Gra. Yes, faith, my lord. Baff. Our feaft fhall be much honour'd in your marriage. Gra. No, we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? What, and my old Venetian friend, Salanio? SCENE III. Enter Lorenzo, Jeffica, and Salanio. Baff. Lorenzo, and Salanio, welcome hither, Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. So do I, my lord; they are entirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour: for my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salanio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Sal. I did, my lord; And I have reason for't: fignior Anthonio Commends him to you. I Baff. Ere I ope his letter, [gives him a letter. pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Sal. Not fick, my lord, unless it be in mind: Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. Baffanio opens the letter. Gra. Neriffa, cheer yond ftranger: bid her welcome. I know, he will be glad of our fuccess: We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would, you had won the fleece that he hath loft! Por. There are fome fhrewd contents in yond fame paper, That steal the colour from Baffanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Could turn fo much the conftitution Of any conftant man. What, worse and worse! Here are a few of the unpleasant'ft words How much I was a braggart: when I told you And every word in it a gaping wound, Iffuing lifeblood. But is it true, Salanio? And not one veffel 'fcap'd the dreadful touch Sal. Not one, my lord. Befides, it should appear, that, if he had He would not take it. Never did I know Jef. When I was with him, I have heard him fwear, That he would rather have Anthonio's flesh That he did owe him; and, I know, my lord, It will go hard with poor Anthonio. Por. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble P In doing courtefies; and one in whom' Than any that draws breath in Italy. Pay him fix thoufand, and deface the bond; Shall lose a hair through my Bassanio's fault. To pay My My maid Nerissa, and myfelf, mean-time, Baff. reads. ST Weet Baffanio, my fhips have all miscarry'd, my creditors grow cruel, my eftate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and fince, in paying it, it is impoffible I fbould live, all debts are cleared between you and me, if I might but fee you at my death: notwithstanding, ufe your pleasure; if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love! defpatch all bufinefs, and be gone. No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, Nor reft be interpofer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Venice. Enter Shylock, Solarino, Anthonio, and the Jailer. mercy. Shy. TAILER, look to him: tell not me of Anth. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; fpeak not against my bond: I've fworn an oath that I will have my bond. Thou call'dft me dog, before thou hadst a cause; But, fince I am a dog, beware my fangs : The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder, your wedding-day. Bid your friends welcome, fhow a merry cheer; Thou Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fond Anth. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond: I will not hear thee speak: To shake the head, relent, and figh, and yield I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. That ever kept with men. Anth. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless pray'rs: I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; Sola. I am fure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. [Exit Shylock. Anth. The duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that ftrangers have With us in Venice, if it be deny'd, Will much impeach the justice of the state; [Exeunt. T SCENE |