And then away to Venice to your friend; Bass. [reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay, + No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. SCENE III. Venice. A Street. [Exeunt. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler. Shy. Gaoler, look to him; Tell not mercy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis ;- me of Shy. 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 had'st a cause : But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs: The duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond' To come abroad with him at his request. Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond: I will not hear thee speak : To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. [Exit SHYLOCK. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; Well, gaoler, on :-Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Belmont. A Room in PORTIA'S House. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly But, if you knew to whom you show this honour, Por. I never did repent for doing good, The husbandry and manage of my house, To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return: And there we will abide. I do desire you, The which my love, and some necessity, Now lays upon you. Lor. Madam, with all my heart; I shall obey you in all fair commands. Por. My people do already know my mind, So fare you well, till we shall meet again. Lor. Fair thoughts, and happy hours, attend on you! Jes. I wish your ladyship all heart's content. Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica. Now, Balthazar, [Exeunt JESSICA and LORENZO. As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still: Take this same letter, And use thou all the endeavour of a man, In speed to Padua ; see thou render this Into my cousin's hand, doctor Bellario; And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed Unto the tranect, to the common ferry Which trades to Venice-waste no time in words, Por. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand, That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands, Before they think of us. Ner. Shall they see us? Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit That they shall think we are accomplished [Exit. 8 Unto the tranect,] The old copies concur in this reading, which appears to be derived from tranare, and was probably a word current in the time of our author, though I can produce no example of it. STEEVENS. With what we lack. I'll hold thee any wager, Ner. Why, shall we turn to men? Por. Fye! what a question's that, [Exeunt. SCENE V. The same. A Garden. Enter LAUNCELOT and JESSICA. Laun. 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, MALONE. + "Withal;" 9 I promise you, I fear you.] I fear for you. |