] Doe you not remember Ladie in your Fa [l. 294] thers time, a Venecian, a Scholler and a Souldior that [l. 295] came hither in companie of the Marquesse of Mount [l. 296] ferrat?
Por.
[297] Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I thinke, so was hee [l. 298] call'd.
Ner.
[299] True Madam, hee of all the men that euer my [l. 300] foolish eyes look'd vpon, was the best deseruing a faire [l. 301] Lady.
Por.
[302] I remember him well, and I remember him wor [l. 303] thy of thy praise.
Ser.
[304] The four Strangers seeke you Madam to take [l. 305] their leaue: and there is a fore‑runner come from a fift, [l. 306] the Prince of Moroco, who brings word the Prince his [l. 307] Maister will be here to night.
Por.
[308] If I could bid the fift welcome with so good [l. 309] heart as I can bid the other foure farewell, I should be [l. 310] glad of his approach: if he haue the condition of a Saint, [l. 311] and the complexion of a diuell, I had rather hee should [l. 312] shriue me then wiue me. Come Nerrissa, sirra go before; [l. 313] whiles wee shut the gate vpon one wooer, another [l. 314] knocks at the doore.
[Act 1, Scene 3] §
Shy.
[315] Three thousand ducates, well.
Bass.
[316] I sir, for three months.
Shy.
[317] For three months, well.
Bass.
[318] For the which, as I told you, [l. 319] Anthonio shall be bound.
Shy.
[320] Anthonio shall become bound, well.
Bass.
[321] May you sted me? Will you pleasure me? [l. 322] Shall I know your answere.
Shy.
[323] Three thousand ducats for three months, [l. 324] and Anthonio bound.
Bass.
[325] Your answere to that.
Shy.
[326] Anthonio is a good man.
Bass.
[327] Haue you heard any imputation to the con [l. 328] trary.
Shy.
[329] Ho no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a [l. 330] good man, is to
haue you vnderstand me that he is suffi [l. 331] ent sufficient, yet his meanes are in supposition: he hath an
Argo [l. 332] sie bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies, I
vnder [l. 333] stand moreouer vpon the Ryalta, he hath a third at
Mexi [l. 334] co, a fourth for England, and other ventures hee
hath [l. 335] squandred abroad, but ships are but boords, Saylers but
[l. 336] men, there be land rats, and water rats, water theeues,
[l. 337] and land theeues, I meane Pyrats, and then there is the
[l. 338] perrill of waters, windes, and rocks: the man is not with
[l. 339] standing sufficient, three thousand ducats, I thinke I
may [l. 340] take his bond.
Bas.
[341] Be assured you may.
Iew.
[342] I will be assured I may: and that I may be assu [l. 343] red, I will bethinke mee, may I speake with Antho [l. 344] nio?
Bass.
[345] If it please you to dine with vs.
Iew.
[346] Yes, to smell porke, to eate of the habitation [l. 347] which your Prophet the Nazarite coniured the diuell [l. 348] into: I will buy with you, sell with you, talke with [l. 349] you, walke with you, and so following: but I will [l. 350] not eate with you, drinke with you, nor pray with you. [l. 351] What newes on the Ryalta, who is he comes here?
Bass.
[352] This is signior Anthonio.
Iew.
Bass.
[365] Shylock, doe you heare.
Shy.
Ant.
Shy.
[379] I, I, three thousand ducats.
Ant.
[380] And for three months.
Shy.
Ant.
[385] I doe neuer vse it.
Shy.
(As his wise mother wrought in his behalfe)
Ant.
Shy.
Ant.
Shy.
Ant.
Shy.
Ant.
Shy.
Ant.
Shy.
Bass.
Shy.
Ant.
Bass.
Ant.
Shy.
Ant.
[487] Yes Shylocke, I will seale vnto this bond.
Shy.
Ant.
[494] Hie thee gentle Iew. This Hebrew will turne [l. 495] Christian, he growes kinde.
Bass.
Ant.
Actus Secundus.
[Act 2, Scene 1] §
foure followers accordingly, with Portia,
Nerrissa, and their traine.
Mor.
Por.
Mor.
Port.
Mor.
Por.
Mor.
[Act 2, Scene 2] §
Clo.
[548] Certainely, my conscience will serue me to run [l. 549] from this Iew my
Maister: the fiend is at mine elbow, [l. 550] and tempts me, saying to
me, Iobbe, Launcelet
Iobbe, good [l. 551]
Launcelet, or good Iobbe, or good Launcelet Iobbe, vse
[l. 552] your legs, take the start, run awaie: my conscience saies
[l. 553] no; take heede honest Launcelet, take
heed honest Iobbe, [l. 554] or as
afore‑said honest Launcelet Iobbe, doe
not runne, [l. 555] scorne running with thy heeles; well, the most
coragi [l. 556] ous fiend bids me packe, fia saies the fiend, away saies [l. 557] the fiend, for the
heauens rouse vp a braue minde saies [l. 558] the fiend, and run; well,
my conscience hanging about [l. 559] the necke of my heart, saies verie
wisely to me: my ho [l. 560] nest friend Launcelet, being an honest mans sonne, or
ra [l. 561] ther an honest womans sonne, for indeede my Father
did [l. 562] something smack, something grow too; he had a kinde of
[l. 563] taste; wel, my conscience saies Lancelet
bouge not, bouge [l. 564] saies the siend fiend, bouge not saies my conscience, conscience [l. 565] say I you
counsaile well, fiend say I you counsaile well, [l. 566] to be rul'd by
my conscience I should stay with the Iew
[l. 567] my Maister, (who God blesse the marke) is a kinde of
di [l. 568] uell; and to run away from the Iew I should be ruled by [l. 569] the fiend, who sauing your
reuerence is the diuell him [l. 570] selfe: certainely the Iew is the verie diuell incarnation, [l. 571] and
in my conscience, my conscience is a kinde of hard [l. 572] conscience,
to offer to counsaile me to stay with the Iew; [l. 573] the fiend giues the more friendly counsaile: I will
runne [l. 574] fiend, my heeles are at your commandement, I will
[l. 575] runne.
Gob.
[576] Maister yong‑man, you I praie you, which is the [l. 577] waie to Maister Iewes?
Lan.
[578] O heauens, this is my true begotten Father, who [l. 579] being more then sand‑blinde, high grauel blinde, knows [l. 580] me not, I will trie confusions with him.
Gob.
[581] Maister yong Gentleman, I praie you which is [l. 582] the waie to Maister Iewes.
Laun.
[583] Turne vpon your right hand at the next turning {p. 168} The Merchant of Venice. [l. 584] ning but at the next turning of all on your left; marrie [l. 585] at the verie next turning, turne of no hand, but turn down [l. 586] indirectlie to the Iewes house.
Gob.
[587] Be Gods sonties 'twill be a hard waie to hit, can [l. 588] you tell me whether one Launcelet that dwels with him, [l. 589] dwell with him or no.
Laun.
[590] Talke you of yong Master Launcelet, marke [l. 591] me now, now will I raise the waters; talke you of yong [l. 592] Maister Launcelet?
Gob.
[593] No Maister sir, but a poore mans sonne, his Fa [l. 594] ther though I say't is an honest exceeding poore man, [l. 595] and God be thanked well to liue.
Lan.
[596] Well, let his Father be what a will, wee talke of [l. 597] yong Maister Launcelet.
Gob.
[598] Your worships friend and Launcelet.
Laun.
[599] But I praie you ergo old man, ergo I beseech you, [l. 600] talke you of yong Maister Launcelet.
Gob.
[601] Of Launcelet, ant please your maistership.
Lan.
[602] Ergo Maister Lancelet, talke not of maister Lance [l. 603] let Father, for the yong gentleman according to fates and [l. 604] destinies, and such odde sayings, the sisters three, & such [l. 605] branches of learning, is indeede deceased, or as you [l. 606] would say in plaine tearmes, gone to heauen.
Gob.
[607] Marrie God forbid, the boy was the verie staffe [l. 608] of my age, my verie prop.
Lau.
[609] Do I look like a cudgell or a houell‑post, a staffe [l. 610] or a prop: doe you know me Father.
Gob.
[611] Alacke the day, I know you not yong Gentle [l. 612] man, but I praie you tell me, is my boy God rest his soule [l. 613] aliue or dead.
Lan.
[614] Doe you not know me Father.
Gob.
[615] Alacke sir I am sand blinde, I know you not.
Lan.
[616] Nay, indeede if you had your eies you might [l. 617] faile of the knowing me: it is a wise Father that knowes [l. 618] his owne childe. Well, old man, I will tell you newes of [l. 619] your son, giue me your blessing, truth will come to light, [l. 620] murder cannot be hid long, a mans sonne may, but in the [l. 621] end truth will out.
Gob.
[622] Praie you sir stand vp, I am sure you are not [l. 623] Lancelet my boy.
Lan.
[624] Praie you let's haue no more fooling about [l. 625] it, but giue mee your blessing: I am Lancelet your [l. 626] boy that was, your sonne that is, your childe that [l. 627] shall be.
Gob.
[628] I cannot thinke you are my sonne.
Lan.
[629] I know not what I shall thinke of that: but I am [l. 630] Lancelet the Iewes man, and I am sure Margerie your wife [l. 631] is my mother.
Gob.
[632] Her name is Margerie indeede, Ile be sworne if [l. 633] thou be Lancelet, thou art mine owne flesh and blood: [l. 634] Lord worshipt might he be, what a beard hast thou got; [l. 635] thou hast got more haire on thy chin, then Dobbin my [l. 636] philhorse has on his taile.
Lan.
[637] It should seeme then that Dobbins taile [l. 638] growes backeward. I am sure he had more haire of his [l. 639] taile then I haue of my face when I lost saw him.
Gob.
[640] Lord how art thou chang'd: how doost thou [l. 641] and thy Master agree, I haue brought him a present; how [l. 642] gree you now?
Lan.
[643] Well, well, but for mine owne part, as I haue set [l. 644] vp my rest to run awaie, so I will not rest till I haue run [l. 645] some ground; my Maister's a verie Iew, giue him a pre [l. 646] sent, giue him a halter, I am famisht in his seruice. You [l. 647] may tell euerie finger I haue with my ribs: Father I am [l. 648] glad you are come, giue me your present to one Maister [l. 649] Bassanio, who indeede giues rare new Liuories, if I serue [l. 650] not him, I will run as far as God has anie ground. O rare [l. 651] fortune, here comes the man, to him Father, for I am a [l. 652] Iew if I serue the Iew anie longer.
Bass.
[653] You may doe so, but let it be so hasted that [l. 654] supper be readie at the farthest by fiue of the clocke: [l. 655] see these Letters deliuered, put the Liueries to mak [l. 656] ing, and desire Gratiano to come anone to my lodg [l. 657] ing.
Lan.
[658] To him Father.
Gob.
[659] God blesse your worship.
Bass.
[660] Gramercie, would'st thou ought with me.
Gob.
[661] Here's my sonne sir, a poore boy.
Lan.
[662] Not a poore boy sir, but the rich Iewes man that [l. 663] would sir as my Father shall specifie.
Gob.
[664] He hath a great infection sir, as one would say [l. 665] to serue.
Lan.
[666] Indeede the short and the long is, I serue the [l. 667] Iew, and haue a desire as my Father shall specifie.
Gob.
[668] His Maister and he (sauing your worships reue [l. 669] rence) are scarce caterco[.]ins.
Lan.
[670] To be briefe, the verie truth is, that the Iew [l. 671] hauing done me wrong, doth cause me as my Father be [l. 672] ing I hope an old man shall frutifie vnto you.
Gob.
[673] I haue here a dish of Doues that I would bestow [l. 674] vpon your worship, and my suite is.
Lan.
[675] In verie briefe, the suite is impertinent to my [l. 676] selfe, as your worship shall know by this honest old man, [l. 677] and though I say it, though old man, yet poore man my [l. 678] Father.
Bass.
[679] One speake for both, what would you?
Lan.
[680] Serue you sir.
Gob.
[681] That is the verie defect of the matter sir.
Bass.
Clo.
[687] The old prouerbe is verie well parted betweene [l. 688] my Maister Shylocke and you sir, you haue the grace of [l. 689] God sir, and he hath enough.
Bass.
Clo.
[694] Father in, I cannot get a seruice, no, I haue nere [l. 695] a tongue in my head, well: if anie man in Italie haue a [l. 696] fairer table which doth offer to sweare vpon a booke, I [l. 697] shall haue good fortune; goe too, here's a simple line [l. 698] of life, here's a small trifle of wiues, alas, fifteene wiues [l. 699] is nothing, a leuen widdowes and nine maides is a sim [l. 700] ple comming in for one man, and then to scape drow [l. 701] ning thrice, and to be in perill of my life with the edge [l. 702] of a featherbed, here are simple scapes: well, if Fortune [l. 703] be a woman, she's a good wench for this gere: Father [l. 704] come, Ile take my leaue of the Iew in the twinkling.
Bass.
Leon.
Gra.
[710] Where's your Maister.
Leon.
[711] Yonder sir he walkes.
Gra.
[712] Signior Bassanio.
Bas.
[713] Gratiano.
Gra.
[714] I haue a sute to you.
Bass.
[715] You haue obtain'd it.
Gra.
[716] You must not denie me, I must goe with you to [l. 717] Belmont.
Bass.
Gra.
Bas.
[737] Well, we shall see your bearing.
Gra.
Bas.
Gra.
[Act 2, Scene 3] §
Ies.
Clo.
[756] Adue, teares exhibit my tongue, most beautifull [l. 757] Pagan, most sweete Iew, if a Christian doe not play the [l. 758] knaue and get thee, I am much deceiued; but adue, these [l. 759] foolish drops doe somewhat drowne my manly spirit: [l. 760] adue.
Ies.
[Act 2, Scene 4] §
Lor.
[768] Nay, we will slinke away in supper time, [l. 769] Disguise vs at my lodging, and returne all in an houre.
Gra.
[770] We haue not made good preparation.
Sal.
[771] We haue not spoke vs yet of Torch‑bearers.
Sol.
Lor.
Lan.
[776] And it shall please you to breake vp this, shall it [l. 777] seeme to signifie.
Lor.
Gra.
[781] Loue newes in faith.
Lan.
[782] By your leaue sir.
Lor.
[783] Whither goest thou?
Lan.
[784] Marry sir to bid my old Master the Iew to sup [l. 785] to night with my new Master the Christian.
Lor.
night,
Sal.
[790] I marry, ile be gone about it stra[.]t.
Sol.
[791] And so will I.
Lor.
[792] Meete me and Gratiano at Gratianos lodging [l. 793] Some houre hence.
Sal.
[794] 'Tis good we do so.
Gra.
[795] Was not that Letter from faire Iessica?
Lor.
[Act 2, Scene 5] §
Iew.
Clo.
[813] Why Iessica.
Shy.
Clo.
[815] Your worship was wont to tell me [l. 816] I could doe nothing without bidding.
Ies.
[817] Call you? what is your will?
Shy.
Clo.
[826] I beseech you sir goe, my yong Master [l. 827] Doth expect your reproach.
Shy.
[828] So doe I his.
Clo.
[829] And they haue conspired together, I will not say [l. 830] you shall see a Maske, but if you doe, then it was not for [l. 831] nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on blacke monday P last, {p. 170} The Merchant of Venice. [l. 832] last, at six a clocke ith morning, falling out that yeere on [l. 833] ashwensday was foure yeere in th'afternoone.
Shy.
Clo.
Shy.
ha.
Ies.
Shy.
finde,
Ies.
[Act 2, Scene 6] §
Gra.
[863] This is the penthouse vnder which Lorenzo [l. 864] Desired vs to make a stand.
Sal.
[865] His houre is almost past.
Gra.
Sal.
Gra.
Salino.
[883] Heere comes Lorenzo, more of this here [l. 884] after.
Lor.
bode,
Iess.
Lor.
[892] Lorenzo, and thy Loue.
Ies.
Lor.
[896] Heauen and thy thoughts are witness that thou [l. 897] art.
Ies.
Lor.
[905] Descend, for you must be my torch‑bearer.
Ies.
Lor.
Ies.
Gra.
Lor.
Ant.
[925] Who's there?
Gra.
[926] Signior Anthonio?
Ant.
Gra.
[Act 2, Scene 7] §
Por.
Mor.
Por.
Mor.
Por.
Mor.
Mor.
Por.
[Act 2, Scene 8] §
Sal.
Sol.
Sal.
Sol.
Sal.
Sol.
Sal.
Sol.
Sal.
Sol.
Sal.
[1069] Doe we so.
[Act 2, Scene 9] §
Ner.
Por.
Ar.
Por.
Ar.
Por.
[1121] Too long a pause for that which you finde there.
Ar.
Por.
Ar.
Ar.
Por.
Ner.
Por.
[1153] Come draw the curtaine Nerrissa.
Mes.
[1154] Where is my Lady?
Por.
[1155] Here, what would my Lord?
Mes.
Por.
Ner.
[1171] Bassanio Lord, loue if thy will it be.
Actus Tertius.
[Act 3, Scene 1] §
Sol.
[1172] Now, what newes on the Ryalto?
Sal.
[1173] Why yet it liues there vncheckt, that Anthonio [l. 1174] hath a ship of rich lading wrackt on the narrow Seas; the [l. 1175] Goodwins I thinke they call the place, a very dangerous [l. 1176] flat, and fatall, where the carcasses of many a tall ship, lye [l. 1177] buried, as they say, if my gossips report be an honest wo [l. 1178] man of her word.
Sol.
[1179] I would she were as lying a gossip in that, as euer [l. 1180] knapt Ginger, or made her neighbours beleeue she wept [l. 1181] for the death of a third husband: but it is true, without [l. 1182] any slips of prolixity, or crossing the plaine high‑way of [l. 1183] talke, that the good Anthonio, the honest Anthonio; ô that [l. 1184] I had a title good enough to keepe his name company!
Sal.
[1185] Come, the full stop.
Sol.
[1186] Ha, what sayest thou, why the end is, he hath lost [l. 1187] a ship.
Sal.
[1188] I would it might proue the end of his losses.
Sol.
[1189] Let me say Amen betimes, least the diuell crosse [l. 1190] my praier, for here he comes in the likenes of a Iew. How [l. 1191] now Shylocke, what newes among the Merchants?
Shy.
[1192] You knew none so well, none so well as you, of [l. 1193] my daughters flight.
Sal.
[1194] That's certaine, I for my part knew the Tailor [l. 1195] that made the wings she flew withall.
Sol.
[1196] And Shylocke for his owne part knew the bird was [l. 1197] fledg'd, and then it is the complexion of them al to leaue [l. 1198] the dam.
Shy.
[1199] She is damn'd for it.
Sal.
[1200] That's certaine, if the diuell may be her Iudge.
Shy.
[1201] My owne flesh and blood to rebell.
Sol.
[1202] Out vpon it old carrion, rebels it at these yeeres.
Shy.
[1203] I say my daughter is my flesh and bloud.
Sal.
[1204] There is more difference betweene thy flesh and [l. 1205] hers, then betweene Iet and Iuorie, more betweene your [l. 1206] bloods, then there is betweene red wine and rennish: but [l. 1207] tell vs, doe you heare whether Anthonio haue had anie [l. 1208] losse at sea or no?
Shy.
[1209] There I haue another bad match, a bankrout, a [l. 1210] prodigall, who dare scarce shew his head on the Ryalto, [l. 1211] a begger that was vsd to come so smug vpon the Mart: [l. 1212] let him look to his bond, he was wont to call me Vsurer, [l. 1213] let him looke to his bond, he was wont to lend money [l. 1214] for a Christian curtsie, let him looke to his bond.
Sal.
[1215] Why I am sure if he forfaite, thou wilt not take [l. 1216] his flesh, what's that good for?
Shy.
[1217] To baite fish withall, if it will feede nothing [l. 1218] else, it will feede my reuenge; he hath disgrac'd me, and [l. 1219] hindred me halfe a million, laught at my losses, mockt at [l. 1220] my gaines, scorned my Nation, thwarted my bargaines, [l. 1221] cooled my friends, heated mine enemies, and what's the [l. 1222] reason? I am a Iewe: Hath not a Iew eyes? hath not a [l. 1223] Iew hands, organs, dementions, sences, affections, passi [l. 1224] ons, fed with the same foode, hurt with the same wea [l. 1225] pons, subiect to the same diseases, healed by the same [l. 1226] meanes, warmed and cooled by the same Winter and [l. 1227] Sommmer as a Christian is: if you pricke vs doe we not [l. 1228] bleede? if you tickle vs, doe we not laugh? if you poison [l. 1229] vs doe we not die? and if you wrong vs shall we not re [l. 1230] uenge? if we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you [l. 1231] in that. If a Iew wrong a Christian, what is his humility, [l. 1232] reuenge? If a Christian wrong a Iew, what should his suf [l. 1233] ferance be by Christian example, why reuenge? The vil [l. 1234] lanie you teach me I will execute, and it shall goe hard [l. 1235] but I will better the instruction.
[1236] Gentlemen, my maister Anthonio is at his house, and [l. 1237] desires to speake with you both.
Sal.
[1238] We haue beene vp and downe to seeke him.
Sol.
[1239] Here comes another of the Tribe, a third cannot [l. 1240] be matcht, vnlesse the diuell himselfe turne Iew.
Shy.
[1241] How now Tuball, what newes from Genowa? hast [l. 1242] thou found my daughter?
Tub.
[1243] I often came where I did heare of ster her, but can [l. 1244] not finde her.
Shy.
[1245] Why there, there, there, there, a diamond gone [l. 1246] cost me two thousand ducats in Franckford, the curse ne [l. 1247] uer fell vpon our Nation till now, I neuer felt it till now, [l. 1248] two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, preci [l. 1249] ous iewels: I would my daughter were dead at my foot, [l. 1250] and the iewels in her eare: would she were hearst at my [l. 1251] foote, and the duckets in her coffin: no newes of them, [l. 1252] why so? and I know not how much is spent in the search: [l. 1253] why thou losse vpon losse, the theefe gone with so [l. 1254] much, and so much to finde the theefe, and no satisfa [l. 1255] ction, no reuenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights [l. 1256] a my shoulders, no sighes but a my breathing, no teares [l. 1257] but a my shedding.
Tub.
[1258] Yes, other men haue ill lucke too, Anthonio as I [l. 1259] heard in Genowa?
Shy.
[1260] What, what, what, ill lucke, ill lucke.
Tub.
[1261] Hath an Argosie cast away comming from Tri [l. 1262] polis.
Shy.
[1263] I thanke God, I thanke God, is it true, is it true?
Tub.
[1264] I spoke with some of the Saylers that escaped [l. 1265] the wracke.
Shy.
[1266] I thanke thee good Tuball, good newes, good [l. 1267] newes: ha, ha, here in Genowa.
Tub.
[1268] Your daughter spent in Genowa, as I heard, one [l. 1269] night fourescore ducats.
Shy.
[1270] Thou stick'st a dagger in me, I shall neuer see my [l. 1271] gold againe, fourescore ducats at a sitting, fourescore du [l. 1272] cats.
Tub.
[1273] There came diuers of Anthonios creditors in my [l. 1274] company to Venice, that sweare hee cannot choose but [l. 1275] breake.
Shy.
[1276] I am very glad of it, ile plague him, ile torture [l. 1277] him, I am glad of it,
Tub.
[1278] One of them shewed me a ring that hee had of [l. 1279] your daughter for a Monkie.
Shy.
[1280] Out vpon her, thou torturest me Tuball, it was [l. 1281] my Turkies, I had it of Leah when I was a Batcheler: I [l. 1282] would not haue giuen it for a wildernesse of Monkies.
Tub.
[1283] But Anthonio is certainely vndone.
Shy.
[1284] Nay, that's true, that's very true, goe Tuball, see [l. 1285] me an Officer, bespeake him a fortnight before, I will [l. 1286] haue the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Ve [l. 1287] nice, I can make what merchandize I will: goe Tuball, [l. 1288] and meete me at our Sinagogue, goe good Tuball, at our [l. 1289] Sinagogue Tuball.
[Act 3, Scene 2] §
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Caskets to himselfe.
All.
Bass.
Por.
Bas.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Ner.
Gra.
Bass.
Gra.
Por.
[1501] Is this true Nerrissa?
Ner.
[1502] Madam it is so, so you stand pleas'd withall.
Bass.
[1503] And doe you Gratiano meane good faith?
Gra.
[1504] Yes faith my Lord.
Bass.
[1505] Our feast shall be much honored in your mar [l. 1506] riage.
Gra.
[1507] Weele play with them the first boy for a thou [l. 1508] sand ducats.
Ner.
[1509] What and stake downe?
Gra.
downe.
Bas.
Por.
[1518] So do I my Lord, they are intirely welcome.
Lor.
Sal.
Bass.
Sal.
Gra.
Sal.
[1537] I would you had vvon the fleece that hee hath [l. 1538] lost.
Por.
Paper,
Bass.
Sal.
Iessi.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
[1614] Sweet Bassanio, my ships haue all miscarried, my Credi [l. 1615] tors grow cruell, my estate is very low, my bond to the Iew is [l. 1616] forfeit, and since in paying it, it is impossible I should liue, all [l. 1617] debts are cleerd betweene you and I, if I might see you at my [l. 1618] death: notwithstanding, vse your pleasure, if your loue doe not [l. 1619] perswade you to come, let not my letter.
Por.
[1620] O loue! dispach all busines and be gone.
Bass.
[Act 2, Scene 3] §
and the Iaylor.
Iew.
Ant.
[1628] Heare me yet good Shylok.
Iew.
Ant.
[1636] I pray thee heare me speake.
Iew.
Sol.
Ant.
Sol.
[1651] I am sure the Duke will neuer grant [l. 1652] this forfeiture to hold.
An.
[Act 3, Scene 4] §
Portias.
Lor.
Por.
Lorens.
Por.
Lor.
Iessi.
Por.
Balth.
Por.
Nerrissa.
Portia.
Nerris.
[1743] Why, shall wee turne to men?
Portia.
[Act 3, Scene 5] §
Clown.
[1750] Yes truly; for looke you, the sinnes of the Fa [l. 1751] ther are to be laid vpon the children, therefore I promise [l. 1752] you, I feare you, I was alwaies plaine with you, and so [l. 1753] now I speake my agitation of the matter: therfore be of [l. 1754] good cheere, for truly I thinke you are damn'd, there is [l. 1755] but one hope in it that can doe you anie good, and that is [l. 1756] but a kinde of bastard hope neither.
Iessica.
[1757] And what hope is that I pray thee?
Clow.
[1758] Marrie you may partlie hope that your father [l. 1759] got you not, that you are not the Iewes daughter.
Ies.
[1760] That were a kinde of bastard hope indeed, so the [l. 1761] sins of my mother should be visited vpon me.
Clow.
[1762] Truly then I feare you are damned both by fa [l. 1763] ther and mother: thus when I shun Scilla your father, I [l. 1764] fall into Charibdis your mother; well, you are gone both [l. 1765] waies.
Ies.
[1766] I shall be sau'd by my husband, he hath made me [l. 1767] a Christian.
Clow.
[1768] Truly the more to blame he, we were Christi [l. 1769] ans enow before, e'ne as many as could wel liue one by a [l. 1770] nother: this making of Christians will raise the price of [l. 1771] Hogs, if wee grow all to be porke‑eaters, wee shall not [l. 1772] shortlie haue a rasher on the coales for money.
Ies.
[1773] Ile tell my husband Lancelet what you say, heere [l. 1774] he comes.
Loren.
[1775] I shall grow iealous of you shortly Lancelet, [l. 1776] if you thus get my wife into corners?
Ies.
[1777] Nay, you need not feare vs Lorenzo, Launcelet [l. 1778] and I are out, he tells me flatly there is no mercy for mee [l. 1779] in heauen, because I am a Iewes daughter: and hee saies [l. 1780] you are no good member of the common wealth, for [l. 1781] in conuerting Iewes to Christians, you raise the price [l. 1782] of Porke.
Loren.
[1783] I shall answere that better to the Common ‑ [l. 1784] wealth, than you can the getting vp of the Negroes bel [l. 1785] lie: the Moore is with childe by you Launcelet?
Clow.
[1786] It is much that the Moore should be more then [l. 1787] reason: but if she be lesse then an honest woman, shee is [l. 1788] indeed more then I tooke her for.
Loren.
[1789] How euerie foole can play vpon the word, I [l. 1790] thinke the best grace of witte will shortly turne into si [l. 1791] lence, and discourse grow commendable in none onely [l. 1792] but Parrats: goe in sirra, bid them prepare for dinner?
Clow.
[1793] That is done sir, they haue all stomacks?
Loren.
[1794] Goodly Lord, what a witte‑snapper are you, [l. 1795] then bid them prepare dinner.
Clow.
[1796] That is done to sir, onely couer is the word.
Loren.
[1797] Will you couer than sir?
Clow.
[1798] Not so sir neither, I know my dutie.
Loren.
[1799] Yet more quarreling with occasion, wilt thou [l. 1800] shew the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant; I pray [l. 1801] thee vnderstand a plaine man in his plaine meaning: goe [l. 1802] to thy fellowes, bid them couer the table, serue in the [l. 1803] meat, and we will come in to dinner.
Clow.
[1804] For the table sir, it shall be seru'd in, for the [l. 1805] meat sir, it shall bee couered, for your comming in to [l. 1806] dinner sir, why let it be as humors and conceits shall go [l. 1807] uerne.
Lor.
Iessi.
Loren.
[1827] Euen such a husband [l. 1828] Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife.
Ies.
[1829] Nay, but aske my opinion to of that?
Lor.
[1830] I will anone, first let vs goe to dinner?
Ies.
[1831] Nay, let me praise you while I haue a stomacke?
Lor.
[1832] No pray thee, let it serue for table talke, [l. 1833] Then how som ere thou speakst 'mong other things, [l. 1834] I shall digest it?
Iessi.
[1835] Well, Ile set you forth.
Actus Quartus.
[Act 4, Scene 1] §
Gratiano.
Duke.
[1836] What, is Anthonio heere?
Ant.
[1837] Ready, so please your grace?
Duke.
Ant.
Du.
Sal.
[1851] He is ready at the doore, he comes my Lord.
Du.
Iew.
Bass.
Iew.
Bass.
Iew.
Bass.
Iew.
twice?
Ant.
Bas.
Iew.
Du.
Iew.
Du.
Sal.
Du.
Bass.
Ant.
Du.
[1956] Came you from Padua from Bellario?
Ner.
[1957] From both. [l. 1958] My Lord Bellario greets your Grace.
Bas.
[1959] Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
Iew.
[1960] To cut the forfeiture from that bankrout there.
Gra.
Iew.
Gra.
Iew.
Du.
Ner.
[1984] He attendeth heere hard by [l. 1985] To know your answer, whether you'l admit him.
Du.
[1986] With all my heart. Some three or four of you [l. 1987] Go giue him curteous conduct to this place, [l. 1988] Meane time the Court shall heare Bellarioes Letter.
[1989] YOur Grace shall vnderstand, that at the receite of your [l. 1990] Letter I am very sicke: but in the instant that your mes [l. 1991] senger came, in louing visitation, was with me a yong Do [l. 1992] ctor of Rome, his name is Balthasar: I acquained him with [l. 1993] the cause in Controuersie, betweene the Iew and Anthonio [l. 1994] the Merchant: We turn'd ore many Bookes together: hee is [l. 1995] furnished with my opinion, which bettred with his owne lear [l. 1996] ning, the greatnesse whereof I cannot enough commend, comes with him at my importunity, to fill vp your Graces request in [l. 1997] my sted. I beseech you, let his lacke of years be no impediment [l. 1998] to let him lacke a reuerend estimation: for I neuer knewe so [l. 1999] yong a body, with so old a head. I leaue him to your gracious [l. 2000] acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation.
Duke.
Por.
[2004] I did my Lord.
Du.
Por.
Du.
Por.
[2011] Is your name Shylocke?
Iew.
[2012] Shylocke is my name.
Por.
Ant.
[2017] I, so he sayes.
Por.
[2018] Do you confesse the bond?
Ant.
[2019] I do.
Por.
[2020] Then must the Iew be mercifull.
Iew.
[2021] On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.
Por.
Shy.
Por.
Bas.
Por.
Iew.
Por.
Iew.
Por.
Shy.
Por.
Iew.
An.
Por.
[2084] Why then thus it is: [l. 2085] you must prepare your bosome for his knife.
Iew.
Por.
Iew.
Por.
[2092] Therefore lay bare your bosome.
Iew.
Por.
[2096] It is so: Are there ballance heere to weigh the [l. 2097] flesh?
Iew.
[2098] I haue them ready.
Por.
Iew.
Por.
Iew.
Por.
Ant.
Bas.
Por.
Gra.
Ner.
Iew.
(ter
Por.
Iew.
[2143] Most rightfull Iudge.
Por.
Iew.
Por.
Gra.
Shy.
[2157] Is that the law?
Por.
Gra.
Iew.
[2162] I take this offer then, pay the bond thrice, [l. 2163] And let the Christian goe.
Bass.
[2164] Heere is the money.
Por.
Gra.
Por.
Gra.
Por.
Shy.
Bass.
Por.
Gra.
Shy.
Por.
Shy.
Por.
Gra.
Duk.
Por.
Shy.
Por.
Gra.
Ant.
Duk.
Por.
Shy.
[2239] I am content.
Por.
[2240] Clarke, draw a deed of gift.
Shy.
Duke.
[2244] Get thee gone, but doe it.
Gra.
Du.
Por.
Duk.
Bass.
An.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Bas.
Por.
Bas.
Por.
Ant.
Bass.
[Act 4, Scene 2] §
Por.
Gra.
Por.
Gra.
[2317] That will I doe.
Ner.
Por.
Ner.
Actus Quintus.
[Act 5, Scene 1] §
Lor.
Ies.
Loren.
Ies.
Loren.
Ies.
Loren.
Iessi.
Lor.
Mes.
[2357] A friend.
Loren.
[2358] A friend, what friend? your name I pray you [l. 2359] (friend?
Mes.
Loren.
[2365] Who comes with her?
Mes.
Loren.
Clo.
Loren.
[2373] Who calls?
Clo.
[2374] Sola, did you see M. Lorenzo, & M. Lorenzo, sola, [l. 2375] (sola,
Lor.
[2376] Leaue hollowing man, heere.
Clo.
[2377] Sola, where, where?
Lor.
[2378] Heere?
Clo.
[2379] Tel him ther's a Post come from my Master, with [l. 2380] his horne full of good newes, my Master will be here ere [l. 2381] morning sweete soule.
Loren.
Iessi.
Lor.
Por.
Ner.
(dle?
Por.
Ner.
Por.
Ner.
Por.
Lor.
Por.
[2446] He knowes me as the blinde man knowes the [l. 2447] Cuckow by the bad voice?
Lor.
Por.
Lor.
Por.
Lor.
Por.
Followers.
Bas.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Anth.
Por.
Gra.
Por.
Gra.
Ner.
Gra.
Nerrissa.
Gra.
Por.
Bass.
Gra.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Ner.
Bass.
Por.
Bass.
Por.
Nerrissa.
Gra.
Ant.
Por.
Bas.
Por.
Bas.
Anth.
Por.
Ant.
Bass.
Por.
Ner.
Gra.
Por.
Antho.
[2622] I am dumbe.
Bass.
Gra.
Ner.
Bass.
An.
Por.
Ner.
Loren.
Por.
Gra.
FINIS.