Lorenzo, in love with Jessica. Shylock, a Jew; Tubal, a Jew, his friend. Launcelot Gobbo, a clown, servant to Shylock. Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot. Salerio, a messenger from Venice. Leonardo, servant to Bassanio. Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Jailer, Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the Seat of Portia, on the Continent. fable of this Day is taken from a story in the recorone of Giovanni Florentino, a novelist who wrote in 1370. The Choic of the Carkets is supposed to be borrowe from a tale of Boccace. The Style is wen & easy, with few peculianties diction, or anomalies of construction The Comich part raises Caughter, an The serious fixes attention. The pro bability of either one or the other st cannot be maintained. The Union & hos actions in one event is in this Prana, sminently happy; Johnson. MERCHANT OF VENICE. ACT I SCENE I VENICE. A STREET. Enter Antonio, Salarino, and Salanio. Ant. In sooth, I know not why I am so sad; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That curt'sy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings. Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still B And every object, that might make me fear Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks? And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought Is sad to think upon his merchandize. Ant. 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 estate Upon the fortune of this present year : Therefore, my merchandize makes me not sad. Salan. Why then you are in love. Ant. Fie, fie! Salan. Not in love neither? Then let's say, you are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy |