The Merchant of Venice

self. Your mind is tossing on the ocean, There where your argosies with portly sail (Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea) Do overpeer the petty traffickers That curtsy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings. Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind, Piring in maps for ports and piers and roads; And every object that might make me fear 7ACT 1 Scene 1 FTLN 0001 FTLN 0002 FTLN 0003 FTLN 0004 FTLN 0005 5 FTLN 0006 FTLN 0007 FTLN 0008 FTLN 0009 FTLN 0010 10 FTLN 0011 FTLN 0012 FTLN 0013 FTLN 0014 FTLN 0015 15 FTLN 0016 FTLN 0017 FTLN 0018 FTLN 0019 FTLN 0020 20 9 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 1 SALARINO ANTONIO SOLANIO ANTONIO SOLANIO Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt Would make me sad. My wind cooling my broth Would blow me to an ague when I thought What harm a wind too great might do at sea. I should not see the sandy hourglass run But I should think of shallows and of flats, And see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand, Vailing her high top lower than her ribs To kiss her burial. Should I go to church And see the holy edifice of stone And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, Which, touching but my gentle vessel’s side, Would scatter all her spices on the stream, Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks, And, in a word, but even now worth this And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought To think on this, and shall I lack the thought That such a thing bechanced would make me sad? But tell not me: I know Antonio Is sad to think upon his merchandise. 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 merchandise makes me not sad. Why then you are in love. Fie, fie! Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad Because you are not merry; and ’twere as easy For you to laugh and leap, and say you are merry Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,FTLN 0021 FTLN 0022 FTLN 0023 FTLN 0024 FTLN 0025 25 FTLN 0026 FTLN 0027 FTLN 0028 FTLN 0029 FTLN 0030 30 FTLN 0031 FTLN 0032 FTLN 0033 FTLN 0034 FTLN 0035 35 FTLN 0036 FTLN 0037 FTLN 0038 FTLN 0039 FTLN 0040 40 FTLN 0041 FTLN 0042 FTLN 0043 FTLN 0044 FTLN 0045 45 FTLN 0046 FTLN 0047 FTLN 0048 FTLN 0049 FTLN 0050 50 FTLN 0051 FTLN 0052 FTLN 0053 11 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 1 SALARINO ANTONIO SALARINO BASSANIO SALARINO Salarino and Solanio exit. LORENZO BASSANIO GRATIANO Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper, And other of such vinegar aspect That they’ll not show their teeth in way of smile Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Enter Bassanio, Lorenzo, and Gratiano. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare you well. We leave you now with better company. I would have stayed till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. Your worth is very dear in my regard. I take it your own business calls on you, And you embrace th’ occasion to depart. Good morrow, my good lords. Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? Say, when? You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so? We’ll make our leisures to attend on yours. My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio, We two will leave you. But at dinner time I pray you have in mind where we must meet. I will not fail you. You look not well, Signior Antonio. You have too much respect upon the world.FTLN 0054 FTLN 0055 55 FTLN 0056 FTLN 0057 FTLN 0058 FTLN 0059 FTLN 0060 60 FTLN 0061 FTLN 0062 FTLN 0063 FTLN 0064 FTLN 0065 65 FTLN 0066 FTLN 0067 FTLN 0068 FTLN 0069 FTLN 0070 70 FTLN 0071 FTLN 0072 FTLN 0073 FTLN 0074 FTLN 0075 75 FTLN 0076 FTLN 0077 FTLN 0078 13 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 1 AN

ext by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero. The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Shakespeare texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, fromTextual Introduction By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information. Because the Folger Shakespeare texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare. Antonio, the merchant in The Merchant of Venice, secures a loan from Shylock for his friend Bassanio, who seeks to court Portia. Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, recalls past insults from Antonio and, instead of asking interest on the loan, asks instead—in what he calls a “merry sport”—that if the loan is not repaid, Antonio will owe a pound of his own flesh. Bassanio sails to Belmont, where the wealthy heiress Portia is being courted by suitors from around the world. Her father’s will requires that the successful suitor solve a riddle involving chests of gold, silver, and lead. Where others have failed, Bassanio succeeds by selecting the right chest. Portia marries Bassanio; her waiting woman, Nerissa, marries his friend Gratiano. Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, has eloped with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo, taking her father’s money with her. Shylock is devastated. When Antonio cannot repay the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh. When the news reaches Belmont, Bassanio returns to Venice. Portia and Nerissa also travel to Venice, disguised as a lawyer and his clerk. Portia uses the law to defeat Shylock and rescue Antonio.Synopsis PORTIA, an heiress of Belmont NERISSA, her waiting-gentlewoman ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice BASSANIO, a Venetian gentleman, suitor to Portia LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio SHYLOCK, a Jewish moneylender in Venice JESSICA, his daughter TUBAL, another Jewish moneylender LANCELET GOBBO, servant to Shylock and later to Bassanio OLD GOBBO, Lancelet’s father SALERIO, a messenger from Venice Jailer Duke of Venice Magnificoes of Venice Servants Attendants and followers Messenger MusiciansCharacters in the Play servants to PortiaBALTHAZAR STEPHANO suitors to PortiaPrince of MOROCCO Prince of ARRAGON companions of Antonio and BassanioSOLANIO SALARINO GRATIANO LORENZO ANTONIO SALARINO SOLANIOEnter Antonio, Salarino, and Solanio. In sooth I know not why I am so sad. It wearies me, you say it wearies you. But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn. And such a want-wit sadness makes of me That I have much ado to know my

Get even mor e from the Folger You can get your own copy of this text to keep. Purchase a full copy to get the text, plus explanatory notes, illustrations, and more. Buy a copyFolger Shakespeare Library https://shakespeare.folger.edu/ Front MatterFrom the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library Textual Introduction Synopsis Characters in the Play ACT 1Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 ACT 2Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Scene 8 Scene 9 ACT 3Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 ACT 4Scene 1 Scene 2 ACT 5 Scene 1Contents Michael Witmore Director, Folger Shakespeare LibraryIt is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own. Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them. The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre. I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library Until now, with the release of The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text. Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s t

TONIO GRATIANO LORENZO They lose it that do buy it with much care. Believe me, you are marvelously changed. I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one. Let me play the fool. With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come, And let my liver rather heat with wine Than my heart cool with mortifying groans. Why should a man whose blood is warm within Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster? Sleep when he wakes? And creep into the jaundice By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio (I love thee, and ’tis my love that speaks): There are a sort of men whose visages Do cream and mantle like a standing pond And do a willful stillness entertain With purpose to be dressed in an opinion Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit, As who should say “I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark.” O my Antonio, I do know of these That therefore only are reputed wise For saying nothing, when, I am very sure, If they should speak, would almost damn those ears Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools. I’ll tell thee more of this another time. But fish not with this melancholy bait For this fool gudgeon, this opinion.— Come, good Lorenzo.—Fare you well a while. I’ll end my exhortation after dinner. Well, we will leave you then till dinner time. I must be one of these same dumb wise men, For Gratiano never lets me speak.FTLN 0079 FTLN 0080 80 FTLN 0081 FTLN 0082 FTLN 0083 FTLN 0084 FTLN 0085 85 FTLN 0086 FTLN 0087 FTLN 0088 FTLN 0089 FTLN 0090 90 FTLN 0091 FTLN 0092 FTLN 0093 FTLN 0094 FTLN 0095 95 FTLN 0096 FTLN 0097 FTLN 0098 FTLN 0099 FTLN 0100 100 FTLN 0101 FTLN 0102 FTLN 0103 FTLN 0104 FTLN 0105 105 FTLN 0106 FTLN 0107 FTLN 0108 FTLN 0109 FTLN 0110 110 FTLN 0111 FTLN 0112 FTLN 0113 15 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 1 GRATIANO ANTONIO GRATIANO Gratiano and Lorenzo exit. ANTONIO BASSANIO ANTONIO BASSANIO ANTONIO Well, keep me company but two years more, Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue. Fare you well. I’ll grow a talker for this gear. Thanks, i’ faith, for silence is only commendable In a neat’s tongue dried and a maid not vendible. Is that anything now? Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search. Well, tell me now what lady is the same To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage, That you today promised to tell me of? ’Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, How much I have disabled mine estate By something showing a more swelling port Than my faint means would grant continuance. Nor do I now make moan to be abridged From such a noble rate. But my chief care Is to come fairly off from the great debts Wherein my time, something too prodigal, Hath left me gaged. To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love, And from your love I have a warranty To unburden all my plots and purposes How to get clear of all the debts I owe. I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;FTLN 0114 FTLN 0115 115 FTLN 0116 FTLN 0117 FTLN 0118 FTLN 0119 FTLN 0120 120 FTLN 0121 FTLN 0122 FTLN 0123 FTLN 0124 FTLN 0125 125 FTLN 0126 FTLN 0127 FTLN 0128 FTLN 0129 FTLN 0130 130 FTLN 0131 FTLN 0132 FTLN 0133 FTLN 0134 FTLN 0135 135 FTLN 0136 FTLN 0137 FTLN 0138 FTLN 0139 FTLN 0140 140 FTLN 0141 FTLN 0142 17 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 1 BASSANIO ANTONIO BASSANIO And if it stand, as you yourself still do, Within the eye of honor, be assured My purse, my person, my extremest means Lie all unlocked to your occasions. In my school days, when I had lost one shaft, I shot his fellow of the selfsame flight The selfsame way with more advisèd watch To find the other forth; and by adventuring both I oft found both. I urge this childhood proof Because what follows is pure innocence. I owe you much, and, like a willful youth, That which I owe is

lost. But if you please To shoot another arrow that self way Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt, As I will watch the aim, or to find both Or bring your latter hazard back again, And thankfully rest debtor for the first. You know me well, and herein spend but time To wind about my love with circumstance; And out of doubt you do me now more wrong In making question of my uttermost Than if you had made waste of all I have. Then do but say to me what I should do That in your knowledge may by me be done, And I am prest unto it. Therefore speak. In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is fair, and, fairer than that word, Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages. Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued To Cato’s daughter, Brutus’ Portia. Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth, For the four winds blow in from every coastFTLN 0143 FTLN 0144 FTLN 0145 145 FTLN 0146 FTLN 0147 FTLN 0148 FTLN 0149 FTLN 0150 150 FTLN 0151 FTLN 0152 FTLN 0153 FTLN 0154 FTLN 0155 155 FTLN 0156 FTLN 0157 FTLN 0158 FTLN 0159 FTLN 0160 160 FTLN 0161 FTLN 0162 FTLN 0163 FTLN 0164 FTLN 0165 165 FTLN 0166 FTLN 0167 FTLN 0168 FTLN 0169 FTLN 0170 170 FTLN 0171 FTLN 0172 FTLN 0173 FTLN 0174 FTLN 0175 175 19 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 2 ANTONIO They exit. PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA Renownèd suitors, and her sunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece, Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos’ strond, And many Jasons come in quest of her. O my Antonio, had I but the means To hold a rival place with one of them, I have a mind presages me such thrift That I should questionless be fortunate! Thou know’st that all my fortunes are at sea; Neither have I money nor commodity To raise a present sum. Therefore go forth: Try what my credit can in Venice do; That shall be racked even to the uttermost To furnish thee to Belmont to fair Portia. Go presently inquire, and so will I, Where money is, and I no question make To have it of my trust, or for my sake. Enter Portia with her waiting woman Nerissa. By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world. You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are. And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean. Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer. Good sentences, and well pronounced. They would be better if well followed.FTLN 0176 FTLN 0177 FTLN 0178 FTLN 0179 FTLN 0180 180 FTLN 0181 FTLN 0182 FTLN 0183 FTLN 0184 FTLN 0185 185 FTLN 0186 FTLN 0187 FTLN 0188 FTLN 0189 FTLN 0190 190 FTLN 0191 FTLN 0192 Scene 2 FTLN 0193 FTLN 0194 FTLN 0195 FTLN 0196 FTLN 0197 5 FTLN 0198 FTLN 0199 FTLN 0200 FTLN 0201 FTLN 0202 10 FTLN 0203 21 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 2 PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions. I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o’er a cold decree: such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o’er the meshes of good counsel the cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. O, me, the word “choose”! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike. So is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none? Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations. Therefore the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be chosen by any righ

tly but one who you shall rightly love. But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come? I pray thee, overname them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them, and according to my description level at my affection. First, there is the Neapolitan prince. Ay, that’s a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse, and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith. Then is there the County Palatine. He doth nothing but frown, as who should say “An you will not have me, choose.” He hearsFTLN 0204 FTLN 0205 FTLN 0206 FTLN 0207 15 FTLN 0208 FTLN 0209 FTLN 0210 FTLN 0211 FTLN 0212 20 FTLN 0213 FTLN 0214 FTLN 0215 FTLN 0216 FTLN 0217 25 FTLN 0218 FTLN 0219 FTLN 0220 FTLN 0221 FTLN 0222 30 FTLN 0223 FTLN 0224 FTLN 0225 FTLN 0226 FTLN 0227 35 FTLN 0228 FTLN 0229 FTLN 0230 FTLN 0231 FTLN 0232 40 FTLN 0233 FTLN 0234 FTLN 0235 FTLN 0236 FTLN 0237 45 FTLN 0238 FTLN 0239 23 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 2 NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth. I had rather be married to a death’s-head with a bone in his mouth than to either of these. God defend me from these two! How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon? God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he!—why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan’s, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine. He is every man in no man. If a throstle sing, he falls straight a-cap’ring. He will fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I should marry twenty husbands! If he would despise me, I would forgive him, for if he love me to madness, I shall never requite him. What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of England? You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him. He hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian; and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English. He is a proper man’s picture, but alas, who can converse with a dumb show? How oddly he is suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany, and his behavior everywhere. What think you of the Scottish lord, his neighbor? That he hath a neighborly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, and swore he would pay him again when he was able. I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another.FTLN 0240 FTLN 0241 FTLN 0242 50 FTLN 0243 FTLN 0244 FTLN 0245 FTLN 0246 FTLN 0247 55 FTLN 0248 FTLN 0249 FTLN 0250 FTLN 0251 FTLN 0252 60 FTLN 0253 FTLN 0254 FTLN 0255 FTLN 0256 FTLN 0257 65 FTLN 0258 FTLN 0259 FTLN 0260 FTLN 0261 FTLN 0262 70 FTLN 0263 FTLN 0264 FTLN 0265 FTLN 0266 FTLN 0267 75 FTLN 0268 FTLN 0269 FTLN 0270 FTLN 0271 FTLN 0272 80 FTLN 0273 FTLN 0274 FTLN 0275 25 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 2 NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony’s nephew? Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk. When he is best he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst he is little better than a beast. An the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to perform your father’s will if you should refuse to accept him. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords. They have

wning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.FTLN 0341 15 FTLN 0342 FTLN 0343 FTLN 0344 FTLN 0345 FTLN 0346 20 FTLN 0347 FTLN 0348 FTLN 0349 FTLN 0350 FTLN 0351 25 FTLN 0352 FTLN 0353 FTLN 0354 FTLN 0355 FTLN 0356 30 FTLN 0357 FTLN 0358 FTLN 0359 FTLN 0360 FTLN 0361 35 FTLN 0362 FTLN 0363 FTLN 0364 FTLN 0365 FTLN 0366 40 FTLN 0367 FTLN 0368 FTLN 0369 FTLN 0370 FTLN 0371 45 FTLN 0372 FTLN 0373 31 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 BASSANIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO SHYLOCK He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift, Which he calls “interest.” Cursèd be my tribe If I forgive him! Shylock, do you hear? I am debating of my present store, And, by the near guess of my memory, I cannot instantly raise up the gross Of full three thousand ducats. What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me. But soft, how many months Do you desire? To Antonio. Rest you fair, good signior! Your Worship was the last man in our mouths. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow By taking nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I’ll break a custom. To Bassanio. Is he yet possessed How much you would? Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. And for three months. I had forgot—three months. To Bassanio. You told me so.— Well then, your bond. And let me see—but hear you: Methoughts you said you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage. I do never use it. When Jacob grazed his Uncle Laban’s sheep— This Jacob from our holy Abram wasFTLN 0374 FTLN 0375 FTLN 0376 50 FTLN 0377 FTLN 0378 FTLN 0379 FTLN 0380 FTLN 0381 55 FTLN 0382 FTLN 0383 FTLN 0384 FTLN 0385 FTLN 0386 60 FTLN 0387 FTLN 0388 FTLN 0389 FTLN 0390 FTLN 0391 65 FTLN 0392 FTLN 0393 FTLN 0394 FTLN 0395 FTLN 0396 70 FTLN 0397 FTLN 0398 FTLN 0399 FTLN 0400 FTLN 0401 75 FTLN 0402 FTLN 0403 FTLN 0404 FTLN 0405 FTLN 0406 80 33 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO (As his wise mother wrought in his behalf) The third possessor; ay, he was the third— And what of him? Did he take interest? No, not take interest, not, as you would say, Directly “interest.” Mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromised That all the eanlings which were streaked and pied Should fall as Jacob’s hire, the ewes being rank In end of autumn turnèd to the rams, And when the work of generation was Between these woolly breeders in the act, The skillful shepherd pilled me certain wands, And in the doing of the deed of kind He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, Who then conceiving did in eaning time Fall parti-colored lambs, and those were Jacob’s. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; And thrift is blessing if men steal it not. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for, A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But swayed and fashioned by the hand of heaven. Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast. But note me, signior— , aside to Bassanio Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose! An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!FTLN 0407 FTLN 0408 FTLN 0409 FTLN 0410 FTLN 0411 85 FTLN 0412 FTLN 0413 FTLN 0414 FTLN 0415 FTLN 0416 90 FTLN 0417 FTLN 0418 FTLN 0419 FTLN 0420 FTLN 0421 95 FTLN 0422 FTLN 0423 FTLN 0424 FTLN 0425 FTLN 0426 100 FTLN 0427 FTLN 0428 FTLN 0429 FTLN 0430 FTLN 0431 105 FTLN 0432 FTLN 0433 FTLN 0434 FTLN 0435 FTLN 0436 110 FTLN 0437 35 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 SHYLOCK ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO Three thousand ducats. ’Tis a goo

acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeed to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be won by some other sort than your father’s imposition depending on the caskets. If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana unless I be obtained by the manner of my father’s will. I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence. And I pray God grant them a fair departure! Do you not remember, lady, in your father’s time, a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquess of Montferrat? Yes, yes, it was Bassanio—as I think so was he called. True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.FTLN 0276 FTLN 0277 85 FTLN 0278 FTLN 0279 FTLN 0280 FTLN 0281 FTLN 0282 90 FTLN 0283 FTLN 0284 FTLN 0285 FTLN 0286 FTLN 0287 95 FTLN 0288 FTLN 0289 FTLN 0290 FTLN 0291 FTLN 0292 100 FTLN 0293 FTLN 0294 FTLN 0295 FTLN 0296 FTLN 0297 105 FTLN 0298 FTLN 0299 FTLN 0300 FTLN 0301 FTLN 0302 110 FTLN 0303 FTLN 0304 FTLN 0305 FTLN 0306 FTLN 0307 115 FTLN 0308 FTLN 0309 FTLN 0310 FTLN 0311 27 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 PORTIA SERVINGMAN PORTIA They exit. SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise. Enter a Servingman. How now, what news? The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave. And there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the Prince his master will be here tonight. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach. If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa. To Servingman. Sirrah, go before.— Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew. Three thousand ducats, well. Ay, sir, for three months. For three months, well. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Antonio shall become bound, well. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound. Your answer to that? Antonio is a good man. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?FTLN 0312 120 FTLN 0313 FTLN 0314 FTLN 0315 FTLN 0316 FTLN 0317 125 FTLN 0318 FTLN 0319 FTLN 0320 FTLN 0321 FTLN 0322 130 FTLN 0323 FTLN 0324 FTLN 0325 FTLN 0326 Scene 3 FTLN 0327 FTLN 0328 FTLN 0329 FTLN 0330 FTLN 0331 5 FTLN 0332 FTLN 0333 FTLN 0334 FTLN 0335 FTLN 0336 10 FTLN 0337 FTLN 0338 FTLN 0339 FTLN 0340 29 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK Ho, no, no, no, no! My meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies. I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land rats and water rats, water thieves and land thieves—I mean pirates—and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his bond. Be assured you may. I will be assured I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio? If it please you to dine with us. Yes, to smell pork! To eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into! I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.—What news on the Rialto?—Who is he comes here? Enter Antonio. This is Signior Antonio. , aside How like a fa

d round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see, the rate— Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances. Still have I borne it with a patient shrug (For suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe). You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need my help. Go to, then. You come to me and you say “Shylock, we would have moneys”—you say so, You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold. Moneys is your suit. What should I say to you? Should I not say “Hath a dog money? Is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats?” Or Shall I bend low, and in a bondman’s key, With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness, Say this: “Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last; You spurned me such a day; another time You called me ‘dog’; and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys”? I am as like to call thee so again, To spet on thee again, to spurn thee, too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not As to thy friends, for when did friendship takeFTLN 0438 FTLN 0439 FTLN 0440 FTLN 0441 115 FTLN 0442 FTLN 0443 FTLN 0444 FTLN 0445 FTLN 0446 120 FTLN 0447 FTLN 0448 FTLN 0449 FTLN 0450 FTLN 0451 125 FTLN 0452 FTLN 0453 FTLN 0454 FTLN 0455 FTLN 0456 130 FTLN 0457 FTLN 0458 FTLN 0459 FTLN 0460 FTLN 0461 135 FTLN 0462 FTLN 0463 FTLN 0464 FTLN 0465 FTLN 0466 140 FTLN 0467 FTLN 0468 FTLN 0469 37 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO BASSANIO ANTONIO SHYLOCK A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy, Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty. Why, look you how you storm! I would be friends with you and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stained me with, Supply your present wants, and take no doit Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me! This is kind I offer. This were kindness! This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there Your single bond; and in a merry sport, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me. Content, in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, And say there is much kindness in the Jew. You shall not seal to such a bond for me! I’ll rather dwell in my necessity. Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it! Within these two months—that’s a month before This bond expires—I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond. O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this: If he should break his day, what should I gainFTLN 0470 FTLN 0471 145 FTLN 0472 FTLN 0473 FTLN 0474 FTLN 0475 FTLN 0476 150 FTLN 0477 FTLN 0478 FTLN 0479 FTLN 0480 FTLN 0481 155 FTLN 0482 FTLN 0483 FTLN 0484 FTLN 0485 FTLN 0486 160 FTLN 0487 FTLN 0488 FTLN 0489 FTLN 0490 FTLN 0491 165 FTLN 0492 FTLN 0493 FTLN 0494 FTLN 0495 FTLN 0496 170 FTLN 0497 FTLN 0498 FTLN 0499 FTLN 0500 FTLN 0501 175 39 The Merchant of VeniceACT 1. SC. 3 ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO Shylock exits. BASSANIO ANTONIO They exit. By the exaction of the forfeiture? A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man Is not so estimable, profitable neither, As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say, To buy his favor I extend this friendship. If he will take it, so. If not, adieu; And for my love I pray you wrong me not. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Then meet me forthwith at the notary’s. Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and purse the ducats straight, See to my house left in the fearful guard Of an unthrifty knave, and presently I’ll be with you. Hie thee, gentle Jew. The

Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind. I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind. Come on, in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day.FTLN 0502 FTLN 0503 FTLN 0504 FTLN 0505 FTLN 0506 180 FTLN 0507 FTLN 0508 FTLN 0509 FTLN 0510 FTLN 0511 185 FTLN 0512 FTLN 0513 FTLN 0514 FTLN 0515 FTLN 0516 190 FTLN 0517 FTLN 0518 FTLN 0519 FTLN 0520 MOROCCO PORTIAEnter the Prince of Morocco, a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa, and their train. Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadowed livery of the burnished sun, To whom I am a neighbor and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born, Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles, And let us make incision for your love To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath feared the valiant; by my love I swear The best regarded virgins of our clime Have loved it too. I would not change this hue Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen. In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes; Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing. But if my father had not scanted me And hedged me by his wit to yield myself His wife who wins me by that means I told you, 43ACT 2 Scene 1 FTLN 0521 FTLN 0522 FTLN 0523 FTLN 0524 FTLN 0525 5 FTLN 0526 FTLN 0527 FTLN 0528 FTLN 0529 FTLN 0530 10 FTLN 0531 FTLN 0532 FTLN 0533 FTLN 0534 FTLN 0535 15 FTLN 0536 FTLN 0537 FTLN 0538 FTLN 0539 45 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 1 MOROCCO PORTIA MOROCCO PORTIA MOROCCO They exit. Yourself, renownèd prince, then stood as fair As any comer I have looked on yet For my affection. Even for that I thank you. Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets To try my fortune. By this scimitar That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince, That won three fields of Sultan Solyman, I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look, Outbrave the heart most daring on the Earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady. But, alas the while! If Hercules and Lychas play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw May turn by fortune from the weaker hand; So is Alcides beaten by his page, And so may I, blind Fortune leading me, Miss that which one unworthier may attain, And die with grieving. You must take your chance And either not attempt to choose at all Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong Never to speak to lady afterward In way of marriage. Therefore be advised. Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance. First, forward to the temple. After dinner Your hazard shall be made. Good fortune then, To make me blest—or cursed’st among men!FTLN 0540 20 FTLN 0541 FTLN 0542 FTLN 0543 FTLN 0544 FTLN 0545 25 FTLN 0546 FTLN 0547 FTLN 0548 FTLN 0549 FTLN 0550 30 FTLN 0551 FTLN 0552 FTLN 0553 FTLN 0554 FTLN 0555 35 FTLN 0556 FTLN 0557 FTLN 0558 FTLN 0559 FTLN 0560 40 FTLN 0561 FTLN 0562 FTLN 0563 FTLN 0564 FTLN 0565 45 FTLN 0566 FTLN 0567 FTLN 0568 FTLN 0569 47 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 2 LANCELETEnter Lancelet Gobbo the Clown, alone. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and tempts me, saying to me “Gobbo, Lancelet Gobbo, good Lancelet,” or “good Gobbo,” or “good Lancelet Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.” My conscience says “No. Take heed, honest Lancelet, take heed, honest Gobbo,” or, as aforesaid, “honest Lancelet Gobbo, do not run; scorn running with thy heels.” Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack. “Fia!” says the fiend. “Away!” says the fiend. “For the heavens, rouse up a brave mind,” says the fiend, “and run!” Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me “My honest friend Lancelet, being an honest man’s son”—or rather, an honest woman’s son, for indeed my father did something smack, something grow

I cannot think you are my son. I know not what I shall think of that; but I am Lancelet, the Jew’s man, and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother. Her name is Margery, indeed. I’ll be sworn if thou be Lancelet, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshiped might He be, what a beard hast thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail. , standing up It should seem, then, that Dobbin’s tail grows backward. I am sure he had more hair of his tail than I have of my face when I last saw him. Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How ’gree you now? Well, well. But for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till IFTLN 0637 FTLN 0638 FTLN 0639 70 FTLN 0640 FTLN 0641 FTLN 0642 FTLN 0643 FTLN 0644 75 FTLN 0645 FTLN 0646 FTLN 0647 FTLN 0648 FTLN 0649 80 FTLN 0650 FTLN 0651 FTLN 0652 FTLN 0653 FTLN 0654 85 FTLN 0655 FTLN 0656 FTLN 0657 FTLN 0658 FTLN 0659 90 FTLN 0660 FTLN 0661 FTLN 0662 FTLN 0663 FTLN 0664 95 FTLN 0665 FTLN 0666 FTLN 0667 FTLN 0668 FTLN 0669 100 FTLN 0670 FTLN 0671 FTLN 0672 53 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 2 BASSANIO The Attendant exits. LANCELET GOBBO BASSANIO GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET have run some ground. My master’s a very Jew. Give him a present! Give him a halter. I am famished 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 a follower or two. , to an Attendant You may do so, but let it be so hasted that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See these letters delivered, put the liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging. To him, father. , to Bassanio God bless your Worship. Gramercy. Wouldst thou aught with me? Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy— Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man, that would, sir, as my father shall specify— He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve— Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify— His master and he (saving your Worship’s reverence) are scarce cater-cousins— 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 you— I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your Worship, and my suit is— In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your Worship shall know by this honestFTLN 0673 FTLN 0674 105 FTLN 0675 FTLN 0676 FTLN 0677 FTLN 0678 FTLN 0679 110 FTLN 0680 FTLN 0681 FTLN 0682 FTLN 0683 FTLN 0684 115 FTLN 0685 FTLN 0686 FTLN 0687 FTLN 0688 FTLN 0689 120 FTLN 0690 FTLN 0691 FTLN 0692 FTLN 0693 FTLN 0694 125 FTLN 0695 FTLN 0696 FTLN 0697 FTLN 0698 FTLN 0699 130 FTLN 0700 FTLN 0701 FTLN 0702 FTLN 0703 FTLN 0704 135 FTLN 0705 FTLN 0706 55 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 2 BASSANIO LANCELET GOBBO BASSANIO LANCELET BASSANIO Attendant exits. Bassanio and Leonardo talk apart. LANCELET Lancelet and old Gobbo exit. BASSANIO Handing him a paper. old man, and though I say it, though old man yet poor man, my father— One speak for both. What would you? Serve you, sir. That is the very defect of the matter, sir. , to Lancelet I know thee well. Thou hast obtained thy suit. Shylock thy master spoke with me this day, And hath preferred thee, if it be preferment To leave a rich Jew’s service, to become The follower of so poor a gentleman. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you have “the grace of God,” sir, and he hath “enough.” Thou speak’st it well.—Go, father, with thy son.— Take leave of thy old mast

to—he had a kind of taste—well, my conscience says “Lancelet, budge not.” “Budge,” says the fiend. “Budge not,” says my conscience. “Conscience,” say I, “you counsel well.” “Fiend,” say I, “you counsel well.” To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who (God bless the mark) is a kind of devil; and to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who (saving your reverence) is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation, and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the more friendly counsel. I will run, fiend. My heels are at your commandment. I will run. Enter old Gobbo with a basket.Scene 2 FTLN 0570 FTLN 0571 FTLN 0572 FTLN 0573 FTLN 0574 5 FTLN 0575 FTLN 0576 FTLN 0577 FTLN 0578 FTLN 0579 10 FTLN 0580 FTLN 0581 FTLN 0582 FTLN 0583 FTLN 0584 15 FTLN 0585 FTLN 0586 FTLN 0587 FTLN 0588 FTLN 0589 20 FTLN 0590 FTLN 0591 FTLN 0592 FTLN 0593 FTLN 0594 25 FTLN 0595 FTLN 0596 FTLN 0597 FTLN 0598 FTLN 0599 30 FTLN 0600 49 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 2 GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET Master young man, you, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jew’s? , aside O heavens, this is my true begotten father, who being more than sandblind, high gravelblind, knows me not. I will try confusions with him. Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jew’s? Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of all on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house. Be God’s sonties, ’twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Lancelet, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no? Talk you of young Master Lancelet? Aside. Mark me now, now will I raise the waters.—Talk you of young Master Lancelet? No master, sir, but a poor man’s son. His father, though I say ’t, is an honest exceeding poor man and, God be thanked, well to live. Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young Master Lancelet. Your Worship’s friend, and Lancelet, sir. But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you, talk you of young Master Lancelet? Of Lancelet, an ’t please your mastership. Ergo, Master Lancelet. Talk not of Master Lancelet, 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. Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. , aside Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or a prop?—Do you know me, father?FTLN 0601 FTLN 0602 FTLN 0603 FTLN 0604 35 FTLN 0605 FTLN 0606 FTLN 0607 FTLN 0608 FTLN 0609 40 FTLN 0610 FTLN 0611 FTLN 0612 FTLN 0613 FTLN 0614 45 FTLN 0615 FTLN 0616 FTLN 0617 FTLN 0618 FTLN 0619 50 FTLN 0620 FTLN 0621 FTLN 0622 FTLN 0623 FTLN 0624 55 FTLN 0625 FTLN 0626 FTLN 0627 FTLN 0628 FTLN 0629 60 FTLN 0630 FTLN 0631 FTLN 0632 FTLN 0633 FTLN 0634 65 FTLN 0635 FTLN 0636 51 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 2 GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET GOBBO LANCELET Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman. But I pray you tell me, is my boy, God rest his soul, alive or dead? Do you not know me, father? Alack, sir, I am sandblind. I know you not. 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. He kneels. 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. Pray you, sir, stand up! I am sure you are not Lancelet my boy. Pray you, let’s have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing. I am Lancelet, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.

er, and inquire My lodging out. To an Attendant. Give him a livery More guarded than his fellows’. See it done. Father, in. I cannot get a service, no! I have ne’er a tongue in my head! Well, studying his palm if any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book—I shall have good fortune, go to! Here’s a simple line of life. Here’s a small trifle of wives—alas, fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man—and then to ’scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a featherbed! Here are simple ’scapes. Well, if Fortune be a woman, she’s a good wench for this gear. Father, come. I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.FTLN 0707 FTLN 0708 FTLN 0709 140 FTLN 0710 FTLN 0711 FTLN 0712 FTLN 0713 FTLN 0714 145 FTLN 0715 FTLN 0716 FTLN 0717 FTLN 0718 FTLN 0719 150 FTLN 0720 FTLN 0721 FTLN 0722 FTLN 0723 FTLN 0724 155 FTLN 0725 FTLN 0726 FTLN 0727 FTLN 0728 FTLN 0729 160 FTLN 0730 FTLN 0731 FTLN 0732 FTLN 0733 FTLN 0734 165 FTLN 0735 FTLN 0736 FTLN 0737 57 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 2 LEONARDO GRATIANO LEONARDO Leonardo exits. GRATIANO BASSANIO GRATIANO BASSANIO GRATIANO BASSANIO GRATIANO These things being bought and orderly bestowed, Return in haste, for I do feast tonight My best esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go. My best endeavors shall be done herein. Enter Gratiano. , to Leonardo Where’s your master? Yonder, sir, he walks. Signior Bassanio! Gratiano! I have suit to you. You have obtained it. You must not deny me. I must go with you to Belmont. Why then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano, Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice— Parts that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appear not faults. But where thou art not known—why, there they show Something too liberal. Pray thee take pain To allay with some cold drops of modesty Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behavior I be misconstered in the place I go to, And lose my hopes. Signior Bassanio, hear me. If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demurely, Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes Thus with my hat, and sigh and say “amen,” Use all the observance of civility Like one well studied in a sad ostent To please his grandam, never trust me more.FTLN 0738 FTLN 0739 170 FTLN 0740 FTLN 0741 FTLN 0742 FTLN 0743 FTLN 0744 175 FTLN 0745 FTLN 0746 FTLN 0747 FTLN 0748 FTLN 0749 180 FTLN 0750 FTLN 0751 FTLN 0752 FTLN 0753 FTLN 0754 185 FTLN 0755 FTLN 0756 FTLN 0757 FTLN 0758 FTLN 0759 190 FTLN 0760 FTLN 0761 FTLN 0762 FTLN 0763 FTLN 0764 195 FTLN 0765 FTLN 0766 FTLN 0767 FTLN 0768 FTLN 0769 200 59 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 3 BASSANIO GRATIANO BASSANIO GRATIANO They exit. JESSICA LANCELET JESSICA Lancelet exits. Well, we shall see your bearing. Nay, but I bar tonight. You shall not gauge me By what we do tonight. No, that were pity. I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends That purpose merriment. But fare you well. I have some business. And I must to Lorenzo and the rest. But we will visit you at supper time. Enter Jessica and Lancelet Gobbo. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so. Our house is hell and thou, a merry devil, Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness. But fare thee well. There is a ducat for thee, And, Lancelet, soon at supper shalt thou see Lorenzo, who is thy new master’s guest. Give him this letter, do it secretly, And so farewell. I would not have my father See me in talk with thee. Adieu. Tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew. If a Christian do not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But adieu. These foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit. Adieu. Farewell, good Lancelet.FTLN 0770 FTLN 0771 FTLN 0772 FTLN 0773 FTLN 0774 205 FTLN 0775 FTLN 0776 FTLN 0777 FTLN 0778 FTL

N 0779 210 Scene 3 FTLN 0780 FTLN 0781 FTLN 0782 FTLN 0783 FTLN 0784 5 FTLN 0785 FTLN 0786 FTLN 0787 FTLN 0788 FTLN 0789 10 FTLN 0790 FTLN 0791 FTLN 0792 FTLN 0793 FTLN 0794 15 61 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 4 She exits. LORENZO GRATIANO SALARINO SOLANIO LORENZO LANCELET Handing him Jessica’s letter. LORENZO GRATIANO Alack, what heinous sin is it in me To be ashamed 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. Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Solanio. Nay, we will slink away in supper time, Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour. We have not made good preparation. We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers. ’Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered, And better in my mind not undertook. ’Tis now but four o’clock. We have two hours To furnish us. Enter Lancelet. Friend Lancelet, what’s the news? An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. I know the hand; in faith, ’tis a fair hand, And whiter than the paper it writ on Is the fair hand that writ. Love news, in faith!FTLN 0795 FTLN 0796 FTLN 0797 FTLN 0798 FTLN 0799 20 FTLN 0800 Scene 4 FTLN 0801 FTLN 0802 FTLN 0803 FTLN 0804 FTLN 0805 5 FTLN 0806 FTLN 0807 FTLN 0808 FTLN 0809 FTLN 0810 10 FTLN 0811 FTLN 0812 FTLN 0813 FTLN 0814 FTLN 0815 15 FTLN 0816 63 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 4 LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO Lancelet exits. SALARINO SOLANIO LORENZO SALARINO Salarino and Solanio exit. GRATIANO LORENZO Handing him the letter. They exit. By your leave, sir. Whither goest thou? Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the Christian. Hold here, take this. Giving him money. Tell gentle Jessica I will not fail her. Speak it privately. Go, gentlemen, Will you prepare you for this masque tonight? I am provided of a torchbearer. Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight. And so will I. Meet me and Gratiano At Gratiano’s lodging some hour hence. ’Tis good we do so. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? 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 furnished 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 torchbearer.FTLN 0817 FTLN 0818 FTLN 0819 FTLN 0820 20 FTLN 0821 FTLN 0822 FTLN 0823 FTLN 0824 FTLN 0825 25 FTLN 0826 FTLN 0827 FTLN 0828 FTLN 0829 FTLN 0830 30 FTLN 0831 FTLN 0832 FTLN 0833 FTLN 0834 FTLN 0835 35 FTLN 0836 FTLN 0837 FTLN 0838 FTLN 0839 FTLN 0840 40 FTLN 0841 FTLN 0842 FTLN 0843 65 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 5 SHYLOCK LANCELET SHYLOCK LANCELET JESSICA SHYLOCK LANCELET SHYLOCK LANCELETEnter Shylock, the Jew, and Lancelet, his man that was, the Clown. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio.— What, Jessica!—Thou shalt not gormandize As thou hast done with me—what, Jessica!— And sleep, and snore, and rend apparel out.— Why, Jessica, I say! Why, Jessica! Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call. Your Worship was wont to tell me I could do nothing without bidding. Enter Jessica. Call you? What is your will? 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, Look to my house.—I am right loath to go. There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money bags tonight. I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach. So do I his. 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’ th’ morning, falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year in th’ afternoon.Scene 5 FTLN 0844 FTLN 0845 FTLN 0846 FTLN 0847 FTLN 0848 5 FTLN 0849 FTLN 0850 FTLN 0851 FTLN 0852 FTLN 0853 10 FTLN 0854 FTLN 0855 FTLN 0856 FTLN 0857 FTLN 0858 15 FTLN 0859 FTLN 0860 FTLN 0861 FTLN 0862 FTLN 0863 20 FTLN 0864 FTLN 0865 FTLN 0866 FTLN 0867 FTLN 0868 25 FTLN 0869 FTLN 0870 FTLN 0871 67 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 5 SHYLOCK LANCELET He exits. SHYLOCK JESSICA SHYLOCK He exits. JESSICA She exits. What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica, Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum And the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife, Clamber not you up to the casements then, Nor thrust your head into the public street To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces, But stop my house’s ears (I mean my casements). Let not the sound of shallow fopp’ry enter My sober house. By Jacob’s staff I swear I have no mind of feasting forth tonight. But I will go.—Go you before me, sirrah. Say I will come. I will go before, sir. Aside to Jessica. Mistress, look out at window for all this. There will come a Christian by Will be worth a Jewess’ eye. What says that fool of Hagar’s offspring, ha? His words were “Farewell, mistress,” nothing else. The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder, Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day More than the wildcat. Drones hive not with me, Therefore I part with him, and part with him To one that I would have him help to waste His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in. Perhaps I will return immediately. Do as I bid you. Shut doors after you. Fast bind, fast find— A proverb never stale in thrifty mind. Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a father, you a daughter, lost.FTLN 0872 FTLN 0873 30 FTLN 0874 FTLN 0875 FTLN 0876 FTLN 0877 FTLN 0878 35 FTLN 0879 FTLN 0880 FTLN 0881 FTLN 0882 FTLN 0883 40 FTLN 0884 FTLN 0885 FTLN 0886 FTLN 0887 FTLN 0888 45 FTLN 0889 FTLN 0890 FTLN 0891 FTLN 0892 FTLN 0893 50 FTLN 0894 FTLN 0895 FTLN 0896 FTLN 0897 FTLN 0898 55 FTLN 0899 FTLN 0900 FTLN 0901 69 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 6 GRATIANO SALARINO GRATIANO SALARINO GRATIANO SALARINO LORENZOEnter the masquers, Gratiano and Salarino. This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo Desired us to make stand. His hour is almost past. And it is marvel he outdwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock. O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly To seal love’s bonds new-made than they are wont To keep obligèd faith unforfeited. That ever holds. Who riseth from a feast With that keen appetite that he sits down? Where is the horse that doth untread again His tedious measures with the unbated fire That he did pace them first? All things that are, Are with more spirit chasèd than enjoyed. How like a younger or a prodigal The scarfèd bark puts from her native bay, Hugged and embracèd by the strumpet wind; How like the prodigal doth she return With overweathered ribs and raggèd sails, Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind! Enter Lorenzo. Here comes Lorenzo. More of this hereafter. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode. Not I but my affairs have made you wait. When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach. Here dwells my father Jew.—Ho! Who’s within?Scene 6 FTLN 0902 FTLN 0903 FTLN 0904 FTLN 0905 FTLN 0906 5 FTLN 0907 FTLN 0908 FTLN 0909 FTLN 0910 FTLN 0911 10 FTLN 0912 FTLN 0913 FTLN 0914 FTLN 0915 FTLN 0916 15 FTLN 0917 FTLN 0918 FTLN 0919 FTLN 0920 FTLN 0921 20 FTLN 0922 FTLN 0923 FTLN 0924 FTLN 0925 FTLN 0926 25 FTLN 0927 71 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 6 JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA Jessica exits, above.Enter Jessica above, dressed as a boy. Who are you? Tell me for more certainty, Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue. Lorenzo, and thy love. Lorenzo certain, and my love indeed, F

or who love I so much? And now who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed 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 transformèd to a boy. Descend, for you must be my torchbearer. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love, And I should be obscured. So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once, For the close night doth play the runaway, And we are stayed for at Bassanio’s feast. I will make fast the doors and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight. FTLN 0928 FTLN 0929 FTLN 0930 FTLN 0931 30 FTLN 0932 FTLN 0933 FTLN 0934 FTLN 0935 FTLN 0936 35 FTLN 0937 FTLN 0938 FTLN 0939 FTLN 0940 FTLN 0941 40 FTLN 0942 FTLN 0943 FTLN 0944 FTLN 0945 FTLN 0946 45 FTLN 0947 FTLN 0948 FTLN 0949 FTLN 0950 FTLN 0951 50 FTLN 0952 FTLN 0953 73 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 7 GRATIANO LORENZO All but Gratiano exit. ANTONIO GRATIANO ANTONIO GRATIANO They exit. PORTIA Now, by my hood, a gentle and no Jew! Beshrew me but I love her heartily, For she is wise, if I can judge of her, And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true, And true she is, as she hath proved herself. And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true, Shall she be placèd in my constant soul. Enter Jessica, below. What, art thou come? On, gentleman, away! Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. Enter Antonio. Who’s there? Signior Antonio? Fie, fie, Gratiano, where are all the rest? ’Tis nine o’clock! Our friends all stay for you. No masque tonight; the wind is come about; Bassanio presently will go aboard. I have sent twenty out to seek for you. I am glad on ’t. I desire no more delight Than to be under sail and gone tonight. Enter Portia with the Prince of Morocco and both their trains. Go, draw aside the curtains and discoverFTLN 0954 FTLN 0955 FTLN 0956 55 FTLN 0957 FTLN 0958 FTLN 0959 FTLN 0960 FTLN 0961 60 FTLN 0962 FTLN 0963 FTLN 0964 FTLN 0965 FTLN 0966 65 FTLN 0967 FTLN 0968 FTLN 0969 FTLN 0970 FTLN 0971 70 Scene 7 FTLN 0972 75 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 7 A curtain is drawn. MOROCCO PORTIA MOROCCO The several caskets to this noble prince. Now make your choice. This 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? The one of them contains my picture, prince. If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see. I will survey th’ inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket? “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.” Must give—for what? For lead? Hazard for lead? This casket threatens. Men that hazard all Do it in hope of fair advantages. A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross. I’ll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead. What says the silver with her virgin hue? “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” As much as he deserves—pause there, Morocco, And weigh thy value with an even hand. If thou beest rated by thy estimation, Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough May not extend so far as to the lady.FTLN 0973 FTLN 0974 FTLN 0975 FTLN 0976 5 FTLN 0977 FTLN 0978 FTLN 0979 FTLN 0980 FTLN 0981 10 FTLN 0982 FTLN 0983 FTLN 0984 FTLN 0985 FTLN 0986 15 FTLN 0987 FTLN 0988 FTLN 0989 FTLN 0990 FTLN 0991 20 FTLN 0992 FTLN 0993 FTLN 0994 FTLN 0995 FTLN 0996 25 FTLN 0997 FTLN 0998 FTLN 0999 FTLN 1000 FTLN 1001 30 FTLN 1002 FTLN 1003 FTLN 1004 77 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC.

7 PORTIA And yet to be afeard of my deserving Were but a weak disabling of myself. As much as I deserve—why, that’s the lady! I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes, In graces, and in qualities of breeding, But more than these, in love I do deserve. What if I strayed no farther, but chose here? Let’s see once more this saying graved in gold: “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” Why, that’s the lady! All the world desires her. From the four corners of the Earth they come To kiss this shrine, this mortal, breathing saint. The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now For princes to come view fair Portia. The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head Spets in the face of heaven, is no bar To stop the foreign spirits, but they come As o’er a brook to see fair Portia. One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Is ’t like that lead contains her? ’Twere damnation To think so base a thought. It were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Or shall I think in silver she’s immured, Being ten times undervalued to tried gold? O, sinful thought! Never so rich a gem Was set in worse than gold. They have in England A coin that bears the figure of an angel Stamped in gold, but that’s insculped upon; But here an angel in a golden bed Lies all within.—Deliver me the key. Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may. There, take it, prince. Handing him the key. And if my form lie there, Then I am yours.FTLN 1005 FTLN 1006 35 FTLN 1007 FTLN 1008 FTLN 1009 FTLN 1010 FTLN 1011 40 FTLN 1012 FTLN 1013 FTLN 1014 FTLN 1015 FTLN 1016 45 FTLN 1017 FTLN 1018 FTLN 1019 FTLN 1020 FTLN 1021 50 FTLN 1022 FTLN 1023 FTLN 1024 FTLN 1025 FTLN 1026 55 FTLN 1027 FTLN 1028 FTLN 1029 FTLN 1030 FTLN 1031 60 FTLN 1032 FTLN 1033 FTLN 1034 FTLN 1035 FTLN 1036 65 FTLN 1037 FTLN 1038 FTLN 1039 FTLN 1040 79 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 8 Morocco opens the gold casket. MOROCCO He exits, with his train. PORTIA They exit. SALARINO SOLANIO SALARINO 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. Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold. Gilded tombs do worms infold. Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been enscrolled. Fare you well, your suit is cold. Cold indeed and labor lost! Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost. Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part. A gentle riddance! Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. Enter Salarino and Solanio. Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail; With him is Gratiano gone along; And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not. The villain Jew with outcries raised the Duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship. He came too late; the ship was under sail. FTLN 1041 70 FTLN 1042 FTLN 1043 FTLN 1044 FTLN 1045 FTLN 1046 75 FTLN 1047 FTLN 1048 FTLN 1049 FTLN 1050 FTLN 1051 80 FTLN 1052 FTLN 1053 FTLN 1054 FTLN 1055 FTLN 1056 85 FTLN 1057 FTLN 1058 Scene 8 FTLN 1059 FTLN 1060 FTLN 1061 FTLN 1062 FTLN 1063 5 FTLN 1064 81 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 8 SOLANIO SALARINO SOLANIO SALARINO SOLANIO SALARINO But there the Duke was given to understand That in a gondola were seen together Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica. Besides, Antonio certified the Duke They were not with Bassanio in his ship. I never heard a passion so confused, 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 sealèd bag, two sealèd bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stol’n from me by my daughter, And jewels—two stones, two rich and precious stones— Stol’n by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.” Why, all th

e boys in Venice follow him, Crying “His stones, his daughter, and his ducats.” Let good Antonio look he keep his day, Or he shall pay for this. Marry, well remembered. I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday Who told me, in the Narrow Seas that part The French and English, there miscarrièd A vessel of our country richly fraught. I thought upon Antonio when he told me, And wished in silence that it were not his. You were best to tell Antonio what you hear— Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. A kinder gentleman treads not the Earth.FTLN 1065 FTLN 1066 FTLN 1067 FTLN 1068 10 FTLN 1069 FTLN 1070 FTLN 1071 FTLN 1072 FTLN 1073 15 FTLN 1074 FTLN 1075 FTLN 1076 FTLN 1077 FTLN 1078 20 FTLN 1079 FTLN 1080 FTLN 1081 FTLN 1082 FTLN 1083 25 FTLN 1084 FTLN 1085 FTLN 1086 FTLN 1087 FTLN 1088 30 FTLN 1089 FTLN 1090 FTLN 1091 FTLN 1092 FTLN 1093 35 FTLN 1094 FTLN 1095 83 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 9 SOLANIO SALARINO They exit. NERISSA PORTIA I saw Bassanio and Antonio part. Bassanio told him he would make some speed Of his return. He answered “Do not so. Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio, But stay the very riping of the time; And for the Jew’s bond which he hath of me, Let it not enter in your mind of love. Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts To courtship and such fair ostents of love As shall conveniently become you there.” And even there, his eye being big with tears, Turning his face, he put his hand behind him, And with affection wondrous sensible He wrung Bassanio’s hand—and so they parted. I think he only loves the world for him. I pray thee, let us go and find him out And quicken his embracèd heaviness With some delight or other. Do we so. Enter Nerissa and a Servitor. Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight. The Prince of Arragon hath ta’en his oath And comes to his election presently. Enter the Prince of Arragon, his train, and Portia. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince. If you choose that wherein I am contained, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.FTLN 1096 FTLN 1097 FTLN 1098 40 FTLN 1099 FTLN 1100 FTLN 1101 FTLN 1102 FTLN 1103 45 FTLN 1104 FTLN 1105 FTLN 1106 FTLN 1107 FTLN 1108 50 FTLN 1109 FTLN 1110 FTLN 1111 FTLN 1112 FTLN 1113 55 FTLN 1114 Scene 9 FTLN 1115 FTLN 1116 FTLN 1117 FTLN 1118 FTLN 1119 5 FTLN 1120 85 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 9 ARRAGON PORTIA ARRAGON But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately. I am enjoined by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to anyone 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. To these injunctions everyone doth swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self. And so have I addressed 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 By the fool multitude that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach, Which pries not to th’ interior, but like the martlet Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then, to thee, thou silver treasure house. Tell me once more what title thou dost bear. “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”FTLN 1121 FTLN 1122 FTLN 1123 FTLN 1124 10 FTLN 1125 FTLN 1126 FTLN 1127 FTLN 1128 FTLN 1129 15 FTLN 1130 FTLN 1131 FTLN 1132 FTLN 1133 FTLN 1134 20 FTLN 1135 FTLN 1136 FTLN 1137 FTLN 1138 FTLN 1139 25 FTLN 1140 FTLN 1141 FTLN 1142 FTLN 1143 FTLN 1144 30 FTLN 1145 FTLN 1146 FTLN 1147 FTLN 1148 FTLN 1

149 35 FTLN 1150 FTLN 1151 FTLN 1152 FTLN 1153 87 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 9 He is given a key. He opens the silver casket. PORTIA ARRAGON PORTIA ARRAGON And well said, too; for who shall go about To cozen fortune and be honorable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeservèd dignity. O, that estates, degrees, and offices Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare? How many be commanded that command? How much low peasantry would then be gleaned From the true seed of honor? And how much honor Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times, To be new varnished? Well, but to my choice. “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” I will assume desert. Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here. Too long a pause for that which you find there. What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.— How much unlike art thou to Portia! How much unlike my hopes and my deservings. “Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves”? Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better? To offend and judge are distinct offices And of opposèd natures. What is here? He reads.FTLN 1154 40 FTLN 1155 FTLN 1156 FTLN 1157 FTLN 1158 FTLN 1159 45 FTLN 1160 FTLN 1161 FTLN 1162 FTLN 1163 FTLN 1164 50 FTLN 1165 FTLN 1166 FTLN 1167 FTLN 1168 FTLN 1169 55 FTLN 1170 FTLN 1171 FTLN 1172 FTLN 1173 FTLN 1174 60 FTLN 1175 FTLN 1176 FTLN 1177 FTLN 1178 FTLN 1179 65 FTLN 1180 FTLN 1181 FTLN 1182 89 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 9 He exits with his train. PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA MESSENGER PORTIA MESSENGER The fire seven times tried this; Seven times tried that judgment is That did never choose amiss. Some there be that shadows kiss; Such have but a shadow’s bliss. There be fools alive, iwis, Silvered o’er—and so was this. Take what wife you will to bed, I will ever be your head. So begone; you are sped. Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here. With one fool’s head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth. Thus hath the candle singed the moth. O, these deliberate fools, when they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. The ancient saying is no heresy: Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. Enter Messenger. Where is my lady? Here. What would my lord? Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian, one that comes before To signify th’ approaching of his lord, From whom he bringeth sensible regreets; To wit (besides commends and courteous breath), Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seenFTLN 1183 FTLN 1184 70 FTLN 1185 FTLN 1186 FTLN 1187 FTLN 1188 FTLN 1189 75 FTLN 1190 FTLN 1191 FTLN 1192 FTLN 1193 FTLN 1194 80 FTLN 1195 FTLN 1196 FTLN 1197 FTLN 1198 FTLN 1199 85 FTLN 1200 FTLN 1201 FTLN 1202 FTLN 1203 FTLN 1204 90 FTLN 1205 FTLN 1206 FTLN 1207 FTLN 1208 FTLN 1209 95 FTLN 1210 FTLN 1211 FTLN 1212 FTLN 1213 91 The Merchant of VeniceACT 2. SC. 9 PORTIA NERISSA They exit. So likely an ambassador of love. A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him! Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly. Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!FTLN 1214 100 FTLN 1215 FTLN 1216 FTLN 1217 FTLN 1218 FTLN 1219 105 FTLN 1220 FTLN 1221 FTLN 1222 FTLN 1223 SOLANIO SALARINO SOLANIO SALARINO SOLANIO SALARINO SOLANIOEnter Solanio and Salarino. Now, what news on the Rialto? Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wracked on the Narrow Seas—the Goodwins, I think they call the place—a very dangerous flat, and fatal, where the carcasses of many a t

all ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word. I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger or made her neighbors 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!— Come, the full stop. Ha, what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he hath lost a ship. I would it might prove the end of his losses. Let me say “amen” betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew. Enter Shylock. 95ACT 3 Scene 1 FTLN 1224 FTLN 1225 FTLN 1226 FTLN 1227 FTLN 1228 5 FTLN 1229 FTLN 1230 FTLN 1231 FTLN 1232 FTLN 1233 10 FTLN 1234 FTLN 1235 FTLN 1236 FTLN 1237 FTLN 1238 15 FTLN 1239 FTLN 1240 FTLN 1241 FTLN 1242 FTLN 1243 20 FTLN 1244 FTLN 1245 97 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 1 SHYLOCK SALARINO SOLANIO SHYLOCK SALARINO SHYLOCK SOLANIO SHYLOCK SALARINO SHYLOCK SALARINO SHYLOCK How now, Shylock, what news among the merchants? You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter’s flight. That’s certain. I for my part knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal. And Shylock for his own part knew the bird was fledge, and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. She is damned for it. That’s certain, if the devil may be her judge. My own flesh and blood to rebel! Out upon it, old carrion! Rebels it at these years? I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood. 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 no? There I have another bad match! A bankrout, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto, a beggar that was 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 cur’sy; let him look to his bond. Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh! What’s that good for? To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies— and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions,FTLN 1246 FTLN 1247 FTLN 1248 25 FTLN 1249 FTLN 1250 FTLN 1251 FTLN 1252 FTLN 1253 30 FTLN 1254 FTLN 1255 FTLN 1256 FTLN 1257 FTLN 1258 35 FTLN 1259 FTLN 1260 FTLN 1261 FTLN 1262 FTLN 1263 40 FTLN 1264 FTLN 1265 FTLN 1266 FTLN 1267 FTLN 1268 45 FTLN 1269 FTLN 1270 FTLN 1271 FTLN 1272 FTLN 1273 50 FTLN 1274 FTLN 1275 FTLN 1276 FTLN 1277 FTLN 1278 55 FTLN 1279 FTLN 1280 FTLN 1281 99 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 1 SERVINGMAN SALARINO SOLANIO Salarino, Solanio, and the Servingman exit. SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK 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 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 Christian example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction. Enter a man from Antonio. Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both. We have been up and down to seek him. Enter Tubal. Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be matched unless the devil himself turn

Jew. How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter? I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her. Why, there, there, there, there! A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurt! The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till now. Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels! I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear; would she were hearsed at my foot and theFTLN 1282 FTLN 1283 60 FTLN 1284 FTLN 1285 FTLN 1286 FTLN 1287 FTLN 1288 65 FTLN 1289 FTLN 1290 FTLN 1291 FTLN 1292 FTLN 1293 70 FTLN 1294 FTLN 1295 FTLN 1296 FTLN 1297 FTLN 1298 75 FTLN 1299 FTLN 1300 FTLN 1301 FTLN 1302 FTLN 1303 80 FTLN 1304 FTLN 1305 FTLN 1306 FTLN 1307 FTLN 1308 85 FTLN 1309 FTLN 1310 FTLN 1311 FTLN 1312 101 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 1 TUBAL SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK TUBAL SHYLOCK ducats in her coffin. No news of them? Why so? And I know not what’s spent in the search! Why, thou loss upon loss! The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief, and no satisfaction, no revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights a’ my shoulders, no sighs but a’ my breathing, no tears but a’ my shedding. Yes, other men have ill luck, too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa— What, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck? —hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis. I thank God, I thank God! Is it true, is it true? I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack. I thank thee, good Tubal. Good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa— Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night fourscore ducats. Thou stick’st a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore ducats at a sitting, fourscore ducats! There came divers of Antonio’s creditors in my company to Venice that swear he cannot choose but break. I am very glad of it. I’ll plague him, I’ll torture him. I am glad of it. One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey. Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise! I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. But Antonio is certainly undone. Nay, that’s true, that’s very true. Go, Tubal, fee me an officer. Bespeak him a fortnight before. IFTLN 1313 90 FTLN 1314 FTLN 1315 FTLN 1316 FTLN 1317 FTLN 1318 95 FTLN 1319 FTLN 1320 FTLN 1321 FTLN 1322 FTLN 1323 100 FTLN 1324 FTLN 1325 FTLN 1326 FTLN 1327 FTLN 1328 105 FTLN 1329 FTLN 1330 FTLN 1331 FTLN 1332 FTLN 1333 110 FTLN 1334 FTLN 1335 FTLN 1336 FTLN 1337 FTLN 1338 115 FTLN 1339 FTLN 1340 FTLN 1341 FTLN 1342 FTLN 1343 120 FTLN 1344 FTLN 1345 FTLN 1346 FTLN 1347 FTLN 1348 125 103 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 They exit. PORTIA will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will. Go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue. Go, good Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal. Enter Bassanio, Portia, and all their trains, Gratiano, Nerissa. I pray you tarry, pause a day or two Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong I lose your company; therefore forbear a while. There’s something tells me (but it is not love) I would not lose you, and you know yourself Hate counsels not in such a quality. But lest you should not understand me well (And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought) I would detain you here some month or two Before you venture for me. I could teach you How to choose right, but then I am forsworn. So will I never be. So may you miss me. But if you do, you’ll make me wish a sin, That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes, They have o’erlooked me and divided me. One half of me is yours, the other half yours— Mine own, I would say—but if mine, then yours, And so all yours. O, these naughty times Puts bars between the owners and their rights! And so though yours, not yours. Prove it so, Let Fortune go to hell for it, not I. I speak too long, but ’tis to peize

the time, To eche it, and to draw it out in length, To stay you from election.FTLN 1349 FTLN 1350 FTLN 1351 FTLN 1352 Scene 2 FTLN 1353 FTLN 1354 FTLN 1355 FTLN 1356 FTLN 1357 5 FTLN 1358 FTLN 1359 FTLN 1360 FTLN 1361 FTLN 1362 10 FTLN 1363 FTLN 1364 FTLN 1365 FTLN 1366 FTLN 1367 15 FTLN 1368 FTLN 1369 FTLN 1370 FTLN 1371 FTLN 1372 20 FTLN 1373 FTLN 1374 FTLN 1375 FTLN 1376 105 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA Let me choose, For as I am, I live upon the rack. Upon the rack, Bassanio? Then confess What treason there is mingled with your love. None but that ugly treason of mistrust, Which makes me fear th’ enjoying of my love. There may as well be amity and life ’Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love. Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack Where men enforcèd do speak anything. Promise me life and I’ll confess the truth. Well, then, confess and live. “Confess and love” Had been the very sum of my confession. O happy torment, when my torturer Doth teach me answers for deliverance! But let me to my fortune and the caskets. Away, then. I am locked in one of them. If you do love me, you will find me out.— Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof. Let music sound while he doth make his choice. Then if he lose he makes a swanlike end, Fading in music. That the comparison May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream And wat’ry deathbed for him. He may win, And what is music then? Then music is Even as the flourish when true subjects bow To a new-crownèd monarch. Such it is As are those dulcet sounds in break of day That creep into the dreaming bridegroom’s ear And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,FTLN 1377 25 FTLN 1378 FTLN 1379 FTLN 1380 FTLN 1381 FTLN 1382 30 FTLN 1383 FTLN 1384 FTLN 1385 FTLN 1386 FTLN 1387 35 FTLN 1388 FTLN 1389 FTLN 1390 FTLN 1391 FTLN 1392 40 FTLN 1393 FTLN 1394 FTLN 1395 FTLN 1396 FTLN 1397 45 FTLN 1398 FTLN 1399 FTLN 1400 FTLN 1401 FTLN 1402 50 FTLN 1403 FTLN 1404 FTLN 1405 FTLN 1406 FTLN 1407 55 107 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 ALL BASSANIO With no less presence but with much more love Than young Alcides when he did redeem The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy To the sea-monster. I stand for sacrifice; The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, With blearèd visages, come forth to view The issue of th’ exploit. Go, Hercules! Live thou, I live. With much much more dismay I view the fight than thou that mak’st the fray. A song the whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself. Tell me where is fancy bred, Or in the heart, or in the head? How begot, how nourishèd? Reply, reply. It is engendered in the eye, With gazing fed, and fancy dies In the cradle where it lies. Let us all ring fancy’s knell. I’ll begin it.—Ding, dong, bell. Ding, dong, bell. So may the outward shows be least themselves; The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But, being seasoned with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil? In religion, What damnèd error but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? There is no vice so simple but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts. How many cowards whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,FTLN 1408 FTLN 1409 FTLN 1410 FTLN 1411 FTLN 1412 60 FTLN 1413 FTLN 1414 FTLN 1415 FTLN 1416 FTLN 1417 65 FTLN 1418 FTLN 1419 FTLN 1420 FTLN 1421 FTLN 1422 70 FTLN 1423 FTLN 1424 FTLN 1425 FTLN 1426 FTLN 1427 75 FTLN 1428 FTLN 1429 FTLN 1430 FTLN 1431 FTLN 1432 80 FTLN 1433 FTLN 1434 FTLN 1435 FTLN 1436 FTLN 1437 85 FTLN 1438 FTLN 1439 109 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 Bassanio is given a key. PORTIA Bassanio opens the lead casket. BASSANIO Who inward searched have livers white as milk, And these assume but valor’s excrement To render them redoubted. Look on beauty, And you shall see ’tis purchased by

the weight, Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it. So are those crispèd snaky golden locks, Which maketh such wanton gambols with the wind Upon supposèd fairness, often known To be the dowry of a second head, The skull that bred them in the sepulcher. Thus ornament is but the guilèd shore To a most dangerous sea, the beauteous scarf Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, The seeming truth which cunning times put on To entrap the wisest. Therefore, then, thou gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee. Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge ’Tween man and man. But thou, thou meager lead, Which rather threaten’st than dost promise aught, Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence, And here choose I. Joy be the consequence! , aside How all the other passions fleet to air, As doubtful thoughts and rash embraced despair, And shudd’ring fear, and green-eyed jealousy! O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy, In measure rain thy joy, scant this excess! I feel too much thy blessing. Make it less, For fear I surfeit. What find I here? Fair Portia’s counterfeit! What demigod Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?FTLN 1440 FTLN 1441 FTLN 1442 90 FTLN 1443 FTLN 1444 FTLN 1445 FTLN 1446 FTLN 1447 95 FTLN 1448 FTLN 1449 FTLN 1450 FTLN 1451 FTLN 1452 100 FTLN 1453 FTLN 1454 FTLN 1455 FTLN 1456 FTLN 1457 105 FTLN 1458 FTLN 1459 FTLN 1460 FTLN 1461 FTLN 1462 110 FTLN 1463 FTLN 1464 FTLN 1465 FTLN 1466 FTLN 1467 115 FTLN 1468 FTLN 1469 FTLN 1470 FTLN 1471 FTLN 1472 120 111 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 PORTIA Or whether, riding on the balls of mine, Seem they in motion? Here are severed lips Parted with sugar breath; so sweet a bar Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs The painter plays the spider, and hath woven A golden mesh t’ entrap the hearts of men Faster than gnats in cobwebs. But her eyes! How could he see to do them? Having made one, Methinks it should have power to steal both his And leave itself unfurnished. Yet look how far The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow In underprizing it, so far this shadow Doth limp behind the substance. Here’s the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune. He reads the scroll. You that choose not by the view Chance as fair and choose as true. Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new. If you be well pleased with this And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is, And claim her with a loving kiss. A gentle scroll! Fair lady, by your leave, I come by note to give and to receive. Like one of two contending in a prize That thinks he hath done well in people’s eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt Whether those peals of praise be his or no, So, thrice-fair lady, stand I even so, As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirmed, signed, ratified by you. You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am. Though for myself aloneFTLN 1473 FTLN 1474 FTLN 1475 FTLN 1476 FTLN 1477 125 FTLN 1478 FTLN 1479 FTLN 1480 FTLN 1481 FTLN 1482 130 FTLN 1483 FTLN 1484 FTLN 1485 FTLN 1486 FTLN 1487 135 FTLN 1488 FTLN 1489 FTLN 1490 FTLN 1491 FTLN 1492 140 FTLN 1493 FTLN 1494 FTLN 1495 FTLN 1496 FTLN 1497 145 FTLN 1498 FTLN 1499 FTLN 1500 FTLN 1501 FTLN 1502 150 FTLN 1503 FTLN 1504 FTLN 1505 FTLN 1506 113 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 Handing him a ring. BASSANIO I would not be ambitious in my wish To wish myself much better, yet for you I would be trebled twenty times myself, A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times More rich, that only to stand high in your account I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, Exceed account. But the full sum of me Is sum of something, which, to term in gross, Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpracticed; Happy in this, she is not yet so old But she may learn; happier than this, She is not bred so dull but she can learn; Happi

est of all, is that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed As from her lord, her governor, her king. Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours Is now converted. But now I was the lord Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen o’er myself; and even now, but now, This house, these servants, and this same myself Are yours, my lord’s. I give them with this ring, Which, when you part from, lose, or give away, Let it presage the ruin of your love, And be my vantage to exclaim on you. Madam, you have bereft me of all words. Only my blood speaks to you in my veins, And there is such confusion in my powers As after some oration fairly spoke By a belovèd prince there doth appear Among the buzzing pleasèd multitude, Where every something being blent together Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy Expressed and not expressed. But when this ring Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence. O, then be bold to say Bassanio’s dead!FTLN 1507 155 FTLN 1508 FTLN 1509 FTLN 1510 FTLN 1511 FTLN 1512 160 FTLN 1513 FTLN 1514 FTLN 1515 FTLN 1516 FTLN 1517 165 FTLN 1518 FTLN 1519 FTLN 1520 FTLN 1521 FTLN 1522 170 FTLN 1523 FTLN 1524 FTLN 1525 FTLN 1526 FTLN 1527 175 FTLN 1528 FTLN 1529 FTLN 1530 FTLN 1531 FTLN 1532 180 FTLN 1533 FTLN 1534 FTLN 1535 FTLN 1536 FTLN 1537 185 FTLN 1538 FTLN 1539 FTLN 1540 FTLN 1541 115 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 NERISSA GRATIANO BASSANIO GRATIANO PORTIA NERISSA BASSANIO GRATIANO BASSANIO GRATIANO My lord and lady, it is now our time, That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper, To cry “Good joy, good joy, my lord and lady!” My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish, For I am sure you can wish none from me. And when your honors mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you Even at that time I may be married too. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. I thank your Lordship, you have got me one. My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid. You loved, I loved; for intermission No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. Your fortune stood upon the caskets there, And so did mine, too, as the matter falls. For wooing here until I sweat again, And swearing till my very roof was dry With oaths of love, at last (if promise last) I got a promise of this fair one here To have her love, provided that your fortune Achieved her mistress. Is this true, Nerissa? Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Yes, faith, my lord. Our feast shall be much honored in your marriage. We’ll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats.FTLN 1542 190 FTLN 1543 FTLN 1544 FTLN 1545 FTLN 1546 FTLN 1547 195 FTLN 1548 FTLN 1549 FTLN 1550 FTLN 1551 FTLN 1552 200 FTLN 1553 FTLN 1554 FTLN 1555 FTLN 1556 FTLN 1557 205 FTLN 1558 FTLN 1559 FTLN 1560 FTLN 1561 FTLN 1562 210 FTLN 1563 FTLN 1564 FTLN 1565 FTLN 1566 FTLN 1567 215 FTLN 1568 FTLN 1569 FTLN 1570 FTLN 1571 117 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 NERISSA GRATIANO BASSANIO PORTIA LORENZO SALERIO Handing him a paper. BASSANIO SALERIO Bassanio opens the letter. GRATIANO What, and stake down? No, we shall ne’er win at that sport and stake down. Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salerio, a messenger from Venice. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? What, and my old Venetian friend Salerio? Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither— If that the youth of my new int’rest here Have power to bid you welcome. To Portia. By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome. So do I, my lord. They are entirely welcome. , to Bassanio I thank your Honor. For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here, But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me past all saying nay To come with him along. I did, my lord, And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio Commends him to you. Ere I ope his letter, I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. Not

LN 1658 FTLN 1659 FTLN 1660 FTLN 1661 FTLN 1662 310 FTLN 1663 FTLN 1664 FTLN 1665 FTLN 1666 FTLN 1667 315 123 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 3 BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO They exit. SHYLOCK First go with me to church and call me wife, And then away to Venice to your friend! For never shall you lie by Portia’s side With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold To pay the petty debt twenty times over. When it is paid, bring your true friend along. My maid Nerissa and myself meantime Will live as maids and widows. Come, away, For you shall hence upon your wedding day. Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer; Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. But let me hear the letter of your friend. 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. O love, dispatch all business and begone! 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, Nor rest be interposer ’twixt us twain. Enter Shylock, the Jew, and Solanio, and Antonio, and the Jailer. Jailer, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.FTLN 1668 FTLN 1669 FTLN 1670 FTLN 1671 FTLN 1672 320 FTLN 1673 FTLN 1674 FTLN 1675 FTLN 1676 FTLN 1677 325 FTLN 1678 FTLN 1679 FTLN 1680 FTLN 1681 FTLN 1682 330 FTLN 1683 FTLN 1684 FTLN 1685 FTLN 1686 FTLN 1687 335 FTLN 1688 FTLN 1689 FTLN 1690 FTLN 1691 Scene 3 FTLN 1692 125 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 3 ANTONIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO SHYLOCK He exits. SOLANIO ANTONIO SOLANIO ANTONIO This is the fool that lent out money gratis. Jailer, look to him. Hear me yet, good Shylock— I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, But since I am a dog, beware my fangs. The Duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fond To come abroad with him at his request. I pray thee, hear me speak— 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 To Christian intercessors. Follow not! I’ll have no speaking. I will have my bond. It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men. Let him alone. I’ll follow him no more with bootless prayers. He seeks my life. His reason well I know: I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me. Therefore he hates me. I am sure the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. The Duke cannot deny the course of law, For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state, Since that the trade and profit of the cityFTLN 1693 FTLN 1694 FTLN 1695 FTLN 1696 5 FTLN 1697 FTLN 1698 FTLN 1699 FTLN 1700 FTLN 1701 10 FTLN 1702 FTLN 1703 FTLN 1704 FTLN 1705 FTLN 1706 15 FTLN 1707 FTLN 1708 FTLN 1709 FTLN 1710 FTLN 1711 20 FTLN 1712 FTLN 1713 FTLN 1714 FTLN 1715 FTLN 1716 25 FTLN 1717 FTLN 1718 FTLN 1719 FTLN 1720 FTLN 1721 30 FTLN 1722 FTLN 1723 FTLN 1724 127 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 4 They exit. LORENZO PORTIA Consisteth of all nations. Therefore go. These griefs and losses have so bated me That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.— Well, jailer, on.—Pray God Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not. Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and Balthazar, a man of Portia’s. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of godlike amity, which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But if you knew to whom you show this honor, How true a gentleman you send rel

sick, my lord, unless it be in mind, Nor well, unless in mind. His letter there Will show you his estate. Nerissa, cheer yond stranger, bid her welcome.— Your hand, Salerio. What’s the news from Venice?FTLN 1572 220 FTLN 1573 FTLN 1574 FTLN 1575 FTLN 1576 FTLN 1577 225 FTLN 1578 FTLN 1579 FTLN 1580 FTLN 1581 FTLN 1582 230 FTLN 1583 FTLN 1584 FTLN 1585 FTLN 1586 FTLN 1587 235 FTLN 1588 FTLN 1589 FTLN 1590 FTLN 1591 FTLN 1592 240 FTLN 1593 FTLN 1594 FTLN 1595 FTLN 1596 FTLN 1597 245 FTLN 1598 FTLN 1599 119 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 SALERIO PORTIA BASSANIO How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? I know he will be glad of our success. We are the Jasons, we have won the Fleece. I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost. There are some shrewd contents in yond same paper That steals the color from Bassanio’s cheek. Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world Could turn so much the constitution Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?— With leave, Bassanio, I am half yourself, And I must freely have the half of anything That this same paper brings you. O sweet Portia, Here are a few of the unpleasant’st words That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady, When I did first impart my love to you, I freely told you all the wealth I had Ran in my veins: I was a gentleman. And then I told you true; and yet, dear lady, Rating myself at nothing, you shall see How much I was a braggart. When I told you My state was nothing, I should then have told you That I was worse than nothing; for indeed I have engaged myself to a dear friend, Engaged my friend to his mere enemy To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady, The paper as the body of my friend, And every word in it a gaping wound Issuing life blood.—But is it true, Salerio? Hath all his ventures failed? What, not one hit? From Tripolis, from Mexico and England, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India, And not one vessel ’scape the dreadful touch Of merchant-marring rocks?FTLN 1600 FTLN 1601 FTLN 1602 250 FTLN 1603 FTLN 1604 FTLN 1605 FTLN 1606 FTLN 1607 255 FTLN 1608 FTLN 1609 FTLN 1610 FTLN 1611 FTLN 1612 260 FTLN 1613 FTLN 1614 FTLN 1615 FTLN 1616 FTLN 1617 265 FTLN 1618 FTLN 1619 FTLN 1620 FTLN 1621 FTLN 1622 270 FTLN 1623 FTLN 1624 FTLN 1625 FTLN 1626 FTLN 1627 275 FTLN 1628 FTLN 1629 FTLN 1630 FTLN 1631 FTLN 1632 280 FTLN 1633 FTLN 1634 121 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 2 SALERIO JESSICA PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear that if he had The present money to discharge the Jew, He would not take it. Never did I know A creature that did bear the shape of man So keen and greedy to confound a man. He plies the Duke at morning and at night, And doth impeach the freedom of the state If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants, The Duke himself, and the magnificoes Of greatest port have all persuaded with him, But none can drive him from the envious plea Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond. 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 Than twenty times the value of the sum That he did owe him. And I know, my lord, If law, authority, and power deny not, It will go hard with poor Antonio. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best conditioned and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies, and one in whom The ancient Roman honor more appears Than any that draws breath in Italy. What sum owes he the Jew? For me, three thousand ducats. What, no more? Pay him six thousand and deface the bond. Double six thousand and then treble that, Before a friend of this description Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.FTLN 1635 FTLN 1636 FTLN 1637 285 FTLN 1638 FTLN 1639 FTLN 1640 FTLN 1641 FTLN 1642 290 FTLN 1643 FTLN 1644 FTLN 1645 FTLN 1646 FTLN 1647 295 FTLN 1648 FTLN 1649 FTLN 1650 FTLN 1651 FTLN 1652 300 FTLN 1653 FTLN 1654 FTLN 1655 FTLN 1656 FTLN 1657 305 FT

ief, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, I know you would be prouder of the work Than customary bounty can enforce you. I never did repent for doing good, Nor shall not now; for in companions That do converse and waste the time together, Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love, There must be needs a like proportion Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit; Which makes me think that this Antonio, Being the bosom lover of my lord, Must needs be like my lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I have bestowed In purchasing the semblance of my soul From out the state of hellish cruelty!FTLN 1725 FTLN 1726 35 FTLN 1727 FTLN 1728 FTLN 1729 FTLN 1730 Scene 4 FTLN 1731 FTLN 1732 FTLN 1733 FTLN 1734 FTLN 1735 5 FTLN 1736 FTLN 1737 FTLN 1738 FTLN 1739 FTLN 1740 10 FTLN 1741 FTLN 1742 FTLN 1743 FTLN 1744 FTLN 1745 15 FTLN 1746 FTLN 1747 FTLN 1748 FTLN 1749 FTLN 1750 20 FTLN 1751 129 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 4 LORENZO PORTIA LORENZO JESSICA PORTIA Lorenzo and Jessica exit. She gives him a paper. This comes too near the praising of myself; Therefore no more of it. Hear other things: Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage of my house Until my lord’s return. For mine own part, I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord’s return. There is a monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition, The which my love and some necessity Now lays upon you. Madam, with all my heart. I shall obey you in all fair commands. My people do already know my mind And will acknowledge you and Jessica In place of Lord Bassanio and myself. So fare you well till we shall meet again. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you! I wish your Ladyship all heart’s content. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased To wish it back on you. Fare you well, Jessica. Now, Balthazar, As I have ever found thee honest true, So let me find thee still: take this same letter, And use thou all th’ endeavor of a man In speed to Padua. See thou render this Into my cousin’s hands, Doctor Bellario.FTLN 1752 FTLN 1753 FTLN 1754 FTLN 1755 25 FTLN 1756 FTLN 1757 FTLN 1758 FTLN 1759 FTLN 1760 30 FTLN 1761 FTLN 1762 FTLN 1763 FTLN 1764 FTLN 1765 35 FTLN 1766 FTLN 1767 FTLN 1768 FTLN 1769 FTLN 1770 40 FTLN 1771 FTLN 1772 FTLN 1773 FTLN 1774 FTLN 1775 45 FTLN 1776 FTLN 1777 FTLN 1778 FTLN 1779 FTLN 1780 50 FTLN 1781 131 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 4 BALTHAZAR He exits. PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA And look what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed Unto the traject, to the common ferry Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words, But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee. Madam, I go with all convenient speed. Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand That you yet know not of. We’ll see our husbands Before they think of us. Shall they see us? They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit That they shall think we are accomplishèd With that we lack. I’ll hold thee any wager, When we are both accoutered like young men, I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace, And speak between the change of man and boy With a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps Into a manly stride, and speak of frays Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies How honorable ladies sought my love, Which I denying, they fell sick and died— I could not do withal!—then I’ll repent, And wish, for all that, that I had not killed them. And twenty of these puny lies I’ll tell, That men shall swear I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth. I have within my mind A thousand raw tricks of these bragging jacks Which I will practice. Why, shall we turn to men? Fie, what a question’s that, If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!FTLN 1782 FTLN 1783 FTLN 1784 FTLN 1785 55 FTLN 1786 FTLN 1787 FTLN

1788 FTLN 1789 FTLN 1790 60 FTLN 1791 FTLN 1792 FTLN 1793 FTLN 1794 FTLN 1795 65 FTLN 1796 FTLN 1797 FTLN 1798 FTLN 1799 FTLN 1800 70 FTLN 1801 FTLN 1802 FTLN 1803 FTLN 1804 FTLN 1805 75 FTLN 1806 FTLN 1807 FTLN 1808 FTLN 1809 FTLN 1810 80 FTLN 1811 FTLN 1812 FTLN 1813 FTLN 1814 133 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 5 They exit. LANCELET JESSICA LANCELET JESSICA LANCELET JESSICA LANCELET But come, I’ll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles today. Enter Lancelet, the Clown, and Jessica. Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children. Therefore I promise you I fear you. I was always plain with you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter. Therefore be o’ 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 bastard hope neither. And what hope is that, I pray thee? Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the Jew’s daughter. That were a kind of bastard hope indeed; so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me! 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. I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian. 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.FTLN 1815 85 FTLN 1816 FTLN 1817 FTLN 1818 Scene 5 FTLN 1819 FTLN 1820 FTLN 1821 FTLN 1822 FTLN 1823 5 FTLN 1824 FTLN 1825 FTLN 1826 FTLN 1827 FTLN 1828 10 FTLN 1829 FTLN 1830 FTLN 1831 FTLN 1832 FTLN 1833 15 FTLN 1834 FTLN 1835 FTLN 1836 FTLN 1837 FTLN 1838 20 FTLN 1839 FTLN 1840 FTLN 1841 FTLN 1842 FTLN 1843 25 135 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 5 JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET I’ll tell my husband, Lancelet, what you say. Here he comes. I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Lancelet, if you thus get my wife into corners! Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. Lancelet and I are out. He tells me flatly there’s 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. I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the Negro’s belly! The Moor is with child by you, Lancelet. It is much that the Moor should be more than reason; but if she be less than an honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for. How every fool can play upon the word! 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. That is done, sir. They have all stomachs. Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! Then bid them prepare dinner. That is done too, sir, only “cover” is the word. Will you cover, then, sir? Not so, sir, neither! I know my duty. Yet more quarreling 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. For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming inFTLN 1844 FTLN 1845 FTLN 1846 FTLN 1847 FTLN 1848 30 FTLN 1849 FTLN 1850 FTLN 1851 FTLN 1852 FTLN 1853 35 FTLN 1854 FTLN 1855 FTLN 1856 FTLN 1857 FTLN 1858 40 FTLN 1859 FTLN 1860 FTLN 1861 FTLN 1862 FTLN 1863 45 FTLN 1864 FTLN 1865 FTLN 1866 FTLN 1867 FTLN 1868 50 FTLN 1869 FTLN 1870 FTLN 1871 FTLN 1872 FTLN 1873 55 FTLN 1874 FTLN 1875 FTLN 1876 FTLN 187

7 FTLN 1878 60 FTLN 1879 137 The Merchant of VeniceACT 3. SC. 5 Lancelet exits. LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA They exit. to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humors and conceits shall govern. 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, Garnished like him, that for a tricksy word Defy the matter. How cheer’st thou, Jessica? And now, good sweet, say thy opinion How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio’s wife? Past all expressing. It is very meet The Lord Bassanio live an upright life, For having such a blessing in his lady He finds the joys of heaven here on Earth, And if on Earth he do not merit it, In reason he should never come to heaven. Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match, And on the wager lay two earthly women, And Portia one, there must be something else Pawned with the other, for the poor rude world Hath not her fellow. Even such a husband Hast thou of me as she is for a wife. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that! I will anon. First let us go to dinner. Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach! No, pray thee, let it serve for table talk. Then howsome’er thou speak’st, ’mong other things I shall digest it. Well, I’ll set you forth.FTLN 1880 FTLN 1881 FTLN 1882 FTLN 1883 65 FTLN 1884 FTLN 1885 FTLN 1886 FTLN 1887 FTLN 1888 70 FTLN 1889 FTLN 1890 FTLN 1891 FTLN 1892 FTLN 1893 75 FTLN 1894 FTLN 1895 FTLN 1896 FTLN 1897 FTLN 1898 80 FTLN 1899 FTLN 1900 FTLN 1901 FTLN 1902 FTLN 1903 85 FTLN 1904 FTLN 1905 FTLN 1906 FTLN 1907 FTLN 1908 90 FTLN 1909 DUKE ANTONIO DUKE ANTONIO DUKE SALERIO DUKEEnter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Salerio, and Gratiano, with Attendants. What, is Antonio here? Ready, so please your Grace. 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. I have heard Your Grace hath ta’en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury, and am armed To suffer with a quietness of spirit The very tyranny and rage of his. Go, one, and call the Jew into the court. He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord. Enter Shylock. Make room, and let him stand before our face.— 141ACT 4 Scene 1 FTLN 1910 FTLN 1911 FTLN 1912 FTLN 1913 FTLN 1914 5 FTLN 1915 FTLN 1916 FTLN 1917 FTLN 1918 FTLN 1919 10 FTLN 1920 FTLN 1921 FTLN 1922 FTLN 1923 FTLN 1924 15 FTLN 1925 FTLN 1926 143 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 SHYLOCK Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act, and then, ’tis thought, Thou ’lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty; And where thou now exacts the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh, Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture, But, touched with humane gentleness and love, Forgive a moi’ty of the principal, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses That have of late so huddled on his back, Enow to press a royal merchant down And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint, From stubborn Turks, and Tartars never trained To offices of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. I have possessed your Grace of what I purpose, And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond. If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter and your city’s freedom! You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have A weight of carrion flesh than to receive Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that, But say it is my humor. Is it answered? What if my house be troubled with a rat, And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats To have it baned? What, are you answered yet? Some men there are love not a gaping pig, Some

that are mad if they behold a cat, And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ th’ nose, Cannot contain their urine; for affection Masters oft passion, sways it to the moodFTLN 1927 FTLN 1928 FTLN 1929 20 FTLN 1930 FTLN 1931 FTLN 1932 FTLN 1933 FTLN 1934 25 FTLN 1935 FTLN 1936 FTLN 1937 FTLN 1938 FTLN 1939 30 FTLN 1940 FTLN 1941 FTLN 1942 FTLN 1943 FTLN 1944 35 FTLN 1945 FTLN 1946 FTLN 1947 FTLN 1948 FTLN 1949 40 FTLN 1950 FTLN 1951 FTLN 1952 FTLN 1953 FTLN 1954 45 FTLN 1955 FTLN 1956 FTLN 1957 FTLN 1958 FTLN 1959 50 FTLN 1960 FTLN 1961 145 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK BASSANIO SHYLOCK ANTONIO Of what it likes or loathes. Now for your answer: As there is no firm reason to be rendered Why he cannot abide a gaping pig, Why he a harmless necessary cat, Why he a woolen bagpipe, but of force Must yield to such inevitable shame As to offend, himself being offended, So can I give no reason, nor I will not, More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing I bear Antonio, that I follow thus A losing suit against him. Are you answered? This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty. I am not bound to please thee with my answers. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Every offence is not a hate at first. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice? , to Bassanio I pray you, think you question with the Jew. You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops and to make no noise When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard As seek to soften that than which what’s harder?— His Jewish heart. Therefore I do beseech youFTLN 1962 FTLN 1963 FTLN 1964 55 FTLN 1965 FTLN 1966 FTLN 1967 FTLN 1968 FTLN 1969 60 FTLN 1970 FTLN 1971 FTLN 1972 FTLN 1973 FTLN 1974 65 FTLN 1975 FTLN 1976 FTLN 1977 FTLN 1978 FTLN 1979 70 FTLN 1980 FTLN 1981 FTLN 1982 FTLN 1983 FTLN 1984 75 FTLN 1985 FTLN 1986 FTLN 1987 FTLN 1988 FTLN 1989 80 FTLN 1990 147 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 BASSANIO SHYLOCK DUKE SHYLOCK DUKE SALERIO Make no more offers, use no farther means, But with all brief and plain conveniency Let me have judgment and the Jew his will. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them. I would have my bond. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend’ring none? What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchased slave, Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts Because you bought them. Shall I say to you “Let them be free! Marry them to your heirs! Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Be seasoned with such viands”? You will answer “The slaves are ours!” So do I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it. If you deny me, fie upon your law: There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgment. Answer: shall I have it? Upon my power I may dismiss this court Unless Bellario, a learnèd doctor Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here today. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua.FTLN 1991 FTLN 1992 FTLN 1993 FTLN 1994 85 FTLN 1995 FTLN 1996 FTLN 1997 FTLN 1998 FTLN 1999 90 FTLN 2000 FTLN 2001 FTLN 2002 FTLN 2003 FTLN 2004 95 FTLN 2005 FTLN 2006 FTLN 2007 FTLN 2008 FTLN 2009 100 FTLN 2010 FTLN 2011 FTLN 2012 FTLN 2013 FTLN 2014 105 FTLN 2015 FTLN 2016 FTLN 2017 FTLN 2018 FTLN 2019 110 FTLN 2020 149 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 DUKE BASSANIO ANTONIO DUKE NERISSA Handing him a paper, which he reads, aside, while Shylock sharpens hi

then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh, But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Are by the laws of Venice confiscate Unto the state of Venice. O upright judge!—Mark, Jew.—O learnèd judge! Is that the law? , as Balthazar Thyself shalt see the act. For, as thou urgest justice, be assured Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir’st. O learnèd judge!—Mark, Jew, a learnèd judge! FTLN 2214 305 FTLN 2215 FTLN 2216 FTLN 2217 FTLN 2218 FTLN 2219 310 FTLN 2220 FTLN 2221 FTLN 2222 FTLN 2223 FTLN 2224 315 FTLN 2225 FTLN 2226 FTLN 2227 FTLN 2228 FTLN 2229 320 FTLN 2230 FTLN 2231 FTLN 2232 FTLN 2233 FTLN 2234 325 FTLN 2235 FTLN 2236 FTLN 2237 FTLN 2238 FTLN 2239 330 FTLN 2240 165 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 SHYLOCK BASSANIO PORTIA GRATIANO PORTIA GRATIANO PORTIA SHYLOCK BASSANIO PORTIA GRATIANO SHYLOCK I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice And let the Christian go. Here is the money. , as Balthazar Soft! The Jew shall have all justice. Soft, no haste! He shall have nothing but the penalty. O Jew, an upright judge, a learnèd judge! , as Balthazar Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh. Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak’st more Or less than a just pound, be it but so much As makes it light or heavy in the substance Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple—nay, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair, Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. A second Daniel! A Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have you on the hip. , as Balthazar Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture. Give me my principal and let me go. I have it ready for thee. Here it is. , as Balthazar He hath refused it in the open court. He shall have merely justice and his bond. A Daniel still, say I! A second Daniel!— I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word. Shall I not have barely my principal?FTLN 2241 FTLN 2242 FTLN 2243 FTLN 2244 335 FTLN 2245 FTLN 2246 FTLN 2247 FTLN 2248 FTLN 2249 340 FTLN 2250 FTLN 2251 FTLN 2252 FTLN 2253 FTLN 2254 345 FTLN 2255 FTLN 2256 FTLN 2257 FTLN 2258 FTLN 2259 350 FTLN 2260 FTLN 2261 FTLN 2262 FTLN 2263 FTLN 2264 355 FTLN 2265 167 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 PORTIA SHYLOCK He begins to exit. PORTIA GRATIANO DUKE, as Balthazar Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture To be so taken at thy peril, Jew. Why, then, the devil give him good of it! I’ll stay no longer question. , as Balthazar Tarry, Jew. The law hath yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice, If it be proved against an alien That by direct or indirect attempts He seek the life of any citizen, The party ’gainst the which he doth contrive Shall seize one half his goods; the other half Comes to the privy coffer of the state, And the offender’s life lies in the mercy Of the Duke only, ’gainst all other voice. In which predicament I say thou stand’st, For it appears by manifest proceeding That indirectly, and directly too, Thou hast contrived against the very life Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred The danger formerly by me rehearsed. Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke. Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself! And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Thou hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore thou must be hanged at the state’s charge. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit, I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. For half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s; The other half comes to the general state, Which humbleness may drive unto a fine. FTLN 2266 FTLN 2267 FTLN 2268 FTLN 2269 360 FTLN 2270 FTLN 2271 FTLN 2272 FTLN 2273 FTLN 2274 365 FTLN 2275 FTLN 2276 FTLN 2277 FTLN 2278 FTLN 2279 370 FTLN 2280 FTLN 2281 FTLN 2282 FTLN 2283 FTLN 2284 375 FTLN 2285 FTLN 2286 FTLN 2287 FTLN 2288 FTLN 2289 380 FTLN 2290 FTLN 2291 FTLN 2292 FTLN 2293 FTLN 2294 385 FTLN 2295 FTLN 2296 FTLN 2297 169 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 POR

Is your name Shylock? Shylock is my name. , as Balthazar Of a strange nature is the suit you follow, Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed. To Antonio. You stand within his danger, do you not? Ay, so he says. , as Balthazar Do you confess the bond? I do. , as Balthazar Then must the Jew be merciful. On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.FTLN 2074 165 FTLN 2075 FTLN 2076 FTLN 2077 FTLN 2078 FTLN 2079 170 FTLN 2080 FTLN 2081 FTLN 2082 FTLN 2083 FTLN 2084 175 FTLN 2085 FTLN 2086 FTLN 2087 FTLN 2088 FTLN 2089 180 FTLN 2090 FTLN 2091 FTLN 2092 FTLN 2093 FTLN 2094 185 FTLN 2095 FTLN 2096 FTLN 2097 FTLN 2098 155 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA BASSANIO, as Balthazar The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute to God Himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this: That in the course of justice none of us Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea, Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence ’gainst the merchant there. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. , as Balthazar Is he not able to discharge the money? Yes. Here I tender it for him in the court, Yea, twice the sum. If that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart. If this will not suffice, it must appear FTLN 2099 190 FTLN 2100 FTLN 2101 FTLN 2102 FTLN 2103 FTLN 2104 195 FTLN 2105 FTLN 2106 FTLN 2107 FTLN 2108 FTLN 2109 200 FTLN 2110 FTLN 2111 FTLN 2112 FTLN 2113 FTLN 2114 205 FTLN 2115 FTLN 2116 FTLN 2117 FTLN 2118 FTLN 2119 210 FTLN 2120 FTLN 2121 FTLN 2122 FTLN 2123 FTLN 2124 215 FTLN 2125 FTLN 2126 FTLN 2127 FTLN 2128 FTLN 2129 220 157 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK Handing Portia a paper. PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK That malice bears down truth. To the Duke. And I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority. To do a great right, do a little wrong, And curb this cruel devil of his will. , as Balthazar It must not be. There is no power in Venice Can alter a decree establishèd; ’Twill be recorded for a precedent And many an error by the same example Will rush into the state. It cannot be. A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel. O wise young judge, how I do honor thee! , as Balthazar I pray you let me look upon the bond. Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is. , as Balthazar Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven! Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice! , as Balthazar Why, this bond is forfeit, And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant’s heart.—Be merciful; Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond. When it is paid according to the tenor. It doth appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your exposition Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,FTLN 2130 FTLN 2131 FTLN 2132 FTLN 2133 FTLN 2134 225 FTLN 2135 FTLN 2136 FTLN 2137 FTLN 2138 FTLN 2139 230 FTLN 2140 FTLN 2141 FTLN 2142 FTLN 2143 FTLN 2144 235 FTLN 2145 FTLN 2146 FTLN 2147 FTLN 2148 FTLN 2149 240 FTLN 2150 FTLN 2151 FTLN 2152 FTLN 2153 FTLN 2154 245 FTLN 2155 FTLN 2156 FTLN 2157 159 The Merchant of V

s knife on the sole of his shoe. BASSANIO SHYLOCK GRATIANO SHYLOCK GRATIANO Bring us the letters. Call the messenger. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood! I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death. The weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me. You cannot better be employed, Bassanio, Than to live still and write mine epitaph. Enter Nerissa, disguised as a lawyer’s clerk. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? , as Clerk From both, my lord. Bellario greets your Grace. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? To cut the forfeiture from that bankrout there. Not on thy sole but on thy soul, harsh Jew, Thou mak’st thy knife keen. But no metal can, No, not the hangman’s axe, bear half the keenness Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? No, none that thou hast wit enough to make. O, be thou damned, inexecrable dog, And for thy life let justice be accused; Thou almost mak’st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with PythagorasFTLN 2021 FTLN 2022 FTLN 2023 FTLN 2024 115 FTLN 2025 FTLN 2026 FTLN 2027 FTLN 2028 FTLN 2029 120 FTLN 2030 FTLN 2031 FTLN 2032 FTLN 2033 FTLN 2034 125 FTLN 2035 FTLN 2036 FTLN 2037 FTLN 2038 FTLN 2039 130 FTLN 2040 FTLN 2041 FTLN 2042 151 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 SHYLOCK DUKE NERISSA DUKE Attendants exit. That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit Governed a wolf who, hanged for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam, Infused itself in thee, for thy desires Are wolfish, bloody, starved, and ravenous. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend’st thy lungs to speak so loud. Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin. I stand here for law. This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learnèd doctor to our court. Where is he? , as Clerk He attendeth here hard by To know your answer whether you’ll admit him. With all my heart.—Some three or four of you Go give him courteous conduct to this place. Meantime the court shall hear Bellario’s letter. He reads. Your Grace shall understand that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick, but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome. His name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant. We turned o’er many books together. He is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning (the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend), comes with him at my importunity to fill up your Grace’s request in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, for IFTLN 2043 FTLN 2044 135 FTLN 2045 FTLN 2046 FTLN 2047 FTLN 2048 FTLN 2049 140 FTLN 2050 FTLN 2051 FTLN 2052 FTLN 2053 FTLN 2054 145 FTLN 2055 FTLN 2056 FTLN 2057 FTLN 2058 FTLN 2059 150 FTLN 2060 FTLN 2061 FTLN 2062 FTLN 2063 FTLN 2064 155 FTLN 2065 FTLN 2066 FTLN 2067 FTLN 2068 FTLN 2069 160 FTLN 2070 FTLN 2071 FTLN 2072 FTLN 2073 153 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 PORTIA DUKE PORTIA DUKE PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA ANTONIO PORTIA ANTONIO PORTIA SHYLOCK never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation. You hear the learnèd Bellario what he writes. Enter Portia for Balthazar, disguised as a doctor of laws, with Attendants. And here I take it is the doctor come.— Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario? , as Balthazar I did, my lord. You are welcome. Take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court? , as Balthazar I am informèd throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew? Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth. , as Balthazar

eniceACT 4. SC. 1 ANTONIO PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me. I stay here on my bond. Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment. , as Balthazar Why, then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife— O noble judge! O excellent young man! , as Balthazar For the intent and purpose of the law Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond. ’Tis very true. O wise and upright judge, How much more elder art thou than thy looks! , as Balthazar, to Antonio Therefore lay bare your bosom— Ay, his breast! So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge? “Nearest his heart.” Those are the very words. , as Balthazar It is so. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh? I have them ready. , as Balthazar Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. Is it so nominated in the bond? , as Balthazar It is not so expressed, but what of that? ’Twere good you do so much for charity. I cannot find it. ’Tis not in the bond.FTLN 2158 FTLN 2159 250 FTLN 2160 FTLN 2161 FTLN 2162 FTLN 2163 FTLN 2164 255 FTLN 2165 FTLN 2166 FTLN 2167 FTLN 2168 FTLN 2169 260 FTLN 2170 FTLN 2171 FTLN 2172 FTLN 2173 FTLN 2174 265 FTLN 2175 FTLN 2176 FTLN 2177 FTLN 2178 FTLN 2179 270 FTLN 2180 FTLN 2181 FTLN 2182 FTLN 2183 161 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 PORTIA ANTONIO BASSANIO PORTIA GRATIANO, as Balthazar You, merchant, have you anything to say? But little. I am armed and well prepared.— Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well. Grieve not that I am fall’n to this for you, For herein Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom: it is still her use To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance Of such misery doth she cut me off. Commend me to your honorable wife, Tell her the process of Antonio’s end, Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death, And when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love. Repent but you that you shall lose your friend And he repents not that he pays your debt. For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart. Antonio, I am married to a wife Which is as dear to me as life itself, But life itself, my wife, and all the world Are not with me esteemed above thy life. I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to deliver you. , aside Your wife would give you little thanks for that If she were by to hear you make the offer. I have a wife who I protest I love. I would she were in heaven, so she could Entreat some power to change this currish Jew. FTLN 2184 275 FTLN 2185 FTLN 2186 FTLN 2187 FTLN 2188 FTLN 2189 280 FTLN 2190 FTLN 2191 FTLN 2192 FTLN 2193 FTLN 2194 285 FTLN 2195 FTLN 2196 FTLN 2197 FTLN 2198 FTLN 2199 290 FTLN 2200 FTLN 2201 FTLN 2202 FTLN 2203 FTLN 2204 295 FTLN 2205 FTLN 2206 FTLN 2207 FTLN 2208 FTLN 2209 300 FTLN 2210 FTLN 2211 FTLN 2212 FTLN 2213 163 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 NERISSA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA GRATIANO SHYLOCK PORTIA GRATIANO, aside ’Tis well you offer it behind her back. The wish would make else an unquiet house. These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter— Would any of the stock of Barabbas Had been her husband, rather than a Christian! We trifle time. I pray thee, pursue sentence. , as Balthazar A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine: The court awards it, and the law doth give it. Most rightful judge! , as Balthazar And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: The law allows it, and the court awards it. Most learnèd judge! A sentence!—Come, prepare. , as Balthazar Tarry a little. There is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood. The words expressly are “a pound of flesh.” Take

TIA SHYLOCK PORTIA GRATIANO ANTONIO DUKE PORTIA SHYLOCK PORTIA SHYLOCK DUKE, as Balthazar Ay, for the state, not for Antonio. Nay, take my life and all. Pardon not that. You take my house when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house; you take my life When you do take the means whereby I live. , as Balthazar What mercy can you render him, Antonio? A halter gratis, nothing else, for God’s sake! So please my lord the Duke and all the court To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it Upon his death unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter. Two things provided more: that for this favor He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possessed Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter. He shall do this, or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronouncèd here. , as Balthazar Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say? I am content. , as Balthazar Clerk, draw a deed of gift. I pray you give me leave to go from hence. I am not well. Send the deed after me And I will sign it. Get thee gone, but do it. FTLN 2298 FTLN 2299 390 FTLN 2300 FTLN 2301 FTLN 2302 FTLN 2303 FTLN 2304 395 FTLN 2305 FTLN 2306 FTLN 2307 FTLN 2308 FTLN 2309 400 FTLN 2310 FTLN 2311 FTLN 2312 FTLN 2313 FTLN 2314 405 FTLN 2315 FTLN 2316 FTLN 2317 FTLN 2318 FTLN 2319 410 FTLN 2320 FTLN 2321 FTLN 2322 FTLN 2323 FTLN 2324 415 171 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 GRATIANO Shylock exits. DUKE PORTIA DUKE The Duke and his train exit. BASSANIO ANTONIO PORTIA She begins to exit. BASSANIO In christ’ning shalt thou have two godfathers. Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font. , to Portia as Balthazar Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner. , as Balthazar I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon. I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth. I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.— Antonio, gratify this gentleman, For in my mind you are much bound to him. , to Portia as Balthazar Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew We freely cope your courteous pains withal. And stand indebted, over and above, In love and service to you evermore. , as Balthazar He is well paid that is well satisfied, And I, delivering you, am satisfied, And therein do account myself well paid. My mind was never yet more mercenary. I pray you know me when we meet again. I wish you well, and so I take my leave. Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further. Take some remembrance of us as a tribute, FTLN 2325 FTLN 2326 FTLN 2327 FTLN 2328 FTLN 2329 420 FTLN 2330 FTLN 2331 FTLN 2332 FTLN 2333 FTLN 2334 425 FTLN 2335 FTLN 2336 FTLN 2337 FTLN 2338 FTLN 2339 430 FTLN 2340 FTLN 2341 FTLN 2342 FTLN 2343 FTLN 2344 435 FTLN 2345 FTLN 2346 FTLN 2347 FTLN 2348 FTLN 2349 440 173 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 1 PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA Portia and Nerissa exit. ANTONIO Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you: Not to deny me, and to pardon me. , as Balthazar You press me far, and therefore I will yield. Give me your gloves; I’ll wear them for your sake— And for your love I’ll take this ring from you. Do not draw back your hand; I’ll take no more, And you in love shall not deny me this. This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle. I will not shame myself to give you this. , as Balthazar I will have nothing else but only this. And now methinks I have a mind to it. There’s more depends on this than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation. Only for this, I pray you pardon me. , as Balthazar I see, sir, you are liberal in offers. You taught me first to beg, and now methinks You teach me how a beggar should be answered. Good sir, this ring wa

e scrubbèd boy, No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk, A prating boy that begged it as a fee. I could not for my heart deny it him. You were to blame, I must be plain with you, To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift, A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger, And so riveted with faith unto your flesh. I gave my love a ring and made him swear Never to part with it, and here he stands. I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano, You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief. An ’twere to me I should be mad at it. , aside Why, I were best to cut my left hand off And swear I lost the ring defending it.FTLN 2569 FTLN 2570 FTLN 2571 FTLN 2572 165 FTLN 2573 FTLN 2574 FTLN 2575 FTLN 2576 FTLN 2577 170 FTLN 2578 FTLN 2579 FTLN 2580 FTLN 2581 FTLN 2582 175 FTLN 2583 FTLN 2584 FTLN 2585 FTLN 2586 FTLN 2587 180 FTLN 2588 FTLN 2589 FTLN 2590 FTLN 2591 FTLN 2592 185 FTLN 2593 FTLN 2594 FTLN 2595 FTLN 2596 FTLN 2597 190 FTLN 2598 195 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 GRATIANO PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA NERISSA BASSANIO PORTIA My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away Unto the judge that begged it, and indeed Deserved it, too. And then the boy, his clerk, That took some pains in writing, he begged mine, And neither man nor master would take aught But the two rings. What ring gave you, my lord? Not that, I hope, which you received of me. If I could add a lie unto a fault, I would deny it, but you see my finger Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone. Even so void is your false heart of truth. By heaven, I will ne’er come in your bed Until I see the ring! , to Gratiano Nor I in yours Till I again see mine! Sweet Portia, If you did know to whom I gave the ring, If you did know for whom I gave the ring, And would conceive for what I gave the ring, And how unwillingly I left the ring, When naught would be accepted but the ring, You would abate the strength of your displeasure. If you had known the virtue of the ring, Or half her worthiness that gave the ring, Or your own honor to contain the ring, You would not then have parted with the ring. What man is there so much unreasonable, If you had pleased to have defended it With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty To urge the thing held as a ceremony? Nerissa teaches me what to believe: I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring!FTLN 2599 FTLN 2600 FTLN 2601 FTLN 2602 195 FTLN 2603 FTLN 2604 FTLN 2605 FTLN 2606 FTLN 2607 200 FTLN 2608 FTLN 2609 FTLN 2610 FTLN 2611 FTLN 2612 205 FTLN 2613 FTLN 2614 FTLN 2615 FTLN 2616 FTLN 2617 210 FTLN 2618 FTLN 2619 FTLN 2620 FTLN 2621 FTLN 2622 215 FTLN 2623 FTLN 2624 FTLN 2625 FTLN 2626 FTLN 2627 220 FTLN 2628 FTLN 2629 FTLN 2630 FTLN 2631 197 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 BASSANIO PORTIA NERISSA GRATIANO ANTONIO No, by my honor, madam, by my soul, No woman had it, but a civil doctor, Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me And begged the ring, the which I did deny him And suffered him to go displeased away, Even he that had held up the very life Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady? I was enforced to send it after him. I was beset with shame and courtesy. My honor would not let ingratitude So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady, For by these blessèd candles of the night, Had you been there, I think you would have begged The ring of me to give the worthy doctor. Let not that doctor e’er come near my house! Since he hath got the jewel that I loved, And that which you did swear to keep for me, I will become as liberal as you: I’ll not deny him anything I have, No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed. Know him I shall, I am well sure of it. Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus. If you do not, if I be left alone, Now by mine honor, which is yet mine own, I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow. And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised How you do leave me to mine own protection.

s given me by my wife, And when she put it on, she made me vow That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it. , as Balthazar That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts. And if your wife be not a madwoman, And know how well I have deserved this ring, She would not hold out enemy forever For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you. My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.FTLN 2350 FTLN 2351 FTLN 2352 FTLN 2353 FTLN 2354 445 FTLN 2355 FTLN 2356 FTLN 2357 FTLN 2358 FTLN 2359 450 FTLN 2360 FTLN 2361 FTLN 2362 FTLN 2363 FTLN 2364 455 FTLN 2365 FTLN 2366 FTLN 2367 FTLN 2368 FTLN 2369 460 FTLN 2370 FTLN 2371 FTLN 2372 FTLN 2373 FTLN 2374 465 FTLN 2375 FTLN 2376 175 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 2 BASSANIO Gratiano exits. They exit. PORTIA GRATIANO He gives her a ring. PORTIA GRATIANO Let his deservings and my love withal Be valued ’gainst your wife’s commandment. Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him. Give him the ring, and bring him if thou canst Unto Antonio’s house. Away, make haste. Come, you and I will thither presently, And in the morning early will we both Fly toward Belmont.—Come, Antonio. Enter Portia and Nerissa, still in disguise. Inquire the Jew’s house out; give him this deed And let him sign it. She gives Nerissa a paper. We’ll away tonight, And be a day before our husbands home. This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. Enter Gratiano. Fair sir, you are well o’erta’en. My Lord Bassanio, upon more advice, Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat Your company at dinner. , as Balthazar That cannot be. His ring I do accept most thankfully, And so I pray you tell him. Furthermore, I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house. That will I do.FTLN 2377 FTLN 2378 FTLN 2379 470 FTLN 2380 FTLN 2381 FTLN 2382 FTLN 2383 FTLN 2384 475 Scene 2 FTLN 2385 FTLN 2386 FTLN 2387 FTLN 2388 FTLN 2389 5 FTLN 2390 FTLN 2391 FTLN 2392 FTLN 2393 FTLN 2394 10 FTLN 2395 FTLN 2396 FTLN 2397 FTLN 2398 177 The Merchant of VeniceACT 4. SC. 2 NERISSA PORTIA She exits. NERISSA They exit., as Clerk Sir, I would speak with you. Aside to Portia. I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring, Which I did make him swear to keep forever. , aside to Nerissa Thou mayst, I warrant! We shall have old swearing That they did give the rings away to men; But we’ll outface them, and outswear them, too.— Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry. , as Clerk Come, good sir, will you show me to this house? FTLN 2399 15 FTLN 2400 FTLN 2401 FTLN 2402 FTLN 2403 FTLN 2404 20 FTLN 2405 FTLN 2406 FTLN 2407 LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO JESSICAEnter Lorenzo and Jessica. The moon shines bright. In such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees And they did make no noise, in such a night Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents Where Cressid lay that night. In such a night Did Thisbe fearfully o’ertrip the dew And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself And ran dismayed away. In such a night Stood Dido with a willow in her hand Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love To come again to Carthage. In such a night Medea gathered the enchanted herbs That did renew old Aeson. In such a night Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, And with an unthrift love did run from Venice As far as Belmont. In such a night Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well, 181ACT 5 Scene 1 FTLN 2408 FTLN 2409 FTLN 2410 FTLN 2411 FTLN 2412 5 FTLN 2413 FTLN 2414 FTLN 2415 FTLN 2416 FTLN 2417 10 FTLN 2418 FTLN 2419 FTLN 2420 FTLN 2421 FTLN 2422 15 FTLN 2423 FTLN 2424 FTLN 2425 FTLN 2426 FTLN 2427 20 FTLN 2428 FTLN 2429 FTLN 2430 183 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 LORENZO JESSICA LORENZO STEPHANO LORENZO STEPHANO LORENZO STEPHANO LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET Stealing her soul with many vows of faith, And ne’er a true one. In such a night Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave it her. I would out-night you did nobody come, Bu

t hark, I hear the footing of a man. Enter Stephano, a Messenger. Who comes so fast in silence of the night? A friend. A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend. Stephano is my name, and I bring word My mistress will before the break of day Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays For happy wedlock hours. Who comes with her? None but a holy hermit and her maid. I pray you, is my master yet returned? He is not, nor we have not heard from him.— But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, And ceremoniously let us prepare Some welcome for the mistress of the house. Enter Lancelet, the Clown. Sola, sola! Wo ha, ho! Sola, sola! Who calls? Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!FTLN 2431 FTLN 2432 25 FTLN 2433 FTLN 2434 FTLN 2435 FTLN 2436 FTLN 2437 30 FTLN 2438 FTLN 2439 FTLN 2440 FTLN 2441 FTLN 2442 35 FTLN 2443 FTLN 2444 FTLN 2445 FTLN 2446 FTLN 2447 40 FTLN 2448 FTLN 2449 FTLN 2450 FTLN 2451 FTLN 2452 45 FTLN 2453 FTLN 2454 FTLN 2455 FTLN 2456 FTLN 2457 50 185 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 LORENZO LANCELET LORENZO LANCELET Lancelet exits. LORENZO Stephano exits. Music plays. JESSICA LORENZO Leave holloaing, man! Here. Sola! Where, where? Here! Tell him there’s a post come from my master with his horn full of good news. My master will be here ere morning, sweet soul. , to Jessica Let’s in, and there expect their coming. And yet no matter; why should we go in?— My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you, Within the house, your mistress is at hand, And bring your music forth into the air. How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank. Here will we sit and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night Become the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold. There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st But in his motion like an angel sings, Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins. Such harmony is in immortal souls, But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. Enter Stephano and musicians. Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn. With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear, And draw her home with music. I am never merry when I hear sweet music. The reason is, your spirits are attentive. For do but note a wild and wanton herdFTLN 2458 FTLN 2459 FTLN 2460 FTLN 2461 FTLN 2462 55 FTLN 2463 FTLN 2464 FTLN 2465 FTLN 2466 FTLN 2467 60 FTLN 2468 FTLN 2469 FTLN 2470 FTLN 2471 FTLN 2472 65 FTLN 2473 FTLN 2474 FTLN 2475 FTLN 2476 FTLN 2477 70 FTLN 2478 FTLN 2479 FTLN 2480 FTLN 2481 FTLN 2482 75 FTLN 2483 FTLN 2484 FTLN 2485 FTLN 2486 187 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA NERISSA PORTIA Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, Which is the hot condition of their blood, If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, Or any air of music touch their ears, You shall perceive them make a mutual stand, Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze By the sweet power of music. Therefore the poet Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods, Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage, But music for the time doth change his nature. The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music. Enter Portia and Nerissa. That light we see is burning in my hall. How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. When the moon shone we did not see the candle. So doth the greater glory dim the less. A substitute shines brightly as a king Until a king be by, and then his state Empties itself as doth an inland brook Into the main of waters. Music, hark! It is your music, madam, of the house. Nothing is good, I

see, without respect. Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.FTLN 2487 80 FTLN 2488 FTLN 2489 FTLN 2490 FTLN 2491 FTLN 2492 85 FTLN 2493 FTLN 2494 FTLN 2495 FTLN 2496 FTLN 2497 90 FTLN 2498 FTLN 2499 FTLN 2500 FTLN 2501 FTLN 2502 95 FTLN 2503 FTLN 2504 FTLN 2505 FTLN 2506 FTLN 2507 100 FTLN 2508 FTLN 2509 FTLN 2510 FTLN 2511 FTLN 2512 105 FTLN 2513 FTLN 2514 FTLN 2515 FTLN 2516 189 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 NERISSA PORTIA Music ceases. LORENZO PORTIA LORENZO PORTIA LORENZO PORTIA A trumpet sounds. LORENZO PORTIA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam. The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark When neither is attended, and I think The nightingale, if she should sing by day When every goose is cackling, would be thought No better a musician than the wren. How many things by season seasoned are To their right praise and true perfection! Peace—how the moon sleeps with Endymion And would not be awaked! That is the voice, Or I am much deceived, of Portia. He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, By the bad voice. Dear lady, welcome home. We have been praying for our husbands’ welfare, Which speed we hope the better for our words. Are they returned? Madam, they are not yet, But there is come a messenger before To signify their coming. Go in, Nerissa. Give order to my servants that they take No note at all of our being absent hence— Nor you, Lorenzo—Jessica, nor you. Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet. We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not. This night methinks is but the daylight sick;FTLN 2517 110 FTLN 2518 FTLN 2519 FTLN 2520 FTLN 2521 FTLN 2522 115 FTLN 2523 FTLN 2524 FTLN 2525 FTLN 2526 FTLN 2527 120 FTLN 2528 FTLN 2529 FTLN 2530 FTLN 2531 FTLN 2532 125 FTLN 2533 FTLN 2534 FTLN 2535 FTLN 2536 FTLN 2537 130 FTLN 2538 FTLN 2539 FTLN 2540 FTLN 2541 FTLN 2542 135 FTLN 2543 FTLN 2544 191 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 BASSANIO PORTIA Gratiano and Nerissa talk aside. BASSANIO PORTIA ANTONIO PORTIA GRATIANO PORTIA GRATIANO It looks a little paler. ’Tis a day Such as the day is when the sun is hid. Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano, and their followers. We should hold day with the Antipodes If you would walk in absence of the sun. Let me give light, but let me not be light, For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, And never be Bassanio so for me. But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord. I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend. This is the man, this is Antonio, To whom I am so infinitely bound. You should in all sense be much bound to him, For as I hear he was much bound for you. No more than I am well acquitted of. Sir, you are very welcome to our house. It must appear in other ways than words; Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy. , to Nerissa By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong! In faith, I gave it to the judge’s clerk. Would he were gelt that had it, for my part, Since you do take it, love, so much at heart. A quarrel ho, already! What’s the matter? About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring That she did give me, whose posy wasFTLN 2545 FTLN 2546 FTLN 2547 140 FTLN 2548 FTLN 2549 FTLN 2550 FTLN 2551 FTLN 2552 145 FTLN 2553 FTLN 2554 FTLN 2555 FTLN 2556 FTLN 2557 150 FTLN 2558 FTLN 2559 FTLN 2560 FTLN 2561 FTLN 2562 155 FTLN 2563 FTLN 2564 FTLN 2565 FTLN 2566 FTLN 2567 160 FTLN 2568 193 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 NERISSA GRATIANO NERISSA GRATIANO PORTIA BASSANIO For all the world like cutler’s poetry Upon a knife, “Love me, and leave me not.” What talk you of the posy or the value? You swore to me when I did give it you That you would wear it till your hour of death, And that it should lie with you in your grave. Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths, You should have been respective and have kept it. Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge, The clerk will ne’er wear hair on ’s face that had it. He will, an if he live to be a man. Ay, if a woman live to be a man. Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth, A kind of boy, a littl

Well, do you so. Let not me take him, then, For if I do, I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen. I am th’ unhappy subject of these quarrels.FTLN 2632 225 FTLN 2633 FTLN 2634 FTLN 2635 FTLN 2636 FTLN 2637 230 FTLN 2638 FTLN 2639 FTLN 2640 FTLN 2641 FTLN 2642 235 FTLN 2643 FTLN 2644 FTLN 2645 FTLN 2646 FTLN 2647 240 FTLN 2648 FTLN 2649 FTLN 2650 FTLN 2651 FTLN 2652 245 FTLN 2653 FTLN 2654 FTLN 2655 FTLN 2656 FTLN 2657 250 FTLN 2658 FTLN 2659 FTLN 2660 FTLN 2661 199 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 PORTIA BASSANIO PORTIA BASSANIO ANTONIO PORTIA Giving Antonio a ring. ANTONIO BASSANIO PORTIA NERISSA She shows a ring. Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding. Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong, And in the hearing of these many friends I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, Wherein I see myself— Mark you but that! In both my eyes he doubly sees himself, In each eye one. Swear by your double self, And there’s an oath of credit. Nay, but hear me. Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear I never more will break an oath with thee. I once did lend my body for his wealth, Which but for him that had your husband’s ring Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again, My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord Will never more break faith advisedly. Then you shall be his surety. Give him this, And bid him keep it better than the other. Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring. By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor! I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio, For by this ring, the doctor lay with me. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk, In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.FTLN 2662 255 FTLN 2663 FTLN 2664 FTLN 2665 FTLN 2666 FTLN 2667 260 FTLN 2668 FTLN 2669 FTLN 2670 FTLN 2671 FTLN 2672 265 FTLN 2673 FTLN 2674 FTLN 2675 FTLN 2676 FTLN 2677 270 FTLN 2678 FTLN 2679 FTLN 2680 FTLN 2681 FTLN 2682 275 FTLN 2683 FTLN 2684 FTLN 2685 FTLN 2686 FTLN 2687 280 FTLN 2688 201 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 GRATIANO PORTIA She hands a paper to Bassanio. Handing him a paper. ANTONIO BASSANIO GRATIANO NERISSA BASSANIO ANTONIO Why, this is like the mending of highways In summer, where the ways are fair enough! What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it? Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed. Here is a letter; read it at your leisure. It comes from Padua from Bellario. There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here Shall witness I set forth as soon as you, And even but now returned. I have not yet Entered my house.—Antonio, you are welcome, And I have better news in store for you Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon. There you shall find three of your argosies Are richly come to harbor suddenly. You shall not know by what strange accident I chancèd on this letter. I am dumb. Were you the doctor and I knew you not? Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold? Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it, Unless he live until he be a man. , to Portia Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow. When I am absent, then lie with my wife. Sweet lady, you have given me life and living; For here I read for certain that my ships Are safely come to road.FTLN 2689 FTLN 2690 FTLN 2691 FTLN 2692 285 FTLN 2693 FTLN 2694 FTLN 2695 FTLN 2696 FTLN 2697 290 FTLN 2698 FTLN 2699 FTLN 2700 FTLN 2701 FTLN 2702 295 FTLN 2703 FTLN 2704 FTLN 2705 FTLN 2706 FTLN 2707 300 FTLN 2708 FTLN 2709 FTLN 2710 FTLN 2711 FTLN 2712 305 FTLN 2713 FTLN 2714 FTLN 2715 203 The Merchant of VeniceACT 5. SC. 1 PORTIA NERISSA Handing him a paper. LORENZO PORTIA GRATIANO They exit. How now, Lorenzo? My clerk hath some good comforts too for you. Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee. There do I give to you and Jessica, From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, After his death, of all he dies possessed of. Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of starvèd people. It is almost morning, And yet I am sure you are not satisfied Of these events at

full. Let us go in, And charge us there upon inter’gatories, And we will answer all things faithfully. Let it be so. The first inter’gatory That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is Whether till the next night she had rather stay Or go to bed now, being two hours to day. But were the day come, I should wish it dark Till I were couching with the doctor’s clerk. Well, while I live, I’ll fear no other thing So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.FTLN 2716 FTLN 2717 310 FTLN 2718 FTLN 2719 FTLN 2720 FTLN 2721 FTLN 2722 315 FTLN 2723 FTLN 2724 FTLN 2725 FTLN 2726 FTLN 2727 320 FTLN 2728 FTLN 2729 FTLN 2730 FTLN 2731 FTLN 2732 325 FTLN 2733 FTLN 2734 FTLN 2735 FTLN 2736