Merchant of Venice - Entire Play

2/7/2015
MerchantofVenice:EntirePlay
TheMerchantofVenice
Shakespearehomepage|MerchantofVenice|Entireplay
ACTI
SCENEI.Venice.Astreet.
EnterANTONIO,SALARINO,andSALANIO
ANTONIO
Insooth,IknownotwhyIamsosad:
Itweariesmeyousayitweariesyou
ButhowIcaughtit,foundit,orcamebyit,
Whatstuff'tismadeof,whereofitisborn,
Iamtolearn
Andsuchawantwitsadnessmakesofme,
ThatIhavemuchadotoknowmyself.
SALARINO
Yourmindistossingontheocean
There,whereyourargosieswithportlysail,
Likesigniorsandrichburghersontheflood,
Or,asitwere,thepageantsofthesea,
Dooverpeerthepettytraffickers,
Thatcurtsytothem,dothemreverence,
Astheyflybythemwiththeirwovenwings.
SALANIO
Believeme,sir,hadIsuchventureforth,
Thebetterpartofmyaffectionswould
Bewithmyhopesabroad.Ishouldbestill
Pluckingthegrass,toknowwheresitsthewind,
Peeringinmapsforportsandpiersandroads
Andeveryobjectthatmightmakemefear
Misfortunetomyventures,outofdoubt
Wouldmakemesad.
SALARINO
Mywindcoolingmybroth
Wouldblowmetoanague,whenIthought
Whatharmawindtoogreatatseamightdo.
Ishouldnotseethesandyhourglassrun,
ButIshouldthinkofshallowsandofflats,
AndseemywealthyAndrewdock'dinsand,
Vailingherhightoplowerthanherribs
Tokissherburial.ShouldIgotochurch
Andseetheholyedificeofstone,
Andnotbethinkmestraightofdangerousrocks,
Whichtouchingbutmygentlevessel'sside,
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Wouldscatterallherspicesonthestream,
Enrobetheroaringwaterswithmysilks,
And,inaword,butevennowworththis,
Andnowworthnothing?ShallIhavethethought
Tothinkonthis,andshallIlackthethought
Thatsuchathingbechancedwouldmakemesad?
ButtellnotmeIknow,Antonio
Issadtothinkuponhismerchandise.
ANTONIO
Believeme,no:Ithankmyfortuneforit,
Myventuresarenotinonebottomtrusted,
Nortooneplacenorismywholeestate
Uponthefortuneofthispresentyear:
Thereforemymerchandisemakesmenotsad.
SALARINO
Why,thenyouareinlove.
ANTONIO
Fie,fie!
SALARINO
Notinloveneither?Thenletussayyouaresad,
Becauseyouarenotmerry:and'twereaseasy
Foryoutolaughandleapandsayyouaremerry,
Becauseyouarenotsad.Now,bytwoheadedJanus,
Naturehathframedstrangefellowsinhertime:
Somethatwillevermorepeepthroughtheireyes
Andlaughlikeparrotsatabagpiper,
Andotherofsuchvinegaraspect
Thatthey'llnotshowtheirteethinwayofsmile,
ThoughNestorswearthejestbelaughable.
EnterBASSANIO,LORENZO,andGRATIANO
SALANIO
HerecomesBassanio,yourmostnoblekinsman,
GratianoandLorenzo.Fareyewell:
Weleaveyounowwithbettercompany.
SALARINO
Iwouldhavestay'dtillIhadmadeyoumerry,
Ifworthierfriendshadnotpreventedme.
ANTONIO
Yourworthisverydearinmyregard.
Itakeit,yourownbusinesscallsonyou
Andyouembracetheoccasiontodepart.
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SALARINO
Goodmorrow,mygoodlords.
BASSANIO
Goodsigniorsboth,whenshallwelaugh?say,when?
Yougrowexceedingstrange:mustitbeso?
SALARINO
We'llmakeourleisurestoattendonyours.
ExeuntSalarinoandSalanio
LORENZO
MyLordBassanio,sinceyouhavefoundAntonio,
Wetwowillleaveyou:butatdinnertime,
Iprayyou,haveinmindwherewemustmeet.
BASSANIO
Iwillnotfailyou.
GRATIANO
Youlooknotwell,SigniorAntonio
Youhavetoomuchrespectupontheworld:
Theyloseitthatdobuyitwithmuchcare:
Believeme,youaremarvellouslychanged.
ANTONIO
Iholdtheworldbutastheworld,Gratiano
Astagewhereeverymanmustplayapart,
Andmineasadone.
GRATIANO
Letmeplaythefool:
Withmirthandlaughterletoldwrinklescome,
Andletmyliverratherheatwithwine
Thanmyheartcoolwithmortifyinggroans.
Whyshouldaman,whosebloodiswarmwithin,
Sitlikehisgrandsirecutinalabaster?
Sleepwhenhewakesandcreepintothejaundice
Bybeingpeevish?Itelltheewhat,Antonio
Ilovethee,anditismylovethatspeaks
Thereareasortofmenwhosevisages
Docreamandmantlelikeastandingpond,
Anddoawilfulstillnessentertain,
Withpurposetobedress'dinanopinion
Ofwisdom,gravity,profoundconceit,
Aswhoshouldsay'IamSirOracle,
AndwhenIopemylipsletnodogbark!'
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OmyAntonio,Idoknowofthese
Thatthereforeonlyarereputedwise
Forsayingnothingwhen,Iamverysure,
Iftheyshouldspeak,wouldalmostdamnthoseears,
Which,hearingthem,wouldcalltheirbrothersfools.
I'lltelltheemoreofthisanothertime:
Butfishnot,withthismelancholybait,
Forthisfoolgudgeon,thisopinion.
Come,goodLorenzo.Fareyewellawhile:
I'llendmyexhortationafterdinner.
LORENZO
Well,wewillleaveyouthentilldinnertime:
Imustbeoneofthesesamedumbwisemen,
ForGratianoneverletsmespeak.
GRATIANO
Well,keepmecompanybuttwoyearsmoe,
Thoushaltnotknowthesoundofthineowntongue.
ANTONIO
Farewell:I'llgrowatalkerforthisgear.
GRATIANO
Thanks,i'faith,forsilenceisonlycommendable
Inaneat'stonguedriedandamaidnotvendible.
ExeuntGRATIANOandLORENZO
ANTONIO
Isthatanythingnow?
BASSANIO
Gratianospeaksaninfinitedealofnothing,more
thananymaninallVenice.Hisreasonsareastwo
grainsofwheathidintwobushelsofchaff:you
shallseekalldayereyoufindthem,andwhenyou
havethem,theyarenotworththesearch.
ANTONIO
Well,tellmenowwhatladyisthesame
Towhomyousworeasecretpilgrimage,
Thatyoutodaypromisedtotellmeof?
BASSANIO
'Tisnotunknowntoyou,Antonio,
HowmuchIhavedisabledmineestate,
Bysomethingshowingamoreswellingport
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Thanmyfaintmeanswouldgrantcontinuance:
NordoInowmakemoantobeabridged
Fromsuchanobleratebutmychiefcare
Istocomefairlyofffromthegreatdebts
Whereinmytimesomethingtooprodigal
Hathleftmegaged.Toyou,Antonio,
Iowethemost,inmoneyandinlove,
AndfromyourloveIhaveawarranty
Tounburdenallmyplotsandpurposes
HowtogetclearofallthedebtsIowe.
ANTONIO
Iprayyou,goodBassanio,letmeknowit
Andifitstand,asyouyourselfstilldo,
Withintheeyeofhonour,beassured,
Mypurse,myperson,myextremestmeans,
Lieallunlock'dtoyouroccasions.
BASSANIO
Inmyschooldays,whenIhadlostoneshaft,
Ishothisfellowoftheselfsameflight
Theselfsamewaywithmoreadvisedwatch,
Tofindtheotherforth,andbyadventuringboth
Ioftfoundboth:Iurgethischildhoodproof,
Becausewhatfollowsispureinnocence.
Ioweyoumuch,and,likeawilfulyouth,
ThatwhichIoweislostbutifyouplease
Toshootanotherarrowthatselfway
Whichyoudidshootthefirst,Idonotdoubt,
AsIwillwatchtheaim,ortofindboth
Orbringyourlatterhazardbackagain
Andthankfullyrestdebtorforthefirst.
ANTONIO
Youknowmewell,andhereinspendbuttime
Towindaboutmylovewithcircumstance
Andoutofdoubtyoudomenowmorewrong
Inmakingquestionofmyuttermost
ThanifyouhadmadewasteofallIhave:
ThendobutsaytomewhatIshoulddo
Thatinyourknowledgemaybymebedone,
AndIamprestuntoit:therefore,speak.
BASSANIO
InBelmontisaladyrichlyleft
Andsheisfair,and,fairerthanthatword,
Ofwondrousvirtues:sometimesfromhereyes
Ididreceivefairspeechlessmessages:
HernameisPortia,nothingundervalued
ToCato'sdaughter,Brutus'Portia:
Noristhewideworldignorantofherworth,
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Forthefourwindsblowinfromeverycoast
Renownedsuitors,andhersunnylocks
Hangonhertempleslikeagoldenfleece
WhichmakesherseatofBelmontColchos'strand,
AndmanyJasonscomeinquestofher.
OmyAntonio,hadIbutthemeans
Toholdarivalplacewithoneofthem,
Ihaveamindpresagesmesuchthrift,
ThatIshouldquestionlessbefortunate!
ANTONIO
Thouknow'stthatallmyfortunesareatsea
NeitherhaveImoneynorcommodity
Toraiseapresentsum:thereforegoforth
TrywhatmycreditcaninVenicedo:
Thatshallberack'd,eventotheuttermost,
TofurnishtheetoBelmont,tofairPortia.
Go,presentlyinquire,andsowillI,
Wheremoneyis,andInoquestionmake
Tohaveitofmytrustorformysake.
Exeunt
SCENEII:Belmont.AroominPORTIA'Shouse.
EnterPORTIAandNERISSA
PORTIA
Bymytroth,Nerissa,mylittlebodyisawearyof
thisgreatworld.
NERISSA
Youwouldbe,sweetmadam,ifyourmiserieswerein
thesameabundanceasyourgoodfortunesare:and
yet,foraughtIsee,theyareassickthatsurfeit
withtoomuchastheythatstarvewithnothing.It
isnomeanhappinesstherefore,tobeseatedinthe
mean:superfluitycomessoonerbywhitehairs,but
competencyliveslonger.
PORTIA
Goodsentencesandwellpronounced.
NERISSA
Theywouldbebetter,ifwellfollowed.
PORTIA
Iftodowereaseasyastoknowwhatweregoodto
do,chapelshadbeenchurchesandpoormen's
cottagesprinces'palaces.Itisagooddivinethat
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followshisowninstructions:Icaneasierteach
twentywhatweregoodtobedone,thanbeoneofthe
twentytofollowmineownteaching.Thebrainmay
deviselawsfortheblood,butahottemperleaps
o'eracolddecree:suchahareismadnessthe
youth,toskipo'erthemeshesofgoodcounselthe
cripple.Butthisreasoningisnotinthefashionto
choosemeahusband.Ome,theword'choose!'Imay
neitherchoosewhomIwouldnorrefusewhomI
dislikesoisthewillofalivingdaughtercurbed
bythewillofadeadfather.Isitnothard,
Nerissa,thatIcannotchooseonenorrefusenone?
NERISSA
Yourfatherwasevervirtuousandholymenattheir
deathhavegoodinspirations:thereforethelottery,
thathehathdevisedinthesethreechestsofgold,
silverandlead,whereofwhochooseshismeaning
choosesyou,will,nodoubt,neverbechosenbyany
rightlybutonewhoshallrightlylove.Butwhat
warmthisthereinyouraffectiontowardsanyof
theseprincelysuitorsthatarealreadycome?
PORTIA
Ipraythee,overnamethemandasthounamest
them,Iwilldescribethemand,accordingtomy
description,levelatmyaffection.
NERISSA
First,thereistheNeapolitanprince.
PORTIA
Ay,that'sacoltindeed,forhedothnothingbut
talkofhishorseandhemakesitagreat
appropriationtohisowngoodparts,thathecan
shoehimhimself.Iammuchafeardmyladyhis
motherplayedfalsewithasmith.
NERISSA
ThenthereistheCountyPalatine.
PORTIA
Hedothnothingbutfrown,aswhoshouldsay'Ifyou
willnothaveme,choose:'hehearsmerrytalesand
smilesnot:Ifearhewillprovetheweeping
philosopherwhenhegrowsold,beingsofullof
unmannerlysadnessinhisyouth.Ihadratherbe
marriedtoadeath'sheadwithaboneinhismouth
thantoeitherofthese.Goddefendmefromthese
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two!
NERISSA
HowsayyoubytheFrenchlord,MonsieurLeBon?
PORTIA
Godmadehim,andthereforelethimpassforaman.
Intruth,Iknowitisasintobeamocker:but,
he!why,hehathahorsebetterthanthe
Neapolitan's,abetterbadhabitoffrowningthan
theCountPalatineheiseverymaninnomanifa
throstlesing,hefallsstraightacapering:hewill
fencewithhisownshadow:ifIshouldmarryhim,I
shouldmarrytwentyhusbands.Ifhewoulddespiseme
Iwouldforgivehim,forifhelovemetomadness,I
shallneverrequitehim.
NERISSA
Whatsayyou,then,toFalconbridge,theyoungbaron
ofEngland?
PORTIA
YouknowIsaynothingtohim,forheunderstands
notme,norIhim:hehathneitherLatin,French,
norItalian,andyouwillcomeintothecourtand
swearthatIhaveapoorpennyworthintheEnglish.
Heisaproperman'spicture,but,alas,whocan
conversewithadumbshow?Howoddlyheissuited!
IthinkheboughthisdoubletinItaly,hisround
hoseinFrance,hisbonnetinGermanyandhis
behavioreverywhere.
NERISSA
WhatthinkyouoftheScottishlord,hisneighbour?
PORTIA
Thathehathaneighbourlycharityinhim,forhe
borrowedaboxoftheearoftheEnglishmanand
sworehewouldpayhimagainwhenhewasable:I
thinktheFrenchmanbecamehissuretyandsealed
underforanother.
NERISSA
HowlikeyoutheyoungGerman,theDukeofSaxony'snephew?
PORTIA
Veryvilelyinthemorning,whenheissober,and
mostvilelyintheafternoon,whenheisdrunk:when
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heisbest,heisalittleworsethanaman,and
whenheisworst,heislittlebetterthanabeast:
andtheworstfallthateverfell,IhopeIshall
makeshifttogowithouthim.
NERISSA
Ifheshouldoffertochoose,andchoosetheright
casket,youshouldrefusetoperformyourfather's
will,ifyoushouldrefusetoaccepthim.
PORTIA
Therefore,forfearoftheworst,Ipraythee,seta
deepglassofrhenishwineonthecontrarycasket,
forifthedevilbewithinandthattemptation
without,Iknowhewillchooseit.Iwilldoany
thing,Nerissa,ereI'llbemarriedtoasponge.
NERISSA
Youneednotfear,lady,thehavinganyofthese
lords:theyhaveacquaintedmewiththeir
determinationswhichis,indeed,toreturntotheir
homeandtotroubleyouwithnomoresuit,unless
youmaybewonbysomeothersortthanyourfather's
impositiondependingonthecaskets.
PORTIA
IfIlivetobeasoldasSibylla,Iwilldieas
chasteasDiana,unlessIbeobtainedbythemanner
ofmyfather'swill.Iamgladthisparcelofwooers
aresoreasonable,forthereisnotoneamongthem
butIdoteonhisveryabsence,andIprayGodgrant
themafairdeparture.
NERISSA
Doyounotremember,lady,inyourfather'stime,a
Venetian,ascholarandasoldier,thatcamehither
incompanyoftheMarquisofMontferrat?
PORTIA
Yes,yes,itwasBassanioasIthink,hewassocalled.
NERISSA
True,madam:he,ofallthementhatevermyfoolish
eyeslookedupon,wasthebestdeservingafairlady.
PORTIA
Irememberhimwell,andIrememberhimworthyof
thypraise.
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EnteraServingman
Hownow!whatnews?
Servant
Thefourstrangersseekforyou,madam,totake
theirleave:andthereisaforerunnercomefroma
fifth,thePrinceofMorocco,whobringswordthe
princehismasterwillbeheretonight.
PORTIA
IfIcouldbidthefifthwelcomewithsogooda
heartasIcanbidtheotherfourfarewell,Ishould
begladofhisapproach:ifhehavethecondition
ofasaintandthecomplexionofadevil,Ihad
ratherheshouldshrivemethanwiveme.Come,
Nerissa.Sirrah,gobefore.
Whilesweshutthegates
upononewooer,anotherknocksatthedoor.
Exeunt
SCENEIII.Venice.Apublicplace.
EnterBASSANIOandSHYLOCK
SHYLOCK
Threethousandducatswell.
BASSANIO
Ay,sir,forthreemonths.
SHYLOCK
Forthreemonthswell.
BASSANIO
Forthewhich,asItoldyou,Antonioshallbebound.
SHYLOCK
Antonioshallbecomeboundwell.
BASSANIO
Mayyousteadme?willyoupleasureme?shallI
knowyouranswer?
SHYLOCK
ThreethousandducatsforthreemonthsandAntoniobound.
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BASSANIO
Youranswertothat.
SHYLOCK
Antonioisagoodman.
BASSANIO
Haveyouheardanyimputationtothecontrary?
SHYLOCK
Oh,no,no,no,no:mymeaninginsayingheisa
goodmanistohaveyouunderstandmethatheis
sufficient.Yethismeansareinsupposition:he
hathanargosyboundtoTripolis,anothertothe
IndiesIunderstandmoreover,upontheRialto,he
hathathirdatMexico,afourthforEngland,and
otherventureshehath,squanderedabroad.Butships
arebutboards,sailorsbutmen:therebelandrats
andwaterrats,waterthievesandlandthieves,I
meanpirates,andthenthereistheperilofwaters,
windsandrocks.Themanis,notwithstanding,
sufficient.ThreethousandducatsIthinkImay
takehisbond.
BASSANIO
Beassuredyoumay.
SHYLOCK
IwillbeassuredImayand,thatImaybeassured,
Iwillbethinkme.MayIspeakwithAntonio?
BASSANIO
Ifitpleaseyoutodinewithus.
SHYLOCK
Yes,tosmellporktoeatofthehabitationwhich
yourprophettheNazariteconjuredthedevilinto.I
willbuywithyou,sellwithyou,talkwithyou,
walkwithyou,andsofollowing,butIwillnoteat
withyou,drinkwithyou,norpraywithyou.What
newsontheRialto?Whoishecomeshere?
EnterANTONIO
BASSANIO
ThisisSigniorAntonio.
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SHYLOCK
[Aside]Howlikeafawningpublicanhelooks!
IhatehimforheisaChristian,
Butmoreforthatinlowsimplicity
Helendsoutmoneygratisandbringsdown
TherateofusanceherewithusinVenice.
IfIcancatchhimonceuponthehip,
IwillfeedfattheancientgrudgeIbearhim.
Hehatesoursacrednation,andherails,
Eventherewheremerchantsmostdocongregate,
Onme,mybargainsandmywellwonthrift,
Whichhecallsinterest.Cursedbemytribe,
IfIforgivehim!
BASSANIO
Shylock,doyouhear?
SHYLOCK
Iamdebatingofmypresentstore,
And,bythenearguessofmymemory,
Icannotinstantlyraiseupthegross
Offullthreethousandducats.Whatofthat?
Tubal,awealthyHebrewofmytribe,
Willfurnishme.Butsoft!howmanymonths
Doyoudesire?
ToANTONIO
Restyoufair,goodsignior
Yourworshipwasthelastmaninourmouths.
ANTONIO
Shylock,althoughIneitherlendnorborrow
Bytakingnorbygivingofexcess,
Yet,tosupplytheripewantsofmyfriend,
I'llbreakacustom.Isheyetpossess'd
Howmuchyewould?
SHYLOCK
Ay,ay,threethousandducats.
ANTONIO
Andforthreemonths.
SHYLOCK
Ihadforgotthreemonthsyoutoldmeso.
Wellthen,yourbondandletmeseebuthearyou
Methoughtyousaidyouneitherlendnorborrow
Uponadvantage.
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ANTONIO
Idoneveruseit.
SHYLOCK
WhenJacobgrazedhisuncleLaban'ssheep
ThisJacobfromourholyAbramwas,
Ashiswisemotherwroughtinhisbehalf,
Thethirdpossessoray,hewasthethird
ANTONIO
Andwhatofhim?didhetakeinterest?
SHYLOCK
No,nottakeinterest,not,asyouwouldsay,
Directlyinterest:markwhatJacobdid.
WhenLabanandhimselfwerecompromised
Thatalltheeanlingswhichwerestreak'dandpied
ShouldfallasJacob'shire,theewes,beingrank,
Intheendofautumnturnedtotherams,
And,whentheworkofgenerationwas
Betweenthesewoollybreedersintheact,
Theskilfulshepherdpeel'dmecertainwands,
And,inthedoingofthedeedofkind,
Hestuckthemupbeforethefulsomeewes,
Whothenconceivingdidineaningtime
Fallparticolour'dlambs,andthosewereJacob's.
Thiswasawaytothrive,andhewasblest:
Andthriftisblessing,ifmenstealitnot.
ANTONIO
Thiswasaventure,sir,thatJacobservedfor
Athingnotinhispowertobringtopass,
Butsway'dandfashion'dbythehandofheaven.
Wasthisinsertedtomakeinterestgood?
Orisyourgoldandsilverewesandrams?
SHYLOCK
IcannottellImakeitbreedasfast:
Butnoteme,signior.
ANTONIO
Markyouthis,Bassanio,
ThedevilcanciteScriptureforhispurpose.
Anevilsoulproducingholywitness
Islikeavillainwithasmilingcheek,
Agoodlyapplerottenattheheart:
O,whatagoodlyoutsidefalsehoodhath!
SHYLOCK
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Threethousandducats'tisagoodroundsum.
Threemonthsfromtwelvethen,letmeseetherate
ANTONIO
Well,Shylock,shallwebebeholdingtoyou?
SHYLOCK
SigniorAntonio,manyatimeandoft
IntheRialtoyouhaveratedme
Aboutmymoneysandmyusances:
StillhaveIborneitwithapatientshrug,
Forsufferanceisthebadgeofallourtribe.
Youcallmemisbeliever,cutthroatdog,
AndspituponmyJewishgaberdine,
Andallforuseofthatwhichismineown.
Wellthen,itnowappearsyouneedmyhelp:
Goto,thenyoucometome,andyousay
'Shylock,wewouldhavemoneys:'yousayso
You,thatdidvoidyourrheumuponmybeard
Andfootmeasyouspurnastrangercur
Overyourthreshold:moneysisyoursuit
WhatshouldIsaytoyou?ShouldInotsay
'Hathadogmoney?isitpossible
Acurcanlendthreethousandducats?'Or
ShallIbendlowandinabondman'skey,
Withbatedbreathandwhisperinghumbleness,Saythis
'Fairsir,youspitonmeonWednesdaylast
Youspurn'dmesuchadayanothertime
Youcall'dmedogandforthesecourtesies
I'lllendyouthusmuchmoneys'?
ANTONIO
Iamasliketocalltheesoagain,
Tospitontheeagain,tospurntheetoo.
Ifthouwiltlendthismoney,lenditnot
Astothyfriendsforwhendidfriendshiptake
Abreedforbarrenmetalofhisfriend?
Butlenditrathertothineenemy,
Who,ifhebreak,thoumaystwithbetterface
Exactthepenalty.
SHYLOCK
Why,lookyou,howyoustorm!
Iwouldbefriendswithyouandhaveyourlove,
Forgettheshamesthatyouhavestain'dmewith,
Supplyyourpresentwantsandtakenodoit
Ofusanceformymoneys,andyou'llnothearme:
ThisiskindIoffer.
BASSANIO
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Thiswerekindness.
SHYLOCK
ThiskindnesswillIshow.
Gowithmetoanotary,sealmethere
Yoursinglebondand,inamerrysport,
Ifyourepaymenotonsuchaday,
Insuchaplace,suchsumorsumsasare
Express'dinthecondition,lettheforfeit
Benominatedforanequalpound
Ofyourfairflesh,tobecutoffandtaken
Inwhatpartofyourbodypleasethme.
ANTONIO
Content,i'faith:I'llsealtosuchabond
AndsaythereismuchkindnessintheJew.
BASSANIO
Youshallnotsealtosuchabondforme:
I'llratherdwellinmynecessity.
ANTONIO
Why,fearnot,manIwillnotforfeitit:
Withinthesetwomonths,that'samonthbefore
Thisbondexpires,Idoexpectreturn
Ofthricethreetimesthevalueofthisbond.
SHYLOCK
OfatherAbram,whattheseChristiansare,
Whoseownharddealingsteachesthemsuspect
Thethoughtsofothers!Prayyou,tellmethis
Ifheshouldbreakhisday,whatshouldIgain
Bytheexactionoftheforfeiture?
Apoundofman'sfleshtakenfromaman
Isnotsoestimable,profitableneither,
Asfleshofmuttons,beefs,orgoats.Isay,
Tobuyhisfavour,Iextendthisfriendship:
Ifhewilltakeit,soifnot,adieu
And,formylove,Iprayyouwrongmenot.
ANTONIO
YesShylock,Iwillsealuntothisbond.
SHYLOCK
Thenmeetmeforthwithatthenotary's
Givehimdirectionforthismerrybond,
AndIwillgoandpursetheducatsstraight,
Seetomyhouse,leftinthefearfulguard
Ofanunthriftyknave,andpresently
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Iwillbewithyou.
ANTONIO
Hiethee,gentleJew.
ExitShylock
TheHebrewwillturnChristian:hegrowskind.
BASSANIO
Ilikenotfairtermsandavillain'smind.
ANTONIO
Comeon:inthistherecanbenodismay
Myshipscomehomeamonthbeforetheday.
Exeunt
ACTII
SCENEI.Belmont.AroominPORTIA'Shouse.
Flourishofcornets.EnterthePRINCEOFMOROCCOandhistrainPORTIA,
NERISSA,andothersattending
MOROCCO
Mislikemenotformycomplexion,
Theshadow'dliveryoftheburnish'dsun,
TowhomIamaneighbourandnearbred.
Bringmethefairestcreaturenorthwardborn,
WherePhoebus'firescarcethawstheicicles,
Andletusmakeincisionforyourlove,
Toprovewhosebloodisreddest,hisormine.
Itellthee,lady,thisaspectofmine
Hathfear'dthevaliant:bymyloveIswear
Thebestregardedvirginsofourclime
Havelovedittoo:Iwouldnotchangethishue,
Excepttostealyourthoughts,mygentlequeen.
PORTIA
IntermsofchoiceIamnotsolelyled
Bynicedirectionofamaiden'seyes
Besides,thelotteryofmydestiny
Barsmetherightofvoluntarychoosing:
Butifmyfatherhadnotscantedme
Andhedgedmebyhiswit,toyieldmyself
HiswifewhowinsmebythatmeansItoldyou,
Yourself,renownedprince,thenstoodasfair
AsanycomerIhavelook'donyet
Formyaffection.
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MOROCCO
EvenforthatIthankyou:
Therefore,Iprayyou,leadmetothecaskets
Totrymyfortune.Bythisscimitar
ThatslewtheSophyandaPersianprince
ThatwonthreefieldsofSultanSolyman,
Iwouldoutstarethesternesteyesthatlook,
Outbravetheheartmostdaringontheearth,
Plucktheyoungsuckingcubsfromtheshebear,
Yea,mockthelionwhenheroarsforprey,
Towinthee,lady.But,alasthewhile!
IfHerculesandLichasplayatdice
Whichisthebetterman,thegreaterthrow
Mayturnbyfortunefromtheweakerhand:
SoisAlcidesbeatenbyhispage
AndsomayI,blindfortuneleadingme,
Missthatwhichoneunworthiermayattain,
Anddiewithgrieving.
PORTIA
Youmusttakeyourchance,
Andeithernotattempttochooseatall
Orswearbeforeyouchoose,ifyouchoosewrong
Nevertospeaktoladyafterward
Inwayofmarriage:thereforebeadvised.
MOROCCO
Norwillnot.Come,bringmeuntomychance.
PORTIA
First,forwardtothetemple:afterdinner
Yourhazardshallbemade.
MOROCCO
Goodfortunethen!
Tomakemeblestorcursed'stamongmen.
Cornets,andexeunt
SCENEII.Venice.Astreet.
EnterLAUNCELOT
LAUNCELOT
Certainlymyconsciencewillservemetorunfrom
thisJewmymaster.Thefiendisatmineelbowand
temptsmesayingtome'Gobbo,LauncelotGobbo,good
Launcelot,'or'goodGobbo,'orgoodLauncelot
Gobbo,useyourlegs,takethestart,runaway.My
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consciencesays'Notakeheed,'honestLauncelot
takeheed,honestGobbo,or,asaforesaid,'honest
LauncelotGobbodonotrunscornrunningwiththy
heels.'Well,themostcourageousfiendbidsme
pack:'Via!'saysthefiend'away!'saysthe
fiend'fortheheavens,rouseupabravemind,'
saysthefiend,'andrun.'Well,myconscience,
hangingabouttheneckofmyheart,saysverywisely
tome'MyhonestfriendLauncelot,beinganhonest
man'sson,'orratheranhonestwoman'ssonfor,
indeed,myfatherdidsomethingsmack,something
growto,hehadakindoftastewell,myconscience
says'Launcelot,budgenot.''Budge,'saysthe
fiend.'Budgenot,'saysmyconscience.
'Conscience,'sayI,'youcounselwell''Fiend,'
sayI,'youcounselwell:'toberuledbymy
conscience,IshouldstaywiththeJewmymaster,
who,Godblessthemark,isakindofdeviland,to
runawayfromtheJew,Ishouldberuledbythe
fiend,who,savingyourreverence,isthedevil
himself.CertainlytheJewistheverydevil
incarnaland,inmyconscience,myconscienceis
butakindofhardconscience,tooffertocounsel
metostaywiththeJew.Thefiendgivesthemore
friendlycounsel:Iwillrun,fiendmyheelsare
atyourcommandIwillrun.
EnterOldGOBBO,withabasket
GOBBO
Masteryoungman,you,Iprayyou,whichistheway
tomasterJew's?
LAUNCELOT
[Aside]Oheavens,thisismytruebegottenfather!
who,beingmorethansandblind,highgravelblind,
knowsmenot:Iwilltryconfusionswithhim.
GOBBO
Masteryounggentleman,Iprayyou,whichistheway
tomasterJew's?
LAUNCELOT
Turnuponyourrighthandatthenextturning,but,
atthenextturningofall,onyourleftmarry,at
theverynextturning,turnofnohand,butturn
downindirectlytotheJew'shouse.
GOBBO
ByGod'ssonties,'twillbeahardwaytohit.Can
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youtellmewhetheroneLauncelot,
thatdwellswithhim,dwellwithhimorno?
LAUNCELOT
TalkyouofyoungMasterLauncelot?
Aside
MarkmenownowwillIraisethewaters.Talkyou
ofyoungMasterLauncelot?
GOBBO
Nomaster,sir,butapoorman'sson:hisfather,
thoughIsayit,isanhonestexceedingpoorman
and,Godbethanked,welltolive.
LAUNCELOT
Well,lethisfatherbewhata'will,wetalkof
youngMasterLauncelot.
GOBBO
Yourworship'sfriendandLauncelot,sir.
LAUNCELOT
ButIprayyou,ergo,oldman,ergo,Ibeseechyou,
talkyouofyoungMasterLauncelot?
GOBBO
OfLauncelot,an'tpleaseyourmastership.
LAUNCELOT
Ergo,MasterLauncelot.TalknotofMaster
Launcelot,fatherfortheyounggentleman,
accordingtoFatesandDestiniesandsuchodd
sayings,theSistersThreeandsuchbranchesof
learning,isindeeddeceased,or,asyouwouldsay
inplainterms,gonetoheaven.
GOBBO
Marry,Godforbid!theboywastheverystaffofmy
age,myveryprop.
LAUNCELOT
DoIlooklikeacudgelorahovelpost,astaffor
aprop?Doyouknowme,father?
GOBBO
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Alacktheday,Iknowyounot,younggentleman:
but,Iprayyou,tellme,ismyboy,Godresthis
soul,aliveordead?
LAUNCELOT
Doyounotknowme,father?
GOBBO
Alack,sir,IamsandblindIknowyounot.
LAUNCELOT
Nay,indeed,ifyouhadyoureyes,youmightfailof
theknowingme:itisawisefatherthatknowshis
ownchild.Well,oldman,Iwilltellyounewsof
yourson:givemeyourblessing:truthwillcome
tolightmurdercannotbehidlongaman'sson
may,butatthelengthtruthwillout.
GOBBO
Prayyou,sir,standup:Iamsureyouarenot
Launcelot,myboy.
LAUNCELOT
Prayyou,let'shavenomorefoolingaboutit,but
givemeyourblessing:IamLauncelot,yourboy
thatwas,yoursonthatis,yourchildthatshall
be.
GOBBO
Icannotthinkyouaremyson.
LAUNCELOT
IknownotwhatIshallthinkofthat:butIam
Launcelot,theJew'sman,andIamsureMargeryyour
wifeismymother.
GOBBO
HernameisMargery,indeed:I'llbesworn,ifthou
beLauncelot,thouartmineownfleshandblood.
Lordworshippedmighthebe!whatabeardhastthou
got!thouhastgotmorehaironthychinthan
Dobbinmyfillhorsehasonhistail.
LAUNCELOT
Itshouldseem,then,thatDobbin'stailgrows
backward:Iamsurehehadmorehairofhistail
thanIhaveofmyfacewhenIlastsawhim.
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GOBBO
Lord,howartthouchanged!Howdostthouandthy
masteragree?Ihavebroughthimapresent.How
'greeyounow?
LAUNCELOT
Well,well:but,formineownpart,asIhaveset
upmyresttorunaway,soIwillnotresttillI
haverunsomeground.Mymaster'saveryJew:give
himapresent!givehimahalter:Iamfamishedin
hisserviceyoumaytelleveryfingerIhavewith
myribs.Father,Iamgladyouarecome:giveme
yourpresenttooneMasterBassanio,who,indeed,
givesrarenewliveries:ifIservenothim,I
willrunasfarasGodhasanyground.Orare
fortune!herecomestheman:tohim,fatherforI
amaJew,ifIservetheJewanylonger.
EnterBASSANIO,withLEONARDOandotherfollowers
BASSANIO
Youmaydosobutletitbesohastedthatsupper
bereadyatthefarthestbyfiveoftheclock.See
theselettersdeliveredputtheliveriestomaking,
anddesireGratianotocomeanontomylodging.
ExitaServant
LAUNCELOT
Tohim,father.
GOBBO
Godblessyourworship!
BASSANIO
Gramercy!wouldstthouaughtwithme?
GOBBO
Here'smyson,sir,apoorboy,
LAUNCELOT
Notapoorboy,sir,buttherichJew'smanthat
would,sir,asmyfathershallspecify
GOBBO
Hehathagreatinfection,sir,asonewouldsay,toserve
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LAUNCELOT
Indeed,theshortandthelongis,IservetheJew,
andhaveadesire,asmyfathershallspecify
GOBBO
Hismasterandhe,savingyourworship'sreverence,
arescarcecatercousins
LAUNCELOT
Tobebrief,theverytruthisthattheJew,having
donemewrong,dothcauseme,asmyfather,being,I
hope,anoldman,shallfrutifyuntoyou
GOBBO
IhavehereadishofdovesthatIwouldbestowupon
yourworship,andmysuitis
LAUNCELOT
Inverybrief,thesuitisimpertinenttomyself,as
yourworshipshallknowbythishonestoldmanand,
thoughIsayit,thougholdman,yetpoorman,myfather.
BASSANIO
Onespeakforboth.Whatwouldyou?
LAUNCELOT
Serveyou,sir.
GOBBO
Thatistheverydefectofthematter,sir.
BASSANIO
Iknowtheewellthouhastobtain'dthysuit:
Shylockthymasterspokewithmethisday,
Andhathpreferr'dthee,ifitbepreferment
ToleavearichJew'sservice,tobecome
Thefollowerofsopooragentleman.
LAUNCELOT
Theoldproverbisverywellpartedbetweenmy
masterShylockandyou,sir:youhavethegraceof
God,sir,andhehathenough.
BASSANIO
Thouspeak'stitwell.Go,father,withthyson.
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Takeleaveofthyoldmasterandinquire
Mylodgingout.Givehimalivery
Moreguardedthanhisfellows':seeitdone.
LAUNCELOT
Father,in.Icannotgetaservice,noIhave
ne'eratongueinmyhead.Well,ifanymanin
Italyhaveafairertablewhichdothoffertoswear
uponabook,Ishallhavegoodfortune.Goto,
here'sasimplelineoflife:here'sasmalltrifle
ofwives:alas,fifteenwivesisnothing!eleven
widowsandninemaidsisasimplecominginforone
man:andthento'scapedrowningthrice,andtobe
inperilofmylifewiththeedgeofafeatherbed
herearesimplescapes.Well,ifFortunebea
woman,she'sagoodwenchforthisgear.Father,
comeI'lltakemyleaveoftheJewinthetwinklingofaneye.
ExeuntLauncelotandOldGobbo
BASSANIO
Ipraythee,goodLeonardo,thinkonthis:
Thesethingsbeingboughtandorderlybestow'd,
Returninhaste,forIdofeasttonight
Mybestesteem'dacquaintance:hiethee,go.
LEONARDO
Mybestendeavoursshallbedoneherein.
EnterGRATIANO
GRATIANO
Whereisyourmaster?
LEONARDO
Yonder,sir,hewalks.
Exit
GRATIANO
SigniorBassanio!
BASSANIO
Gratiano!
GRATIANO
Ihaveasuittoyou.
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BASSANIO
Youhaveobtain'dit.
GRATIANO
Youmustnotdenyme:ImustgowithyoutoBelmont.
BASSANIO
Whythenyoumust.Buthearthee,Gratiano
Thouarttoowild,toorudeandboldofvoice
Partsthatbecometheehappilyenough
Andinsucheyesasoursappearnotfaults
Butwherethouartnotknown,why,theretheyshow
Somethingtooliberal.Praythee,takepain
Toallaywithsomecolddropsofmodesty
Thyskippingspirit,lestthroughthywildbehavior
IbemisconstruedintheplaceIgoto,
Andlosemyhopes.
GRATIANO
SigniorBassanio,hearme:
IfIdonotputonasoberhabit,
Talkwithrespectandswearbutnowandthen,
Wearprayerbooksinmypocket,lookdemurely,
Naymore,whilegraceissaying,hoodmineeyes
Thuswithmyhat,andsighandsay'amen,'
Usealltheobservanceofcivility,
Likeonewellstudiedinasadostent
Topleasehisgrandam,nevertrustmemore.
BASSANIO
Well,weshallseeyourbearing.
GRATIANO
Nay,butIbartonight:youshallnotgaugeme
Bywhatwedotonight.
BASSANIO
No,thatwerepity:
Iwouldentreatyourathertoputon
Yourboldestsuitofmirth,forwehavefriends
Thatpurposemerriment.Butfareyouwell:
Ihavesomebusiness.
GRATIANO
AndImusttoLorenzoandtherest:
Butwewillvisityouatsuppertime.
Exeunt
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SCENEIII.Thesame.AroominSHYLOCK'Shouse.
EnterJESSICAandLAUNCELOT
JESSICA
Iamsorrythouwiltleavemyfatherso:
Ourhouseishell,andthou,amerrydevil,
Didstrobitofsometasteoftediousness.
Butfaretheewell,thereisaducatforthee:
And,Launcelot,soonatsuppershaltthousee
Lorenzo,whoisthynewmaster'sguest:
Givehimthisletterdoitsecretly
Andsofarewell:Iwouldnothavemyfather
Seemeintalkwiththee.
LAUNCELOT
Adieu!tearsexhibitmytongue.Mostbeautiful
pagan,mostsweetJew!ifaChristiandidnotplay
theknaveandgetthee,Iammuchdeceived.But,
adieu:thesefoolishdropsdosomethingdrownmy
manlyspirit:adieu.
JESSICA
Farewell,goodLauncelot.
ExitLauncelot
Alack,whatheinoussinisitinme
Tobeashamedtobemyfather'schild!
ButthoughIamadaughtertohisblood,
Iamnottohismanners.OLorenzo,
Ifthoukeeppromise,Ishallendthisstrife,
BecomeaChristianandthylovingwife.
Exit
SCENEIV.Thesame.Astreet.
EnterGRATIANO,LORENZO,SALARINO,andSALANIO
LORENZO
Nay,wewillslinkawayinsuppertime,
Disguiseusatmylodgingandreturn,
Allinanhour.
GRATIANO
Wehavenotmadegoodpreparation.
SALARINO
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Wehavenotspokeusyetoftorchbearers.
SALANIO
'Tisvile,unlessitmaybequaintlyorder'd,
Andbetterinmymindnotundertook.
LORENZO
'Tisnowbutfouro'clock:wehavetwohours
Tofurnishus.
EnterLAUNCELOT,withaletter
FriendLauncelot,what'sthenews?
LAUNCELOT
Anitshallpleaseyoutobreakup
this,itshallseemtosignify.
LORENZO
Iknowthehand:infaith,'tisafairhand
Andwhiterthanthepaperitwriton
Isthefairhandthatwrit.
GRATIANO
Lovenews,infaith.
LAUNCELOT
Byyourleave,sir.
LORENZO
Whithergoestthou?
LAUNCELOT
Marry,sir,tobidmyoldmasterthe
JewtosuptonightwithmynewmastertheChristian.
LORENZO
Holdhere,takethis:tellgentleJessica
Iwillnotfailherspeakitprivately.
Go,gentlemen,
ExitLauncelot
Willyouprepareyouforthismasquetonight?
Iamprovidedofatorchbearer.
SALANIO
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Ay,marry,I'llbegoneaboutitstraight.
SALANIO
AndsowillI.
LORENZO
MeetmeandGratiano
AtGratiano'slodgingsomehourhence.
SALARINO
'Tisgoodwedoso.
ExeuntSALARINOandSALANIO
GRATIANO
WasnotthatletterfromfairJessica?
LORENZO
Imustneedstelltheeall.Shehathdirected
HowIshalltakeherfromherfather'shouse,
Whatgoldandjewelssheisfurnish'dwith,
Whatpage'ssuitshehathinreadiness.
Ife'ertheJewherfathercometoheaven,
Itwillbeforhisgentledaughter'ssake:
Andneverdaremisfortunecrossherfoot,
Unlessshedoitunderthisexcuse,
ThatsheisissuetoafaithlessJew.
Come,gowithmeperusethisasthougoest:
FairJessicashallbemytorchbearer.
Exeunt
SCENEV.Thesame.BeforeSHYLOCK'Shouse.
EnterSHYLOCKandLAUNCELOT
SHYLOCK
Well,thoushaltsee,thyeyesshallbethyjudge,
ThedifferenceofoldShylockandBassanio:
What,Jessica!thoushaltnotgormandise,
Asthouhastdonewithme:What,Jessica!
Andsleepandsnore,andrendapparelout
Why,Jessica,Isay!
LAUNCELOT
Why,Jessica!
SHYLOCK
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Whobidstheecall?Idonotbidtheecall.
LAUNCELOT
Yourworshipwaswonttotellmethat
Icoulddonothingwithoutbidding.
EnterJessica
JESSICA
Callyou?whatisyourwill?
SHYLOCK
Iambidforthtosupper,Jessica:
Therearemykeys.ButwhereforeshouldIgo?
Iamnotbidforlovetheyflatterme:
ButyetI'llgoinhate,tofeedupon
TheprodigalChristian.Jessica,mygirl,
Looktomyhouse.Iamrightloathtogo:
Thereissomeillabrewingtowardsmyrest,
ForIdiddreamofmoneybagstonight.
LAUNCELOT
Ibeseechyou,sir,go:myyoungmasterdothexpect
yourreproach.
SHYLOCK
SodoIhis.
LAUNCELOT
Antheyhaveconspiredtogether,Iwillnotsayyou
shallseeamasquebutifyoudo,thenitwasnot
fornothingthatmynosefellableedingon
BlackMondaylastatsixo'clocki'themorning,
fallingoutthatyearonAshWednesdaywasfour
year,intheafternoon.
SHYLOCK
What,aretheremasques?Hearyoume,Jessica:
Lockupmydoorsandwhenyouhearthedrum
Andthevilesquealingofthewryneck'dfife,
Clambernotyouuptothecasementsthen,
Northrustyourheadintothepublicstreet
TogazeonChristianfoolswithvarnish'dfaces,
Butstopmyhouse'sears,Imeanmycasements:
Letnotthesoundofshallowfopperyenter
Mysoberhouse.ByJacob'sstaff,Iswear,
Ihavenomindoffeastingforthtonight:
ButIwillgo.Goyoubeforeme,sirrah
SayIwillcome.
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LAUNCELOT
Iwillgobefore,sir.Mistress,lookoutat
window,forallthis,TherewillcomeaChristian
boy,willbeworthaJewess'eye.
Exit
SHYLOCK
WhatsaysthatfoolofHagar'soffspring,ha?
JESSICA
Hiswordswere'Farewellmistress'nothingelse.
SHYLOCK
Thepatchiskindenough,butahugefeeder
Snailslowinprofit,andhesleepsbyday
Morethanthewildcat:droneshivenotwithme
ThereforeIpartwithhim,andpartwithhim
Toonethatwouldhavehimhelptowaste
Hisborrow'dpurse.Well,Jessica,goin
PerhapsIwillreturnimmediately:
DoasIbidyoushutdoorsafteryou:
Fastbind,fastfind
Aproverbneverstaleinthriftymind.
Exit
JESSICA
Farewellandifmyfortunebenotcrost,
Ihaveafather,youadaughter,lost.
Exit
SCENEVI.Thesame.
EnterGRATIANOandSALARINO,masqued
GRATIANO
ThisisthepenthouseunderwhichLorenzo
Desiredustomakestand.
SALARINO
Hishourisalmostpast.
GRATIANO
Anditismarvelheoutdwellshishour,
Forloverseverrunbeforetheclock.
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SALARINO
O,tentimesfasterVenus'pigeonsfly
Toseallove'sbondsnewmade,thantheyarewont
Tokeepobligedfaithunforfeited!
GRATIANO
Thateverholds:whorisethfromafeast
Withthatkeenappetitethathesitsdown?
Whereisthehorsethatdothuntreadagain
Histediousmeasureswiththeunbatedfire
Thathedidpacethemfirst?Allthingsthatare,
Arewithmorespiritchasedthanenjoy'd.
Howlikeayounkeroraprodigal
Thescarfedbarkputsfromhernativebay,
Hugg'dandembracedbythestrumpetwind!
Howliketheprodigaldothshereturn,
Withoverweather'dribsandraggedsails,
Lean,rentandbeggar'dbythestrumpetwind!
SALARINO
HerecomesLorenzo:moreofthishereafter.
EnterLORENZO
LORENZO
Sweetfriends,yourpatienceformylongabode
NotI,butmyaffairs,havemadeyouwait:
Whenyoushallpleasetoplaythethievesforwives,
I'llwatchaslongforyouthen.Approach
HeredwellsmyfatherJew.Ho!who'swithin?
EnterJESSICA,above,inboy'sclothes
JESSICA
Whoareyou?Tellme,formorecertainty,
AlbeitI'llswearthatIdoknowyourtongue.
LORENZO
Lorenzo,andthylove.
JESSICA
Lorenzo,certain,andmyloveindeed,
ForwholoveIsomuch?Andnowwhoknows
Butyou,Lorenzo,whetherIamyours?
LORENZO
Heavenandthythoughtsarewitnessthatthouart.
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JESSICA
Here,catchthiscasketitisworththepains.
Iamglad'tisnight,youdonotlookonme,
ForIammuchashamedofmyexchange:
Butloveisblindandloverscannotsee
Theprettyfolliesthatthemselvescommit
Foriftheycould,Cupidhimselfwouldblush
Toseemethustransformedtoaboy.
LORENZO
Descend,foryoumustbemytorchbearer.
JESSICA
What,mustIholdacandletomyshames?
Theyinthemselves,goodsooth,aretootoolight.
Why,'tisanofficeofdiscovery,love
AndIshouldbeobscured.
LORENZO
Soareyou,sweet,
Eveninthelovelygarnishofaboy.
Butcomeatonce
Fortheclosenightdothplaytherunaway,
Andwearestay'dforatBassanio'sfeast.
JESSICA
Iwillmakefastthedoors,andgildmyself
Withsomemoreducats,andbewithyoustraight.
Exitabove
GRATIANO
Now,bymyhood,aGentileandnoJew.
LORENZO
BeshrewmebutIloveherheartily
Forsheiswise,ifIcanjudgeofher,
Andfairsheis,ifthatmineeyesbetrue,
Andtruesheis,asshehathprovedherself,
Andtherefore,likeherself,wise,fairandtrue,
Shallshebeplacedinmyconstantsoul.
EnterJESSICA,below
What,artthoucome?On,gentlemenaway!
Ourmasquingmatesbythistimeforusstay.
ExitwithJessicaandSalarino
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EnterANTONIO
ANTONIO
Who'sthere?
GRATIANO
SigniorAntonio!
ANTONIO
Fie,fie,Gratiano!wherearealltherest?
'Tisnineo'clock:ourfriendsallstayforyou.
Nomasquetonight:thewindiscomeabout
Bassaniopresentlywillgoaboard:
Ihavesenttwentyouttoseekforyou.
GRATIANO
Iamgladon't:Idesirenomoredelight
Thantobeundersailandgonetonight.
Exeunt
SCENEVII.Belmont.AroominPORTIA'Shouse.
Flourishofcornets.EnterPORTIA,withthePRINCEOFMOROCCO,andtheirtrains
PORTIA
Godrawasidethecurtainsanddiscover
Theseveralcasketstothisnobleprince.
Nowmakeyourchoice.
MOROCCO
Thefirst,ofgold,whothisinscriptionbears,
'Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire'
Thesecond,silver,whichthispromisecarries,
'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves'
Thisthird,dulllead,withwarningallasblunt,
'Whochoosethmemustgiveandhazardallhehath.'
HowshallIknowifIdochoosetheright?
PORTIA
Theoneofthemcontainsmypicture,prince:
Ifyouchoosethat,thenIamyourswithal.
MOROCCO
Somegoddirectmyjudgment!Letmesee
Iwillsurveytheinscriptionsbackagain.
Whatsaysthisleadencasket?
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Mustgive:forwhat?forlead?hazardforlead?
Thiscasketthreatens.Menthathazardall
Doitinhopeoffairadvantages:
Agoldenmindstoopsnottoshowsofdross
I'llthennorgivenorhazardaughtforlead.
Whatsaysthesilverwithhervirginhue?
'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves.'
Asmuchashedeserves!Pausethere,Morocco,
Andweighthyvaluewithanevenhand:
Ifthoube'stratedbythyestimation,
Thoudostdeserveenoughandyetenough
Maynotextendsofarastothelady:
Andyettobeafeardofmydeserving
Werebutaweakdisablingofmyself.
AsmuchasIdeserve!Why,that'sthelady:
Idoinbirthdeserveher,andinfortunes,
Ingracesandinqualitiesofbreeding
Butmorethanthese,inloveIdodeserve.
WhatifIstray'dnofurther,butchosehere?
Let'sseeoncemorethissayinggravedingold
'Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire.'
Why,that'stheladyalltheworlddesiresher
Fromthefourcornersoftheearththeycome,
Tokissthisshrine,thismortalbreathingsaint:
TheHyrcaniandesertsandthevastywilds
OfwideArabiaareasthoroughfaresnow
ForprincestocomeviewfairPortia:
Thewaterykingdom,whoseambitioushead
Spitsinthefaceofheaven,isnobar
Tostoptheforeignspirits,buttheycome,
Aso'erabrook,toseefairPortia.
Oneofthesethreecontainsherheavenlypicture.
Is'tlikethatleadcontainsher?'Tweredamnation
Tothinksobaseathought:itweretoogross
Toribhercereclothintheobscuregrave.
OrshallIthinkinsilvershe'simmured,
Beingtentimesundervaluedtotriedgold?
Osinfulthought!Neversorichagem
Wassetinworsethangold.TheyhaveinEngland
Acointhatbearsthefigureofanangel
Stampedingold,butthat'sinsculp'dupon
Buthereanangelinagoldenbed
Liesallwithin.Delivermethekey:
HeredoIchoose,andthriveIasImay!
PORTIA
There,takeit,princeandifmyformliethere,
ThenIamyours.
Heunlocksthegoldencasket
MOROCCO
Ohell!whathavewehere?
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AcarrionDeath,withinwhoseemptyeye
Thereisawrittenscroll!I'llreadthewriting.
Reads
Allthatglittersisnotgold
Oftenhaveyouheardthattold:
Manyamanhislifehathsold
Butmyoutsidetobehold:
Gildedtombsdowormsenfold.
Hadyoubeenaswiseasbold,
Younginlimbs,injudgmentold,
Youranswerhadnotbeeninscroll'd:
Fareyouwellyoursuitiscold.
Cold,indeedandlabourlost:
Then,farewell,heat,andwelcome,frost!
Portia,adieu.Ihavetoogrievedaheart
Totakeatediousleave:thusloserspart.
Exitwithhistrain.Flourishofcornets
PORTIA
Agentleriddance.Drawthecurtains,go.
Letallofhiscomplexionchoosemeso.
Exeunt
SCENEVIII.Venice.Astreet.
EnterSALARINOandSALANIO
SALARINO
Why,man,IsawBassanioundersail:
WithhimisGratianogonealong
AndintheirshipIamsureLorenzoisnot.
SALANIO
ThevillainJewwithoutcriesraisedtheduke,
WhowentwithhimtosearchBassanio'sship.
SALARINO
Hecametoolate,theshipwasundersail:
Buttherethedukewasgiventounderstand
Thatinagondolawereseentogether
LorenzoandhisamorousJessica:
Besides,Antoniocertifiedtheduke
TheywerenotwithBassanioinhisship.
SALANIO
Ineverheardapassionsoconfused,
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Sostrange,outrageous,andsovariable,
AsthedogJewdidutterinthestreets:
'Mydaughter!Omyducats!Omydaughter!
FledwithaChristian!OmyChristianducats!
Justice!thelaw!myducats,andmydaughter!
Asealedbag,twosealedbagsofducats,
Ofdoubleducats,stolenfrommebymydaughter!
Andjewels,twostones,tworichandpreciousstones,
Stolenbymydaughter!Justice!findthegirl
Shehaththestonesuponher,andtheducats.'
SALARINO
Why,alltheboysinVenicefollowhim,
Crying,hisstones,hisdaughter,andhisducats.
SALANIO
LetgoodAntoniolookhekeephisday,
Orheshallpayforthis.
SALARINO
Marry,wellremember'd.
Ireason'dwithaFrenchmanyesterday,
Whotoldme,inthenarrowseasthatpart
TheFrenchandEnglish,theremiscarried
Avesselofourcountryrichlyfraught:
IthoughtuponAntoniowhenhetoldme
Andwish'dinsilencethatitwerenothis.
SALANIO
YouwerebesttotellAntoniowhatyouhear
Yetdonotsuddenly,foritmaygrievehim.
SALARINO
Akindergentlemantreadsnottheearth.
IsawBassanioandAntoniopart:
Bassaniotoldhimhewouldmakesomespeed
Ofhisreturn:heanswer'd,'Donotso
Slubbernotbusinessformysake,Bassanio
Butstaytheveryripingofthetime
AndfortheJew'sbondwhichhehathofme,
Letitnotenterinyourmindoflove:
Bemerry,andemployyourchiefestthoughts
Tocourtshipandsuchfairostentsoflove
Asshallconvenientlybecomeyouthere:'
Andeventhere,hiseyebeingbigwithtears,
Turninghisface,heputhishandbehindhim,
Andwithaffectionwondroussensible
HewrungBassanio'shandandsotheyparted.
SALANIO
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Ithinkheonlylovestheworldforhim.
Ipraythee,letusgoandfindhimout
Andquickenhisembracedheaviness
Withsomedelightorother.
SALARINO
Doweso.
Exeunt
SCENEIX.Belmont.AroominPORTIA'Shouse.
EnterNERISSAwithaServitor
NERISSA
Quick,quick,Ipraytheedrawthecurtainstraight:
ThePrinceofArragonhathta'enhisoath,
Andcomestohiselectionpresently.
Flourishofcornets.EnterthePRINCEOFARRAGON,PORTIA,andtheirtrains
PORTIA
Behold,therestandthecaskets,nobleprince:
IfyouchoosethatwhereinIamcontain'd,
Straightshallournuptialritesbesolemnized:
Butifyoufail,withoutmorespeech,mylord,
Youmustbegonefromhenceimmediately.
ARRAGON
Iamenjoin'dbyoathtoobservethreethings:
First,nevertounfoldtoanyone
Whichcasket'twasIchosenext,ifIfail
Oftherightcasket,neverinmylife
Towooamaidinwayofmarriage:Lastly,
IfIdofailinfortuneofmychoice,
Immediatelytoleaveyouandbegone.
PORTIA
Totheseinjunctionseveryonedothswear
Thatcomestohazardformyworthlessself.
ARRAGON
AndsohaveIaddress'dme.Fortunenow
Tomyheart'shope!Goldsilverandbaselead.
Youshalllookfairer,ereIgiveorhazard.
Whatsaysthegoldenchest?ha!letmesee:
'Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire.'
Whatmanymendesire!that'many'maybemeant
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Bythefoolmultitude,thatchoosebyshow,
Notlearningmorethanthefondeyedothteach
Whichpriesnottotheinterior,but,likethemartlet,
Buildsintheweatherontheoutwardwall,
Evenintheforceandroadofcasualty.
Iwillnotchoosewhatmanymendesire,
BecauseIwillnotjumpwithcommonspirits
Andrankmewiththebarbarousmultitudes.
Why,thentothee,thousilvertreasurehouse
Tellmeoncemorewhattitlethoudostbear:
'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves:'
Andwellsaidtooforwhoshallgoabout
Tocozenfortuneandbehonourable
Withoutthestampofmerit?Letnonepresume
Towearanundeserveddignity.
O,thatestates,degreesandoffices
Werenotderivedcorruptly,andthatclearhonour
Werepurchasedbythemeritofthewearer!
Howmanythenshouldcoverthatstandbare!
Howmanybecommandedthatcommand!
Howmuchlowpeasantrywouldthenbeglean'd
Fromthetrueseedofhonour!andhowmuchhonour
Pick'dfromthechaffandruinofthetimes
Tobenewvarnish'd!Well,buttomychoice:
'Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves.'
Iwillassumedesert.Givemeakeyforthis,
Andinstantlyunlockmyfortuneshere.
Heopensthesilvercasket
PORTIA
Toolongapauseforthatwhichyoufindthere.
ARRAGON
What'shere?theportraitofablinkingidiot,
Presentingmeaschedule!Iwillreadit.
HowmuchunlikeartthoutoPortia!
Howmuchunlikemyhopesandmydeservings!
'Whochoosethmeshallhaveasmuchashedeserves.'
DidIdeservenomorethanafool'shead?
Isthatmyprize?aremydesertsnobetter?
PORTIA
Tooffend,andjudge,aredistinctoffices
Andofopposednatures.
ARRAGON
Whatishere?
Reads
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Thefireseventimestriedthis:
Seventimestriedthatjudgmentis,
Thatdidneverchooseamiss.
Sometherebethatshadowskiss
Suchhavebutashadow'sbliss:
Therebefoolsalive,Iwis,
Silver'do'erandsowasthis.
Takewhatwifeyouwilltobed,
Iwilleverbeyourhead:
Sobegone:youaresped.
StillmorefoolIshallappear
BythetimeIlingerhere
Withonefool'sheadIcametowoo,
ButIgoawaywithtwo.
Sweet,adieu.I'llkeepmyoath,
Patientlytobearmywroth.
ExeuntArragonandtrain
PORTIA
Thushaththecandlesingedthemoth.
O,thesedeliberatefools!whentheydochoose,
Theyhavethewisdombytheirwittolose.
NERISSA
Theancientsayingisnoheresy,
Hangingandwivinggoesbydestiny.
PORTIA
Come,drawthecurtain,Nerissa.
EnteraServant
Servant
Whereismylady?
PORTIA
Here:whatwouldmylord?
Servant
Madam,thereisalightedatyourgate
AyoungVenetian,onethatcomesbefore
Tosignifytheapproachingofhislord
Fromwhomhebringethsensibleregreets,
Towit,besidescommendsandcourteousbreath,
Giftsofrichvalue.YetIhavenotseen
Solikelyanambassadoroflove:
AdayinAprilnevercamesosweet,
Toshowhowcostlysummerwasathand,
Asthisforespurrercomesbeforehislord.
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PORTIA
Nomore,Ipraythee:Iamhalfafeard
Thouwiltsayanonheissomekintothee,
Thouspend'stsuchhighdaywitinpraisinghim.
Come,come,NerissaforIlongtosee
QuickCupid'spostthatcomessomannerly.
NERISSA
Bassanio,lordLove,ifthywillitbe!
Exeunt
ACTIII
SCENEI.Venice.Astreet.
EnterSALANIOandSALARINO
SALANIO
Now,whatnewsontheRialto?
SALARINO
Why,yetitlivesthereuncheck'dthatAntoniohath
ashipofrichladingwreckedonthenarrowseas
theGoodwins,Ithinktheycalltheplaceavery
dangerousflatandfatal,wherethecarcassesofmany
atallshiplieburied,astheysay,ifmygossip
Reportbeanhonestwomanofherword.
SALANIO
Iwouldshewereaslyingagossipinthatasever
knappedgingerormadeherneighboursbelieveshe
weptforthedeathofathirdhusband.Butitis
true,withoutanyslipsofprolixityorcrossingthe
plainhighwayoftalk,thatthegoodAntonio,the
honestAntonio,OthatIhadatitlegoodenough
tokeephisnamecompany!
SALARINO
Come,thefullstop.
SALANIO
Ha!whatsayestthou?Why,theendis,hehath
lostaship.
SALARINO
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Iwoulditmightprovetheendofhislosses.
SALANIO
Letmesay'amen'betimes,lestthedevilcrossmy
prayer,forherehecomesinthelikenessofaJew.
EnterSHYLOCK
Hownow,Shylock!whatnewsamongthemerchants?
SHYLOCK
Youknow,nonesowell,nonesowellasyou,ofmy
daughter'sflight.
SALARINO
That'scertain:I,formypart,knewthetailor
thatmadethewingssheflewwithal.
SALANIO
AndShylock,forhisownpart,knewthebirdwas
fledgedandthenitisthecomplexionofthemall
toleavethedam.
SHYLOCK
Sheisdamnedforit.
SALANIO
That'scertain,ifthedevilmaybeherjudge.
SHYLOCK
Myownfleshandbloodtorebel!
SALANIO
Outuponit,oldcarrion!rebelsitattheseyears?
SHYLOCK
Isay,mydaughterismyfleshandblood.
SALARINO
Thereismoredifferencebetweenthyfleshandhers
thanbetweenjetandivorymorebetweenyourbloods
thanthereisbetweenredwineandrhenish.But
tellus,doyouhearwhetherAntoniohavehadany
lossatseaorno?
SHYLOCK
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ThereIhaveanotherbadmatch:abankrupt,a
prodigal,whodarescarceshowhisheadonthe
Rialtoabeggar,thatwasusedtocomesosmugupon
themartlethimlooktohisbond:hewaswontto
callmeusurerlethimlooktohisbond:hewas
wonttolendmoneyforaChristiancourtesylethim
looktohisbond.
SALARINO
Why,Iamsure,ifheforfeit,thouwiltnottake
hisflesh:what'sthatgoodfor?
SHYLOCK
Tobaitfishwithal:ifitwillfeednothingelse,
itwillfeedmyrevenge.Hehathdisgracedme,and
hinderedmehalfamillionlaughedatmylosses,
mockedatmygains,scornedmynation,thwartedmy
bargains,cooledmyfriends,heatedmine
enemiesandwhat'shisreason?IamaJew.Hath
notaJeweyes?hathnotaJewhands,organs,
dimensions,senses,affections,passions?fedwith
thesamefood,hurtwiththesameweapons,subject
tothesamediseases,healedbythesamemeans,
warmedandcooledbythesamewinterandsummer,as
aChristianis?Ifyouprickus,dowenotbleed?
ifyoutickleus,dowenotlaugh?ifyoupoison
us,dowenotdie?andifyouwrongus,shallwenot
revenge?Ifwearelikeyouintherest,wewill
resembleyouinthat.IfaJewwrongaChristian,
whatishishumility?Revenge.IfaChristian
wrongaJew,whatshouldhissufferancebeby
Christianexample?Why,revenge.Thevillanyyou
teachme,Iwillexecute,anditshallgohardbutI
willbettertheinstruction.
EnteraServant
Servant
Gentlemen,mymasterAntonioisathishouseand
desirestospeakwithyouboth.
SALARINO
Wehavebeenupanddowntoseekhim.
EnterTUBAL
SALANIO
Herecomesanotherofthetribe:athirdcannotbe
matched,unlessthedevilhimselfturnJew.
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ExeuntSALANIO,SALARINO,andServant
SHYLOCK
Hownow,Tubal!whatnewsfromGenoa?hastthou
foundmydaughter?
TUBAL
IoftencamewhereIdidhearofher,butcannotfindher.
SHYLOCK
Why,there,there,there,there!adiamondgone,
costmetwothousandducatsinFrankfort!Thecurse
neverfelluponournationtillnowIneverfeltit
tillnow:twothousandducatsinthatandother
precious,preciousjewels.Iwouldmydaughter
weredeadatmyfoot,andthejewelsinherear!
wouldshewerehearsedatmyfoot,andtheducatsin
hercoffin!Nonewsofthem?Why,so:andIknow
notwhat'sspentinthesearch:why,thoulossupon
loss!thethiefgonewithsomuch,andsomuchto
findthethiefandnosatisfaction,norevenge:
nornoinluckstirringbutwhatlightsonmy
shouldersnosighsbutofmybreathingnotears
butofmyshedding.
TUBAL
Yes,othermenhaveilllucktoo:Antonio,asI
heardinGenoa,
SHYLOCK
What,what,what?illluck,illluck?
TUBAL
Hathanargosycastaway,comingfromTripolis.
SHYLOCK
IthankGod,IthankGod.Is'ttrue,is'ttrue?
TUBAL
Ispokewithsomeofthesailorsthatescapedthewreck.
SHYLOCK
Ithankthee,goodTubal:goodnews,goodnews!
ha,ha!where?inGenoa?
TUBAL
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YourdaughterspentinGenoa,asIheard,inone
nightfourscoreducats.
SHYLOCK
Thoustickestadaggerinme:Ishallneverseemy
goldagain:fourscoreducatsatasitting!
fourscoreducats!
TUBAL
TherecamediversofAntonio'screditorsinmy
companytoVenice,thatswearhecannotchoosebutbreak.
SHYLOCK
Iamverygladofit:I'llplaguehimI'lltorture
him:Iamgladofit.
TUBAL
Oneofthemshowedmearingthathehadofyour
daughterforamonkey.
SHYLOCK
Outuponher!Thoutorturestme,Tubal:itwasmy
turquoiseIhaditofLeahwhenIwasabachelor:
Iwouldnothavegivenitforawildernessofmonkeys.
TUBAL
ButAntonioiscertainlyundone.
SHYLOCK
Nay,that'strue,that'sverytrue.Go,Tubal,fee
meanofficerbespeakhimafortnightbefore.I
willhavetheheartofhim,ifheforfeitfor,were
heoutofVenice,IcanmakewhatmerchandiseI
will.Go,go,Tubal,andmeetmeatoursynagogue
go,goodTubalatoursynagogue,Tubal.
Exeunt
SCENEII.Belmont.AroominPORTIA'Shouse.
EnterBASSANIO,PORTIA,GRATIANO,NERISSA,andAttendants
PORTIA
Iprayyou,tarry:pauseadayortwo
Beforeyouhazardfor,inchoosingwrong,
Iloseyourcompany:thereforeforbearawhile.
There'ssomethingtellsme,butitisnotlove,
Iwouldnotloseyouandyouknowyourself,
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Hatecounselsnotinsuchaquality.
Butlestyoushouldnotunderstandmewell,
Andyetamaidenhathnotonguebutthought,
Iwoulddetainyouheresomemonthortwo
Beforeyouventureforme.Icouldteachyou
Howtochooseright,butIamthenforsworn
SowillIneverbe:somayyoumissme
Butifyoudo,you'llmakemewishasin,
ThatIhadbeenforsworn.Beshrewyoureyes,
Theyhaveo'erlook'dmeanddividedme
Onehalfofmeisyours,theotherhalfyours,
Mineown,Iwouldsaybutifmine,thenyours,
Andsoallyours.O,thesenaughtytimes
Putbarsbetweentheownersandtheirrights!
Andso,thoughyours,notyours.Proveitso,
Letfortunegotohellforit,notI.
Ispeaktoolongbut'tistopeizethetime,
Toekeitandtodrawitoutinlength,
Tostayyoufromelection.
BASSANIO
Letmechoose
ForasIam,Iliveupontherack.
PORTIA
Upontherack,Bassanio!thenconfess
Whattreasonthereismingledwithyourlove.
BASSANIO
Nonebutthatuglytreasonofmistrust,
Whichmakesmefeartheenjoyingofmylove:
Theremayaswellbeamityandlife
'Tweensnowandfire,astreasonandmylove.
PORTIA
Ay,butIfearyouspeakupontherack,
Wheremenenforceddospeakanything.
BASSANIO
Promisemelife,andI'llconfessthetruth.
PORTIA
Wellthen,confessandlive.
BASSANIO
'Confess'and'love'
Hadbeentheverysumofmyconfession:
Ohappytorment,whenmytorturer
Dothteachmeanswersfordeliverance!
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Butletmetomyfortuneandthecaskets.
PORTIA
Away,then!Iamlock'dinoneofthem:
Ifyoudoloveme,youwillfindmeout.
Nerissaandtherest,standallaloof.
Letmusicsoundwhilehedothmakehischoice
Then,ifhelose,hemakesaswanlikeend,
Fadinginmusic:thatthecomparison
Maystandmoreproper,myeyeshallbethestream
Andwaterydeathbedforhim.Hemaywin
Andwhatismusicthen?Thenmusicis
Evenastheflourishwhentruesubjectsbow
Toanewcrownedmonarch:suchitis
Asarethosedulcetsoundsinbreakofday
Thatcreepintothedreamingbridegroom'sear,
Andsummonhimtomarriage.Nowhegoes,
Withnolesspresence,butwithmuchmorelove,
ThanyoungAlcides,whenhedidredeem
ThevirgintributepaidbyhowlingTroy
Totheseamonster:Istandforsacrifice
TherestaloofaretheDardanianwives,
Withblearedvisages,comeforthtoview
Theissueoftheexploit.Go,Hercules!
Livethou,Ilive:withmuch,muchmoredismay
Iviewthefightthanthouthatmakestthefray.
Music,whilstBASSANIOcommentsonthecasketstohimself
SONG.
Tellmewhereisfancybred,
Orintheheart,orinthehead?
Howbegot,hownourished?
Reply,reply.
Itisengender'dintheeyes,
Withgazingfedandfancydies
Inthecradlewhereitlies.
Letusallringfancy'sknell
I'llbeginit,Ding,dong,bell.
ALL
Ding,dong,bell.
BASSANIO
Somaytheoutwardshowsbeleastthemselves:
Theworldisstilldeceivedwithornament.
Inlaw,whatpleasotaintedandcorrupt,
But,beingseasonedwithagraciousvoice,
Obscurestheshowofevil?Inreligion,
Whatdamnederror,butsomesoberbrow
Willblessitandapproveitwithatext,
Hidingthegrossnesswithfairornament?
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Thereisnovicesosimplebutassumes
Somemarkofvirtueonhisoutwardparts:
Howmanycowards,whoseheartsareallasfalse
Asstairsofsand,wearyetupontheirchins
ThebeardsofHerculesandfrowningMars
Who,inwardsearch'd,haveliverswhiteasmilk
Andtheseassumebutvalour'sexcrement
Torenderthemredoubted!Lookonbeauty,
Andyoushallsee'tispurchasedbytheweight
Whichthereinworksamiracleinnature,
Makingthemlightestthatwearmostofit:
Soarethosecrispedsnakygoldenlocks
Whichmakesuchwantongambolswiththewind,
Uponsupposedfairness,oftenknown
Tobethedowryofasecondhead,
Theskullthatbredtheminthesepulchre.
Thusornamentisbuttheguiledshore
Toamostdangerousseathebeauteousscarf
VeilinganIndianbeautyinaword,
Theseemingtruthwhichcunningtimesputon
Toentrapthewisest.Therefore,thougaudygold,
HardfoodforMidas,Iwillnoneofthee
Nornoneofthee,thoupaleandcommondrudge
'Tweenmanandman:butthou,thoumeagrelead,
Whichratherthreatenestthandostpromiseaught,
Thypalenessmovesmemorethaneloquence
AndherechooseIjoybetheconsequence!
PORTIA
[Aside]Howalltheotherpassionsfleettoair,
Asdoubtfulthoughts,andrashembraceddespair,
Andshudderingfear,andgreeneyedjealousy!Olove,
Bemoderateallaythyecstasy,
Inmeasurereinthyjoyscantthisexcess.
Ifeeltoomuchthyblessing:makeitless,
ForfearIsurfeit.
BASSANIO
WhatfindIhere?
Openingtheleadencasket
FairPortia'scounterfeit!Whatdemigod
Hathcomesonearcreation?Movetheseeyes?
Orwhether,ridingontheballsofmine,
Seemtheyinmotion?Herearesever'dlips,
Partedwithsugarbreath:sosweetabar
Shouldsundersuchsweetfriends.Hereinherhairs
Thepainterplaysthespiderandhathwoven
Agoldenmeshtoentraptheheartsofmen,
Fasterthangnatsincobwebsbuthereyes,
Howcouldheseetodothem?havingmadeone,
Methinksitshouldhavepowertostealbothhis
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Andleaveitselfunfurnish'd.Yetlook,howfar
Thesubstanceofmypraisedothwrongthisshadow
Inunderprizingit,sofarthisshadow
Dothlimpbehindthesubstance.Here'sthescroll,
Thecontinentandsummaryofmyfortune.
Reads
Youthatchoosenotbytheview,
Chanceasfairandchooseastrue!
Sincethisfortunefallstoyou,
Becontentandseeknonew,
Ifyoubewellpleasedwiththis
Andholdyourfortuneforyourbliss,
Turnyouwhereyourladyis
Andclaimherwithalovingkiss.
Agentlescroll.Fairlady,byyourleave
Icomebynote,togiveandtoreceive.
Likeoneoftwocontendinginaprize,
Thatthinkshehathdonewellinpeople'seyes,
Hearingapplauseanduniversalshout,
Giddyinspirit,stillgazinginadoubt
Whetherthesepearlsofpraisebehisorno
So,thricefairlady,standI,evenso
AsdoubtfulwhetherwhatIseebetrue,
Untilconfirm'd,sign'd,ratifiedbyyou.
PORTIA
Youseeme,LordBassanio,whereIstand,
SuchasIam:thoughformyselfalone
Iwouldnotbeambitiousinmywish,
Towishmyselfmuchbetteryet,foryou
Iwouldbetrebledtwentytimesmyself
Athousandtimesmorefair,tenthousandtimesmorerich
Thatonlytostandhighinyouraccount,
Imightinvirtue,beauties,livings,friends,
Exceedaccountbutthefullsumofme
Issumofsomething,which,totermingross,
Isanunlesson'dgirl,unschool'd,unpractised
Happyinthis,sheisnotyetsoold
Butshemaylearnhappierthanthis,
Sheisnotbredsodullbutshecanlearn
Happiestofallisthathergentlespirit
Commitsitselftoyourstobedirected,
Asfromherlord,hergovernor,herking.
Myselfandwhatisminetoyouandyours
Isnowconverted:butnowIwasthelord
Ofthisfairmansion,masterofmyservants,
Queeno'ermyself:andevennow,butnow,
Thishouse,theseservantsandthissamemyself
Areyours,mylord:Igivethemwiththisring
Whichwhenyoupartfrom,lose,orgiveaway,
Letitpresagetheruinofyourlove
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Andbemyvantagetoexclaimonyou.
BASSANIO
Madam,youhavebereftmeofallwords,
Onlymybloodspeakstoyouinmyveins
Andthereissuchconfusioninmypowers,
Asaftersomeorationfairlyspoke
Byabelovedprince,theredothappear
Amongthebuzzingpleasedmultitude
Whereeverysomething,beingblenttogether,
Turnstoawildofnothing,saveofjoy,
Express'dandnotexpress'd.Butwhenthisring
Partsfromthisfinger,thenpartslifefromhence:
O,thenbeboldtosayBassanio'sdead!
NERISSA
Mylordandlady,itisnowourtime,
Thathavestoodbyandseenourwishesprosper,
Tocry,goodjoy:goodjoy,mylordandlady!
GRATIANO
MylordBassanioandmygentlelady,
Iwishyouallthejoythatyoucanwish
ForIamsureyoucanwishnonefromme:
Andwhenyourhonoursmeantosolemnize
Thebargainofyourfaith,Idobeseechyou,
EvenatthattimeImaybemarriedtoo.
BASSANIO
Withallmyheart,sothoucanstgetawife.
GRATIANO
Ithankyourlordship,youhavegotmeone.
Myeyes,mylord,canlookasswiftasyours:
Yousawthemistress,Ibeheldthemaid
Youloved,Ilovedforintermission.
Nomorepertainstome,mylord,thanyou.
Yourfortunestooduponthecasketthere,
Andsodidminetoo,asthematterfalls
ForwooinghereuntilIsweatagain,
Andsweatinguntilmyveryroofwasdry
Withoathsoflove,atlast,ifpromiselast,
Igotapromiseofthisfaironehere
Tohaveherlove,providedthatyourfortune
Achievedhermistress.
PORTIA
Isthistrue,Nerissa?
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NERISSA
Madam,itis,soyoustandpleasedwithal.
BASSANIO
Anddoyou,Gratiano,meangoodfaith?
GRATIANO
Yes,faith,mylord.
BASSANIO
Ourfeastshallbemuchhonour'dinyourmarriage.
GRATIANO
We'llplaywiththemthefirstboyforathousandducats.
NERISSA
What,andstakedown?
GRATIANO
Noweshallne'erwinatthatsport,andstakedown.
Butwhocomeshere?Lorenzoandhisinfidel?What,
andmyoldVenetianfriendSalerio?
EnterLORENZO,JESSICA,andSALERIO,aMessengerfromVenice
BASSANIO
LorenzoandSalerio,welcomehither
Ifthattheyouthofmynewinteresthere
Havepowertobidyouwelcome.Byyourleave,
Ibidmyveryfriendsandcountrymen,
SweetPortia,welcome.
PORTIA
SodoI,mylord:
Theyareentirelywelcome.
LORENZO
Ithankyourhonour.Formypart,mylord,
Mypurposewasnottohaveseenyouhere
ButmeetingwithSaleriobytheway,
Hedidentreatme,pastallsayingnay,
Tocomewithhimalong.
SALERIO
Idid,mylord
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AndIhavereasonforit.SigniorAntonio
Commendshimtoyou.
GivesBassanioaletter
BASSANIO
EreIopehisletter,
Iprayyou,tellmehowmygoodfrienddoth.
SALERIO
Notsick,mylord,unlessitbeinmind
Norwell,unlessinmind:hisletterthere
Willshowyouhisestate.
GRATIANO
Nerissa,cheeryonstrangerbidherwelcome.
Yourhand,Salerio:what'sthenewsfromVenice?
Howdoththatroyalmerchant,goodAntonio?
Iknowhewillbegladofoursuccess
WearetheJasons,wehavewonthefleece.
SALERIO
Iwouldyouhadwonthefleecethathehathlost.
PORTIA
Therearesomeshrewdcontentsinyonsamepaper,
ThatstealsthecolourfromBassanio'scheek:
Somedearfrienddeadelsenothingintheworld
Couldturnsomuchtheconstitution
Ofanyconstantman.What,worseandworse!
Withleave,Bassanio:Iamhalfyourself,
AndImustfreelyhavethehalfofanything
Thatthissamepaperbringsyou.
BASSANIO
OsweetPortia,
Hereareafewoftheunpleasant'stwords
Thateverblottedpaper!Gentlelady,
WhenIdidfirstimpartmylovetoyou,
Ifreelytoldyou,allthewealthIhad
Raninmyveins,Iwasagentleman
AndthenItoldyoutrue:andyet,dearlady,
Ratingmyselfatnothing,youshallsee
HowmuchIwasabraggart.WhenItoldyou
Mystatewasnothing,Ishouldthenhavetoldyou
ThatIwasworsethannothingfor,indeed,
Ihaveengagedmyselftoadearfriend,
Engagedmyfriendtohismereenemy,
Tofeedmymeans.Hereisaletter,lady
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Thepaperasthebodyofmyfriend,
Andeverywordinitagapingwound,
Issuinglifeblood.Butisittrue,Salerio?
Haveallhisventuresfail'd?What,notonehit?
FromTripolis,fromMexicoandEngland,
FromLisbon,BarbaryandIndia?
Andnotonevessel'scapethedreadfultouch
Ofmerchantmarringrocks?
SALERIO
Notone,mylord.
Besides,itshouldappear,thatifhehad
ThepresentmoneytodischargetheJew,
Hewouldnottakeit.NeverdidIknow
Acreature,thatdidbeartheshapeofman,
Sokeenandgreedytoconfoundaman:
Hepliesthedukeatmorningandatnight,
Anddothimpeachthefreedomofthestate,
Iftheydenyhimjustice:twentymerchants,
Thedukehimself,andthemagnificoes
Ofgreatestport,haveallpersuadedwithhim
Butnonecandrivehimfromtheenviousplea
Offorfeiture,ofjusticeandhisbond.
JESSICA
WhenIwaswithhimIhaveheardhimswear
ToTubalandtoChus,hiscountrymen,
ThathewouldratherhaveAntonio'sflesh
Thantwentytimesthevalueofthesum
Thathedidowehim:andIknow,mylord,
Iflaw,authorityandpowerdenynot,
ItwillgohardwithpoorAntonio.
PORTIA
Isityourdearfriendthatisthusintrouble?
BASSANIO
Thedearestfriendtome,thekindestman,
Thebestcondition'dandunweariedspirit
Indoingcourtesies,andoneinwhom
TheancientRomanhonourmoreappears
ThananythatdrawsbreathinItaly.
PORTIA
WhatsumoweshetheJew?
BASSANIO
Formethreethousandducats.
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PORTIA
What,nomore?
Payhimsixthousand,anddefacethebond
Doublesixthousand,andthentreblethat,
Beforeafriendofthisdescription
ShallloseahairthroughBassanio'sfault.
Firstgowithmetochurchandcallmewife,
AndthenawaytoVenicetoyourfriend
FornevershallyouliebyPortia'sside
Withanunquietsoul.Youshallhavegold
Topaythepettydebttwentytimesover:
Whenitispaid,bringyourtruefriendalong.
MymaidNerissaandmyselfmeantime
Willliveasmaidsandwidows.Come,away!
Foryoushallhenceuponyourweddingday:
Bidyourfriendswelcome,showamerrycheer:
Sinceyouaredearbought,Iwillloveyoudear.
Butletmeheartheletterofyourfriend.
BASSANIO
[Reads]SweetBassanio,myshipshaveall
miscarried,mycreditorsgrowcruel,myestateis
verylow,mybondtotheJewisforfeitandsince
inpayingit,itisimpossibleIshouldlive,all
debtsareclearedbetweenyouandI,ifImightbut
seeyouatmydeath.Notwithstanding,useyour
pleasure:ifyourlovedonotpersuadeyoutocome,
letnotmyletter.
PORTIA
Olove,dispatchallbusiness,andbegone!
BASSANIO
SinceIhaveyourgoodleavetogoaway,
Iwillmakehaste:but,tillIcomeagain,
Nobedshalle'erbeguiltyofmystay,
Norestbeinterposer'twixtustwain.
Exeunt
SCENEIII.Venice.Astreet.
EnterSHYLOCK,SALARINO,ANTONIO,andGaoler
SHYLOCK
Gaoler,looktohim:tellnotmeofmercy
Thisisthefoolthatlentoutmoneygratis:
Gaoler,looktohim.
ANTONIO
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Hearmeyet,goodShylock.
SHYLOCK
I'llhavemybondspeaknotagainstmybond:
IhaveswornanoaththatIwillhavemybond.
Thoucall'dstmedogbeforethouhadstacause
But,sinceIamadog,bewaremyfangs:
Thedukeshallgrantmejustice.Idowonder,
Thounaughtygaoler,thatthouartsofond
Tocomeabroadwithhimathisrequest.
ANTONIO
Ipraythee,hearmespeak.
SHYLOCK
I'llhavemybondIwillnotheartheespeak:
I'llhavemybondandthereforespeaknomore.
I'llnotbemadeasoftanddulleyedfool,
Toshakethehead,relent,andsigh,andyield
ToChristianintercessors.Follownot
I'llhavenospeaking:Iwillhavemybond.
Exit
SALARINO
Itisthemostimpenetrablecur
Thateverkeptwithmen.
ANTONIO
Lethimalone:
I'llfollowhimnomorewithbootlessprayers.
HeseeksmylifehisreasonwellIknow:
Ioftdeliver'dfromhisforfeitures
Manythathaveattimesmademoantome
Thereforehehatesme.
SALARINO
Iamsuretheduke
Willnevergrantthisforfeituretohold.
ANTONIO
Thedukecannotdenythecourseoflaw:
Forthecommoditythatstrangershave
WithusinVenice,ifitbedenied,
Willmuchimpeachthejusticeofhisstate
Sincethatthetradeandprofitofthecity
Consistethofallnations.Therefore,go:
Thesegriefsandlosseshavesobatedme,
ThatIshallhardlyspareapoundofflesh
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Tomorrowtomybloodycreditor.
Well,gaoler,on.PrayGod,Bassaniocome
Toseemepayhisdebt,andthenIcarenot!
Exeunt
SCENEIV.Belmont.AroominPORTIA'Shouse.
EnterPORTIA,NERISSA,LORENZO,JESSICA,andBALTHASAR
LORENZO
Madam,althoughIspeakitinyourpresence,
Youhaveanobleandatrueconceit
Ofgodlikeamitywhichappearsmoststrongly
Inbearingthustheabsenceofyourlord.
Butifyouknewtowhomyoushowthishonour,
Howtrueagentlemanyousendrelief,
Howdearaloverofmylordyourhusband,
Iknowyouwouldbeprouderofthework
Thancustomarybountycanenforceyou.
PORTIA
Ineverdidrepentfordoinggood,
Norshallnotnow:forincompanions
Thatdoconverseandwastethetimetogether,
WhosesoulsdobearanequalyokeOflove,
Theremustbeneedsalikeproportion
Oflineaments,ofmannersandofspirit
WhichmakesmethinkthatthisAntonio,
Beingthebosomloverofmylord,
Mustneedsbelikemylord.Ifitbeso,
HowlittleisthecostIhavebestow'd
Inpurchasingthesemblanceofmysoul
Fromoutthestateofhellishmisery!
Thiscomestoonearthepraisingofmyself
Thereforenomoreofit:hearotherthings.
Lorenzo,Icommitintoyourhands
Thehusbandryandmanageofmyhouse
Untilmylord'sreturn:formineownpart,
Ihavetowardheavenbreathedasecretvow
Toliveinprayerandcontemplation,
OnlyattendedbyNerissahere,
Untilherhusbandandmylord'sreturn:
Thereisamonasterytwomilesoff
Andtherewillweabide.Idodesireyou
Nottodenythisimposition
Thewhichmyloveandsomenecessity
Nowlaysuponyou.
LORENZO
Madam,withallmyheart
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Ishallobeyyouinallfaircommands.
PORTIA
Mypeopledoalreadyknowmymind,
AndwillacknowledgeyouandJessica
InplaceofLordBassanioandmyself.
Andsofarewell,tillweshallmeetagain.
LORENZO
Fairthoughtsandhappyhoursattendonyou!
JESSICA
Iwishyourladyshipallheart'scontent.
PORTIA
Ithankyouforyourwish,andamwellpleased
Towishitbackonyou:fareyouwellJessica.
ExeuntJESSICAandLORENZO
Now,Balthasar,
AsIhaveeverfoundtheehonesttrue,
Soletmefindtheestill.Takethissameletter,
Andusethoualltheendeavourofaman
InspeedtoPadua:seethourenderthis
Intomycousin'shand,DoctorBellario
And,look,whatnotesandgarmentshedothgivethee,
Bringthem,Ipraythee,withimaginedspeed
Untothetranect,tothecommonferry
WhichtradestoVenice.Wastenotimeinwords,
Butgettheegone:Ishallbetherebeforethee.
BALTHASAR
Madam,Igowithallconvenientspeed.
Exit
PORTIA
Comeon,NerissaIhaveworkinhand
Thatyouyetknownotof:we'llseeourhusbands
Beforetheythinkofus.
NERISSA
Shalltheyseeus?
PORTIA
Theyshall,Nerissabutinsuchahabit,
Thattheyshallthinkweareaccomplished
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Withthatwelack.I'llholdtheeanywager,
Whenwearebothaccoutredlikeyoungmen,
I'llprovetheprettierfellowofthetwo,
Andwearmydaggerwiththebravergrace,
Andspeakbetweenthechangeofmanandboy
Withareedvoice,andturntwomincingsteps
Intoamanlystride,andspeakoffrays
Likeafinebraggingyouth,andtellquaintlies,
Howhonourableladiessoughtmylove,
WhichIdenying,theyfellsickanddied
IcouldnotdowithalthenI'llrepent,
Andwishforallthat,thatIhadnotkilledthem
AndtwentyofthesepunyliesI'lltell,
ThatmenshallswearIhavediscontinuedschool
Aboveatwelvemonth.Ihavewithinmymind
AthousandrawtricksofthesebraggingJacks,
WhichIwillpractise.
NERISSA
Why,shallweturntomen?
PORTIA
Fie,whataquestion'sthat,
Ifthouwertnearalewdinterpreter!
Butcome,I'lltelltheeallmywholedevice
WhenIaminmycoach,whichstaysforus
Attheparkgateandthereforehasteaway,
Forwemustmeasuretwentymilestoday.
Exeunt
SCENEV.Thesame.Agarden.
EnterLAUNCELOTandJESSICA
LAUNCELOT
Yes,trulyfor,lookyou,thesinsofthefather
aretobelaiduponthechildren:therefore,I
promiseye,Ifearyou.Iwasalwaysplainwith
you,andsonowIspeakmyagitationofthematter:
thereforebeofgoodcheer,fortrulyIthinkyou
aredamned.Thereisbutonehopeinitthatcando
youanygoodandthatisbutakindofbastard
hopeneither.
JESSICA
Andwhathopeisthat,Ipraythee?
LAUNCELOT
Marry,youmaypartlyhopethatyourfathergotyou
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not,thatyouarenottheJew'sdaughter.
JESSICA
Thatwereakindofbastardhope,indeed:sothe
sinsofmymothershouldbevisiteduponme.
LAUNCELOT
TrulythenIfearyouaredamnedbothbyfatherand
mother:thuswhenIshunScylla,yourfather,I
fallintoCharybdis,yourmother:well,youare
gonebothways.
JESSICA
Ishallbesavedbymyhusbandhehathmademea
Christian.
LAUNCELOT
Truly,themoretoblamehe:wewereChristians
enowbeforee'enasmanyascouldwelllive,oneby
another.ThismakingChristianswillraisethe
priceofhogs:ifwegrowalltobeporkeaters,we
shallnotshortlyhavearasheronthecoalsformoney.
EnterLORENZO
JESSICA
I'lltellmyhusband,Launcelot,whatyousay:herehecomes.
LORENZO
Ishallgrowjealousofyoushortly,Launcelot,if
youthusgetmywifeintocorners.
JESSICA
Nay,youneednotfearus,Lorenzo:LauncelotandI
areout.Hetellsmeflatly,thereisnomercyfor
meinheaven,becauseIamaJew'sdaughter:andhe
says,youarenogoodmemberofthecommonwealth,
forinconvertingJewstoChristians,youraisethe
priceofpork.
LORENZO
Ishallanswerthatbettertothecommonwealththan
youcanthegettingupofthenegro'sbelly:the
Mooriswithchildbyyou,Launcelot.
LAUNCELOT
ItismuchthattheMoorshouldbemorethanreason:
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butifshebelessthananhonestwoman,sheis
indeedmorethanItookherfor.
LORENZO
Howeveryfoolcanplayupontheword!Ithinkthe
bestgraceofwitwillshortlyturnintosilence,
anddiscoursegrowcommendableinnoneonlybut
parrots.Goin,sirrahbidthempreparefordinner.
LAUNCELOT
Thatisdone,sirtheyhaveallstomachs.
LORENZO
GoodlyLord,whatawitsnapperareyou!thenbid
thempreparedinner.
LAUNCELOT
Thatisdonetoo,sironly'cover'istheword.
LORENZO
Willyoucoverthen,sir?
LAUNCELOT
Notso,sir,neitherIknowmyduty.
LORENZO
Yetmorequarrellingwithoccasion!Wiltthoushow
thewholewealthofthywitinaninstant?Ipray
tree,understandaplainmaninhisplainmeaning:
gotothyfellowsbidthemcoverthetable,serve
inthemeat,andwewillcomeintodinner.
LAUNCELOT
Forthetable,sir,itshallbeservedinforthe
meat,sir,itshallbecoveredforyourcomingin
todinner,sir,why,letitbeashumoursand
conceitsshallgovern.
Exit
LORENZO
Odeardiscretion,howhiswordsaresuited!
Thefoolhathplantedinhismemory
AnarmyofgoodwordsandIdoknow
Amanyfools,thatstandinbetterplace,
Garnish'dlikehim,thatforatricksyword
Defythematter.Howcheerestthou,Jessica?
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Andnow,goodsweet,saythyopinion,
HowdostthouliketheLordBassanio'swife?
JESSICA
Pastallexpressing.Itisverymeet
TheLordBassanioliveanuprightlife
For,havingsuchablessinginhislady,
Hefindsthejoysofheavenhereonearth
Andifonearthhedonotmeanit,then
Inreasonheshouldnevercometoheaven
Why,iftwogodsshouldplaysomeheavenlymatch
Andonthewagerlaytwoearthlywomen,
AndPortiaone,theremustbesomethingelse
Pawn'dwiththeother,forthepoorrudeworld
Hathnotherfellow.
LORENZO
Evensuchahusband
Hastthouofmeassheisforawife.
JESSICA
Nay,butaskmyopiniontooofthat.
LORENZO
Iwillanon:first,letusgotodinner.
JESSICA
Nay,letmepraiseyouwhileIhaveastomach.
LORENZO
No,praythee,letitservefortabletalk
'Then,howso'erthouspeak'st,'mongotherthings
Ishalldigestit.
JESSICA
Well,I'llsetyouforth.
Exeunt
ACTIV
SCENEI.Venice.Acourtofjustice.
EntertheDUKE,theMagnificoes,ANTONIO,BASSANIO,GRATIANO,SALERIO,and
others
DUKE
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What,isAntoniohere?
ANTONIO
Ready,sopleaseyourgrace.
DUKE
Iamsorryforthee:thouartcometoanswer
Astonyadversary,aninhumanwretch
uncapableofpity,voidandempty
Fromanydramofmercy.
ANTONIO
Ihaveheard
Yourgracehathta'engreatpainstoqualify
Hisrigorouscoursebutsincehestandsobdurate
Andthatnolawfulmeanscancarryme
Outofhisenvy'sreach,Idooppose
Mypatiencetohisfury,andamarm'd
Tosuffer,withaquietnessofspirit,
Theverytyrannyandrageofhis.
DUKE
Goone,andcalltheJewintothecourt.
SALERIO
Heisreadyatthedoor:hecomes,mylord.
EnterSHYLOCK
DUKE
Makeroom,andlethimstandbeforeourface.
Shylock,theworldthinks,andIthinksotoo,
Thatthoubutlead'stthisfashionofthymalice
Tothelasthourofactandthen'tisthought
Thou'ltshowthymercyandremorsemorestrange
Thanisthystrangeapparentcruelty
Andwherethounowexact'stthepenalty,
Whichisapoundofthispoormerchant'sflesh,
Thouwiltnotonlyloosetheforfeiture,
But,touch'dwithhumangentlenessandlove,
Forgiveamoietyoftheprincipal
Glancinganeyeofpityonhislosses,
Thathaveoflatesohuddledonhisback,
Enowtopressaroyalmerchantdown
Andpluckcommiserationofhisstate
Frombrassybosomsandroughheartsofflint,
FromstubbornTurksandTartars,nevertrain'd
Toofficesoftendercourtesy.
Weallexpectagentleanswer,Jew.
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SHYLOCK
Ihavepossess'dyourgraceofwhatIpurpose
AndbyourholySabbathhaveIsworn
Tohavethedueandforfeitofmybond:
Ifyoudenyit,letthedangerlight
Uponyourcharterandyourcity'sfreedom.
You'llaskme,whyIratherchoosetohave
Aweightofcarrionfleshthantoreceive
Threethousandducats:I'llnotanswerthat:
But,say,itismyhumour:isitanswer'd?
Whatifmyhousebetroubledwitharat
AndIbepleasedtogivetenthousandducats
Tohaveitbaned?What,areyouanswer'dyet?
Somementherearelovenotagapingpig
Some,thataremadiftheybeholdacat
Andothers,whenthebagpipesingsi'thenose,
Cannotcontaintheirurine:foraffection,
Mistressofpassion,swaysittothemood
Ofwhatitlikesorloathes.Now,foryouranswer:
Asthereisnofirmreasontoberender'd,
Whyhecannotabideagapingpig
Whyhe,aharmlessnecessarycat
Whyhe,awoollenbagpipebutofforce
Mustyieldtosuchinevitableshame
Astooffend,himselfbeingoffended
SocanIgivenoreason,norIwillnot,
Morethanalodgedhateandacertainloathing
IbearAntonio,thatIfollowthus
Alosingsuitagainsthim.Areyouanswer'd?
BASSANIO
Thisisnoanswer,thouunfeelingman,
Toexcusethecurrentofthycruelty.
SHYLOCK
Iamnotboundtopleasetheewithmyanswers.
BASSANIO
Doallmenkillthethingstheydonotlove?
SHYLOCK
Hatesanymanthethinghewouldnotkill?
BASSANIO
Everyoffenceisnotahateatfirst.
SHYLOCK
What,wouldstthouhaveaserpentstingtheetwice?
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ANTONIO
Iprayyou,thinkyouquestionwiththeJew:
Youmayaswellgostanduponthebeach
Andbidthemainfloodbatehisusualheight
Youmayaswellusequestionwiththewolf
Whyhehathmadetheewebleatforthelamb
Youmayaswellforbidthemountainpines
Towagtheirhightopsandtomakenonoise,
Whentheyarefrettenwiththegustsofheaven
Youmayaswelldoanythingmosthard,
Asseektosoftenthatthanwhichwhat'sharder?
HisJewishheart:therefore,Idobeseechyou,
Makenomoreoffers,usenofarthermeans,
Butwithallbriefandplainconveniency
LetmehavejudgmentandtheJewhiswill.
BASSANIO
Forthythreethousandducatshereissix.
SHYLOCK
WhatjudgmentshallIdread,doing
Wereinsixpartsandeverypartaducat,
IwouldnotdrawthemIwouldhavemybond.
DUKE
Howshaltthouhopeformercy,renderingnone?
SHYLOCK
WhatjudgmentshallIdread,doingnowrong?
Youhaveamongyoumanyapurchasedslave,
Which,likeyourassesandyourdogsandmules,
Youuseinabjectandinslavishparts,
Becauseyouboughtthem:shallIsaytoyou,
Letthembefree,marrythemtoyourheirs?
Whysweattheyunderburthens?lettheirbeds
Bemadeassoftasyoursandlettheirpalates
Beseason'dwithsuchviands?Youwillanswer
'Theslavesareours:'sodoIansweryou:
Thepoundofflesh,whichIdemandofhim,
Isdearlybought'tismineandIwillhaveit.
Ifyoudenyme,fieuponyourlaw!
ThereisnoforceinthedecreesofVenice.
Istandforjudgment:answershallIhaveit?
DUKE
UponmypowerImaydismissthiscourt,
UnlessBellario,alearneddoctor,
WhomIhavesentfortodeterminethis,
Comeheretoday.
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SALERIO
Mylord,herestayswithout
Amessengerwithlettersfromthedoctor,
NewcomefromPadua.
DUKE
Bringusthelettercallthemessenger.
BASSANIO
Goodcheer,Antonio!What,man,courageyet!
TheJewshallhavemyflesh,blood,bonesandall,
Erethoushaltloseformeonedropofblood.
ANTONIO
Iamataintedwetheroftheflock,
Meetestfordeath:theweakestkindoffruit
Dropsearliesttothegroundandsoletme
Youcannotbetterbeemploy'd,Bassanio,
Thantolivestillandwritemineepitaph.
EnterNERISSA,dressedlikealawyer'sclerk
DUKE
CameyoufromPadua,fromBellario?
NERISSA
Fromboth,mylord.Bellariogreetsyourgrace.
Presentingaletter
BASSANIO
Whydostthouwhetthyknifesoearnestly?
SHYLOCK
Tocuttheforfeiturefromthatbankruptthere.
GRATIANO
Notonthysole,butonthysoul,harshJew,
Thoumakestthyknifekeenbutnometalcan,
No,notthehangman'saxe,bearhalfthekeenness
Ofthysharpenvy.Cannoprayerspiercethee?
SHYLOCK
No,nonethatthouhastwitenoughtomake.
GRATIANO
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O,bethoudamn'd,inexecrabledog!
Andforthylifeletjusticebeaccused.
Thoualmostmakestmewaverinmyfaith
ToholdopinionwithPythagoras,
Thatsoulsofanimalsinfusethemselves
Intothetrunksofmen:thycurrishspirit
Govern'dawolf,who,hang'dforhumanslaughter,
Evenfromthegallowsdidhisfellsoulfleet,
And,whilstthoulay'stinthyunhallow'ddam,
Infuseditselfintheeforthydesires
Arewolvish,bloody,starvedandravenous.
SHYLOCK
Tillthoucanstrailthesealfromoffmybond,
Thoubutoffend'stthylungstospeaksoloud:
Repairthywit,goodyouth,oritwillfall
Tocurelessruin.Istandhereforlaw.
DUKE
ThisletterfromBellariodothcommend
Ayoungandlearneddoctortoourcourt.
Whereishe?
NERISSA
Heattendethherehardby,
Toknowyouranswer,whetheryou'lladmithim.
DUKE
Withallmyheart.Somethreeorfourofyou
Gogivehimcourteousconducttothisplace.
MeantimethecourtshallhearBellario'sletter.
Clerk
[Reads]
Yourgraceshallunderstandthatatthereceiptof
yourletterIamverysick:butintheinstantthat
yourmessengercame,inlovingvisitationwaswith
meayoungdoctorofRomehisnameisBalthasar.I
acquaintedhimwiththecauseincontroversybetween
theJewandAntoniothemerchant:weturnedo'er
manybookstogether:heisfurnishedwithmy
opinionwhich,betteredwithhisownlearning,the
greatnesswhereofIcannotenoughcommend,comes
withhim,atmyimportunity,tofillupyourgrace's
requestinmystead.Ibeseechyou,lethislackof
yearsbenoimpedimenttolethimlackareverend
estimationforIneverknewsoyoungabodywithso
oldahead.Ileavehimtoyourgracious
acceptance,whosetrialshallbetterpublishhis
commendation.
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DUKE
Youhearthelearn'dBellario,whathewrites:
Andhere,Itakeit,isthedoctorcome.
EnterPORTIA,dressedlikeadoctoroflaws
Givemeyourhand.ComeyoufromoldBellario?
PORTIA
Idid,mylord.
DUKE
Youarewelcome:takeyourplace.
Areyouacquaintedwiththedifference
Thatholdsthispresentquestioninthecourt?
PORTIA
Iaminformedthoroughlyofthecause.
Whichisthemerchanthere,andwhichtheJew?
DUKE
AntonioandoldShylock,bothstandforth.
PORTIA
IsyournameShylock?
SHYLOCK
Shylockismyname.
PORTIA
Ofastrangenatureisthesuityoufollow
YetinsuchrulethattheVenetianlaw
Cannotimpugnyouasyoudoproceed.
Youstandwithinhisdanger,doyounot?
ANTONIO
Ay,sohesays.
PORTIA
Doyouconfessthebond?
ANTONIO
Ido.
PORTIA
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ThenmusttheJewbemerciful.
SHYLOCK
OnwhatcompulsionmustI?tellmethat.
PORTIA
Thequalityofmercyisnotstrain'd,
Itdroppethasthegentlerainfromheaven
Upontheplacebeneath:itistwiceblest
Itblessethhimthatgivesandhimthattakes:
'Tismightiestinthemightiest:itbecomes
Thethronedmonarchbetterthanhiscrown
Hissceptreshowstheforceoftemporalpower,
Theattributetoaweandmajesty,
Whereindothsitthedreadandfearofkings
Butmercyisabovethissceptredsway
Itisenthronedintheheartsofkings,
ItisanattributetoGodhimself
AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod's
Whenmercyseasonsjustice.Therefore,Jew,
Thoughjusticebethyplea,considerthis,
That,inthecourseofjustice,noneofus
Shouldseesalvation:wedoprayformercy
Andthatsameprayerdothteachusalltorender
Thedeedsofmercy.Ihavespokethusmuch
Tomitigatethejusticeofthyplea
Whichifthoufollow,thisstrictcourtofVenice
Mustneedsgivesentence'gainstthemerchantthere.
SHYLOCK
Mydeedsuponmyhead!Icravethelaw,
Thepenaltyandforfeitofmybond.
PORTIA
Ishenotabletodischargethemoney?
BASSANIO
Yes,hereItenderitforhiminthecourt
Yea,twicethesum:ifthatwillnotsuffice,
Iwillbeboundtopayittentimeso'er,
Onforfeitofmyhands,myhead,myheart:
Ifthiswillnotsuffice,itmustappear
Thatmalicebearsdowntruth.AndIbeseechyou,
Wrestoncethelawtoyourauthority:
Todoagreatright,doalittlewrong,
Andcurbthiscrueldevilofhiswill.
PORTIA
ItmustnotbethereisnopowerinVenice
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Canalteradecreeestablished:
'Twillberecordedforaprecedent,
Andmanyanerrorbythesameexample
Willrushintothestate:itcannotbe.
SHYLOCK
ADanielcometojudgment!yea,aDaniel!
Owiseyoungjudge,howIdohonourthee!
PORTIA
Iprayyou,letmelookuponthebond.
SHYLOCK
Here'tis,mostreverenddoctor,hereitis.
PORTIA
Shylock,there'sthricethymoneyoffer'dthee.
SHYLOCK
Anoath,anoath,Ihaveanoathinheaven:
ShallIlayperjuryuponmysoul?
No,notforVenice.
PORTIA
Why,thisbondisforfeit
AndlawfullybythistheJewmayclaim
Apoundofflesh,tobebyhimcutoff
Nearestthemerchant'sheart.Bemerciful:
Takethricethymoneybidmetearthebond.
SHYLOCK
Whenitispaidaccordingtothetenor.
Itdothappearyouareaworthyjudge
Youknowthelaw,yourexposition
Hathbeenmostsound:Ichargeyoubythelaw,
Whereofyouareawelldeservingpillar,
Proceedtojudgment:bymysoulIswear
Thereisnopowerinthetongueofman
Toalterme:Istayhereonmybond.
ANTONIO
MostheartilyIdobeseechthecourt
Togivethejudgment.
PORTIA
Whythen,thusitis:
Youmustprepareyourbosomforhisknife.
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SHYLOCK
Onoblejudge!Oexcellentyoungman!
PORTIA
Fortheintentandpurposeofthelaw
Hathfullrelationtothepenalty,
Whichhereappearethdueuponthebond.
SHYLOCK
'Tisverytrue:Owiseanduprightjudge!
Howmuchmoreelderartthouthanthylooks!
PORTIA
Thereforelaybareyourbosom.
SHYLOCK
Ay,hisbreast:
Sosaysthebond:dothitnot,noblejudge?
'Nearesthisheart:'thosearetheverywords.
PORTIA
Itisso.Aretherebalanceheretoweigh
Theflesh?
SHYLOCK
Ihavethemready.
PORTIA
Havebysomesurgeon,Shylock,onyourcharge,
Tostophiswounds,lesthedobleedtodeath.
SHYLOCK
Isitsonominatedinthebond?
PORTIA
Itisnotsoexpress'd:butwhatofthat?
'Tweregoodyoudosomuchforcharity.
SHYLOCK
Icannotfindit'tisnotinthebond.
PORTIA
You,merchant,haveyouanythingtosay?
ANTONIO
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Butlittle:Iamarm'dandwellprepared.
Givemeyourhand,Bassanio:fareyouwell!
GrievenotthatIamfallentothisforyou
ForhereinFortuneshowsherselfmorekind
Thanishercustom:itisstillheruse
Toletthewretchedmanoutlivehiswealth,
Toviewwithholloweyeandwrinkledbrow
Anageofpovertyfromwhichlingeringpenance
Ofsuchmiserydothshecutmeoff.
Commendmetoyourhonourablewife:
TellhertheprocessofAntonio'send
SayhowIlovedyou,speakmefairindeath
And,whenthetaleistold,bidherbejudge
WhetherBassaniohadnotoncealove.
Repentbutyouthatyoushallloseyourfriend,
Andherepentsnotthathepaysyourdebt
ForiftheJewdocutbutdeepenough,
I'llpayitpresentlywithallmyheart.
BASSANIO
Antonio,Iammarriedtoawife
Whichisasdeartomeaslifeitself
Butlifeitself,mywife,andalltheworld,
Arenotwithmeesteem'dabovethylife:
Iwouldloseall,ay,sacrificethemall
Heretothisdevil,todeliveryou.
PORTIA
Yourwifewouldgiveyoulittlethanksforthat,
Ifshewereby,tohearyoumaketheoffer.
GRATIANO
Ihaveawife,whom,Iprotest,Ilove:
Iwouldshewereinheaven,soshecould
EntreatsomepowertochangethiscurrishJew.
NERISSA
'Tiswellyouofferitbehindherback
Thewishwouldmakeelseanunquiethouse.
SHYLOCK
ThesebetheChristianhusbands.Ihaveadaughter
WouldanyofthestockofBarrabas
HadbeenherhusbandratherthanaChristian!
Aside
Wetrifletime:Ipraythee,pursuesentence.
PORTIA
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Apoundofthatsamemerchant'sfleshisthine:
Thecourtawardsit,andthelawdothgiveit.
SHYLOCK
Mostrightfuljudge!
PORTIA
Andyoumustcutthisfleshfromoffhisbreast:
Thelawallowsit,andthecourtawardsit.
SHYLOCK
Mostlearnedjudge!Asentence!Come,prepare!
PORTIA
Tarryalittlethereissomethingelse.
Thisbonddothgivetheeherenojotofblood
Thewordsexpresslyare'apoundofflesh:'
Takethenthybond,takethouthypoundofflesh
But,inthecuttingit,ifthoudostshed
OnedropofChristianblood,thylandsandgoods
Are,bythelawsofVenice,confiscate
UntothestateofVenice.
GRATIANO
Ouprightjudge!Mark,Jew:Olearnedjudge!
SHYLOCK
Isthatthelaw?
PORTIA
Thyselfshaltseetheact:
For,asthouurgestjustice,beassured
Thoushalthavejustice,morethanthoudesirest.
GRATIANO
Olearnedjudge!Mark,Jew:alearnedjudge!
SHYLOCK
Itakethisoffer,thenpaythebondthrice
AndlettheChristiango.
BASSANIO
Hereisthemoney.
PORTIA
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Soft!
TheJewshallhavealljusticesoft!nohaste:
Heshallhavenothingbutthepenalty.
GRATIANO
OJew!anuprightjudge,alearnedjudge!
PORTIA
Thereforepreparetheetocutofftheflesh.
Shedthounoblood,norcutthoulessnormore
Butjustapoundofflesh:ifthoucut'stmore
Orlessthanajustpound,beitbutsomuch
Asmakesitlightorheavyinthesubstance,
Orthedivisionofthetwentiethpart
Ofonepoorscruple,nay,ifthescaledoturn
Butintheestimationofahair,
Thoudiestandallthygoodsareconfiscate.
GRATIANO
AsecondDaniel,aDaniel,Jew!
Now,infidel,Ihaveyouonthehip.
PORTIA
WhydoththeJewpause?takethyforfeiture.
SHYLOCK
Givememyprincipal,andletmego.
BASSANIO
Ihaveitreadyfortheehereitis.
PORTIA
Hehathrefuseditintheopencourt:
Heshallhavemerelyjusticeandhisbond.
GRATIANO
ADaniel,stillsayI,asecondDaniel!
Ithankthee,Jew,forteachingmethatword.
SHYLOCK
ShallInothavebarelymyprincipal?
PORTIA
Thoushalthavenothingbuttheforfeiture,
Tobesotakenatthyperil,Jew.
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SHYLOCK
Why,thenthedevilgivehimgoodofit!
I'llstaynolongerquestion.
PORTIA
Tarry,Jew:
Thelawhathyetanotherholdonyou.
ItisenactedinthelawsofVenice,
Ifitbeprovedagainstanalien
Thatbydirectorindirectattempts
Heseekthelifeofanycitizen,
Theparty'gainstthewhichhedothcontrive
Shallseizeonehalfhisgoodstheotherhalf
Comestotheprivycofferofthestate
Andtheoffender'slifeliesinthemercy
Ofthedukeonly,'gainstallothervoice.
Inwhichpredicament,Isay,thoustand'st
Foritappears,bymanifestproceeding,
Thatindirectlyanddirectlytoo
Thouhastcontrivedagainsttheverylife
Ofthedefendantandthouhastincurr'd
Thedangerformerlybymerehearsed.
Downthereforeandbegmercyoftheduke.
GRATIANO
Begthatthoumaysthaveleavetohangthyself:
Andyet,thywealthbeingforfeittothestate,
Thouhastnotleftthevalueofacord
Thereforethoumustbehang'datthestate'scharge.
DUKE
Thatthoushaltseethedifferenceofourspirits,
Ipardontheethylifebeforethouaskit:
Forhalfthywealth,itisAntonio's
Theotherhalfcomestothegeneralstate,
Whichhumblenessmaydriveuntoafine.
PORTIA
Ay,forthestate,notforAntonio.
SHYLOCK
Nay,takemylifeandallpardonnotthat:
Youtakemyhousewhenyoudotaketheprop
Thatdothsustainmyhouseyoutakemylife
WhenyoudotakethemeanswherebyIlive.
PORTIA
Whatmercycanyourenderhim,Antonio?
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GRATIANO
Ahaltergratisnothingelse,forGod'ssake.
ANTONIO
Sopleasemylordthedukeandallthecourt
Toquitthefineforonehalfofhisgoods,
Iamcontentsohewillletmehave
Theotherhalfinuse,torenderit,
Uponhisdeath,untothegentleman
Thatlatelystolehisdaughter:
Twothingsprovidedmore,that,forthisfavour,
HepresentlybecomeaChristian
Theother,thathedorecordagift,
Hereinthecourt,ofallhediespossess'd,
UntohissonLorenzoandhisdaughter.
DUKE
Heshalldothis,orelseIdorecant
ThepardonthatIlatepronouncedhere.
PORTIA
Artthoucontented,Jew?whatdostthousay?
SHYLOCK
Iamcontent.
PORTIA
Clerk,drawadeedofgift.
SHYLOCK
Iprayyou,givemeleavetogofromhence
Iamnotwell:sendthedeedafterme,
AndIwillsignit.
DUKE
Gettheegone,butdoit.
GRATIANO
Inchristeningshaltthouhavetwogodfathers:
HadIbeenjudge,thoushouldsthavehadtenmore,
Tobringtheetothegallows,notthefont.
ExitSHYLOCK
DUKE
Sir,Ientreatyouhomewithmetodinner.
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PORTIA
Ihumblydodesireyourgraceofpardon:
ImustawaythisnighttowardPadua,
AnditismeetIpresentlysetforth.
DUKE
Iamsorrythatyourleisureservesyounot.
Antonio,gratifythisgentleman,
For,inmymind,youaremuchboundtohim.
ExeuntDukeandhistrain
BASSANIO
Mostworthygentleman,Iandmyfriend
Havebyyourwisdombeenthisdayacquitted
Ofgrievouspenaltiesinlieuwhereof,
Threethousandducats,dueuntotheJew,
Wefreelycopeyourcourteouspainswithal.
ANTONIO
Andstandindebted,overandabove,
Inloveandservicetoyouevermore.
PORTIA
Heiswellpaidthatiswellsatisfied
AndI,deliveringyou,amsatisfied
Andthereindoaccountmyselfwellpaid:
Mymindwasneveryetmoremercenary.
Iprayyou,knowmewhenwemeetagain:
Iwishyouwell,andsoItakemyleave.
BASSANIO
Dearsir,offorceImustattemptyoufurther:
Takesomeremembranceofus,asatribute,
Notasafee:grantmetwothings,Iprayyou,
Nottodenyme,andtopardonme.
PORTIA
Youpressmefar,andthereforeIwillyield.
ToANTONIO
Givemeyourgloves,I'llwearthemforyoursake
ToBASSANIO
And,foryourlove,I'lltakethisringfromyou:
DonotdrawbackyourhandI'lltakenomore
Andyouinloveshallnotdenymethis.
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BASSANIO
Thisring,goodsir,alas,itisatrifle!
Iwillnotshamemyselftogiveyouthis.
PORTIA
Iwillhavenothingelsebutonlythis
AndnowmethinksIhaveamindtoit.
BASSANIO
There'smoredependsonthisthanonthevalue.
ThedearestringinVenicewillIgiveyou,
Andfinditoutbyproclamation:
Onlyforthis,Iprayyou,pardonme.
PORTIA
Isee,sir,youareliberalinoffers
Youtaughtmefirsttobegandnowmethinks
Youteachmehowabeggarshouldbeanswer'd.
BASSANIO
Goodsir,thisringwasgivenmebymywife
Andwhensheputiton,shemademevow
ThatIshouldneithersellnorgivenorloseit.
PORTIA
That'scuseservesmanymentosavetheirgifts.
Anifyourwifebenotamadwoman,
AndknowhowwellIhavedeservedthering,
Shewouldnotholdoutenemyforever,
Forgivingittome.Well,peacebewithyou!
ExeuntPortiaandNerissa
ANTONIO
MyLordBassanio,lethimhavethering:
Lethisdeservingsandmylovewithal
Bevaluedagainstyourwife'scommandment.
BASSANIO
Go,Gratiano,runandovertakehim
Givehimthering,andbringhim,ifthoucanst,
UntoAntonio'shouse:away!makehaste.
ExitGratiano
Come,youandIwillthitherpresently
Andinthemorningearlywillweboth
FlytowardBelmont:come,Antonio.
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Exeunt
SCENEII.Thesame.Astreet.
PORTIA
InquiretheJew'shouseout,givehimthisdeed
Andlethimsignit:we'llawaytonight
Andbeadaybeforeourhusbandshome:
ThisdeedwillbewellwelcometoLorenzo.
EnterGRATIANO
GRATIANO
Fairsir,youarewello'erta'en
MyLordBassaniouponmoreadvice
Hathsentyouherethisring,anddothentreat
Yourcompanyatdinner.
PORTIA
Thatcannotbe:
HisringIdoacceptmostthankfully:
Andso,Iprayyou,tellhim:furthermore,
Iprayyou,showmyyoutholdShylock'shouse.
GRATIANO
ThatwillIdo.
NERISSA
Sir,Iwouldspeakwithyou.
AsidetoPORTIA
I'llseeifIcangetmyhusband'sring,
WhichIdidmakehimsweartokeepforever.
PORTIA
[AsidetoNERISSA]Thoumayst,Iwarrant.
Weshallhaveoldswearing
Thattheydidgivetheringsawaytomen
Butwe'lloutfacethem,andoutswearthemtoo.
Aloud
Away!makehaste:thouknowistwhereIwilltarry.
NERISSA
Come,goodsir,willyoushowmetothishouse?
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Exeunt
ACTV
SCENEI.Belmont.AvenuetoPORTIA'Shouse.
EnterLORENZOandJESSICA
LORENZO
Themoonshinesbright:insuchanightasthis,
Whenthesweetwinddidgentlykissthetrees
Andtheydidmakenonoise,insuchanight
TroilusmethinksmountedtheTroyanwalls
Andsigh'dhissoultowardtheGreciantents,
WhereCressidlaythatnight.
JESSICA
Insuchanight
DidThisbefearfullyo'ertripthedew
Andsawthelion'sshadowerehimself
Andrandismay'daway.
LORENZO
Insuchanight
StoodDidowithawillowinherhand
Uponthewildseabanksandwaftherlove
TocomeagaintoCarthage.
JESSICA
Insuchanight
Medeagather'dtheenchantedherbs
ThatdidrenewoldAEson.
LORENZO
Insuchanight
DidJessicastealfromthewealthyJew
AndwithanunthriftlovedidrunfromVenice
AsfarasBelmont.
JESSICA
Insuchanight
DidyoungLorenzoswearhelovedherwell,
Stealinghersoulwithmanyvowsoffaith
Andne'eratrueone.
LORENZO
Insuchanight
DidprettyJessica,likealittleshrew,
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Slanderherlove,andheforgaveither.
JESSICA
Iwouldoutnightyou,didnobodycome
But,hark,Ihearthefootingofaman.
EnterSTEPHANO
LORENZO
Whocomessofastinsilenceofthenight?
STEPHANO
Afriend.
LORENZO
Afriend!whatfriend?yourname,Iprayyou,friend?
STEPHANO
StephanoismynameandIbringword
Mymistresswillbeforethebreakofday
BehereatBelmontshedothstrayabout
Byholycrosses,whereshekneelsandprays
Forhappywedlockhours.
LORENZO
Whocomeswithher?
STEPHANO
Nonebutaholyhermitandhermaid.
Iprayyou,ismymasteryetreturn'd?
LORENZO
Heisnot,norwehavenotheardfromhim.
Butgowein,Ipraythee,Jessica,
Andceremoniouslyletusprepare
Somewelcomeforthemistressofthehouse.
EnterLAUNCELOT
LAUNCELOT
Sola,sola!woha,ho!sola,sola!
LORENZO
Whocalls?
LAUNCELOT
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Sola!didyouseeMasterLorenzo?
MasterLorenzo,sola,sola!
LORENZO
Leavehollaing,man:here.
LAUNCELOT
Sola!where?where?
LORENZO
Here.
LAUNCELOT
Tellhimthere'sapostcomefrommymaster,with
hishornfullofgoodnews:mymasterwillbehere
eremorning.
Exit
LORENZO
Sweetsoul,let'sin,andthereexpecttheircoming.
Andyetnomatter:whyshouldwegoin?
MyfriendStephano,signify,Iprayyou,
Withinthehouse,yourmistressisathand
Andbringyourmusicforthintotheair.
ExitStephano
Howsweetthemoonlightsleepsuponthisbank!
Herewillwesitandletthesoundsofmusic
Creepinourears:softstillnessandthenight
Becomethetouchesofsweetharmony.
Sit,Jessica.Lookhowthefloorofheaven
Isthickinlaidwithpatinesofbrightgold:
There'snotthesmallestorbwhichthoubehold'st
Butinhismotionlikeanangelsings,
Stillquiringtotheyoungeyedcherubins
Suchharmonyisinimmortalsouls
Butwhilstthismuddyvestureofdecay
Dothgrosslycloseitin,wecannothearit.
EnterMusicians
Come,ho!andwakeDianawithahymn!
Withsweetesttouchespierceyourmistress'ear,
Anddrawherhomewithmusic.
Music
JESSICA
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IamnevermerrywhenIhearsweetmusic.
LORENZO
Thereasonis,yourspiritsareattentive:
Fordobutnoteawildandwantonherd,
Orraceofyouthfulandunhandledcolts,
Fetchingmadbounds,bellowingandneighingloud,
Whichisthehotconditionoftheirblood
Iftheybuthearperchanceatrumpetsound,
Oranyairofmusictouchtheirears,
Youshallperceivethemmakeamutualstand,
Theirsavageeyesturn'dtoamodestgaze
Bythesweetpowerofmusic:thereforethepoet
DidfeignthatOrpheusdrewtrees,stonesandfloods
Sincenoughtsostockish,hardandfullofrage,
Butmusicforthetimedothchangehisnature.
Themanthathathnomusicinhimself,
Norisnotmovedwithconcordofsweetsounds,
Isfitfortreasons,stratagemsandspoils
Themotionsofhisspiritaredullasnight
AndhisaffectionsdarkasErebus:
Letnosuchmanbetrusted.Markthemusic.
PORTIA
Thatlightweseeisburninginmyhall.
Howfarthatlittlecandlethrowshisbeams!
Soshinesagooddeedinanaughtyworld.
NERISSA
Whenthemoonshone,wedidnotseethecandle.
PORTIA
Sodoththegreaterglorydimtheless:
Asubstituteshinesbrightlyasaking
Untothekingbeby,andthenhisstate
Emptiesitself,asdothaninlandbrook
Intothemainofwaters.Music!hark!
NERISSA
Itisyourmusic,madam,ofthehouse.
PORTIA
Nothingisgood,Isee,withoutrespect:
Methinksitsoundsmuchsweeterthanbyday.
NERISSA
Silencebestowsthatvirtueonit,madam.
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PORTIA
Thecrowdothsingassweetlyasthelark,
Whenneitherisattended,andIthink
Thenightingale,ifsheshouldsingbyday,
Wheneverygooseiscackling,wouldbethought
Nobetteramusicianthanthewren.
Howmanythingsbyseasonseason'dare
Totheirrightpraiseandtrueperfection!
Peace,ho!themoonsleepswithEndymion
Andwouldnotbeawaked.
Musicceases
LORENZO
Thatisthevoice,
OrIammuchdeceived,ofPortia.
PORTIA
Heknowsmeastheblindmanknowsthecuckoo,
Bythebadvoice.
LORENZO
Dearlady,welcomehome.
PORTIA
Wehavebeenprayingforourhusbands'healths,
Whichspeed,wehope,thebetterforourwords.
Aretheyreturn'd?
LORENZO
Madam,theyarenotyet
Butthereiscomeamessengerbefore,
Tosignifytheircoming.
PORTIA
Goin,Nerissa
Giveordertomyservantsthattheytake
Nonoteatallofourbeingabsenthence
Noryou,LorenzoJessica,noryou.
Atucketsounds
LORENZO
YourhusbandisathandIhearhistrumpet:
Wearenotelltales,madamfearyounot.
PORTIA
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Thisnightmethinksisbutthedaylightsick
Itlooksalittlepaler:'tisaday,
Suchasthedayiswhenthesunishid.
EnterBASSANIO,ANTONIO,GRATIANO,andtheirfollowers
BASSANIO
WeshouldholddaywiththeAntipodes,
Ifyouwouldwalkinabsenceofthesun.
PORTIA
Letmegivelight,butletmenotbelight
Foralightwifedothmakeaheavyhusband,
AndneverbeBassaniosoforme:
ButGodsortall!Youarewelcomehome,mylord.
BASSANIO
Ithankyou,madam.Givewelcometomyfriend.
Thisistheman,thisisAntonio,
TowhomIamsoinfinitelybound.
PORTIA
Youshouldinallsensebemuchboundtohim.
For,asIhear,hewasmuchboundforyou.
ANTONIO
NomorethanIamwellacquittedof.
PORTIA
Sir,youareverywelcometoourhouse:
Itmustappearinotherwaysthanwords,
ThereforeIscantthisbreathingcourtesy.
GRATIANO
[ToNERISSA]ByyondermoonIswearyoudomewrong
Infaith,Igaveittothejudge'sclerk:
Wouldheweregeltthathadit,formypart,
Sinceyoudotakeit,love,somuchatheart.
PORTIA
Aquarrel,ho,already!what'sthematter?
GRATIANO
Aboutahoopofgold,apaltryring
Thatshedidgiveme,whoseposywas
Foralltheworldlikecutler'spoetry
Uponaknife,'Loveme,andleavemenot.'
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NERISSA
Whattalkyouoftheposyorthevalue?
Yousworetome,whenIdidgiveityou,
Thatyouwouldwearittillyourhourofdeath
Andthatitshouldliewithyouinyourgrave:
Thoughnotforme,yetforyourvehementoaths,
Youshouldhavebeenrespectiveandhavekeptit.
Gaveitajudge'sclerk!no,God'smyjudge,
Theclerkwillne'erwearhairon'sfacethathadit.
GRATIANO
Hewill,anifhelivetobeaman.
NERISSA
Ay,ifawomanlivetobeaman.
GRATIANO
Now,bythishand,Igaveittoayouth,
Akindofboy,alittlescrubbedboy,
Nohigherthanthyselfthejudge'sclerk,
Apratingboy,thatbegg'ditasafee:
Icouldnotformyheartdenyithim.
PORTIA
Youweretoblame,Imustbeplainwithyou,
Topartsoslightlywithyourwife'sfirstgift:
Athingstuckonwithoathsuponyourfinger
Andsorivetedwithfaithuntoyourflesh.
Igavemylovearingandmadehimswear
Nevertopartwithitandherehestands
Idarebeswornforhimhewouldnotleaveit
Norpluckitfromhisfinger,forthewealth
Thattheworldmasters.Now,infaith,Gratiano,
Yougiveyourwifetoounkindacauseofgrief:
An'tweretome,Ishouldbemadatit.
BASSANIO
[Aside]Why,Iwerebesttocutmylefthandoff
AndswearIlosttheringdefendingit.
GRATIANO
MyLordBassaniogavehisringaway
Untothejudgethatbegg'ditandindeed
Deservedittooandthentheboy,hisclerk,
Thattooksomepainsinwriting,hebegg'dmine
Andneithermannormasterwouldtakeaught
Butthetworings.
PORTIA
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Whatringgaveyoumylord?
Notthat,Ihope,whichyoureceivedofme.
BASSANIO
IfIcouldaddalieuntoafault,
Iwoulddenyitbutyouseemyfinger
Hathnottheringuponititisgone.
PORTIA
Evensovoidisyourfalseheartoftruth.
Byheaven,Iwillne'ercomeinyourbed
UntilIseethering.
NERISSA
NorIinyours
TillIagainseemine.
BASSANIO
SweetPortia,
IfyoudidknowtowhomIgavethering,
IfyoudidknowforwhomIgavethering
AndwouldconceiveforwhatIgavethering
AndhowunwillinglyIleftthering,
Whennoughtwouldbeacceptedbutthering,
Youwouldabatethestrengthofyourdispleasure.
PORTIA
Ifyouhadknownthevirtueofthering,
Orhalfherworthinessthatgavethering,
Oryourownhonourtocontainthering,
Youwouldnotthenhavepartedwiththering.
Whatmanistheresomuchunreasonable,
Ifyouhadpleasedtohavedefendedit
Withanytermsofzeal,wantedthemodesty
Tourgethethingheldasaceremony?
Nerissateachesmewhattobelieve:
I'lldiefor'tbutsomewomanhadthering.
BASSANIO
No,bymyhonour,madam,bymysoul,
Nowomanhadit,butacivildoctor,
Whichdidrefusethreethousandducatsofme
Andbegg'dtheringthewhichIdiddenyhim
Andsuffer'dhimtogodispleasedaway
Evenhethatdidupholdtheverylife
Ofmydearfriend.WhatshouldIsay,sweetlady?
Iwasenforcedtosenditafterhim
Iwasbesetwithshameandcourtesy
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Myhonourwouldnotletingratitude
Somuchbesmearit.Pardonme,goodlady
For,bytheseblessedcandlesofthenight,
Hadyoubeenthere,Ithinkyouwouldhavebegg'd
Theringofmetogivetheworthydoctor.
PORTIA
Letnotthatdoctore'ercomenearmyhouse:
SincehehathgotthejewelthatIloved,
Andthatwhichyoudidsweartokeepforme,
Iwillbecomeasliberalasyou
I'llnotdenyhimanythingIhave,
No,notmybodynormyhusband'sbed:
KnowhimIshall,Iamwellsureofit:
LienotanightfromhomewatchmelikeArgus:
Ifyoudonot,ifIbeleftalone,
Now,byminehonour,whichisyetmineown,
I'llhavethatdoctorformybedfellow.
NERISSA
AndIhisclerkthereforebewelladvised
Howyoudoleavemetomineownprotection.
GRATIANO
Well,doyousoletnotmetakehim,then
ForifIdo,I'llmartheyoungclerk'spen.
ANTONIO
Iamtheunhappysubjectofthesequarrels.
PORTIA
Sir,grievenotyouyouarewelcomenotwithstanding.
BASSANIO
Portia,forgivemethisenforcedwrong
And,inthehearingofthesemanyfriends,
Isweartothee,evenbythineownfaireyes,
WhereinIseemyself
PORTIA
Markyoubutthat!
Inbothmyeyeshedoublyseeshimself
Ineacheye,one:swearbyyourdoubleself,
Andthere'sanoathofcredit.
BASSANIO
Nay,buthearme:
Pardonthisfault,andbymysoulIswear
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Inevermorewillbreakanoathwiththee.
ANTONIO
Ioncedidlendmybodyforhiswealth
Which,butforhimthathadyourhusband'sring,
Hadquitemiscarried:Idarebeboundagain,
Mysoulupontheforfeit,thatyourlord
Willnevermorebreakfaithadvisedly.
PORTIA
Thenyoushallbehissurety.Givehimthis
Andbidhimkeepitbetterthantheother.
ANTONIO
Here,LordBassaniosweartokeepthisring.
BASSANIO
Byheaven,itisthesameIgavethedoctor!
PORTIA
Ihaditofhim:pardonme,Bassanio
For,bythisring,thedoctorlaywithme.
NERISSA
Andpardonme,mygentleGratiano
Forthatsamescrubbedboy,thedoctor'sclerk,
Inlieuofthislastnightdidliewithme.
GRATIANO
Why,thisislikethemendingofhighways
Insummer,wherethewaysarefairenough:
What,arewecuckoldserewehavedeservedit?
PORTIA
Speaknotsogrossly.Youareallamazed:
Hereisaletterreaditatyourleisure
ItcomesfromPadua,fromBellario:
ThereyoushallfindthatPortiawasthedoctor,
Nerissathereherclerk:Lorenzohere
ShallwitnessIsetforthassoonasyou
Andevenbutnowreturn'dIhavenotyet
Enter'dmyhouse.Antonio,youarewelcome
AndIhavebetternewsinstoreforyou
Thanyouexpect:unsealthislettersoon
Thereyoushallfindthreeofyourargosies
Arerichlycometoharboursuddenly:
Youshallnotknowbywhatstrangeaccident
Ichancedonthisletter.
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ANTONIO
Iamdumb.
BASSANIO
WereyouthedoctorandIknewyounot?
GRATIANO
Wereyoutheclerkthatistomakemecuckold?
NERISSA
Ay,buttheclerkthatnevermeanstodoit,
Unlessheliveuntilhebeaman.
BASSANIO
Sweetdoctor,youshallbemybedfellow:
WhenIamabsent,thenliewithmywife.
ANTONIO
Sweetlady,youhavegivenmelifeandliving
ForhereIreadforcertainthatmyships
Aresafelycometoroad.
PORTIA
Hownow,Lorenzo!
Myclerkhathsomegoodcomfortstooforyou.
NERISSA
Ay,andI'llgivethemhimwithoutafee.
TheredoIgivetoyouandJessica,
FromtherichJew,aspecialdeedofgift,
Afterhisdeath,ofallhediespossess'dof.
LORENZO
Fairladies,youdropmannaintheway
Ofstarvedpeople.
PORTIA
Itisalmostmorning,
AndyetIamsureyouarenotsatisfied
Oftheseeventsatfull.Letusgoin
Andchargeusthereuponinter'gatories,
Andwewillanswerallthingsfaithfully.
GRATIANO
Letitbeso:thefirstinter'gatory
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ThatmyNerissashallbeswornonis,
Whethertillthenextnightshehadratherstay,
Orgotobednow,beingtwohourstoday:
Butwerethedaycome,Ishouldwishitdark,
ThatIwerecouchingwiththedoctor'sclerk.
Well,whileIliveI'llfearnootherthing
SosoreaskeepingsafeNerissa'sring.
Exeunt
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Merchant of Venice - Entire Play

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