Jessica. And what hope is that, I pray thee? Launcelot. Marry, you may partly hope that you are not the Jew's daughter. Jessica. That were a kind of base hope, indeed: sins of my mother should be visited upon me. ΤΟ so the Launcelot. Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and mother: thus when I shun Scylla, your father, I fall into Charybdis, your mother: well, you are gone both ways. Jessica. I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian. Launcelot. Truly, the more to blame he: we were Christians enow before; e'en as many as could well live, one by another. This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money. Enter LORENZO. 23 Jessica. I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you say: here he comes. Lorenzo. I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot. Jessica. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo: Launcelot and I are out. He tells me flatly, there is no mercy for me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter: and he says, you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork. 31 Lorenzo. I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. Launcelot. That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. Lorenzo. Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner. Launcelot. That is done too, sir; only 'cover' is the word. Lorenzo. Will you cover then, sir? Launcelot. Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty. 40 Lorenzo. Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Launcelot. For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern. [Exit. Lorenzo. O dear discretion, how his words are suited! The fool hath planted in his memory An army of good words; and I do know A many fools, that stand in better place, Jessica. Past all expressing. It is very meet In reason he should never come to heaven. Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match And Portia one, there must be something else Lorenzo. Even such a husband Hast thou of me as she is for a wife. Jessica. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. Lorenzo. I will anoǹ: first, let us go to dinner. 51 60 70 Jessica. Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach. Lorenzo. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it. Jessica. Well, I'll set you forth. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. Venice. A court of justice. Enter the DUKE, the Magnificoes, ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, SALERIO, and others. Duke. What, is Antonio here? Antonio. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into court. Salerio. He is ready at the door: he comes, my lord. Enter SHYLOCK. Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act; and then 'tis thought Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange And where thou now exact'st the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, ΙΟ 20 Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint, We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shylock. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond: Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer: Why he, a harmless necessary cat; 30 40 50 More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing 60 A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? Bassanio. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty. Shylock. I am not bound to please thee with my answers. Bassanio. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Shylock. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Bassanio. Every offence is not a hate at first. 70 Shy. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice? As seek to soften that-than which what's harder?— Let me have judgement and the Jew his will. Bassanio. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. Were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond. 80 Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? Because you bought them: shall I say to you, 90 |