DUKE of Venice. Morochius, a Moorish Prince. Anthonio, the Merchant of Venice. Salanio, Solarino, Friends to Anthonio and Baffanio. Gratiano, Lorenzo, in Love with Jeffica. Shylock, a Jew. Tubal, a Jew. Launcelot,. a Clown, Servant to the Jew. Gobbo. Father to Launcelot, Leonardo, Servant to Baffanio. Senators of Venice, Officers, Jailer, Servants and other Attendants. SCENE, partly at Venice; and partly at Belmont, the Seat of Portia. *In the old Editions in 4to for J. Roberts 1600, and in the old folio 1623, 1632, or 1664, there is no enumeration of the perfons. The Variations are felected from I. The excellent History of the Merchant of Venice, with the extreme cruelty of Shylock the Jew in cutting a juft pound of his flesh, and the obtaining of Portia by the choice of three cafkets. Written by W. Shake· Spear. Printed by J. Roberts Itoo. 4to. II. Folio 1623. THE I A C T I. SCENE I. A Street in Venice. Enter Anthonio, Solarino, and Salanio. ANTHONI O. N footh, I know not why I am so sad : But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, And fuch a want-wit fadnefs makes of me, Sal. Your mind is toffing on the ocean; That curtfie to them, do them reverence, I Argofie, a fhip from Argo. POPE. Whether it be derived from Argo I am in doubt. It was a name VOL. I. given in our authour's time to fhips of great burden, probably Galleons, fuch as the Spaniards now ufe in the Weft-India trade. Sola. C c Sola. Believe me, Sir, had I fuch venture forth, The better part of my affections would 2 Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Sal. My wind, cooling my broth, * And not bethink me ftrait of dang'rous rocks! Is fad to think upon his merchandize. Antho. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor to one place; nor is my whole eftate 2 Plucking the grafs, &c.] By holding up the grafs, or any light body that will bend by a gentle blaft, the direction of the wind is found. This way I used in shooting. Betwixt the markes was an open place, there I toke a fethere, or a yttle lighte graffe, and so learned how the wind flood. ASCHAM. * The name of the fhip. Sela. Sola. Why then you are in love. Anth. Fie, fie! 3 Sola. Not in love neither! then, let' fay, you're fad, That they'll not show their teeth in way of fmile, " Enter Baffanio, Lorenzo and Gratiano. Sal. Here comes Baffanio, your most noble kinfman, Gratiano and Lorenzo. Fare ye well; We leave you now with better company. Sola. I would have ftaid 'till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. Anth. Your worth is very dear in my regard. I take it, your own business calls on you, Sal. Good morrow, my good lords. Ball. Good Signiors both, when fhall we laugh? fay when? You grow exceeding ftrange; muft it be fo? Sal. We'll make our leifures to attend on yours. |