Than twenty times the value of the sum It will go hard with poor Antonio. Portia. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? Portia. What sum owes he the Jew? 290 What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; 300 310 Bassanio. [Reads] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Portia. O love, dispatch all business, and be gone! Bassanio. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste: but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. SCENE III. Venice. A street. 320 [Exeunt. Enter SHYLOCK, SALARINO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler. Shylock. Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis: Gaoler, look to him. Antonio. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shylock. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond: The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder, To come abroad with him at his request. Antonio. I pray thee, hear me speak. 10 Shylock. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. Salarino. It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men. Antonio. Let him alone: I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; Salarino. I am sure the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. [Exit. Antonio. The duke cannot deny the course of law: Will much impeach the justice of his state; 30 Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Belmont. A room in Portia's house. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, Lorenzo, JESSICA, and Balthasar. Lorenzo. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But if you knew to whom you show this honour, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, Portia. I never did repent for doing good, E ΙΟ 20 Therefore no more of it: hear other things. The husbandry and manage of my house Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return: The which my love and some necessity Lorenzo. Madam, with all my heart: I shall obey you in all fair commands. Portia. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica In place of Lord Bassanio and myself. And so farewell, till we shall meet again. 30 40 Lorenzo. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you! Jessica. I wish your ladyship all heart's content. Portia. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica. Now, Balthasar, [Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo. As I have ever found thee honest-true, So let me find thee still. Take this same letter, In speed to Padua: see thou render this Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario; And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, Unto the tranect, to the common ferry Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words, But get thee gone: I shall be there before thee. Balthasar. Madam, I go with all convenient speed. 50 [Exit. Portia. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands Before they think of us. Nerissa. Shall they see us? Portia. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, And wish, for all that, that I had not kill'd them; That men shall swear I have discontinued school But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device SCENE V. The same. A garden. Enter LAUNCELOT and JESSICA. 60 70 80 [Exeunt. Launcelot. Yes, truly; for, look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I promise ye, I fear you. I was always plain with you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter: therefore be of good cheer, for truly I think you are damned. There is but one hope in it that can do you any good; and that is but a kind of base hope neither. |