I wish you all the joy that you can wish; you Bass. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. To have her love, provided that your fortune Por. Is this true, Nerissa? Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal. Bass. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Gra. Yes, 'faith, my lord. Bass. Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage. Gra. We'll play with them, the first boy for a thousand ducats. Ner. What, and stake down?— Gra. No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? What, my old Venetian friend, Salerio? Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salerio. Bass. Lorenzo, and Salerio, welcome hither; If that the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome :-By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, (1) Pause, delay, So do I, my lord; Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. They are entirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour:-For my part, my My purpose was not to have seen you here; Sale. And I have reason for it. I did, my lord, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her wel come. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice? . We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sale. 'Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon' That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Of any constant man. What, worse and worse ?~- And I must freely have the half of any thing Bass. And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, How much I was a braggart: When I told you And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? (1) The chief men. Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. What sum owes he the Jew?. Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. Por. Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. Bass. [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. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Bass. 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. (1) Face. [Exeunt. SCENE III-Venice. A street. Enter Shylock, Salanio, Antonio, and Gaoler. Shy. Gaoler, look to him;-Tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis;-- Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond: speak: will not hear thee I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit Shylock, Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law. For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, (1) Foolish. |