Classic Audiobook Collection - The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare ~ Full Audiobook [comedy]

Episode Date: June 10, 2023

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare audiobook. Genre: comedy William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice was probably written between 1596 and 1598, and was printed with the comedies in the First Folio of 1623. Bassanio, an impoverished gentleman, uses the credit of his friend, the merchant Antonio, to borrow money from a wealthy Jew, Shylock. Antonio pledges to pay Shylock a pound of flesh if he defaults on the loan, which Bassanio will use to woo a rich heiress, Portia. A subplot concerns the elopement of Shylock's daughter Jessica with a Christian, Bassanio's friend Lorenzo. In its focus on love and marriage, the play shares certain concerns with Shakespeare's other comedies. Yet its depiction of the tensions between Jews and Christians in early modern Venice - and its highly dramatic trial scene in Act 4 - create darker currents in the play. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 0 (00:02:28) Chapter 1 (00:28:08) Chapter 2 (01:06:43) Chapter 3 (01:43:34) Chapter 4 (02:10:03) Chapter 5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

the merchant of venice by william shakespeare act one scene one venice a street enter antonio salorino and salagno 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 of what stuff tis 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 myself your mind is tossing on the ocean there where your argosies with portly sail like seigniors and rich burghers on the flood or as it were the pageants of the sea do over peer 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 nowhere sits the wind, peering in maps for ports and piers and roads, and every object that might make me fear misfortune to my ventures out of doubt would make me sad. My wind, cooling my broth, would blow me to an egg 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, veiling 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, enrode 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 where is easy for you to laugh and leap and say you are married because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus, nature hath framed strange fellows in her time, some that will evermore peep through their eyes, and laugh like parrots at a bagpiper,

and others of such vinegar aspect that they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Enter Basagno, Lorenzo, and Gertiano. Here comes Basanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fair you well. We leave you now with Benio. better company i would have stayed till i had made you marry 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 the occasion to depart good morrow my good lords good seigniors both when do we laugh say when you grow exceeding strange must it be so we'll make our leisure to attend on yours exeunt salarino and salagno my lord basaio 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, signor Antonio. You have too much respect upon the world. 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 entertained, with purpose to be dressed in an opinion of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit, as who should say, I am Sir Oracle, and when I op my lips let no dog bark. Oh, 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 brother's 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 ye 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 Graziano never lets me speak. Well, keep me company but two years mow, and thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue. Fair you well. I'll grow a talker for this gear. Thanks, Siv-Faith, for silence is only commendable, in a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendable. Excient, Graciano, and Lorenzo. Is that anything now? Graciano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice.

His reasons are as two grains of wheat hidden two bushels of chaff. You shall seek them all day or 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 gauged 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 and if it stand as you yourself still do within the eye of honour 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 advised watch to find the other fourth 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 pressed 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 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 coast renowned suitors and her sunny locks hang on her temples like a golden fleece which makes her seat of belmont colchus strength and many jason's coming quest of her oh 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 knowest 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 at belmont 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. Exciant. Scene two, Belmont, a room in Portia's house. Enter Portia and Nerissa. By my troth, Narissa, my little body is weary of this great world. you would be sweet madame if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are and yet for odd i see they are as sick that surfe 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 if to do were as easy as to know what were good to do chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes palace 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 hair 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. Oh, 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, Narissa, 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 rightly, but one who you shall rightly love. but what want us there in your affection toward any of these princely suitors that are already come i pray thee over-name them and as thou nameest them i will describe them and according to my description level at my affection first does the neapolitan prince ay that's occult 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 shew him himself i am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith then there is the county peltine He doth nothing but frown, as who should say, And you will not have me choose. He hears 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 Neapolitans, 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 capering, he will fent 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 loved 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 behaviour everywhere what think you of the scottish lord his neighbour that he hath a neighbourly 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 i like you the young german the duke of saxon his 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 worse he is little better than a beast

And 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 rennish 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 acquainted me with her determinations, which is indeed to return to their home,

and to trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be one 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 Marquis of Montferre?

Yes, yes, it was Bessonio, as I think, so was he called. True, madame, he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady. I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise. Enter a servant. 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 to-night. 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 whive me. Come, Narissa. Sirah, go before. Whilst we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door.

Excient Scene 3 Venice A public place Enter Basano and Shylock Three thousand dockets Well Aye sir for three months

For three months Well For the witch As I told you Antonio shall be bound Antonio shall become bound Well May you stead me

Will you pleasure me 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? 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 reality. 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, land thieves and water 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 boss. 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 rialto who is he comes here enter antonio this is signor antonio aside how like a fawning 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. 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. Cursed 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 dockets. What of that? Tbil, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, will furnish me.

But soft, how many months do you desire? To Antonio. Rest you fair, good, signor. 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 accustomed. To Pasanyo.

Is he yet possessed how much ye would? I, aye, three thousand ducats. And for three months. I had forgot. Three months, you told me so. Well, then, your bond. And let me see. But hear you, me thought you said you neither lend nor borrow upon advantage. I do never use it. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban sheep, this Jacob from our holy Abram was,

as his wise mother wrought in his behalf, the third possessor. Aye, 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 inlings which were streaked and pied should fall as Jacob's hires, the ewes, being rank, in end of autumn, turned to the ramps.

And when the work of generation was between these woolly breeders in the act, the skillful shepherd peeled me certain wine. and in the doing of the deed of kind he stuck them up before the fulsomews who then conceiving did in inning time fall party-coloured lambs and those were jacob's this was a way to thrive and he was blessed 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 fashion by the hand of heaven was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your golden silver ooze and rams? I cannot tell. I make it breed as fast.

But note, me, signor. Mark you this, Pessonio. 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. Oh, what a goodly outside falsehood hath. Three thousand dockets.

Tis a good round. some. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Signor Antonio, many a time and often in the Rialto, you have rated me about my monies and my usances. Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. You call me, misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spet upon my Jewish. Gabbardine, 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 monies. You say so. You, that did void your room upon my beard, and foot me as you spun a stranger cur over your threshold.

Monies 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 whispering humbleness say this fair sir you spit on me on wednesday last you spurned me on such a day another time you called me dog and for these courtesies i'll lend you thus much monies 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 take a breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy, who, if he break, thou mayest with better face exact the penalty. Why, look 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 monies 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 there 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 please with 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. Oh, 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 gain 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 mutton's, 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 meets me forthwith at the Notaries. Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and burst the ducate straight.

See to my house left in the fearful god of an unthrifty knave, And presently I'll be with you. gentle Jew. Exit Shilak. This 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. Exeunt. End of Act 1. The Merchant of Venice. By William Shakespeare. Act 2. Scene 1.

belmont a room in portia's house flourish of cornets enter the prince of morocco and his followers portia narissa and others of her train mislike me not for my complexion the shadowed livery of the burnish sun to whom i am a neighbor and near bred bring me the fairest creature northward-born where phoebus's 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 lottery 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, your self-renowned 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 Sophie and a Persian prince that won three fields of Sultan Solomon, I would o'er stare 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 Lycus play at dice, which is the better man, the greater throw may turn to, 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 blessed or cursed among men. Cornets and exuant. Scene two. Venice. A street. Enter Lancelot Gobel.

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, gobo, lancelot gobo, good lancelot, or good gobo, or good Lonsolot, gobo, use your legs, take the start, run away. My conscience says, no, take heed, honest Lonsolot, take heed on us, Gobo. Or, as aforesaid, honest Lonsalot, gobo, do not run, scorn running with thy heels. Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack. Via, 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, Lancelot, being an honest man's son, or rather an honest woman's son, for indeed my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of time. taste. Well, my conscience says Lansalot, budge not. Budge, says the fiend. Budge not, says my conscience. Conscience say I, you counsel well. Fein, says 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 incarnal. 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 gobo with a basket. Master young man, you, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jews? Aside. Oh, heavens, this is my true begotten father, who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel-blind, knows me not.

I will try confusions with him. Master, young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to Master Jews? Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of all, on your left, Mary, at the very next turning, turn of nethering, turn of nether, no hand, but turned down indirectly to the Jews' house. By God, Sontes, T'w'll be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Lonsalot, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no? Talk you of young Master Lonsalot?

Aside. Mark me now. Now will I raise the waters. Talk you of young Master Lonsalot? No master, sir, but a poor man's son, his father, though I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man, and God be thanked, well to live. Well, let his father be what a will.

We talk of a young Master Lonsalot. Your worship's friend and Lonsolot, sir. But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you. Talk you of young Master Lonsalot? Of Lonsalot. Ain't please your mastership. Ergo, Master Lonsalot. Talk not of Master Lonsalot, 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. Mary, God forbid, the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel post, or a staff, or a prop? Do you know me, father? 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? "'Alax, sir, I am sand-blind. 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. "'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 Lonsolot, my boy.' "'Pray you. let's have no more fooling about it give me your blessing i am lonsalot your boy that was your son that is your child that shall be i cannot think you are my son i know not what i shall think of that but i am lonsolot the jews man and i am sure margery your wife is my mother her name is margery indeed i'll be sworn if thou be launcelot thou art my own flesh and blood lord worship might he be what a beard hast thou got thou hast got thou hast got more hair on thy chin than dobbin my thrill-horse has on his tail it should seem then that dauben's tail grows backward i am sure he had more hair on his tail than i have on my face when i last saw him lord how art thou changed how dost thou and thy master agree i have brought him a present how greed 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 I 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 Bessanio, who indeed gives rare new liveries. If I serve him not, 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 Basagno With Leonardo With other followers 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 deliveries to making And desire Grasiano to come anon To my lodging. Exit a servant. To him, Father. God bless your worship.

For mercy, Wouldst thou ought with me? Here is my son, sir, a poor boy. Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jews 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 fruitify unto you i have here a dish of dubs 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 honest old man and though i say it though old man yet poor man my father one speak for you both what would you serve you sir that is the very defect of the the matter, sir. I know thee well. Thou hast obtained thy suit. Shiloch, 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, and he hath enough. Thou speaks it well. Go, father, with thy son. And he son. And he hath enough. Thou speaks it well. Go, father, with thy son. Take leave of thy old master and inquire my lodging out. To a servant. Give him a livery more guarded than his fellows. See it done.

Father in, I cannot get a service, no. I have never a tongue in my head. Looking on his palm. Well, 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 line of life. Here's a trifle of wives alas fifteen wives is nothing eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming in for one man and then to scrape drowning thrice and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather bed 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 of an eye exeunt launcelot and old gobo i pray thee good leonardo think on this these things being bought and orderly bestowed return in haste for i do feast to-night my best esteemed acquaintance hie thee go my best endeavour shall be done herein enter gratiano where's your master yonder sir he walks exit signor bassanio gratiano i have suit to you you have a You must not deny me. I must go with you to Belmont. Why, then you must. But hear thee, Grasciano, thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice. Parts that become thee happily enough,

and in such eyes as ours appear not false. 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 misconstrued in the place I go to and lose my hopes. Signor Basagno, hear me. If I do not put on a sober habit, talk with respect, and swear but now and then, where 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. Well, we shall see your bearing.

Nay, but I bar to-night, 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 fair you well, I have some business. And I must to Lorenzo and the rest, but we will visit you at supper-time. Scene 3 The Same A room in Shylock's house. Enter Jessica and Lancelot. 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 Lancelot, soon at supper, shalt thou see Lorenzo, who is thy new man. master's guest. Give him this letter. Do it secretly. And so farewell, I would not have my father see me and 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 Lancelot. Exit. Monsolette. 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. Exit. Scene four. De same. A street. enter gratiano lorenzo salarino and salagno 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 torch-bearers 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 lancelot with a letter Friend Lancelot, what is the news? And it shall please you to break up this. It shall seem to signify. I know the hand in faith, tis a fair hand, and whither that a paper it writ on, is the fair hand that writ? Love news in faith. By your leave, sir. Whither goest thou?

Mary, sir, to bid my old master, the Jew, to sup to-night with my new master, the Christian. Hold, here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her. Speak it privately. Go, gentlemen. Exit, Lancelot. Will you prepare you for this mask tonight? I am provided of a torchbearer. Aye, Mary, I'll be gone about it straight. And so will I. Meet me and Graciano, at Graciano's lodging some hour hence. Tis good we do so. Excient, Salarino, and Salanyo. that letter from fair, Jessica? I must needs tell the all. She hath directed how I shall take her from her father's house,

what gold and jewels she is furnished with, what pages suit, she hath in readiness, if ere a 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 issued to a faithless Jew. come go with me pursue this as thou goest fair jessica shall be my torch-bearer extient scene five disain before shilock's house enter shilock and lancelot

well thou shalt see thy eye shall be thy judge the difference of old shilock and bassaniot but jessica thou shalt not yet thou shalt see thy eye shall be thy judge the difference of old shilock and bassaniot but jessica thou shalt not not gourmand eyes as thou hast done with me. What, Jessica? And sleep and snore and rend the peril 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 to-night. 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 mask. But if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on Black Monday, last at six o'clock in the morning. Falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year in the afternoon. What, are there masks? Hear you, me, Jessica. Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum and the vile of the Rinect 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 foppery enter my sober house by jacob's staff i swear i have no mind of feasting forth to-night but i will go go you before me sirrah say i will come

i will go before sir mistress look out the window for all this there will come a christian by will be worth a jewess's eye exit launcelot What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, huh? 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 exit farewell and if my fortune be not crossed i have a father you a daughter lost exit scene six the same enter gratiano and solorino mast this is the penthouse under which lorenzo desired us to make stand his hour is almost past and it is marvel he out-dwells his hour for lovers ever run before the clock. Oh, ten times faster Venus pigeons fly to seal Love's bond new made than they are wont to keep obliged faith unforefeited. 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 chaste than enjoyed. How like a younger or a prodigal the scarfed bark puts from her native bay,

Hugged and embraced by the strumpet wind? How like the prodigal doth she return, With over-weathered ribs and ragged sails, lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind? Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter. Enter Lorenzo. Sweet friends, you're patient for my long abode. Not I, but my affairs have made you wait. when ye 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 enter jessica above in boys clothes

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 for who love i 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 transformed into a boy. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They and 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 Basanio's feast. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself with some o ducats, and be with you straight. Exit above. Now, by my hood, a gentile and no Jew. Be shrew 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 placed in my constant soul? Enter, Jessica. What, art thou come?

on gentlemen away our masking mates buy this time for us stay exit with jessica and salerino enter antonio who's there signor antonio f f f gratiano where are all the rest tis nine o'clock our friends i'll stay for you no mask to-night the wind has come about bassonio presently will go aboard i have sent twenty out to seek for you I am glad, aunt. I desire no more delight than to be under sail and gone to night. Excient Scene 7. Belmont, a room in Portia's house. Flourish of Cornets. Enter Portia with the Prince of Morocco and their trains. Go draw aside the curtains and discover the several caskets to this noble prince.

Now make your choice. the first of gold who this inscription bears who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire the second silver which this promise carries who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves this third dull lead with warning all is 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 That, then I am yours with all. Some God direct my judgment. Let me see. I will survey the 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 stoop's not to show

of dross, I'll then nor give nor hazard ought 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. and yet to be a fear 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 hercanean deserts and the vasty wilds of wide Arabia

Are as thoroughfares now, For princes to come view Fair Portia. The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head spits 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 it like that lead contains her? T'er damnation to think so base a thought. It were too gross to rib her sar-cloth in the obscure grave.

Or shall I think in silver she's immured, being ten times undervalued to tried gold? Oh, 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 insculpt 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, and if my form lie there, then I am yours. He unlocks the golden casket. Oh, 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 enfold. Had you been as wise as bold, young and limbs, in judgment old, your answer had not been in scrawled. Fair you well, your suit is cold. Cold, indeed, had labour lost. Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, Frost.

Portia, adieu, I have to grieve a heart to take a tedious leave, thus loses part. Exit with his train. Flourish of Cornets. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains. Go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. Excient. Scene 8. Venice. A street. Enter Salarino and Salano. Why, man, I saw Basano under sail. With him is Gratiano gone along. And in their ship, I am sure Lorenzo is not. The villain Jew, without cries, raised the Duke, who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

he came too late the ship was under sail but there the duke was given to understand that in a gondola were seen together lorenzo and his amorous jessica besides antonio certified the duke they were not with bassano 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, oh my ducats, oh my daughter, fled with a Christian, oh my Christian, Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter, a sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats stolen from me by my daughter, and jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, stolen by my daughter. Justice, find the girl, she hath the stones upon her and the ducats. why all the boys in venice follow him crying his stones his daughter and his dukets let good antonio look he keep his day or he shall pay for this mary well remembered i reasoned with a frenchman yesterday who told me in the narra seas that part the french in english there miscarried 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. I saw Bessano and Antonio part. Bessonio told him he would make some speed of his return. He answered, Do not so, slubber not business for my sake, Bessonio, 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 ostence 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 Bessanio'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 embracet heaviness with some delight or other.

Do we so? Excient. Scene nine. Belmont, a room in Portia's house. Enter, Nerissa, with a servitor. Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight. The Prince of Aragon hathain his earth, and comes to his election presently. Flourish of Cornets. Enter the Prince of Aragon, Portia, and their trains. Behold there stand the caskets, noble prince. If you choose that wherein I am contained, straight shall our nuptial rights be solemnized.

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. His 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 have? You should look fairer ere I give or hazard. What says the golden chest? Let me see. Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire?

What many men desire? That many may be meant by the full multitude, that choose by show, not learning more than the fond eye doth teach, which prides not to the 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, and well said too, for who shall go about to cousin fortune and be honourable without the stamp of merit? let none presume to wear an undeserved dignity. Oh, that estates, degrees, and offices were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour 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 honour! and how much honour 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 he opens the silver casket 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 are 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 our distinct offices and of opposed natures what is here 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 i wiss silvador and 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,

while I go away with two. Sweet adieu, I'll keep my oath. patiently to bear my wrath exit aragon with his train 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 in wiving goes by destiny come draw the curtain narissa enter a servant 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 the approaching of his lord, from whom he bringeth sensible regrets, to wit, besides commends and courteous breath, gifts of rich value.

Yet I have not seen so likely an ambassador of love. A day in April never came so sweet, to show how costly summer was at hand, as this forspurrer comes before his lord. No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee. Thou spent such high day wit in praising him. Come, come, Marissa, for I long to see quick Cupid's posts that comes so mannerly.

Bessaniel, Lord Love, if thy will it be? Exeunt. End of Act 2. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Act 3 Scene 1 Venice A Street Enter Salonio in

Salarino. Now, what news on the Rialto? Why, yet it lives there unchecked, that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading Wrecked on the narrow seas, the good ones, I think they call the place, a very dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship

lie buried, as they say, if my gossip report be an honest woman of her word. I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever napped ginger or made her neighbors believe she wept for the death of a third husband, but it is true, without any sense. lips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk that the good antonio the honest antonio 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 shilock 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 wing she flew with all. And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged, and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. She is damned for it. That 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.

is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory, more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rinnish. But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no? There I have another bad match, a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on Rialto, a beggar that used to come so smug upon the mart. Let him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer. Let him. look to his bond. He was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy. Let him look to his bond. 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, to thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies. And what is reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes. Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions, fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is.

If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you 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? 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 servant. Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house, and desires to speak with you both. We have been up and down to seek him. Tibble. Here comes another of the tribe. A third cannot be matched unless the devil himself turned Jew. Excient, Salanio, Salarino, and servant.

How now, Tibul, 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 hurst at my foot in the 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, no ill-luck stirring but what lights on my shoulders, no sighs but of my breathing, no tears but of 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. Oh, I thank God. I thank God. Is it true? Is it true?

I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck. Oh, thank thee, good Tibble. Good news, good news. Where? In Genoa? Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard one night four-score ducking. Oh, now sticks a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore ducats at the sitting, four score ducats. There came divers of Antonio's creditors to 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. Oh, out upon her.

Thou torturous me, Tibble. It was my turquoise. I had it of Leia 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 tibble fee me an officer bespeak him a fortnight before i will have the heart of him if he forfeit forfeit for he for he can make but merchandise i will go tibble and meet me at our synagogue tibble go good tibble at our synagogue tibble exeunt scene two belmont a room in portia's house enter vasano portia gratiano nirissa and attendants

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 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.

Besrue your eyes! have overlooked 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. Oh, 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 pise the time, to eke it and to draw it out in length, to stay you from election. Let me choose, for as I am I live upon the rack. Upon the rack, Bessonio.

Then confess what treason there is mingled with your love. None but that ugly treason of mistrust, which makes me fear the enjoying of my love. There may as well be amity in life between snow and fire as treason and my love. I, but I fear you speak upon the rack, where men enforce it do speak anything. Promise me life, and I'll confess the time.

truth. Well then, confess and live. Confess and love had been the very sum of my confession. Oh, 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 swan-like end fading in music. That the comparison may stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream and watery death-bed for him. He may win.

And what is music then? Then music is even as the flourish when true subjects bow to a new crowned 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, 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 bleared visages come forth to view the issue of the exploit.

Go, Hercules! Live thou, I live. With much, much more dismay I view the fight than the world. now that makes the fray. A song, while Basagnan comments on the caskets to himself. Tell me where is fancy bread, or in the heart or in the head. How be gone, how nourished, reply, reply. It is engendered in the eyes, With gazing fed and fancy dyes, In the cradle where it lies, Let us all ring fancies, I'll begin it, Ding-dong,

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 damned 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,

where yet upon their chins the beards of Hercules and frowning Mars, who, inward search to have livers white as milk? And these assume but valour'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 crisped snaky golden locks which make such wanton gambols with the wind upon supposed fairness often known to be the dowry of a second head the skull that bred them in the sepulchre thus ornament is but the gilead 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 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 threatest than dost promise aught. thy plainness moves me more than eloquence and here choose i joy be the consequence aside how all the other passions fleet to err as doubtful thoughts and rash embrace despair and shuddering fear and green-eyed jealousy o love be moderate allay thy ecstasy in measure reign thy joy scant the success I feel too much thy blessing. Make it less, for fear I surf it. What find I hear? Opening the leaden casket. Fair Portia's counterfeit!

What demigod hath come so near creation? Move these eyes, Or weather 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 to 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 underpricing it so far this shadow doth limp behind the substance here's the scroll the continent and summary of my fortune you that choose not by the view chance is 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 to where your lady is and claim her with a loving kiss a gentle scroll fair lady by your leave kissing her 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 these pearls of people's phrase 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 Bessania, where I stand, such as I am. Though for myself alone 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 some of something, which, to term in gross, is an unlessened 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. Happiest 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 or myself. And even now, but now this house, these servants, and this same myself are yours, my lords.

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've bereft me of all words, my blood speaks to you in my veins, and there is such confusion in my powers, as after some oration fairly spoke by a beloved prince there doth appear among the buzzing, pleased 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. Oh, then be bold to say,

Basanio's dead. My lord and lady, it is now our time that have stood by and seen I wish as prosper to cry. Good joy, good joy, my lord and lady. My lord Basanio and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish, for I am sure that 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. 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, Narissa? Madame, it is. So you stand pleased with all? And do you, Graciano, 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. What?

Mistake down? No, we shall ne'er win at that sport and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? What, and my old Venetian friend, Salonio? Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salonio. Lorenzo and Salonio! Welcome, hither.

If that the youth of my new interest here have power to bid you welcome, By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, sweet Portia welcome. So do I, my lord. they are entirely welcome i thank your honor for my part my lord my purpose was not to have seen you here but meeting with salonio 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 signor antonio commends him to you gives basanio a letter ere i hope his letter i pray you tell me how my good friend doth not sick my lord, unless it be in mind, nor well, unless in mind, his letter there will show you his estate. Norissa, cheer, yon stranger, bid her welcome.

Your hand, Salonio, what's the news from Venice? 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 yon's same paper that steal the color from Bessonio'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 would leave bisanio i am half yourself and i must freely have the half of anything that this same paper brings you Oh, sweet Portia, here are a few of the unpleasantest 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 braggard. When I told you my state was nothing, I should then have told you that I was worse than nothing. For indeed I've 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, Solario? Have all his ventures failed? What? Not one hit? From Tripolis? From Mexico and England? From Lisbon? From Lisbon?

Barbary and India? And not one vessel scape the dreadful touch of merchant-marring rocks? 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 of the Duke himself, and the Magnificos of 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 Tybal and to choose 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 summos he the Jew? For me three thousand ducats. What, no more? Pay him six thousand and deface the bond. Double six thousand and then trebled that, before a friend of this description shall lose a hair through Bessonio's fault.

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. Sweet Basanio, my ships have all miscarried. My creditors grow cruel. My estate is very low. My bond 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 be gone. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste. But till I come again, no bed shall ere be guilty of my stay. No rest be interposer twixt us twain. Exeunt. Scene three.

Venice, a street. Enter Shylock, Salarino, Antoni. and jailer. Jailer, look to him. Tell me not of mercy. This is the fool that lent out money gratis. Jaila 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'st me dog before thou hadst to cause. But since I am a dog, but where my fangs, the Duke shall grant me justice. I do one.

Thou naughty jailer that thou art so fun to come abroad with him at his request. I pray thee, hear me speak. I'll have my bond. I'll 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. Exit. 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 to a much impeach the justice of the state, since that the trade and profit of the city consisteth of all nations. Therefore go. These griefs and losses have so baited me that I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh tomorrow to my bloody creditor. Well, Gowler, on. Pray God, Basani will come to see me pay his debt, and then i care not exeunt scene four belmont a room in portia's house enter portia nereza lorenzo jessica and baltazar

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 honour how true a gentleman you send relief 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 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 narissa 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 wife 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 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 Basano and myself. So fare you well till we shall meet again. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you. I wish your ladyship all hearts content. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased to wish it back on you. Fair you well, Jessica. Excient, Jessica and Lorenzo. Now Balthazar, 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 hands, Dr. Bellario, and look what notes and garments he doth give thee. Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed unto the tragic, to the common fairy 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 exit come on narissa 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 narissa but in such a habit that they shall think we are accomplished with that we lack i'll hold thee any wager when we are both accoutred 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 phrase like a fine bragging youth

and tell quaint lies how honourable 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 about a twelvemonth i have within my mind a thousand raw tricks of these bragging jacks which i will practise why so attend to men fie what a question'st that if thou wert near a lewd interpreter 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. Exeunt Scene five, the same. A garden. Enter Lancelot 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. And I was always playing with you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter. Therefore be good of 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. Mary, 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 Skila your father, I fall into Caribdis, 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 and now before, even 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 racher on the coals for money. I'll tell my husband, Lancelot, what you say. Here he comes.

Enter Lorenzo. I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Lancelot, if you thus get my wife into corners. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. Lonsalot and I are out. He tells me flatly there's no mercy. 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, Lancelot.

It is much that the more 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, Sarah, bid them prepare for dinner. That is done, sir. They have all stomachs.

Goodly Lord, what a witsnapper 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 should be covered. you're coming in to dinner, sir. Why, let it be as humors and conceits shall govern. Exit! Oh, 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 cheerest thou, Jessica? And now, good sweet, say thy opinion, how dost thou like the Lord Basanio's wife? Past all expressing. It is very meet the Lord Basanio 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 hath 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 howsoever'er thou speakest, among other things, I shall digest it. Well, I'll set you forth. Exeunt. End of Act three. The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare. Act four. Scene one. Venice, a court of justice.

Enter the Duke. The Magnificos. Antonio. bassaio graciano salarino salano and others what is antonio here ready so please your grace i am sorry for thee thou art come to answer estonia adversary an inhuman wretch incapable of pity, void and empty, from any dream of mercy. I have heard your grace has tain 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. 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 show thy mercy and remorse, More strange, there is thy strange apparent cruelty, And where thou now exact the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh, Thou will not only lose the forfeiture, But touched with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principle, Glancing an eye of pity of his losses,

And have of late so huddled on his back, enough to press a royal merchant down, and block commiseration of his state for 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 dockets. 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 dockets to have it baneed? 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 to the nose, Cannot contain their urine. For affection, mistress of passion, Sways it to the mood of what it likes or loaves.

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 walling bagpipe, but a force must yield to such inevitable shame as to offend himself being offended so can i give no reason nor will i 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 answer.

Do all men kill the things they do not love? Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Every offense is not a hate at first. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice? I pray you think you question with the Jew. You may as well go stand upon the beach and bid the main flood bait his usual height. You may as well use question with the wolf why he hath made the ewebleet for the lamb. You may as well

forbid the mountain pines to wag their high tops and to make no noise when they are fretting with the gusts of heaven. It may as well do anything most hard as to seek to soften that than which what's harder his Jewish heart.

Therefore I do beseech you. 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 ducet in six thousand ducats were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them.

I would have my bond. How shall thou hope for mercy, rendering 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 learned doctor, whom I have sent for to determine this come here today. My lord, here stays without a messenger

with letters from the doctor and you come from Padua. 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 weather of the flock, meatest for death. The weakest kind of fruit drops earliest to the ground. And so let me. You cannot better be employed, Bessonio, than to live still, and write mine epitaph.

Enter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Came you from Padua? From Belario? From both, my lord. Balero greets your grace. Presents a letter. Why dost thou wet thy knife so earnestly? To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there. Not on thy soul, but on thy soul, harsh Jew thou makes 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 inexacrable dog! And for thy life let justice be accused. Thou almost makes me waver in my faith to hold opinion with Pythagoras that souls of animals infused 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 laced 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 offence 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 belario doth commend a young unlearned doctor to our court where is he 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 Belario's letter. 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 jim.

and Antonio the merchant. We turned o'er many books together. He is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning, to 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 reverent estimation. For an 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 learned bellario what he writes and here i take it is a doctor come enter portia dressed like a doctor of laws you are welcome take your place are you acquainted with a difference that holds this present question in the court I am informant throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here and which the Jew?

Antonio, an old Shylock. Both stand forth. Is your name Shylock? Shylock is my name. 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?

Aye, so he says. Do you confess the bond? I do. then must the jew be merciful on what compulsion must i tell me that the quality of mercy is not strained it droppeth as the gentle reign from heaven upon the place beneath it is twice blessed it blesseth him that gives and him that takes tis mightiest in the mightiest it becomes the thronid monarch better than his crown his sceptre 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 sceptred sway. It is enthroned in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute to God himself, and earthly power doth then show likeest gods 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 against the merchant there. My deeds upon my head. I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond. 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 that malice bears down truth and i beseech you rest once the law to your authority to do a great right do a little wrong and curb this cruel devil of his will it must not be there is no power in venice can alter a decree establish

t'will be recorded for a precedent and many an error by the same example will rush into this state it cannot be gregal come to judgment yea a daniel o wise young judge how i do honor thee i pray you let me look upon the bond here tis most reverend doctor here it is 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 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 proceed to judgment by my soul i swear there is no power in the tongue of man to alter me i stay here upon my bond most heartily i do beseech the court to give the judgment why then thus it is you must prepare your bosom for his knife o noble judge o excellent young man for the intent and purpose of the law hath full relation to the penalty which here appearth due upon the bond. Tis very true, O wise and upright judge, how much more elder art thou than thy looks.

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. It is so. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh? I have them ready? 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?

It is not so expressed, but what of that? T'were good you do so much for charity. I cannot find it. It is not an bond. You, merchant, have you anything to say? But little. I am armed and well prepared. Give me your hand, Bessonio.

Fair you well. Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you, for herein fortune shows herself more kind than is her custom. It is still her use to let the... a wretched man outlive his wealth, to view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow, an age of poverty, from which lingering penance of such misery does 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 Bessonio 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. I sacrifice them all here to this devil, to deliver you. Your wife would give you little thanks for that if she were by to hear you make the offer. I have a wife whom I protest, I love.

I would she were in heaven so she could entreat some power to change this courage Jew. Tis well you all fetch behind her back, for which would else make 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 a pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine the court awards it and the law doth give it most rightful judge and you must cut this flesh from off his breast the law allows it and the court awards it most learned judge a sentence come prepare terry 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 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 learned judge is that the law thyself shalt see the act for as thou urgest justice be assured thou shalt have justice more than thou desirest o learned judge mark jew a learned judge i take this offer then pay the bond thrice and let the christian go here is the money soft the jew shall have all justice soft no haste he shall have nothing but the penalty o jew an upright judge a learned judge 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 takest 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.

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. He hath refused it in the open court. He shall have merely justice and his bond. A Daniel, still I say, a second Daniel. I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word. Shall I not have barely my principal? 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.

Terry, 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 part against 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, Against all other voice. In which predicament I say thou stanced?

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 thy side, and yet thy wealth being forfeit to the state thou hast not left the value of accord therefore thou must be hanged at the state's charge that thou shalt see the difference of our spirits i pardon thee thy life before thou ask it for half thy wealth it is antonius the other half comes to the general state which humbleness may drive unto a fine

i for the state not for antonio they 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 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 recount the pardon that I late pronounced here. Art thou contented you? What dost thou say? I am content. 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 would assign it. Get thee gone, but do it. In christening, shalt thou have two godfathers. Had I been judged, thou shouldst have had ten more to bring thee to the gallows, not to the font. Exit Shylock. Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

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. Exit Duke, Magnificos, and Train. worthy gentlemen, 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 with all. And stand indebted over and above in love and service to you evermore. 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, not as a fee. Grant me two things, I pray you not to deny me, and to pardon me. You press me far, and therefore I will yield. To Antonio. Give me your gloves. I'll wear them for your sake. To Basagno. 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 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 proclamination Only for this, I pray you pardon me. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers. You taught me first to beg, and now me thinks you teach me how a beggar should be answered. Good sir, this ring was 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. That excuse 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 a out enemy forever for giving it to me. Well, peace be with you.

Exeunt, Portia and Arisa. My lord Basanio, let him have the ring. Let his deservings and my love withal be valued against 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. Exit, Gratiano. Come, you and I will thither presently, and in the morning, early. will we both fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

Excient. Scene two. The same. A street. Enter Portia and Norissa. Inquire the Jews' house out. Give him this deed and let him sign it. We'll away tonight and be a day before our husband's home.

This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. Enter Gratiano. There, sir, you are well or taitin. My lord Bessonio, upon me. more advice hath sent you here this ring and doth entreat your company at dinner 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 sir i would speak to you aside to portia i'll see if i can get my husband's ring which i did make him swear to keep braver to narissa Thou mayest, I warrant. We shall have old swearing that they did give the rings away to men, but we'll outface them and out swear them, too. Away, make haste. Thou know'st where I will tarry.

Come, good sir. Will you show me to this house? Exeunt. End of Act four. The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare. Act five. Scene 1. Belmont, the avenue to Portia's home. Enter 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 Cresced lay that night. In such a night did Thysby fearfully or trip the dew, and saw the lion's shadow air 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 Steele 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, 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 to you did nobody come. But Hark,

I hear the footing of a man. Enter Stefano. Who comes so fast in silence of the night? A friend. A friend. What friend, your name, I pray you, friend? Stefano 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 wordlock 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 in, I pray thee, Jessica, and ceremoniously let us prepare some welcome for the mistress of the house. Enter Launcelot.

Sola, Sola, whoa-ha-ho! Sola! Who calls? Sola. Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo? Sola, Sola. Leave hallowing 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. Exit. Sweet, soul, lets in, and there expect they're coming. And yet, no matter, why should we go in? My friend Stefano signify, I pray you, within the house, your mistress is at hand.

And bring your music forth into the air. Exit Stefano. How sweet, the moonlight sleeps upon this bank. here we will 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 peteens of bright gold there's not the smallest orb which thou beholds but in his motion like an angel sings still quaring to the young-eyed cherubims such harmony is in immortal souls but will this muddy vesture of decay doth grossly close it in. We cannot hear it. Enter musicians. Come ho and wake, Diana, with a hymn. With sweetness touches, pierce your mistress's ear, and draw her home with music. Music. I am never merry when I hear sweet music. The reason is

your spirits are attentive, for do not note a wild and wanton heard, or race of youthful and unhandled cults, 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 fame that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods, since not 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 ERISA at a distance. 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 men 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, madame, of the house. Nothing is good, I see, without respect. Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day. Silence, be stares that virtue on it, madame. 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 ho! The moon sleeps with Indymyon and would not be awaked.

Music ceases. That is the voice, or I am such 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 husband's welfare, which speed we hope the better for our words. Are they returned? Madam, they are not yet, but there has come a messenger before, to signify their coming. Go in, Narissa. Give order to my servants that they take no note at all of our being absent hence, nor you, Lorenzo, Jessica, nor you.

A tucket sounds. 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's sick. It looks a little paler. "'Tis a day such as the day is when the sun is hid.' "'Enter Basagnio, Antonio, Gracciano, 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 Basanio so for me, but God's sword all.

You are welcome home, my lord.' "'I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend. This is the man, 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 Narissa.

By yonder moon, I swear you'd 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 was 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 to 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 behemit Oaths! You should have been respective and have kept it. Gave it to Judge's clerk. No, gods, my judge, the clerk will ne'er wear hair on his face that had it. He will, and if he lived to be a man? I, if a woman lived to be a man.

Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth, a kind of boy, a little scrubbed 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, Grasciano, you give your wife too unkind a cause of grief,

and were 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. My lord Basanio 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 aath 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. Not 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 honour 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. Norissa teaches me what to believe. I'll die for it, but some woman had the ring. No, by my honour, madam, by my soul. No woman had it, but a civil doctor, which did refuse three thousand ducats of being begged the ring, the which I did deny him and suffered him to go displeased away.

Even he that had held the 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 honour would not let ingratitude so much besmir it. Pardon me, good lady, for by these blessed 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 honour which is yet mine own, I'll have that doctor for mine bedfellow. And I is clerk. Therefore be it well advised how you do leave me to my own protection. Well, do you so. Let me not take him then, for if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. I am the unhappy subject

of these quarrels. Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding. Portia, forgive me this enforced 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 Bessonio, swear to keep this ring. By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor. I had it of him. Pardon me, Bessanio, for by this ring the doctor lay with me. And pardon me, my gentle Grasciano, for that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's cleck,

in lieu of this last night did lie with me. Why, this is like the mending of highways in summer, where the ways are fair enough. What? Are we cuckold there 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 Bilario. There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, Narissa 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 chanted 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? "'I, but the clerk that never means to do it,

unless he live until they be a man. 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. How now, Lorenzo? My clerk hath some good comforts too for you. I, and I'll give them him without a fee.

Therefore I to give to you and Jessica from the rich Jew, a special deed of gift. after his death, of all he dies possesseth. Fair, ladies, you drop mana in the way of starved people. It is almost mourning, and yet I am sure you are not satisfied of these events at full. Let us go in, and charge us there upon intergatories, and we will answer all things faithfully. Let it be so. The first intergatory that my Nerissa shall be sworn on is,

where 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. Exeant. End of Act 5. And end of the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.