Laun. Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman (according to fates and destinies, and such odd sayings, the sisters three, and such branches of learning) is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say, in plain terms, gone to heaven. Gob. Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. Laun. Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-post, a staff, or a prop ?-Do you know me, father? Gob. He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and I have a desire, as my father shali specify, Gob. His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins: Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being I hope an old man, shall frutify unto Gob. Alack the day, I know you not, young gen-you,tleman: but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy (God rest his soul!) alive, or dead? Laun. Do you not know me, father? Gob. Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not. Laun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father, that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: Give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long, a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will out. Gob. Pray you, sir, stand up; I am sure, you are not Launcelot, my boy. Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing; I am Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be. Gob. I cannot think you are my son. Laun. I know not what I shall think of that: but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and, I am sure, Margery, your wife, is my mother. Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worship'd might he be! what a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my thill-horse' has on his tail. Laun. It should seem then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward; I am sure he had more hair on his tail, than I have on my face, when I last saw him. Gob. Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present; How 'gree you now? Laun. Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up my rest2 to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground: my master's a very Jew: Give him a present! give him a halter: I am famish'd in his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come; give me your present to one master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries; if I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. -O rare fortune! here comes the man;-to him, father; for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer. Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO, and other Bass. You may do so;-but let it be so hasted, Laun. To him, father. have been proposed but apparently with less probabi- 11. e. the shaft-horse, sometimes called the thill-horse. 2'Set up my rest,' i. e. determined. See note on All's Well that Ends Well, Act ii. Sc. 2. Romeo and Juliet, Act iv. Sc. 5. Where it may be remarked that Shakspeare has again quibbled upon rest. The County Paris hath set up his rest, that you shall rest but lule.' Gob. I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship; and my suit is, Laun. In very brief, the suit is impenent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father. Bass. One speak for both ;-What would you? Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, sir. suit: Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day, Laun. The old proverb is very well parted be- Take leave of thy old master, and inquire [To his Followers. More guarded' than his fellows: See it done. [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old GOEBO. Gra. Where is your master? Gra. Signior Bassanio,- Yonder, sir, he walks. [Exit LEONARDO. Gra. I have a suit to you. Bass. Why, then you must;-But hear thes Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice ;- 3 i. e. ornamented. Guards were trimmings, facings, or other ornaments, such as gold and silver lace, applied upon a dress. 4 Mr. Tyrwhitt's explanation of this passage (which has much puzzled the commentators) seems the most plausible: Launcelot applauding himself for his success with Bassanio, and looking into the palm of his hand, which by fortune-tellers is called the table, breaks out into the following reflection-Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table; which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune'-i. e. a table which doth not only promise but offer to swear upon a book that I shall have good fortune. He omits the conclusion of the sentence. By what we do to-night. No, that were pity; Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.--Most Deautiful pagan,—most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu! [Exit. Jess. Farewell, good Launcelot.-Alack, what heinous sin is it in me, To be asham'd to be my father's child! But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners: O Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. SCENE IV. The same. A Street. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time; Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour. [Exit. Gra. We have not made good preparation. Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers. Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours Laun. By your leave, sir. Lor. Whither goest thou? Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this :-tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her ;-speak it privately; go.--Gentlemen, [Exit LAUNCELOT. Will you prepare you for this masque to-night? I am provided of a torch-bearer. Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight. Salan. And so will I. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodging, some hour hence. Salar. 'Tis good we do so. [Exeunt SALAR, and Salan. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath directed, How I shall take her from her father's house: What gold, and jewels, she is furnish'd with; What page's suit she hath in readiness. If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, It will be for his gentle daughter's sake: And never dare misfortune cross her foot, Unless she do it under this excuse,--That she is issue to a faithless Jew. Come, go with me; peruse this, as thou goest Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer. [Exeunt. SCENE_V. The same. Before Shylock's House. Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT. Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio :--- Laun. Why, Jessica! Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call. Laun. Your worship was wont to tell me, I could do nothing without bidding. Enter JESSICA. Jes. Call you? What is your will? Shy. I am bid forth to supper, Jessica: There are my keys :-But wherefore should I go? I am not bid for love; they flatter me: But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon The prodigal Christian.-Jessica, my girl, Laun. I beseech you, sir, go; my young master doth expect your reproach. Shy. So do I his. Laun. And they have conspired together.-I will not say, you shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on Black-Monday last at six o'clock i'the morning, falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year in the afternoon. Shy. What are there masques? Hear you me, Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum, 7 Invited. 8 Shakspeare meant to heighten the malignity of Shy. lock's character by thus making him depart from his most settled resolve (that he will neither eat, drink, nor dur-pray with Christians,) for the prosecution of his revenge 4i. e. grave appearance; show of staid and serious behaviour Ostent is a word very commonly used for show among old dramatic writers. 5 Carriage, deportment. 6 To break up was a term in carving. 9 i. e. Easter-Monday. It was called Black-Monday from the severity of that day, April 4, 1360, which was so extraordinary that, of Edward the Third's soldiers, then before Paris, many died of the cold. Anciently a superstitious belief was annexed to the accident of bleed ing at the nose. But I will go.-Go you before me, sırrah; Will be worth a Jewess' eye. [Exit LAUN. Shy. What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha? Jes. His words were Farewell, mistress; nothing else. Shy. The patch' is kind enough; but a huge feeder. Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day Do, as I bid you, Shut doors after you: fast bind, fast find; [Exit. crost, [Exit. SCENE VI. The same. Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo Desir'd us to make stand. Salar. His hour is almost past. Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock. Salar. O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly To seal love's bonds new made, than they are wont, To keep obliged faith unforfeited! Gra. That ever holds: who riseth from a feast, The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, Salar. Here comes Lorenzo ;-more of this here- Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long Not I, but my affairs have made you wait; Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love indeed; thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket ; it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much asham'd of my exchange; But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit: For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me thus transformed to a boy. Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too, too light. Lor. So are you, sweet, For the close night doth play the run-away, Ant. Who's there? Gra. Signior Antonio? Ant. Fye, fye, Gratiano! where are all the rest? Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you :No masque to-night: the wind is come about, Bassanio presently will go abroad: I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more delight, Than to be under sail and gone to-night [Exeunt. SCENE VII. Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.-Flourish of Cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the Prince of Morocco, and both their Trains, Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince :Now make your choice. Mor. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears ; Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. The second, silver, which this promise carries;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt; Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. How shall I know if I do choose the right? Por. The one of them contains my picture prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Mor. Some god direct my judgment ! Let me see, Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. As much as I deserve!-Why, that's the lady: 'Fair laughs the morn and soft the zephyr blows, While proudly riding o'er the azure realm, In gallant trim the gilded vessel goes; Youth on the prow, and Pleasure at the helm; Regardless of the sweeping whirlwind's sway, That hush'd in grim repose expects his evening prey.' 4 So in Othello: The baudy wind, that kisses all it meets,' 5 A jest arising from the ambiguity of Gentile, which signifies both a heathen and one well born. What if I stray'd no furtner, but chose here ?- One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Then I am yours. Mor. [He unlocks the golden casket. O hell! what have we here? A carrion death, within whose empty eye There is a written scroll: I'll read the writing. All that glisters is not gold, Often have you heard that told: Your answer had not been inscroll'd :a Then, farewell, heat; and welcome, frost.- Let all of his complexion choose me so. SCENE VIII. Venice. A Street. LARINO and SALANIO. [Exeunt. Enter SA Salar. Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail; With him is Gratiano gone along; And in their ship, I am sure, Lorenzo is not. Salan. The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. Salar. He came too late, the ship was under sail; But there the duke was given to understand, That in a gondola were seen together Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica : Besides, Antonio certify'd the duke, They were not with Bassanio in his ship. Salan. I never heard a passion so confus'd, So strange, outrageous, and so variable, As the dog Jew did utter in the streets: My daughter!-O my ducats!-O my daughter! Fled with a Christian ?-O my christian ducats!Justice! the law! my ducats, and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter! And jewels; two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stoln by my daughter! Justice! find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats! 1 Enclose. 2 i. e. if compared with tried gold. So before in Act i. Sc. 1. 'Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued To Cato's daughter.' 3 Engraven. Salar. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats. Salan. Let good Antonio look he keep his day, Or he shall pay for this. Salar. Marry, well remember'd: I reason'd' with a Frenchman yesterday; Who told me,-in the narrow seas, that part The French and English, there miscarried A vessel of our country, richly fraught: I thought upon Antonio, when he told me; And wish'd in silence that it were not his. Salan. You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. Salar. A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: Bassanio told him, he would make some speed Salar. Do we so. [Exeunt. Por. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd; But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be from hence immediately. gone Ar. I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to any one Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone. Por. To these injunctions every one doth swear, That comes to hazard for my worthless self. Ar. And so have I address'd' me: Fortune now To my heart's hope!-Gold, silver, and base lead. Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. You shall look fairer, ere I give, or hazard. What says the golden chest? ha! let me see :Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. What many men desire.-That many may be meant By10 the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet, Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force11 and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump12 with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. 7 Shows, tokens. 8 The heaviness he is fond of, or indulges. 9 Prepared. 10 By and of being synonymous, were used by our 4 i. e. the answer you have got; namely, 'Fare you ancestors indifferently; Malone has adduced numerous well!? instances of the use of by, in all of which, by substitu ting of, the sense is rendered clear to the modern reades 11 Power. 12 To jump is to agree with Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house; nour Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times,' Por. Too long a pause for that which you find there. Por. To offend, and judge, are distinct offices, Ar. What is here? The fire seven times tried this; So begone, sir, you are sped. With one fool's head I came to woo, [Exeunt Arragon, and Train. Ner. The ancient saying is no heresy ;- A Serv. Where is my lady? To signify the approaching of his lord: ACT III. SCENE I. Venice. A Street. Enter SALANIO and SALARINO. Salan. Now, what news on the Rialto? Salar. Why, yet it lives there uncheck'd, that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wreck'd on the narrow seas; the Goodwins, I think they call the place; a very dangerous flat, and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip report be an honest woman of her word, Salan. I would she were as lying a gossip in that, as ever knapp'd' ginger, or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband: But it is true, without any slips of prolixity, or crossing the plain highway of talk,-that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio,- -O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company:— Salar. Come, the full stop. Salan. Ha,-what say'st thou ?-Why the end is, he hath lost a ship. Salar. I would it might prove the end of his losses! Salan. Let me say amen betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer; for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew. Enter SHYLOCK. How now, Shylock? what news among the merchants? Shy. You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight. Salar. That's certain; I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal. Salan. And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledg'd; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. Shy. She is damn'd for it. Salar. That's certain, if the devil may be her judge. Shy. My own flesh and blood to rebel! years? Shy. I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood. Salar. There is more difference between thy flesh and hers, than between jet and ivory; more between your bloods, than there is between red wine and rhenish:-But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or not? Shy. There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto;-a beggar, that used to come so smug upon the mart:-let him look to his bond: he was wont to call me usurer;-let him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy: -let him look to his bond. Salar. Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh; What's that good for? Shy. To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me of half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, or mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. gans, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? if you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you him.-poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? if we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility: revenge; If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by of the Historyes of Troye, 1471, has frequent instances of wroth. 5 Salutations. Por. No more, I pray thee; I am half afeard, [Exeunt. 1 The meaning is, how much meanness would be found among the great, and how much greatness among the mean. 2 Know. 3 The poet had forgotten that he who missed Portia was never to marry any other woman. 4 Wreath is used in some of the old writers for misfortune and is often spelt like ruth Caxton's Recuyell 6 So in the Merry wives of Windsor: He speaks holiday.' 7 To knap is to break short. The word occurs in the Common Prayer. He knappeth the spear in sunder. We still say snapp'd short in two.' |