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SHAKSPERE'S

MERCHANT OF VENICE

THE SECOND {AND BETTER) QUARTO,
1600,

A FACSIMILE IN FOTO-LITHOGRAPHY

(from the duke of Devonshire's copy)

CHARLES PRAETORIUS.

WITH FOREWORDS BY

FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL,

M.A., CAMBRIDGE; HON. DR. PHIL,, BERLIN;
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NEW SHAKSPERE SOCIETY, ETC.

LONDON :

Produced by C. PRAETORIUS, 14 Clareville Grove,

Hereford Square, S.W.

1887.

40 SHAKSPERE aUARTO FACSIMILES,

WITH INTRODUCTIONS, LINE-NUMBERS, &C., BY SHAKSPERE SCHOLARS,

ISSUED UNDEE THE SUPEKINTENDENCE OF DE. F. J. FUENIVALL.

Those by W. Griggs.

No.

1. Hamlet. 1603.

2. Hamlet. 1604.

8. Midsummer Night's Dream. 1600. (Fisher.)
4. Midsummer Night's Dream. 1600. (Eoljerts.;
6. Loves Labor's Lost. 1598.

6. Merry Wives. 1602.

7. Merchant of "Venice. 1600. (Roberts.)

2. Those by

14. Much Ado About Nothing. 1800.

15. Taming of a Shrew. 1594,

16. Merchant of Venice. 1600. (I. R. for

Thomas Heyes. )

17. Richard XL. 1597. Duke of Devonshire's

copy, {on stnne.)

18. Richard n. 1597. Mr. Huth. (fotograft.)

19. Richard H. 1608. Brit. Mus. (fotograft.)

20. Richard n. 1631. (fntogivft.)

21. Pericles. 1609. fti.

22. Pericles. 1609. Q2.

23. The Whole ContenUon. 1619. Part I. (for

2 Henry VL).

24. The Whole Contention. 1619. Part H. (for

3 Henry ■VT).

25. Romeo and Juliet. 1597.

Ko.

8. Henry IV. 1st Part. 1598.

9. Henry IV. 2nd Part, 1600.

10. Passionate Pilgrim. 1699.

11. Richard m. 1597.

12. Venus and Adonis. 1593.

13. Troilus and Cressida. 1609,

C. Praetorius.

26. Romeo and Juliet. 1599.

27. Henry V. 1600.

28. Henry V. 1608.

29. Titus Andronicus. 1600.

30. Sonnets and Lover's Complaint. 1509.

31. Othello. 1622.

32. OtheUo. 1630.

33. KingLear. 1608. Qi.(N. Butter, Pi,7<£ua.)

34. King Lear. 1608. Q2. (N. Butter.)

35. Rape of Lucrece. 1594.

36. Romeo and Juliet. Undated (1607),

37. Contention. 1594. i f (Aug, -a ft.)

38. True Tragedy. 1595. 'fotograft.)

39. The Famous Victories. 1598. ifotograft.)

40. The Troublesome Raigne. 1691. (For

King John : not yet done.)

1^" The leaf p. xv-xvi can be cut off and ptit into No. 13, the Facsimile of
* Troilus anil Cressida.^ I have askt Mr. Griggs to issue a copy of the other Title-
page of the ' Troilus'' Quarto. It ought to have been sent out with No. 13.

\_Shakspcrc-Quarto Facsimiles, No. 16.]

FOREWORDS TO Q2, 1600.

1. This Heyes Qto 2 has later touches
by Shakspere than Qi has, p. iii.

2. ' The Merchant ' in Fi was printed
from Qa or a copy of its original,
p. iv.

§ 3. Shakspere's borrowings from Sil-
vayn's Orator, 1596, by the Rev.
W. A. Harrison, p. xi.

\ 4. This Facsimile, p. xiv.

§ I. As this Facsimile of the Second Quarto of The Merchant
may fall into hands which have not the Facsimile of the First
Quarto (Roberts's), I repeat from my Forewords to that, the two
passages which show that this Q2 is better than Qi, and has at
least one touch of Shakspere's that Qi has not : —

" I. Bassanio, in answer to the disguisd Portia's request for her ring on his
finger, answers :

Roberts Qi. Bass. There's more then this depends vpon the valew.
Heyes Q2. ,, ,, ,, depends on this then on ,, „ .

2. the test passage : when Antonio first asks Shylock in I. iii. 64-6 about the
loan, the Roberts Quarto has :

' Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend
He breake a custome : are you rcsohi'd
Hcno much he would haue 1 ' [the italics are mine.]
And though you can mend the metre without introducing 'yet,' by printing :

' Are you resolued how much he would haue ? '
yet few students will doubt that the Heyes Quarto has Shakspere's reading —
revisd, if not original — when it makes Antonio turn to Bassanio, and say :

' is he yet possesst
How much ye would?'
This change cannot have been a copier's or printer's doing, but must have
been got from Shakspere directly, or thru his MS. In HI. v. "j^, the Heyes
Quarto surely too recovers a Shakspere word in ' how chn-''st thou, Jessica ? ' for
the Roberts 'far'st.'" (p. iv — v.)

Other evidence tending to prove the betterness of this second
or Heyes Quarto — notwithstanding some worsenesses — is given in
my above-quoted Forewords to Qi, p. v — vii, and need not be
repeated here. Since they were written, I have edited the Play
with my fiiend Mr. W. G. Stone for the Old-Spelling Shakspere,
and Mr. F. A. Marshall has also edited it for the modernized and
illustrated edition of Shakspere, which he is preparing (in some
slight conjunction with Mr. Hy. Irving) for Messrs. Blackie. We
all three hold the Heyes Quarto to be better than the Roberts.

§ 2. The next point is to show that the First Folio print of
The Merchant was made from a copy of the Heyes Quarto, or a
slightly varying copy of the MS. from which that Quarto was taken.

iv § 2. THE DIFFERENT READINGS OF QI, Q2, FI.

The Folio has certain readings special to itself, of which some are
blunders, some right ; but none (I think) show any later revision by
Shakspere. I ought to have myself collated Fi with Q2 and Qi
throughout, but time faild ; and so I took the Cambridge Editors'
collation, set the spelling right, compared their results with the
Quartos and Folio, and here and there supplied a slight omission or
corrected a slight mistake. (They don't leave much work of this
kind for their followers to do.) The differences of text in the three
versions are set in parallel columns below. Where Qi and Q2
differ, and either has the Folio reading, the letters of that reading — -
and the words when in varying order — are printed in italics. When
the Folio has an original reading of its own, the letters (or trans-
posed words) of it are printed in clarendon. Any reader, by
running his eye down the Folio column, noticing any clarendon
words which he thinks important, ^ — like, for instance, other for
'Scottish' in II. ii. 83, wish for 'pray God grant' in II. ii. 121,
but wel I know for 'no, Gods my iudge' in V. i. 157, — can settle
for himself whether they necessitate Shakspere's hand. I don't
think they do.

Qo I : Roberts.

Qo 2 : Heyes.

Folio I.

Act I. sc. i.

for Peeres

and peers

at sea, might do

might doe at sea

tlie spices

her spices

Then y' are

IV/iy tlien you are

Why tlien you are

neither ?

neither ;

neither :

the

th'

Exit

[om.]

one

man

tis

it is

dreame

creame

am sir

am sir an

those

thifse

these

103

farwell

farj^well

fai-yewell

Farewell

Far jv« well

Far you well

151

badce

bake

backe

155

doe me now

doe (a)

172

comes

comt'

come

I. ii.

a weaiie

awearie

a weavie

meane happinesse

meane happines

smal happinesse

then to be

then (a) be

the fashion

(A) fashion

wlio . . wlio

who . . who

wliom . . whom

is it

it is

no doubt you wil

■li'ill no dottbt

wil no doubt

who

^\\o you

who you

39,

103 piethee

■^xay thee

pray thee

vnto

shoo

slioo him

shoo him

§ 2. THE DIFFERENT READINGS OF QI, Q2, FI.

47 afeard

49 there is

49, 64 Talatine

51 if

56 be

66 stra/ght

70 shall

83 Scottish

108 ile

121 pray God grant

124 Scholler

128 he was so

134 How now, what ncwes?

135 for you
147 gates

I. iii.
40 Ryalto

5 1 well-won

53 Shyloc^-e
62 although

65-6 are you resolu'd . . h(t

woukl liaue ?

70 Me-thought

82 In th' end
85 pyld

120 money

123 can

128 day another

135 breed for

138 penalty

152 pleaseth

153 ifaith

1 79 The . . so kinde

180 termes

II. i.

4 Bring

1 1 Hath

24 Semitaur

27 out-stare

43 to

II. ii.

3, 4, 7, 8 Gobbo

18, 19 too . . sayes

19 ill, to

29 incarnall

30 but a

33 command

34 Master yong man
39 conclusions

54 say it
53-5 (as verse)
58 sir

83 mu;lher

84 at the length

afeard
is there
Paltvitine

straght

shall

Scottish

I zMl

pray God graunt

a Scholler

so was he

How no we, what ncwes

for you

gate

I. iii.
Ryalto

well -wont?

Shyloch

?\beit

is hee yet possesst . . ye

would (a) ?
Me thoughts-
In (a) end
pyld
money^j
can

day another
breeds for ,
penaltzV
pleaseth
i«faith

The (A) kinde
termes

II. i.
Bring ///e
liaue
Sj'mitari?
^;r-stare

Z'lltO

II. ii.

lohhe

to . . sayes Launcclet

well, to

mcAvw^tion

but a

commaundewt'/^/

Ma/ster yong-man

contusions

say V

[as prose)

sir

mu(/er

in the ende

Fi
afraid
is there
Palentine ■
and
to be
straight
should
other
I will
wish

a Scholler
so was hee
[omitted in F]
(a) you
gate

I. iii.
Ryalta
•well-worne
Shylock
albeit

is he yet possesst . . he

would ?
Me thoughts
In end
pil'd
moneyes
should
day ; another
breede of
penalties
it pleaseth
infaith

This . . kinde
teames (blunder)

II. i.
Bring me
Haue
Symitare
ore-stare
vnto

II. ii.
lobbe

too . . sayes Lancelet
well, to
incarnation
(A) a

commandement
Maister yong-man
confusions
say 't
(as prose)

(A)

murder
in the end

§ 2. THE DIFFERENT READINGS OF QI, Q2, FI.

lOO

pilhorse

pAilhorse

philhorse

105

last

I^st

lost

108

agree

(A) gree

gree

127
166

Exit one of his men

[om. Q2]

[om. Fl]

ha . . head. Well

haue . . head, wel ;

haue . . head, well :

171

eleuen

a leuen

172

escape

scape

177

of an eye

[om. Q2]

[om. Fi]

180

go^

goe

182

Exit

Exit Z^onardo.

Exit Le.

186

a sute

(a) sute

a sute

194

piethee

pray thee

197

misconstred

misconsterd

212

faryewell

far yo2( well

far you well

II. iii.

II, iii.

II. iii.

something

somewhat

II. iv.

Kit

And it s/ia/

And it shall

it shall seeme

shall it seeme

1(A)

prepare

prepare you

II. V.

St. D. the lew and Lance-

(a) lewe and /ii's man

lew, and his man that

let.

that was the Cloivne.

was the Clowne.

that I

(A) I

9 [as prose]

[as verse]

in the

ith

What, are there

What are there

What are their

Heare

heare you

squeaking

squea/ing

squealing

at a

at (A)

and he

but he

'53,

54 [as 2 lines]

[as I line]

II. vi.

11. vi.

II. vi.

St. Dir. Salarino

Salerino

Salino

stand

a stand

scale

steale

the

ouer-weatherd

ouer-wetherd

ouer-wither'd

IIo, whose

Howe whose

Hoa, who's

tis worth

i\. is worth

it is worth

are you

you are

Gentile

gent/^

gentle

Beshr^w

Beshrow

Beshrew

gcntlemni

gentleman

gentlemen

WhoV

Whose

Who's

[cm.]

I ka2ie sent tweniie out to I haue sent twenty out

seekefor you

to seeke for you

[om.]

Gra.

II. vii.

many men

(a) men

[line repeated]

§ 2. THE DIFFERENT READINGS OP QI, Q2, FI.

Vll

41 vasty
51 r\b
69 do

II. viii.
St. Dir. Salanio
,, [cm.]
4 Salan.

6 came

9 aimorous
i^} Slubber
5 1 prethee

II. ix.

St. Dir. Seruitor
,, Arrcgon

7 you

46 pezantry

48 " chaf/^

49 vernis/i't
62 heere

64 iudgement

73 Still

79 Moth

81 their wisdome

84-5 a Messenger

III. i.

7 gossipj- report

9 as a lying
St. Dir. Enter . . before I.

27 know

32 fli?dgV
40 (a) blood
45 at losse a

60 his

93 O would she

95 them, why so :

95 whats

99 lights on

100 but of

103 Genoway
107-8 ist . . . ist

1 1 1 the

112, 113 Genoway

1 14 (a) one

119 unto

119 swear that he^

122 on 't

134 I will go : go

III. ii,
II I am then
23 eck . . . out

33 do

61 much (a)

62 To

vastif

vaste

ribb

rib

doif

doe

II. viii.

Sflanio

Solanio

[om.]

Flo. cornets

Si^la.

Sol.

came

comes

a;7«orous

amorous

Slumber

Slubber

^vay thee

pray thee

II. ix.

Seruitwr;

Seruiture

Arrogon

Arragon

you

thou

peasantry

pleasantry

chaft

chaffe

varnist

varnisht

is heere

is here

iud^ment

iudement

.<4n-ag. Still

Ar. Still

moath

the (a) wisdome

the wisdome

(a) Messenger

Messenger

III. i.

gossip report

gossips report

as lying a

25 Enter , , . a/Ur 1. 25 Enter . . . afte

kuifw

knew

flidge

fledg'd

my blood

blood

any losse a/

anie losse at

his

the

(A) would she

would she

them, why so .'

them, why so ?

whats

how much is

lights a

but a

GenowiZ

Genowa

is it . . . is ii

is it ... is it

the^

thee

Genowa

in one

one

(A) to

sweare, (a) he

sweare hee

of it

I will (a) : goe

I will : goe

III. ii.

tke7i I am

then I am

tch . . . it out

ich ... it out

doe

doth

much much

much

viii

§ 2. THE DIFFERENT READINGS OF

QI, Q2, FI.

•Qi

62-

3 St. Dir. [om.]

[om.]

Here Musicke.

eye

eyes

Some

Some marke

maketh

makes

lOI

Therefore

Therefore then

102

foole

iood

food

shyddring

shuddring

112

range

ra/ne

raine

118

whither

whether

123

t' mtrap

tyntrap

t' intrap

146

pearles

pertles

peales

150

me . . Bassanio

my . . Bassiano

160

summe of something

sume of something

sum of nothing

173

Lon/

Lords

Lord

186

Bassanio is

Bassanios

Bassanio's

198

haue

gaue (blunder)

203

casl'cet

casketj

caskets

206

roofe

xongh

rough

211

is, so

is so, so

222-

3 St. Dir. a messenger
from Venice

a messenger from Venice

[omits]

239-40 St. Dir. He openj'

(a) Open (a)

(a) Opens

240,

246 yon

yon(^

yond

247

Bassanios

Bassianos

266

Heer 's

Here /s

Here is

323

but see

(a) see

326

Par. 0

For. 0.

329

Nor

III. iii.

St. Dir. Salarino

Salerio

Solanio

fangs

//^anges

phangs

prethee

"^xay thee

pray thee

of his

oi'the

of the

III. iv.

equall

e^all

egal

misery

cruelty

will we

we -lvUI

we will

And so farewell

(a) So {■ax you well

So far you well

farewell

far you well

faryouwell

Bai.

BaMa.

Baltha.

apparreld

accoiitered

accoutered

my whole

my my whole

my whole

III. V.

promise ye I

promise '^ou, I

promise you, I

e'ne

corner

come?

comes

Moore 's

Moore /s

Moore is

far'st

cherst

cheer'st

Bassanios

Bassiano's

prethee

^xay thee

pray thee

82-3

then In

it In

it Is

88-9

[2 lines ending ' me , .

[2 lines ending ' hus-

[2 lines ending 'husband

wife']

band . . wife ']

. . . wife']

wife

a wife

§ 2. THE

DIFFERENT READINGS

QI, Q2, FI. ix ,

So-

howsoere

how so were

how som ere

disgest

digest

Exit

Exeunt

IV. i.

7,8

[as 3 lines]

[As 2 lines]

Sdl.

Salerio

Sal.

exacts

exact'st

humane

humaine

humane

/lis stat^

this states

his state

Sab^rtth

Sabaoth

Sabbath

offend, himselfe

offend himselfe

answers.

answers ?

answer.

You may as

[as Qi, IMuseum
(a) omit. [Devon,

Qto]
Qto]

Or euen as

Why he hath made the [as Ql, Museum

Qto]

The Ewe bleate

Ewe blcake

(a) the Ewe bleake
[Devonshire Qto]

of Pines

(a) Pines

fretten

fretted

what's

what (A)

100

iis

'tis

107

Saler.

Salerio.

Sal.

Messenger.

Messenger?

Messengers,

120

From both, my L.

From both ? my L

From both. My Lord

123

soulc . . . soule

soule . . . soule

soale , , , soule

134

hunifcne

humaine

humane

138

staru'd

steru'd

142

curelesse

endlesse

144

155

acquainted

acquained

169

Come

Came

179

impunge

impug«e

impugne

180

ye not ?

yoit not,

you not ?

196

lik'st

lik^t

likest

220

precedent

President

224

I do

I doe

do I

230

Nc, not

Not not

No not

235

tenour

tenure

244

tht-n

than

til en

258

doe

should

259

Is it so

It is not

263

You

Come

281

presently

instantly

290

who

whom

306

iote

iot (a)

308

Take then

Then take

326

cut'st

talcst

tak'st

327

be it but

be it (a)

334

you

thee

339

And

hee

344

so taken

taken so

346

hecre m question

(a) question

question

349

any

s.n

353

seize on

seaze one

354

coster

co_^er

coffer

§ 2. THE DIFFERENT READINGS OF QI, Q2, FI.

360 gainst

368 spirits

379 Godi' sake

398 shalt thou

400 not

401 home with me dinner

402 (a) desire
423 a fee

430 then this depends vpon

435 I will

446 the

451 gainst

454 Exeunt

IV. ii.
Enter Nerrissa

9 This

V. i.

4 wals

6 Cressada

21 shrew

32 wedlockes

34 is . . return'd

41-2 Lorenzo, M.

51 Stephano

51 I pray

59 pattents

65 in it

66 with him a

68 Musicke playes

75 perchance but heare

82 for the

87 Terebus

88-9 Enter Nerrissa and
Portia

92 candle.

106 Wren

109 [om.]

1 12-13 [''IS 2 verse lines]

1 14 husband health

121 [om.]

132 y'are

148, 151 pot^ie

152 giue it

153 your

157 no God's my ludge

166 ioo blame

209 my honor

213 away displeasd

214 did vphold
220 For

233 that . . my

239 [as I line]

against

spiriif

spirit

Godsake

Gods sake

shalt thou

thou shalt

not to

home with me to dinner

with me home to dinner

doe desire

desire

(A) fee

fee

depends on this'Jhen on

depends on this then on

will I

Willi

this

gainst

against

ExjV

ExitG

IV. ii.

Enter Nerrissa

Enter Portia and

Nerrissa

hii

His

V. i.

walls

Creased

Cressed

shr^w

shrow

wedloc-t

wedlocke

is . . returnd

it . . rntum'd

Lorenzo, & M.
Stepht'w
I pray
patte«j
it in

with (a) a
play Musique
but heare perchance
for the
Terebus

Enter Portia and Ner-
rissa
candle .''
Renne
[om.]

[as i^ prose lines]
Imsbandj welfare
[om.]
you are
posie
giue
your

no Gods my ludge
to blame
my honour
displeasd aiuay
had held z^
For

that . . . mine
[as I Hue]

vs vs

Lorenzo, & M.
Stephen
(a) pray
pattens
in it
with a

Play musique
but heare perchance
for (A)
Erobus

Enter Portia and Ner-
rissa.
candle ?
Wren

Musicke ceases
[as i^ prose lines]
husbands welfare
A Tucket sounds
you are
Poesie
giue it
the

but wel I know
too blame
mine honor
displeas'd away
had held vp
And

the . . my
[as 2 lines]

§ 3. SHAKSPERE, AND MUXDAY's ENGLISH! SILVATN's ORATOR. xi

249

his

2SO

husband

husbands

2S8

pardon me

272

euen but

293

possesst off

possesst of

297

Let's

Let z's

29S

intergotories

300

intergo/ory

intergory,

30 s

bed now,

bed now

SOS

That

till

311

Clarke

Doctors Clarke

thy

husbands

pardon (a)

but eu'n

possesst of

Let vs

intergatories

intergatory

bed, now

Till

Doctors Clarke

§ 3. My friend and colleague, the Rev. W. A. Harrison, in
comparing The Mercha?tt \w\\.h. L. P.'s^ englishing of Alex. Silvayn's
short story ' Of a Jew, who would for his debt have a pound of the
flesh of a Christian' (Hazlitt's Sh. Library, Pt. I, vol. i, p. 355 —
360), was struck by the way in which Shakspere has used some of
L. P.'s very words, as he has those of Holinshed, Plutarch, Sir T.
More, &c. in other plays.' Mr. Harrison thence concludes that
The Merchant was not written till the autumn of 1596, or early in
1597. The following extracts are from Mr. Harrison's Note-book : —

" The Merchant's position in Meres's list, the last of the Comedies,
would point to the presumption that it was the latest written at the
time when Meres composed his Book, i.e. in 1597, or early in 1598
(in which year it was printed and published). Hence we gather that
the play was before this date, but not long before it. Now in 1596
was published The Orator, an English Translation made by Lazarus
Piot of a French Book called the 'Cent histoires tragiques,' 100
Declamations written by Alexander Silvayn. At page 400 of the
English translation is {Declamation 95), 'Of a Jew who would for
his debt have a pound of the flesh of a Christian.' In this
Declamation there are many expressions and turns of thought
which are so remarkably like portions of the trial-scene in the
Merchant of Venice, where the Jew and the Christian merchant
stand in a similar relation, as to lead to the conclusion that Shak-
spere must have used this Book of Silvayn's, and taken hints from
it for some of the speeches. Now this Book was entered on the
Register of the Stationers' Comp. as ' a Booke to be translated into
EngUsh and printed,' on July 15th, 1596; and in 1596 it was
published, — towards the close of the year one may presume. Thus
we are brought to the irresistible conclusion, that if Shakspere saw
and used The Orator before writing the Merchant of Venice, then
that play must have been composed some time in 1596-7, and pro-
duced some time in the same year.

1 L. P., Lazarus Piot, was Anthony Munday.

2 The reader can judge for himself; but if Silvayn's French was before Shak-
spere, as it well may have been, I see no evidence that Sh. used Plot's englishing.

Xii § 3. SHAKSPBRE, AND MUNDAT'S ENGLISHT SILVATN S ORATOR.

more or less, then his ovvne head should
be smilten off."

2 "Impossible is it to breake the
credite of trafficke amongst men with-
out great detriment loiia the Coinmon-
roealtli; wherefore no man ought to
bind himself unto such covenants which
he cannot or will not accomplish," &c.

" The following are the parallels between The M. of V. and
the Declamation 95 of Silvayn :

1 " The ordinary Judge of that place " If thou cufst more j Or less than a

appointed him to cut a just pound of jttst pound, be it but so much / As
the Christian's flesh, and if he cut either makes it light or heavy in the sub-
stance / Or the division of the twentieth
part / Of one poor scruple . . . . /
Thou diest, and all thy goods are con-
fiscate."

"If you deny it, let the danger light /
Upon your Charter a.nd your city's /?-ce-
do/n."

' ' 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." Again,

" It must not be ; there is no power
in Venice / Can alter a decree estab-
lished. / 'Twill be recorded for a pre-
cedent, / And many an error by the
same example / Will rush into the state ;
it cannot be."

'■''You'll ask me 7vhy I rather choose
to have / A weight of carrion flesh than
to receive / Three thousand ducats :
I'll not answer that : / But, say, it is
my humour : is it answered ? / What if
my house be troubled with a rat, / And
I be pleased to give ten thousand
ducats / To have it baned? &c. So I
can give no reason, nor I will not." /

" The pound of flesh which I demand
of him / Is dearly bought ; 'tis mine,
and I will have it. . . My deeds upon
my head ! I crave the law, / The penalty
and forfeit of my bond."

"By my soul I swear / There is no
power in the tongue of man / To alter
me : I stay here on my bond."

*' By our holy Sabbath have I sworn
to have the due and forfeit of my bond."

■'' "A man may aske ivhy I would
not rather take silver of this man, than
his flesh. I might allege many reasons
.... I might say that I have need of
this flesh to cure a friend of mine of a
certain maladie, which is otherwise in-
curable, or that I would have it, &c.,
&c., . . but I will onelie say, that by
his obligation he oweth it me . ."

■"'Is it then such a great matter to
cause such a one to pay a pound of his
flesh, that hath broken his promise
manie times."

"The teavme being past, the Jew
refused to take his money, and de-
manded the pound of flesh."

"I refuse it all, and require that the
same which is due should bee delivered
unto me."

' Le Juge ordinaire ordonne que le Juif coiippera justement une livre de la
chair du Chrestien, et s'il en couppe d' avantage oti moins, que I'on luy coujDpera
la teste a luy. — Silvayn.

* L'on ne pent oster la fidelite du commerce entre les hommes, sans grand
detriment de la rcpuhliipie.

^ L'on pourrait deinander pourquoy je iHayme point mieux prendre I'argent

de cet homme que sa chair. Je pourroy alleguer plusieurs raisons,

mais je diray seulement que par son obligation, il me la doit.

* Est-ce done si grand fait, de faire payer une livre de chair a un qui plusieurs
fois a fausse sa promesse, ou qui met un autre en danger de perdre avec son credit
son honneur encore, voir peutestre la vie, pour le regret qu'il aura?

§ 3. SIIAKSPERE, AND MUNDAY's ENGLISHT SILVATN's ORATOR. xiii

5 "It secmcth at the first sight that
it is a tiling no lesse strange than cruel,
to l)ind a man to pay a pound of the
flesh of his bodie for want of money . .
but there are divers others that are
more cruel, which, because they are in
tise, see/lie nothing terrible at all : as to
bind all the bodie unto a most loth-
some prison, or unto an intollerable
slaverie, where not only the whole bodie
but also al the sences and spirits are
tormented, the which is commonly prac-
tised, not only betwixt those which are
either in sect or Nation contrary, but
also even amongst those that are all of
one sect and nation,"

"Grieve not that I am fallen to this
for you, / For herein fortune shews her-
self more kind / Than is her custom :
it is still her i/se / To let the wretched
man outlive his wealth, / To view with
hollow eye and wrinkled brow An age
of poetry : from which lingering pen-
ance / Of such a misery she doth cut
me off," &c.

" You have amongst yon many a pur-
chas'd slave, / Which, like your asses,
and your dogs, and mules, / You use in
abject and in slavish parts, / Because
you bought them."

" "This Jew is content to lose nine
hundred crowns to have a pound of
my flesh, ' whereby is manifestly seen
the ancient and cruel hate which he
beareth not only unto Christians, but
unto all others which are not of his
sect."

(2) "You may as well do anything
most hard, / As seek to soften that —
than which what's harder? — / His
Jewish heart."

"A stony adversary, an inhuman
wretch, / Uncapable of pity, void and
empty / Of any dram of mercy."

(i) "No lawful means can carry me /
Out of his envy's reach."

"I can give no reason, nor I will
not, / More than a lodg'd HATE and a
certain loathing," &c.

8 "That he should be willing to be
paid with man's flesh . . is a thing
more natural for Tigers than men ; the
which also was never heard of."

" Thou almost makst me waver in
my faith / To hold opinion with Pytha-
goras, / That souls of animals infuse
themselves / Into the trunks of men :
thy currish spirit / Governed a wolf
. . . For thy desires / Are wolvish,
bloody, starved and ravenous."

5 II semble de prime face que ce soit chose non moins estrange que cruelle,
obliger un homme a payer une livre de la chair de son corps, par faute d'argent,
Vrayement, cela donne quelque grande apprehension, d'autant que c'est chose
inusitee ; mais d'autres plus cruelles, four estre en usage ne semblent nullement
terribles : comme obliger tout le corps a une prison cruelle ou d nne servitude
intollerable, ou non seulement le corps, mais tous les sens et I'esprit sont tour-
mentez ; ce qui se fait ordinairement non seulement entre ceux qui sont de secte
ou nation diverse, mais entre ceux qui sont de mesme secte, de mesme nation,
voisins et parens. ,

6 Quelle raison y a-t-il qu'un homme doive, a son propos prejudice, desirer la
dommage d'autruy?

' Se void manifestement la HAINE inveteree et cruelle qu'il porte non seule-
ment aux chrestiens, mais a tous autres qui ne sont de sa secte.

» ^'ouloir se payer de chair humaine, . . est chose plus naturelle aux tigres
qu'aux hommes.

Xiv § 3. SHAKSPERE, AND MUNDAY's ENGLISHT SILVAYN'S ORATOR.

'^ " This drjil in shape of a man,
seeing me oppressed with necessitie,
propounded this accursed obligation
unto me."

1" "Although I knew the danger
'loherein I was to satisfy the couetise of
this mischievous man with the price of
my flesh and blood, yet did I not flee
away, but submitted myself tmio the
discretion of the Judge .... Behold
I will present a part of my bodie unto
him, that he may pay himself, accord-
ing to the contents ol the Judgment.'"

^1 "It may please you then, most
rigJtteoHS Judge, to consider all these
circumstances, having pitie of him who
doth wholly submit himself unto your
just clemency, hoping thereby to be
delivered from this monster's cruelty. "

{

" To curb this cruel dez'il of his will. "

" Indirectly and directly too Thou
hast contrived against the very life of
the defendant."

"I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them
all / Here to this devil, to deliver you."

^^Yon stand within his danger, do
you not ? Ay, so he says.

Do you confess the bond ?

I do.

Make no more offers, use no further
means . . Let me have judgment, and
the Jew his will.

Most heartily I do beseech the court /
To give the Judgment."

" Most rightful Judge."

" O upright Judge ! mark, Jew, a
learned Judge."

"1 have heard / your Grace hath
ta'en great pains to qualify / His rigor-
ous course."

"To excuse the current of thy cruelty.'''

"To sum up, then : Lazarus Plot's translation of Silvayn's Epitomes
de Cent histoires tragigiies was entered on the Stationers' Register
on July 15th, 1596, and published soon after in the same year.
Meres's JVyttes Treasiirye was entered on the Registers, September
the 7th, 1598. Assuming, then, that the latter volume was written
some time early in 1598, and that the M. of V., as being the last-
mentioned on Meres's list, was then a new play, this gives us a
date early in 1597 as the time of its production."

§ 4. This Facsimile is from negatives taken by Mr. Griggs from
the Duke of Devonshire's copy of the Heyes Quarto,^ save its last
page, the duplicate and complete page 54, Sign. G4 (see IV. i. 74),
which was fotograft by Mr. Praetorius from the British Museum
copy, C 12. g. 32.2 The lithografy was done in Hamburg. The
side-marks note some of the places where Q2 differs from Qi. (On
p. 7, strike out the t to 1. 169. On p. 22, 1. 189, read 'you ;' and
on p. 30, 1. 57, ' stampt.') The line-nos., &c. are those of the Globe
Shakspere.

22 Dec., 1886.

" Ce que jamais aussi ne fut ouy sinon ce diable en forme d'homme, me
voyant accable de necessite, me propose cette maudite obligation.

^° Cognoissant le danger ou fcstoy de satisfaire a la cruaute de ce ma liu . .,
n'ay prius la fuite, mais me suis remis a la discj-etion dnjuge,

'^ Vous plaise done, 6 juge equitable, bien considerer toutes ces circonstances,
ayant pitie de celui qui du tout se remet en vostre juste clemence, aspirant
d'icelle sa redemption.

1 Mr. Griggs's stock of the printed sheets of the former Facsimile were burnt
in his fire, owing to my delay in writing the Forewords.

' The class-mark at the top of the duplicate page, C. 34, k. 22, is a mistake.
I askt Mr. Praetorius to correct the class-maik, but he faild to do so in time.

TROILUS AND

CRESSIDA.

ADDITIONAL MARKINGS FOR

THE MARGINS OF THE

FACSIMILE OF THE Qo. 1609.

Place daggers [t] against

t/ie folloiving lines.

p. 4. L i.

p. 34. II. iii.

... 90

p. 61. IV. ii. ... 89

)> )>

P- 35- „

•■• 95

,, ,, ... Ill

p. 5- ,.

• 45

>) )»

... 96

p. 62. IV. iv. ... 19

i> >>

•• 53

,, ,,

... 131

p. 63. „ ... 66

»> >)

. 66

P- 36. „

... 169

p. 64. „ ... 103

)) >>

.. 72

p- n- „

... 178

p. 65. ,, ... 121

p. 8. I. ii. .

.. 36

>> >5

... 182

p. 69. IV. V. ... 103

p. II. ,,

. 184

P- 39- „

... 261

p. 70. „ ... 144

p. 12. ,,

• 255

p. 40. III. i.

- 33

,, ,, ... 161

P- 13- M

. 268

• > >»

••• • 37

p. 71. ,, ... 188

>> )>

. 280

>> }>

••. 39

p. 72. „ ... 235

p. 15. I. iii. .

• 59

p. 41. ,,

... 87

p. 73- „ ... 284

0 i>

. 61

,, ,,

... 106

p. 74. V. i. ... 45

p. 17. „

. 118

p. 44. III. ii.

... 40

p. 75- ,. ••• 66

>> M

.. 132

P- 45- M

... 88

... 71

p. 18. ,,

.. 156

p. 46. „

... 128

• ■• 73

p. 19. ,,

.. 190

P- 47- ..

... 183

... 74

>) )>

. 207

,, ,,

... 190

p. 76. V. ii. ... 3

p. 21. „

• 259

p. 48. III. iii. Entrance

... 16

11 >)

. 262

)> )>

p. 77. ., •■• 27

p. 22. „

• 336

p. 49. ,,

... 39

„ ... 34

p. 23. „

• 373

P- 50- ,y

... 51

>> ,, ■■■ 36

p. 24. II. i. .

p. 51- ..

... 112

,, „ ... 42

)> )>

• 19

>> )>

... 115

p. 78. „ ... 72

>> >i

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... 119

,, ,, ... 78

>> >)

• 31

,, ,,

... 120

p. 79. „ ... 114

P-2S. „

p. 52. „

... 1413

p. 80. ,, ... 136

>> »»

• 59

P- 54- „

- 233

p. 82. V. iii. ... 29

p. 27. II. ii. .

P- 55- ..

... 251

p. 84. „ ... 84

>> »>

. 27

p. 56. ,,

... 300

... 90

p. 28. „

. 48

... 309

p. 85. V. iv. Entrance

J) >>

• 50

p."s7. IV. i.

... 36

p. 87. V. V. ... 25

p. 29. „

. 67

p. 58. „

... 52

... 42

p. 32. „

. 1851

>> )»

... 76

V. vi. ... I

p. 33- II. iii. .

• 27

p. 59. IV. ii.

)> >)

• 35

p. 60. ,,

... 57

p. 88. „ ... 13

,, ,,

• 39

)> >)

... 65^

,, V. vii. ... I

)) )i

. 40

i> >>

... 67

p. 89. V. viii. ... 22

p. 34. II. iii. .

. 692

}> >>

... 68

p. 90. V. X, ... 17

)} >»

. 76

1 [The t wrongly placed under 184.] '

[The t wrongly placed under 68.]

^ [The t wrongly placed under 140.] *

[The t wrongly placed under 64.]

' [The t placed on wrong side of page.]

Note. pp. 39, 40., III. i. The speeches having in

the Qo. the prefi.\ " Man " have in the Fo.,

throughout, the prefix " Ser."

The blotch on p. 12, I. ii. 262, should be "Pan.

Affes"

ON THE QUARTO AND FOLIO OF
'TROILUS AND CRESS ID J ;

By F. J. FURNIVALL.

I TAKE the opportunity of the issue of these * Corrections ' by a
friend, to state my experience as to the Qo, and Fo. of Troihts.

Before Mr. Griggs's fire, I markt the mounted silver prints of the
Qo. for printing, collated it with the Folio, and came to the conclu-
sion that the Fo. had, plainly, later touches by Shakspere, tho
many of its archaic words, &c., had been alterd by an after reviser.
Then I forgot all about this ; and when I had to edit the play for
the 'Comedies'^ of our Old-Spelling Shakspere, I began to work
on the Qo. text, and went gaily on till I came to the Folio change
of the glorious Planet Sol , . whose med'cinable eye

' Corrects the ill aspects of Planets euill,'
from the Quarto :

' Corrects the influence of eiiill Planets'

In this change, I of course recognized Shakspere's hand, and
my former work and conclusion came back to mind. I again saw
that F.'s insertion of Agamemnon's speech, I. iii. 70-4, was Shak-
spere's, deliberate after breaking-up of Ulysses's long speech, and
not a chance omission of the Qo., as I had for the time supposed it
might be ; and when I lookt on to the further determining changes
of IV. ii, 74 :

'the secrets oi nature Haue not more gift in taciturnitie,'
from the Quarto :

' the fecrets of neighbour Pandar Haue not more guift, ' &c. ,

and recollected that F. had several more lines than Q. (tho it
leaves out some of Q.'s), I had no hesitation in deciding that F.
showd corrections of Q. by Shakspere's hand, and ought to be
used as the basis of the text of the play, tho it had evidently been
revised afterwards by another man, who had weakend many of
Sh.'s strong archaic and other words, which an Editor now is bound
to restore from the Quarto.

^ We follow the 'neucr Writer' of the Forewords of 1609, in making the
play a comedy.

ISth January, 1SS7.

The mofl excellent

Hiftorie of the ^dM.erchant
of Venice^.

VVith the extreame cxut\t\e o? Shyloc\e thelewe

towards the fayd Merchant,in cutting a iu A pound

of his fleni: andtheobtayningofP£>r//-i

by the choyfc of three

cherts.

As it hath heene diuers times aSled hy the Lord
ChamberUine his Seruants.

Written by William Shakefpeare,

AT LONDON,
Printed by 1. %^ for Thomas Heyes,

and are to be fold inPaules Church-yard , at the
figne of the Greene Dragon.

1600.

The comicallHiftory of the Mer-
chant ofVenicc^.

Enter tAnthomo, SalarynOf and Salanio.

Act I.

Sc.T.

«^w.

>N (both I know not why I am fb fad,
lit wearies rac,you fay it wearies you 5
lBui how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What ftufFc tis made of, whereof it is borne,
^ I am to leamc : and fuch a want- wit £adnc$

makes of mee,
That I haue much adoe to know my felfe.
Salarlm. Your mmde is tofling on the Ocean,
There where youc Argofies with portliefayle
Like Signiors and rich Burgars on the flood.
Or as it were the Pageants of the fea.
Doe ouer-pecre the petty traffiquers
That curfle to them do them rcuerence
As they flic by rhem with thcyr wouen wings.

SalaMo. Belccue mce fir, had I fuch venture forth.
The better part of my affc6lions would
Be with ray hopes abroadc. I fhould be flill
Plucking the graffc to know where fits the wind^
Firing in Maps for ports, and peers and rodes:
And eucry obicft that might make me feare
Mif-fortune to my ventures, out of doubt
Would make me iad.

Solar. My wind cooling my broth,
vvould blow me to an ague when I thought
what harme a winde too great might doe at {ea.
I fhould not fee the fandie howre-glafle runne
But I fliould thinkc offliallowcs and of flatts.
And fee my wealthy Andrew dock^ in fand

A 3. Vayling

%h\

4..

Th? ccmicallHi^lorieof

Vayl'ng her Kig'n top lower then her ribs
To kilTc her buriall •, Oiould I goe to Church
And fee the holy edifice offtone
And not bethinke me ftraight ofoangerous rocks,
which touching but my gentle vclTcls fide
vvould fcattcr all her (pices on the flreame.
Enrobe the roring waters with my Hikes,
Andin aword, but cuen nowworth this,
Andnow worth nothing. Shall I hauc the thought
Totbinke on this, and fhall I lack the thought
That fuch a thing bcchaunc'd would make mc (ad ?
But tell not me, I know iy^nthomo
Is fad to thinkevpon his merchandize.

4nth. Beleeue me no, I thankc my fortune for it
My ventures arc not in one bottome trufted,
Nor to one place ', nor is my whole edate
Vpon the fortune of this prefcnt yeere :
Therefore my merchandize makes me not (a^.
Sold. Why then you are in louc.
^nth. Fie, fie.

Sola. Not in loue neither : then let vs fay you arc fad
Becaiifeyou are not mer-yjandtwereas eafie
For you to laugh and Icape, and fay you are merry
Becaufeyou arc not fad. Now by two-headed lamUy
Nature hath framd flrange fellowes in her time :
Some that will euermore peepe through their eyes,
And laugh like Parrats at a bagpyper.
And other of fuch vinigara(pe<ri,
That theyle not fhew theyr teeth in way of fmile
Though 7Vf/?cr (weare the left be laughable.

Enter 'Saffamo, Lorenfo^ and Gratiano.
Sola. Here comes ISa^anio your moft noble kinfman,
(gratiano t and Lorenfo. Faryewell,
Welcaueyou now with better company.

Sala. I would haue ftaid till T had made you merry,
Ifworthier friends had not prcuented me.
Anth, Your worth is very deere in my regard.

the Merchant ofF'enice,

I take it your owne bufines calls on you,

Andyou embrace dioccafion to depart. gif.

Sal. Good morrow my good Lords.

Tciff. Good figniors both when flia! we laugh : (ay, when }
You orow exceeding ftranoe ; muft it be fo ?

Sal. Weele make our leyfures to attend on yours. &».

Exeunt SaUrtno, and Solemo.

Lor. My Lord'i54/y^»w,finceyouhauefound Anthonio
We two will leaue you, but at dinnertime
I pray you haue in mmdewhcre we muft meete,

"Baff. I willnotfeileyou. 7^t

Grat. You looke not well fignior AnthoMiOy
You haue too much refpe^^ vpon the world :
They loofe it that doe buy it with much care,
Beleeuc me you are meruailoufly changd. 76

Ant. I hold the world but as the world Gratifmo,
A ftage, where euery man muft play a part,
And mine a (ad one.

Grati. Let me play the foole.
With mirth and laughter let old wrinclcles come, so

And let my liuer ratner heatewith wine
Then my hart coole with mortifying grones.
Why fhould a man whofe blood is warme within,
Sit like his grandfire, cut in Alablafter ? it*-

Sleepe when he wakes ? and creepeinto thelaundies
By beeing peeuifti ? I tell thee what <iyfnthonto^
I loue thee, and tis my loue that (peakes :
There are a fort of men whofe vi(agcs
Doecreameand mantle like a flanding pond,
And doe a wilfiil ftilnes entertaine.
With purpofe to be dreft in an opinion
Ofwifedome grauitie, profound conceit, 9%

As who fhould (ay, I am fir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dogge barke.
O my Anthonio 1 doe know of thefe +

That therefore onely arc reputed wife 9g

A3. Por

The cowicati HiSlorie of
Forfaying nothing •, when I am very fure
If they fhould fpeake, would almoft dam thofe earcs
which hearing them would call their brothers fooles,
lie tell thee more of this another time.
But fifli not with this melancholy baite
For this foole gudgin, this opinion :
Come good Lorenfo, faryewell a while,
lie end my exhortation after dinner.

Lorert. Well wc will leaue you then till dinner func
I muft be one of thefefame dumbe wife men,
For Grattam neuer lets mefpeake.

Gra. Well keepe me company but twoyeeres moe
Thou fhaltnoi know the found of thine owne tongue.
An. Far you well, He grow a talker for this gcare.
gra. Thanks yfaith, for filence is onely commendable
In a neatcs togue dried, and a mayde not vendable. Exeunt*

«^/7. It is that any thing now.

Bajf. grupmiQ fpeakes an infinite deale of nothing more then any
man in all Venice, his reafons areas two graines of wheate hid m
twobuflieUofchafFeryou Oiall feeke all day ere youfinde them,
and when you haue them, they are not worth Hie fearch.

An. Well, tell me now what Lady is the fame
To whom you fwore a fccrete pilgrimage
That you to day promifd to tell me of.

"Baff. Tis not vnknowneto you zAnthomo
How much I haue diTabled mine eftate,
By fomething fhowing a more fwclling port
Then my faint meanes would graunt continuance:
Nor doe I now make monetobeabiidg'd
From fuch a noble rate, but my cheefe care
Is to come fairely of from the great debts
wherein my time (bmething too prodigall
Hath left me gagd : to you Anthonto
I o^ve the ntoll in money and in loue,
A nd from your loue 1 haue a warrantie
To vnburthen all my plots and put pofes
How to get clecre of all the debts I owft

the Merchant of Venice,

/In. 1 prav you good Ba^amo let mc know it.
And if it ftand as you your felfe fliU doe, 1%

within ihe eye of honour, be affurd
My puifc, my perlbn, my extrearaeft meanes
Lie all vnlockt to your occafions.

'Baf In my fchoolc dayes. when I had loft one fhaff, iw

1 lliot his fellow ofthe felfe fame flight
The felfe fame way, with more aduifed watch
To hnde (he other forfh, and by aducnturmgboth,
1 oft found both : I vrge this child-hood proofe /^

Bccaufe what followes is pure innocence.
I owe you much, and hke a wilfull youth
That which 1 owe is loft, but if you pleafc
To Qioote another arrow that felfe way ihs

which you did flioote the firft, I doe not doubt,
As I will watch the ayrae or to find both,
Or bring your latter hazzard bake againe.
And thankfully reft debter for the firft. i5t

^yfn. You know me well, and hcerein fpend but time
To wind about my loue with circuraftance,
And out of doubt you doe me now more wrong
In making queftion of my vttermoft ^^6

Then if you had made waft of all 1 haue :
Then doe but fay to me what 1 fiiould doc
That in your knowledge may by me be done.
And I am preft vnto it : therefore (peake. m

Ba(f. In Xelmont is a Lady richly left,
And fhe is fairc. and Fairer then that word.
Of wondrous vertues.fomctimesfrom her eyes
I did receaue fairc fpeechlcflc meflagcs : 16'*-

Her name is Portia^ nothing vndcrvallcwd
To Catos daughter, BruUa^Tortia^
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,
For the foure winds blow in from cuery coaft i^»

Renowned Tutors, and her funny locks +

Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,
vvhidb makes her feat oi'Beimont Chokhos ftrond,

The comicallHislorie of

And many Ufons come in qucft of her.

0 my a^nthomo, had I but the meancs
To hold a riuall place with one of them,

1 hauea mmdc prcfagcs nic fuch thrift
That 1 fhould quefiionlcfTe be fortunate.

y4nth. Thou knowft that all my fortunes arc at fca,
N«ther haue I money, nor commoditie
To raife a prefcot fummc, therefore goc forth
Try what my credite can in Venice doe.
That {hallberackt euen to the vttermoft
Tofurnifh thee to Belmont to faire Portia.
Goc prefently enquire and (b will I
vvhere money is, and I no queftion make
To haue it of my trufl:, or for my fake. Exeunt,

Enter Tor/w with her way ting woman Nerrijft.

Tenia. By my troth Ncrriffa , my little body is awearie of this
great world.

2Ver. You would be Iwect Madam, ifyourmiferieswereintbe
fame aboundance asyour good fortunes are: and yet for ought I
fee, they are as fickc thatfurfeite with too much,jis they thatftarue
with nothing ■-, ir is no meanehappines therfore to beieatcd in the
tneane, fuperfluitie comes fooner by white haires , but competen-
cie hues longer.

PnrtM. Good (cntences, and well pronounc'd.

Ner. They would be better ifwell followed.

Portia. If to do were as eafie as to know what were good to do,
Chappelshadbeenc Churches, and poore mens cottages Princes
Pallaces, it is a good diuine that foUowes his owne inftru^ions , I
can eaficr teach twentiewhat were good to be done,thcn to be one
of the twentie to follow mine owne teaching : the braine may dc-
uifc lawes for the blood , but a hote temper leapes ore a coldc de-
cree, fuch a hare is madnes the youth , to skippeore themeOies of
good counfaile the cripple j but this reafoning is not in the fafliion
to ciioofe mcc a husband , 6 mee the word choofe , I may neyfher
choofe who I would, nor ref ufe who I diflike, fo is the will of a ly-
uing daughter curbd by the will of a deade father: isitnotharde

Nfrrijfa,

the Merchant of Fen ice.
Nerrijfa, that I cannot choofe one, nor rcfufe none.

Ner. Your Father was euervertuousj and holy men at theyr
death haue good mfpirations, therefore the Ictf rie that he hafh de-
uifcd in thcTe three chefls of gold, filuer, and leade, whereof who
choofes his meaning choofes you, will nodoubtneuerbechofen
by any righdie , but one who you fhall rightly loue: But what
warmth is there in your afFeftion towardes any of thele Princeiie
futers that are already comef

Tor. I pray thee ouer-name them, and as thou nameft them, I
Viil defcribe them , and according to my dcfcriptionlcucUat my
afFeftion.

Ner. Firfl there is the Neopolitane Prince.

*Por. I thats a colt indcede, for he doth nothins; but tallce of his
horfe, & he makes it a great appropriation to his ownc good parts
thathecanlhoo him himfelfc : I am much afeard myLadie his
motherplaidfalfe with a Smyth.

Ncr. Than is there the Countie Palentine.

Tor. Hee doth nothing but frowne(aswhofhould fay, 5cyoa
will not haue me, choofe, heheares merry talcs and fmiles not , I
fearehcewill prooue the weeping Phylofopher when hee growes
old, beeing fo full ofvnmannerly fadncs inhis youth.) I hadrather
be married to a deaths head with a bone in his mouth, then to ey-
ther of thefe : God defend me from tbefe two.

!7yVr. How fay you by the French Lord, Mounfier Ze "Borne ?

For. God made him, and therefore let himpaffe for a man , in
truth I knowe it is a finne to be a mocker, but hee, why hce hath a
horfe better then the Neopolitans, a better bad habitc of frowning
then the Count Palentine, he is euery man in no man, if a TraflTell
fing, he falls Ilraght a capring, he will fence with his owne fhadow.
Iflfhould marry him, Ifhould marry twenty husbands: if hee
would defpifemc, /would forgiuehim, for if helouc me to mad-
nes, / fhall neuer requite him,

2yVr. What fay you then to Fauconbridge , the young Barron
of England ?

T*or, You know / fay nothing to him, for hee vnderflands not
me, nor /him : he hath neither Latine, French, nor /talian, & you
will come into the Court and fweare that / haue a poore pennic-

B. worth

10.

The eomtcalWi^iorie of

worth in the Englifh: heejs a proper manspiflure, butalasvvlio
can conuerfc with a dunibe fliovv ? how odly lice is futcd, /thinke
he bougiit his doublet in /talie, his round hofe in Fraunce,his bon-
net in Gennanie, and his bchauiour eucry where.

'T^crri/ya. What thinke you of the Scottifh Lorde his neigh-
bour 2

Tortui. Thatheehathaneyghbourlie charrtie in him, forhee
borrowed a boxeofthe care ot the Enghlliman , andfworehce
would pay him againe when he was able : / think the Frenchman
becaniehisfureticandfcaldvndcr for another.

7^r. How like you theyoung Gcrmaine, the Duke of Saxo-
nies nephew ?

Por. Ver)^vildlie in the morning when hec is fober , and mofl:
vildly in theafternoone whenheis drunUe : when he is bed, he is
a httle wor(c then a man, & when he is worf t he is little better then
abeaft, and the word fall that euer fell , I hope I Hiall make flVift
to goe without him.

Ner. Yfhec/houlde offer to choofe, and choofe the right CaC-
Jier, you fhould refufe to performeyour Fathers will^if you fhould
refufe to accept him.

Portia. Therefore for feare of the v/orfl, /pray thee feta deepe
elaffeofR^niflievvmcon the contrarie Casket , for if the deuill
Be within, and that temptation without, 1 knowe hee will' choofe
it* I will doc any thing AVrr;]/^ ere /will be married to a fpunge.

Netrtjfa. You neede not feare Ladie the hauing anie of thefc
Lords, they haue acquainted me with theyr determinations, which
isindecdeto rcturneto thcyr home, and to trouble you with rlo
more fute, vnleffe you may be wonne by fome other fort the your
Fathers impofjtion, depending on the Caskets.

Tor, Yf I liue lo be as old as Sibilla, / will die as chaf^ as Diana,
vnkfTe I be obtained by the maner of my Fathers will : lam glad
this parcell of wooers are fo reafonable,for there is not one aiTiong
them buf / doate on his very abfcnce: 8c /pray God graunt them
1ZZ a faire departure.

Nfrrtjfa Doe you not remtmberLady in your Fathers time, a
Venecian a Scholler & a Souldiour that came hether in cotnpanie
of fhc Marcjueffe of Mountfcrrat ?

11.

the Merchant ofF&nice,

Tortia, Yes, yes, \t was Baft»k>^ as I tiiinkefb was he calld.

T^er. True inaddam , lice of all (he men that cucrmy foolifh
eyes Jook'd vpoii, was the hci\ deferuing a faire Ladie.

Tortia. I remember him well, and / remember him worfh'ie of
chy prayfe.
How nowe, what newes ?

Entera Seruingman.

Ser. The fouje ftrangers feeke for you maddara to take thcyr
leaue: andthcreisa fore-runner come fromafift, thePnnceof
C.^»?-<?ro,whobrmg$ word the Prince his Maifter will beheereto
night.

"Per. Yf/could bid the fift welcome with fb good hart as /can
bid the other foure farewell, / fhould bee glad of his approch : if
he haue the condition of a Saint, and the complexion of a deuill, J
had rather he fhould fliriue mee then wiue mce. Come Netriffk^
(irra goe before : whiles we fliut the gale vpon one woocrjanother
knocks at the doorc. Exeme,

Enter Bafftmo with Shylocks the lew.
Shy. Three tboufand ducates, wdL
Bctjf f fir, for three months.
Shf. For three months, wdl.
Smjf. For the which as I told you,

Anthonio ilialbc bound.
Shy. Anthomo Iball become bound, well.
'Ba^, May you fted me \ Will you plcafure me ?

Shall / know your aunfwere,
Shy. Three thoufand ducats for three months,

and Anthonio bound.
Bni^. Your aunfwere to thai«
Shi. •yfnthomo is a good man.
B<*^, Haue you heard any imputation to the contrary.
Shyiocke. Ho no, no, no, no: my meaning in (ayine heels
a good roan, is to haue you vnderHand mee that hce is furficienr,
ye^ his meanes are in fuppofition : heehath an Argofiebound
toTripoIis, another lo the Indies, I vndcrftand morcouer vp-
on fhe Ry8!ta,hee hatha third at Mexico, a fourth for England,

B 2. and

12.

The comicalljHi?iorie of

and other ventures he hath fquandred abroade, but ihipsare but
boordes, Saylers but men, there be land rats, and water rats, water
theeues, and land theeucs , /meane Pyrats , and then there is the
perriliofwaters, wmdes, and rockes : the man is norwithftanding
fufficient, three thoufand ducats^ / thinke /may take his bond.
"Ba/. BcarTurdyoumay.

Jew. 7 will be affurd /may : and that /may bee afTured , / will
bcthinkc mee,may / fpeake with ay/mhomo ?
Baf Yf It pleafe you to dine with vs.

lew. Yes, tofmellporke,toeateof the habitation which your
Prophet the Nazarit coniuredthedeuill into : /wiibuy withyou,
fell with you, talke with you, walke with you , and fo following;
but /will not eatewith you, drinke with you , nor pray with you,
Whatnewes on the Ryalto, who is he comes heere ?
Enter tyinthomo.
JSajf. Thists(ignior(!^«/i&^w«'.
few. How like a fawning publican he lookes.
/ liate him for he is a Chriflian :
But more^for that in low fimplicitie
He lends out money gratis, and brings downe
The rate of vfance heerewith vs in Venice.
Yf / can catch him once vpon the hip,
/will feede fat theauncient grudge / beare him.
He hates our facred Nation, and he rayles
Euen there where Merchants mofl doe congregate
On me, my bargaines, and my well-wone thrift,
which hee calls interred : Curfcd be my Try be
if/ forgiue him.
Baf. Shy/och,dotyoMheArc.
Shyl. J am debating of my prefent (tore.
And by the neere gefTe of my memoric
/cannot inflantly raife vp the grolTe
Of full three thoufand ducats : what of that,
7«W/a wealthy Hebrew of my Tribe
Will furnifh me*, butfoft, how many months
Doeyou dcfire ? Reft you fairc good fignior.
Your worfhip was the laft man in our mouthes.

Shyiocks

13.

the Merchant of Venice,

tAn. Shylocke, albeit / neither lend nor borrow
By taking nor by giuing of excefTe,
Yet to fupply the ripe wants of ray friend,
7Je breakea cuftome : is heeyet poflell
How much ye would ?

Shy. /, /, three thoufa.nd ducats.

tyfnt. Andfor three months.

ShyL /had forgot, three months, you told me fb.
Well then, your bond : and let me fee, but heareyou,
Ale thoughts you faid, you neither lend nor borrow
Vpoii aduantage.

jint. /doeneuervfeit.

Shy. When lacoh ^razd his Vncle Labanf Sheepe,
This Ucoh from our noly ^^bram was
('As his wife motherwrought in his behalfe)
The third pofTefTer 5 /, he was the third.

Ant. And what ofhim, did hetake interred ?

ShyL No, not take intereft, not as you would iay
Direflly intreft, markewhat lacob did.
When L<?^rf»and himfelfewerecompremyzd
That all the eanelings which wereftreakt and pied
Should fall as Jacobs hier, the Ewes being ranck
/n end of Autume turned to the Rammes,
And when the worke of generation was
Betweene thefe wolly breeders in the acfl',
The skilful fheepheardpyld me certaine wands,
And in the dooing of the deede of kind
He ftuck them vp before thefulfbme Ewes,
Who then conceauing, did in eaning rime
Fall party-colourd lambs, and thofewere Jacobs,
This was a way to thriue, and he was bleft :
And thrift is blefling if men fteale it not.

(iyfn. This was a venture fir that Jacob ferud for.
A thing not in his power to bring to pafle,
But Iwayd and fafhiond by the hand of heauen.
Was this infected to make interred good ?
Or is your gold and filuer ewes and rammes ?

B3.

14i.

The comicaUBi?\om of

Shyt. I cannot tell, I make it breeds asfafl,
buJ note me fignior.

Anth. Marke you this 'Sajfanio,
The dcuill can cite Scripture for his purpofe^
An euill foule producing holy witnes
Is like a villainc with a fmiling cheeke,
A goodly apple rotten at the hart.
Owhat a goodly out-fidefal/hood hath.

Shy. Three thoufand ducars,tis a good round fumrae.
Three months from twelue, then let me fee the rate.

e^«/. Well Sh/ockf, (hall we be beholding to you ?

Shjf^. Signior si^nibomo, manie a time and oft
In the Ryaltoyou haue rated me
About my moncyes and my vfances :
Still haue I borne it with a patient fhrug,
(For fuffiance is the badge of all our Trybe)
You call me misbeleeuer, cut-throate dog,
And fpet vpon my lewifh gaberdine,
And all for vfe of that which is mine owne.
Well then, it now appcares you neede my helpc :
Goe to then, you come to mc,.and you fay,
Shylocke, we would haue moneyes you fay fo i
You that did voy dc your rume vpon my beard,
And footc me as you fpurne a ftranger curie
Ouer your thrcfhold, moneyes is your fute*
Wliat fhould I fay to you ? Should I not fay
Hath a dog money ? is it po/fible
A curre can lend three thoufand ducats ? or
Shall I bend low, and in a bond-mans key
With bared bi'eatb, and whifpring humblenes
Say this : Faire fir, you fpet on me on Wednefday laft,
You fpumd me fuch a day another time,
You calld me dogge : and for thefe curtefiw
lie lend you thus much moneyes,

tyfnt. 1 am as like to call thee fo againe^
To fpet on theeagaine, to fpurne thee to.
Yf thou wilt lend thi j money, lend it not

the Merchant of Venice. i^L

As (o thy friends, for when did frieiidlhip take

A breede for barraine mettaile of his friend ?

But lend it rather to thine enemie.

Who if he breake, thou maill with better face i^g

Exaft the pcnaltie.

Shy. Why looke you how you ftorme,
I would be friends with you, and haue your loue,
Forget the (hames that you haue ftaind me with, iw

Supply your pi efent wants, and take no doy te
Or vfancefor my moneyes, andyoulenot heare mee,
tins is kindc 1 oflTer.
*Balf^ This were kindneffc.
Shjl. Tins kindneflc will I fliowe, ih>+

Goe with me to a Norarie, fealeme there
Your finglc bond, and in a raerrielport
if you repay me not on fuch a day

in fuch a place, fuch fumme orfummesasare I'+s

expreft in the condition, let the forfaitc
be nominated for an equall pound
of your fairc ficili, to be cut ofFand taken
in what part of your bodie picafeth me. ^^2

yint. Content infaith,ylefeale to fuch a bond, t

and fay there is much kindnes in the lew.

Baff. You Diall not feale to fiich a bond for me,
lie rather dwell in my nece/Iitie. ^56

c^». Why feare not man, I will not forfaire it,
within thefe two months, thats a month before
this bond expires, I doe expe^ returne
of thrice three times the valew of this bond. i&o

Shy. O father Abram, what thefe Chriftians are,
Whofc owne hard dealings teaches them fufpeft
the thoughts of others : Pray you tell me this,

if hefhouldbreakehisdaywhat fhouldlgaine /^^

by the exaOion of the forfeyture ?
A pound of mans flefh taken from a man,
is not fo eftimable, profitable neither
as flcfh of Muttons, Beefes, or Goaces, I (ay '^^

16.

The comtcdllHi^lorie of
To buy hisfaisour, I extend this friendfliip,
Yfhewil takeit,fo,ifnotadiew.
And for my loue I pray you wrong me nof.

u4fi. Yes Shylocke, I Will fealevnto this bond.

Shy. Then meete me forthwith at the Noteries,
Giue him direction for this merry bond
And I will goe andpurfethe ducats (Iraite,
See to my houfe left in the fearefull gard
Ofan vnthriftieknaue : and prefently
lie be with you. Sxit.

tAn. Hie thee gentle lewe. The Hebrew willtume
Chriftian, he growes kinde.

Bn^a. I like not foire termes, and a villaines minde.

9^n. Come on, in this there can be no difinay.
My fliips come home a month before the day,

LxeunU

Enter ^JVforochtu a tawnie Moore all in white, and three

orfoure followers accordingly , with Portia,

Nerriffa, and their traine.

Ulforochff. Miflike mc not for my complexion,
Thefliadowedliuerie ofthe burnifhtfiinne,
To whom I am a neighbour, and neere bred.
Bring me the fayrert: creature North-ward borne,
Where Ph£bm firefoarce rhawes theyficles,
And let vs make incyzion for your loue.
To proue whofe blood is reddeft, his or mine.
I tell thee Lady this afpeft of mine
Hath feard the valiant, (by my loue I fweare)
The beft regarded Virgins of our Clyme
Haue lou'd, it to : I would not change this hue,
Except to fteale your thoughts my gentle Queene.

Portia. In termes of choyfe I am not foly led
By nice direflion of a may dens eyes :
Belides, the lottrie of my deftenie
Bans me the right of voluntary chooling :
But if my Father had not fcantcdme.

And

12.

t\)€ Merchant of Venice, '^'

And hedgd me by his wit to yeeld my felfe
His wife, who winnes me by that mcanes I told you,
Your felfe (renowned Prince)than (toodeasfaire
As any commcr I haue look'd on yet
For my affe^ion

Mor. Euenforthatlthankeyou,
Therefore I pray you leade me to the Caskets
To try my fortune ; By this Symitare
That flcwe the Sophy, and a Perfian Prince
That wone three helds of Sultan Solyman,
I would ore-ftare the fterneft eyes that looke :
Out-braue the hart mod daring on the earth :
Pluck the young fucking Cubs from the (he Beare,
Yea, mock the Lyon when a rores for pray
To win the Lady . But alas, the while
1( Hercules und Ljchat play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turne by fortune from the weaker hand t
So is ^Alcides beaten by his rage.

And fo may I, blind Fortune leading me 36

Mifle that which one vnworthier may attaine.
And die with greening.

Portia. You muft take your chaunce.
And eyther not attempt to choofeat all,
Or fweare before you choofe, if you choofe wrong
Neuerfofpeake to Lady afterward
In way of marriage, therefore be aduiPd.

Mor. Nor -will not, come bring me vnto my chaunce.

Porti4. Firftforwardtothe temple, after dinner 4^4^

Your hazard Hiall be made.

Mor. Good fortune then.
To make me bleft or curfed'ft among men.

Enter the Ciovpne alotte, H.ii.

Qowne. Certaindy; my confciencc will feruc me to runnc from
this lewe my Maifter : the fiend isat mine elbow, and tempts me,
(aying Xo me, UbhetLamcelet lobbe* good LauncektrOi good loUe^

C. o'f

18.

The comtcall HSlorie of

or good Launcelet Johbe^ v(e your Icggcs, taketfieftart, runnea-
way, my confcicnce fayesnoj take hecde honeO: Lautjce/rt, take
heecic honeft /o^^<? , orasaforc-laidehoneft Launcelet loblje, doe
not runnc, fcornc running with thy hccles j well, the moft cora-
gious fiend bids me pacl<e,/rf fayes the fiend, away (ayes the fiend,
for the hcauens rouJc vp a braue minde faycsthe fiend, and runne;
well, my confclence hanging about the neckc of my heart, (ayes
very wifely to mee : my honeft friend Launcelet becing an honed
mans fonne, or rather an honcfl: womans fbnne , for indeede my
Father did fomethingfmacke, fomething grow to > he had a kindc
of taH •, well, my conscience (ayes Launcelet bouge not, bouge fayes
the fiend, bougc not (ayes my confcicnce, confcience fay I you
counfailc wel^fiend fay I you counfailc wclUo be ruld by my con-
fcicnce, I fhould ftay with the Icwe my Maifkr, (who God blefle
the markc) is a kindc of dcuill j and to runne away from the lewc I
(hould berulcd by the fiend, who fauing your reucrcnce is the de-
uill himfclfe : certainely the lewc is the vcrydeuill incarnation, and
in my confcience, my confcicnce is but a kindc of hard confci-
cnce, to offer to counfailc mee to ftay with the Icwe 5 the fiend
giucs the more friendly counfailc '. I will runne fiend, my hecles
arc at your commaujidement, I will runne.

Enter oldGohbo wth a basket,

gohho. Maimer young-man,you I pray you, which is the way
toMaificrlcwes?

LAuncelet. O heauens, this is my frue begotten Fathcr,who be-
ing more then fand blinde, high graucli blinds, knowes mcnol, I
will try confufions with him.

Gobbo. Maiffer young Gentleman,! pray you which is the way
to MaiQcr Icwcs.

Lenncclet. Turne vp on your right hand at the next turning,
but at the next turning ofall on your left 5 marry at the very next
turning turne of no hand, but turne downe indirc^ly to the Icwcs
houfc,

Cjobbo. Be Gods fonties twill be a hard way to hit, can you tell

19.

the Merchant' of Fenice,

mee whether one LaunceUtthat dwels with him, <lwelf with him
or no.

Lamcelet, Tallce you ofyoung MaiHer Lamicelet, marlce luee
nowe, nowe will I raifc the waters} talkc you of young Maiftcr
Lajmcelet,

Gobbo. No MaiOer fir, butapoore mans Sonne, his Father
though I fay't is an honeft exceeding poore man , and God bee
thanked well to Jiuc.

Lamce. Well, let his Father be what a will, wee talke ofyoung
JVlaifter Lamcelet.

Gob. Your worfliips friend and Launcelet fir.

Laitnce, But I pray you ergo olde man, ergo I befeech you, talke
you ofyoung Maifter Ltmncelet.

^ob. Oi Lannce/et ant pleafe your raaifterrhip.

LeiHHce, Ergo Maifter Lttttncelety talke not of maifter Launcelet
Father, for the young Gentleman according to fateJ and deftc-
jiics, and fuch odd (ayings, the fifters three.and futh braunches of
learning, is indeede deceafed, or as you would fay in plainc termes,
gone to heauen.

gobbo. Marty God forbid , the boy was the very ftaffe of my
age, my very prop.

Launcelet. Doe I looke like a cudgell ora houell po(l, a ftaife,
or a prop : doe you know me Father.

Oobbo. Alacke the day, 1 knowc you not young Gentleman,
but I pray you tell mee, is my boy GOD reA hisfoule aliue or
dead.

Launcelet. Doe you not know me Father.

Cobbo. Alack fir I am (and blind, I know you not.

LauHcelet. Nay, in deede if you had your eyes you might fayle
of the knowing mec: it is a wife Father that knoweshia ovvnc
childe. Well, olde roan, Iwill tcllyounewesofyourfonne, giue
meeyourbleifing, trueth will come to light, muder cannot bee
hidde long, amannes Sonne may, but in the cnde trueth will
out.

Gobbo. Pray you fir fland vp , I am fure you arc not Lamce let
my boy.

C Jt Lattncft

20.

The comicaU H/ffor/V of

Launce. Pray you let's haue no more fooling, about it, but giue
mceyour blcHing: I am Launceletyout boy that was, your fonne
thatis,yourchild that fhall be.

Cob. I cannot thinke you are my fonne.

Lame I know not what I Hiall think of that : but T am Launce-
let the lewes man, and 1 am fure CMargerie your wife is my mo-
ther.

Gob. Her name is Margerie in deede, i(e be fworne if thou bee
Lamcelety thou art mine ownc fleOiand blood: Lord worOupt
might he be, what a beard haft thou eot •, thou haf> got more haire
on thy chmne, then Dobbin my pbiThorfe hafe on his taile.

Launce. Itihould fecme then that Dobbins tailc growes back-
ward. T am Pure hee had more haire of his taile then I haue of my
face when I loft £im him.

gob. Lord how art thou changd : how dooft thou and thy Ma-
iler agree, I haue brought him a prefent *, how greeyou now ?

Lamce. Well, well, but for mine owne part^as I haue £tt vp my
reft to runne away, fo Twill not reft till I haue runne fome ground*,
my Maifter's a very lewc, giue him aprefent, giue him a halter, I
amfamifhtinhisferuice. You may tellcucry finger I haue with
my ribs : Father I am glad you are come, giue me your prcfent to
one Maitter 'Baffanio, who in deede giucs rare neweLyuories, if 1
fcrue not him,I will runne as farreas God has any ground. O rare
fortune, heere comes the man, to him Fatherj for I am a lewe if I
ferue the Icwc any longer.

Enter BafTanio with afoUomver or two.

Tajf. You may doe fo, but let it be fo hafted that flipper be rea •
dy at the fartheft by hue of the clocke : fee thefe Letters deliuered,
put the Lyuerics to making, and defire Gratiano to come anone to
my lodging.

Launce. To him Father.

gob, God blefte your worfhip.

^aff. Gramcrcie, wouldft thou ought with me.

Gobbe. Heere's my fonne fir, a poore boy.

Laptnce. Not a poore boy fir, buf the rich lewcs man that would
fir as my Father (hall foecifie.

Goh

21.

the Merchant of Venice,

Gob, He hath a great inftftion fir, as one would fay to ferue,
Lau. Indcedethe fhortand the long is, /ferue the lewe,5c haue
a defire as my Father fhall /pecifie.

Gok His Maifter and he (fauing your worfhips reuerence) are
fcarce catercofins,

Lau. To be briefe, the very truth is, that the levve hauing done
rnewrong, dooth caufe me as my Father being I hope an old man
fiiall frutifie vnro you.

Gob, I haue heere a difh of Doues that I would beftow vppon
yourworfliip, and my futeis.

Lau. In very briefe, thefute is impertinent tomyfelfe, asyour
worfhip rhall knoweby this honeft old man, and though I fay it,
though old man, yet poore man ray Father.
Baf One fpcakefor both, what would you ?
Laun. Serueyoufir.

Gob. That is the very defe£l of the matter fir.
'Baff. I know thee well, thou haft obtaind thy (iite,
Shylocke thy Maifter Ipokewith me this day,
And hath preferd thee, if it be preferment
To leaue a rich lewes feruice, to become
The follower of fb poore a Gentleman.

Clowne. The old prouerb is vei^' well parted betweene my Mai-
fter Shylocke and you fir, you haue the grace of God 6r, and hee
hath enough.

Baff. Thou fpeakft it well*, goe Father with thy Sonne
Take leaue of thy old Maifter, and enquire
My lodging out, giue him a Lyuerie
More garded then his fellowes : fee it done.

Qorvne. Father in, 1 cannot get a feruice, no, I haue nere a tong
in my head| wel : if any man in Italy haue a fayrer table which
dooth offer to fweare vponabookc, Ifhall haue good fortune;
goe too, heere s a fimplc lyne of life, heeres a fmall tryfle of wiues,
alas, fifteene wiues is nothing, a leuenwiddowes and nine maydes
is a fimpie commingin for one man, and then to fcape drowning
thrice, and to be in perrillof my life with the edge of a featherbed,
heere are fimplcfcapes : well, if Fortune be a woman fhe's a good
wench for this gere : Father come,ile take my leaue of the Tewe m

C 3 the

22.

The comicdl HiSiorie of

the twinkling. Sxit Clcncpnet

Tajp I pray fbce zood Leonardo (hinke on this,
Thele tbines being bought and orderly bedowed
Returnein haft, for 1 doe feaft Co night
My beft efteemd acquaintance, hie thee goe.
Leort. My bell endeuours (hall be done heereia. Sxit LeonarJc,

Stttey Gratiano.
GratL Where's your Maifter.
Leonar. Yonder fir he walkes.
GyaU. Signior 'Bajfaftio,
'Sajf. Gratiano,
Grd, I haue fute to you.
Ta^. You haue obtain d it.

Cra. You muft not deny mc, I muft goe with you to Belmont.
Ba^, Why then yon muft but heare thee gratiano.
Thou art lo wifd, to rude, and bold of voyce,
Parts thaf become thee happily enough.
And in fuch eyes as ours appeare not faults
But where thou art not knbwne j why there they /how
Somthing too liberall, pray thee take paine
To allay with forae cold drops of modeflie
Thy skipping fpirit, leaft through thy wild behauiour
J be mifconftred in the place I goe to.
And loofe my hopes.

Gra. Signor Bajfanioy heare me,
Yf I doe not put on a fober habite,
Talke with refpe^, and fweare but now and than,
Weare prayer bookes in my pocket, looke demurely.
Nay more, while grace is(aying hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and fieh and fay amen :
Vfe all the obferuance ofciuillity
Like one well ftudied in a (ad oftent
To pleafe his Gran dam, ncuer truft me more.
CBajf. Well, we fliall fee your bearing.
Cra. Nay but I barre to night, you ffiall not gage me
By what we doe to night.
"Eaff. No that were pitty,

I would

23.

the Merchant of Venice* Si

/would intreate you rather to puf on
Yourboldeft fute of mirth, for we haue friends
That purpofe merriment : but far you well,
I haue ibme buHnes.

(^ra. And I muft to Lorenfo and the reft.
But we will vifitc you at (upper time. 'Exeunt,

Z1Z

P.1£

Snter leflica and the Claftvne, H . ttr .

JeJJiat, I am forry -thou wilt leaue my Father (b,
Our houfe is hell, and thou a merry deuill
Didll rob it offome taft of tediou(ne$,
But far thee well, there is a ducat for thee,
And Launcelet, {bone at fupper flialt thou fee
Lorenjoy who is thy new Maifters gueft,
Giue him this Letter, doe it (ecreUy,
And fo farweil : I would not haue my Father
See mc in talke with thee.

Qaxvfte. Adiew, teares exhibit my tongue, mofl beautifiill Pa-
gan, moftfweete lewe, if a Chriftian doe not play the knaueand
get thee, /am much deceaued *, but adiew,thefe foolifh drops doe
ibmthing drowne my manly fpirit : adiew.

^ejjica. Farweil good Launcelet.
Alack, what heynous finne is it in me ^e

To be alhamed to be my Fathers child.
But though / am a daughter to his blood
I am not to his manners : 6 Lorenfo

Yf thoukeepe promi/e /(hall end this ftrifc, zo

Become a Chriftianand thy louingwife. Ei»t,

Enter gratiano^ Lorenfo, Salaryno, andSaiamo* J\..W.

Loren. Nay, we will flinke away in fupper rtme,
Difguife vs at my lodging, and returne all in an houre.
gratia. We haue not made good preparation.
SaUr't. We haue not fpoke vs yet of Torch-bearers,
SoUnio, Tis vile vnlefTe It may be quaintly ordered.
And better in my mindc not vndcrtooke.
Loren^ Tis now but foure of clocke, wc haue two houres

2*.

The comicall HiTlorie of
To furniOi vs 5 friend Lamcelet whats the newes. Fnter Launeelet.
LastrKelet. And it fhal pleafe you to breakc vp this^t ihal feeine
to fignsfie.

Loren. 1 know the hand, in faith tis a faire han d,
And whiter then the paper it writ on
Is the faire hand that writ.
Gratta. Louc, newes in faith.
Latmce. By your leaue fir.
Loren. Whither goefl: thou.

Lame. Marry fir to bid my old Mailler the /ewe to fup to night
■with my new MaiftertheChriftian.

Loren. Hold heere take this, tell gentle Jejfica
1 will not faile her, fpeake it priuatly,
Goe Gentlemen, will you prepare you for this maske to night,
/ am prouided of a Toreh-bcarer. Exit Qlowne^

Sal. I marry, ile be gone about it flraite.
Sol. And fo will/.

Lor$tt. Meete me and ^ratiam at GrAtianos lodging
Some hou re hence.
Srf/. Tisgoodwedoefb. -EJei/.

gratia.. Was not that Letter from faire Ufftm,
Loren. I mull needes tell thee all, flie hath direfted
How I fhall take her from her Fathers houfe,
what gold and icwels fhe is ftirnifht with,
What Pages fute fiie hath in readines,
Yf ere the lewe her Father come to heauen,
y t will be for his gentle daughters fake,
And neuer dare misfortune aofie her foote,
VnletTe fhe doe it vnder this excufe.
That fhe is ifTuc to a faithlelTe lewe :
Come goe with me, pcrvfe this as thou goeft,
F aire lejfica /hall be my Torch-bearer. V-xlu

Enter levoe and his man that was the Clawne.
Jewe. Well, thou (halt fee, thy eyes fhall be thy iudge.
The difference of old Shyhcke and Bafanio j
What /e£icaf thou Qialt not gurmandize

25.

the Merchant of Venice. ^'^'

As thou haft done with mee : what lejpca^
and Oeepe, and ^lore, and rend apparraile out.
Why lejjica I fay.

(Slovene. Why lejfica.

Shy. Who bids thee call ? 1 doe not hid thee call.

Clow, Your vvorfliip was wont to tell me, s

1 could doe nothing without bidding. +

Enter lejpca.

JeJJica. Call you ? what is your will ?

Shy. I am bid forth to (upper lejpca,
There are my keycs : but wherefore (hould 1 goe ? f^

I am not bid for loue, they flatter me.
But yet He goe ui hate, to feede vpon
The prodigall Chriftian. lejjicatuy girle,

looke to my houfc, /am right loth to goe, i^

There is fomeill a bruing towards my reft.
For I did dreamc of money baggs to night.

Qort>rte. I befeech you fir goe, my young Maifter

doth expeft your rcproch. ^o

Shy. So doe /his.

Clowne. And they haue conlpired together , / will not fay
you fliall fee a Maskc, butifyou doe, then it was not for nothing
that my nofe fell a bleeding on black monday laft, at fixe a docke
ith morning, falling out thatyeere on afliwcnfday was foure yeere
in thaftemoone.

Shy. What are there maskes ? heare you me /<?^r^, ^^^

lock vp my doores, and when you hearc the drumme
and the vile fquealing of the wry-neckt Fiffe
clamber not you vp to the cafements then

Nor thruft your head into tlie publique ftreetc 32

To gaze on Chriftian fooles with varnilht faces :
But ftop my houfes eares, / meane my cafements,
let not the found of /hallow fopprie enter

my fober houfe. By Jacoh DafiPe I fweare 36

/ haue no minde of feafting forth to night ;
but J will goe : goeyou before me firra,
(ay /will come.

D. pavfne

The comicallHiTioyisof

Chtvne. I Will goc before fir.
Mifties looke out af window for all fliis,

there will come a Cliriftian by
will be worth a lewes eye.

Shyl. What fayes that foolc of Ha^ars ofspring ? ha.

lejpca. His words were farewell millris, nothing els,

Bhy- The parch is kinde enough, but a huge /cedcr
Soaileflow in profit, and he flcepcs by day
more then the wild-cat: drones hiue not with me<
therefore /part with him and part with him
to one that 1 would hauc him hclpc to waft
his borrowed purfc. Well lejjtca goe in,
perhaps /will returnc inimcdiatlie,
do as 1 bid you,fliut dores after you, faft bind/aO find,
a prouerbe neuer Oale in thrrftic minde. Exit.

lef. Farewell, and if my fortune be not croft,
I hauc a Father, you a daughter loft. Eoeit,

Enter the maskers, Gratiauo and Salerim,

Crat. This is the penthoufcvnder which Lorenzo
dcfircd vs to make Hand.

SaL His howre is almoft paft.

Cra. And it is meruaile he out-dwcll$his howre.
for louers cuer runnc before the clocke.

Sal. O tenne times fafter Femu pidgionsflie
to feale loqcs bonds new made, then they are wont
to keepe obliged faith vnforftited.

^ra. That cuer holds : who rifeth from a feaft
with that kcene appetite that hefitsdowne*
where is tlic horfe that doth vntrcad againe
his tedious mcafures with the vnbatcd fire
that he did pace them firft ; all things that are
arc with more fpirit chafed then enioyd.
Howhke a younger or a prodigall
fheskarfedbarke purs from hernatiuebay
hugd and embraced by the ft rum pet wind,
how like the prodigall doth fhe returne

with

22.

the Merchant of Venice,
WJjh ouer-wctherd ribbs and ragged failes is

leane, rent, and beggcrd by the ftrumpet wind ?
Enter Lorenz,o.

Sai. Hecre comes Zor<?»^<', more ofthis hereafter. ?.o

Lor. Sweet fi-eends,your patience for my long abode
not I but my affaires haue made you waite :
when you (hall picafeto play thcthceuesforwiues
He watch as long for you then : approch z't-

here dwels my tathei* lew. Howe whofe within ?

hjjtca aboue.

Je^, Who are you ? tell me for more certainty.
Albeit llefweare that I doe know your tongue.

Ler, Z.cT'f't^ and thy loue. ^*

JeJJicn. Lorenxio certaine, and my loue indeed,
for who loue I fo much I and now who knowes
but you Z-<?/*(?w*<? whether 1 am yours ?
Lor, Hcauen & fhv thoughts are witnes that thou art. 32

Uf. Heerc catch this casket, it is worth the paines,
I am glad f is night you doc not looke on me,
for I am much alhamde of my exchange:

But loue is biinde, and louers cannot fee 36

The prerty follies that themfelues commit,
for if they could. C«/'/«/himfelfc would blufh
fo fee me thus tranf formed to a boy.

Lor. Defcend, for you muft be my torch- bearer. ho

lef. What, muft I hold a candle to my fhames,
they in themfelues goodfooth are too too light.
Why, fis an office of difcouery loue,
and I Hiould be obfcurd.

Lor. Soareyoufweef *^

euen in the loucly garnini of a boy, but come at once,
(or theclofc night doth play the runaway,
and we are ftaid for at :Balftmos fcaQ. ^^

/tf/T I will make faft the doores & guild my fclfe
with fome mo ducats, and be with you ftrai^ht,

Cra. Now by my hoodc a gentle, and nolew.

Zor, Beflirowmebttllloueherhartilie, ^^

P i. for

28.

The comicallHifiorieof

Por fhe is wife, if/ can iudge of her,
and faire fhcis/if that mine eyes be true,
and true ftie is, as (he hath proou'd her(elfe :
And therefore like hcrfelfe, wife, faire, and true,
fhall (he be placed in my conftant foule. Enter fejpca,
What,art thou come, on gentleman, away,
our masking mates by this time for vs ftay . £xtt^

Enter Anthonio.
tyfn. VVhofe there?
Qra, Signior t^nthonitt i
j4mh. Fie, iie Gratiano, where are all the r eft ?
Tis nine a clocke, our friends all ftay for you.
No maske to night, the wind is come about
3ajfmio prefently will goeabord,
I haue fent twentieoutto feekefbryou.

Gra. I am glad ont. I defire no more delight
then to be vnderfaile, and gone to night. Exeunt,

Enter Portia WithAforrocho and both
they r train es.
*Por. Goe, draw afide the curtaines and difcouer
theftuerall caskets to this noble Prince :
Now make your choyfc.

Afor. This firfl of gold, who this infcription beare$>
Who choofeth me, fhall gaine what many men defire.
The fecond filuer, which this promife carries^
Who choofeth me, /hall get as much as he dcferues.
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,
Who choofeth me, muft giue and hazard all he hath.
How fhall I know if/ doe choofe the right i

For, Theoneofthemcontaines mypifture Prince,
if you choofe that, then f am yours withall.

C^or. Some God direft my iudgement, let me fee,
I will furuay th'infcriptions, back againe,
What faies this leaden casket ?
Who choofeth mc, muft giue and hazard all he hath.
Mud giue, for what ? for lead, hazard for lead ?
This casket threatens men that hazard all

doe

the Merchant of Venice,
doe it in hope of falre aduantages :

A golden rainde ftoopes not to fhowes of drofte, ^o

He then nor giue nor hazard ought for lead.
What fayes the filuer with her virgin hue ?
Who choofeth me, fhal get as much as he dcferues.
As much as he deferueSj paufe there lJ\4orocho» Z¥

and weigh thy valew with an euen hand,
If thoubeefl rated by thyeftimation
thou dooft deterue enough, and yet enough
May not extend fo farre as to the Ladie : Z8

And yet to beafeard of my dcferuing
vvere buta wcakc difabling of my felfc.
As much as J deferue, why thats the Ladie.

f doe in birth deferue her, and in fortunes, 2>z

m graces, and in quahtics of breeding :
but more then thefe, in loue /doe deferue,
vvhatif / ftraid no farther, but chofe heere ?
Lets fee once more this faying grau'd in gold : %

Who choofeth me fhall gaine what many men defire :
Why thats the Ladie, all the world defircs her.
From the foure comers of the earth they come
to kifTe this fhrine, this mortall breathing Saint. w

The Hircanion deferts,and thevaflie wildes
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
for Princes to come view faire Portia.
The waterie Kingdorae, whofc ambitious head j^

Spets in the face of heauenj is no barre
To flop the forrainefpiritSj but they come
as ore a broolce to fee faire Tortia.
One of thefe three containes her heauenly pifture, us

/ft like that leade containes her twere damnation
to thinkefo bafe a thought, it were too grofle
to ribbher ferecloth in the obfcure graue,
Or /hall I thinke in filuer fhees immurd 5Z

beeingtemie rimes vndervalewed to tridegold,
O finful thought, neuer fo rich a /em
was fci in worfc then gold. They haue in England

D 3 A

29.

30.

The comical] Ei7\oYle of
A coyne that beares the figure oFan Angell
Aamprin gold, but rhatsJnfculptvpon:
But heerean Angell in a golden bed
Jicsalivvirhin, tfeliuermcthekey :
heere doe I choore, and thriue I as I may.

Tor. There take it Prince, and if my forme lie there
then \ am yours?

Mor, O hell ! what hauc wee hcare, a carrion d$ath|
within whofe emptie eye there is a written fcroule,
lie reade the writing.

%y^ll that gbHers if not gold.
Often haue you heard that toid.
Many a man hts life hathfoid
'Bf*t my oHtfde to hhoidt
Cniided timber doe rpormes iitfoid:
Had you hene as rvtfe as bold,
Xoung in limhi in tfidgement old,
Tom ofinfwerehad not beme infctroldt
TareyoHwelLjofir/itte it cold.
Mor, Cold indeede and labour loft.
Then farewell heate, and welcome froftj
*TortM adiew, I haue too greeu'd a hark
To take a tedious leaue: thus loofers part. SxiU

Tor. A gentle riddance, draw the curtaines, go,
Let all of his complexion choofe me fo. Cxeunt*

Enter Salaritto and Solanio.
Sat. Whymanlfaw^^jptwovnderftyle,
with him is Gratiano gone along >
and in theyr fhip I am furc Loretjxt is not.

Sola, The vjllaine lew with outcries raifd the Duke«
who went with him to fearch ISajfanios /hip.

Sal. He came too late, the fhip was vnderfaile.
But (here theDuke was giuen to vnderflaud
that in a Gondylo were feene together
LorenKo and his amorous lejpca.
BeHdes, v4nthomo certified the Duke
they were not with 'Bajfam in bis fliip.

31.

the Merchant of Venice, IL.Yjji.

Sof, Ineuerheardapafsionroconfufd, /zt

So rtrange, oufragious, and Co variable

asrhedogge lew did vtter in fhe /Ireets,

My daughter, 6 my ducats, 6 my daughter,

Fled with a Chriflian, 6 my Chriflian ducats.

luflice, the law my ducafs, and my daughter,

A fcaled bag, two fealed bags of ducats

of double ducats, Holne from me by my daughter,

and [ewels. two f^ones,two rich and precious Hones, zo

S^olne by my daughter : iuHicc. find fhe girle,

fhee hath theilones vpon her, and the ducats.
So/. Why all the boyes in Venice follow him,

crying his Hones, his daughter and his ducats. z^

Sola. Let good Anthonio looke he keepe his day
or he fhall pay for this.
Sa(, Marry well remembred,
I reafond with a Frenchman yefter<)ay,
who told me, in the narrow feas that pare zs

the French and Englifh, there mifcaried

a verTeil of our country richly fraught:

1 thought vpon AnHtonio when he told me,

and wiTht in filencethat it were not his. i%

Sal. You were beft to tell Anthonio what you hearCi
Yet doc not fuddamely, for it may greeue him.

Sal. A kinder eentlcrnan treades not the earth,
I faw iajfanio and ey^nthonh part, 36

"BajJaHio told him he would makefome fpeede
of his returne ; he aunfwercd, doe not fb,
flumber not bofines for my fake^rt//^wo,

but Hay the very ripins of the time, uo

and for the /ewes bond which he hath of me
let it not enter in your mindeof loue :
be merry, and imploy your cheefeH thoughts

to courtfhip, and fuch faire oHents of loue -^4^

as Hiall conueniently become you there.
And euen there his eye being big with ^eares,
turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
and with afiPe^ion wondrous fencible He 4^

32.

The comicallHi^orie of

He wrung Saffaniashind, and fo they parted.

5o/. / tninke hee onely loucs the world for him,
1 pray theelet vs goe and finde him out
and quicken his embraced heauines
with fome delight or other*

Sa/- Doewefo. Exfwit.

Enter 7^(errifa and a Seruiture.
Ner. Quick, quick / pray thee,draw the curtain ftrait,
The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath,
and comes to his elcdion prefcntly.

Enter t^rrogo», his trayne, and Portia.

'Por. Behold there rtand the caskets noble Prince,
yfyouchoofe that wherein I am containd
flraight fliaU our nuptiall rights be fblemniz'd :
but ifyou failc, without more (peecn my Lord
you muft be gonefromhenceimmediatly.

^yfrrci. 1 am enioynd by oath to obrbue three things,
Firft, ncuer to vnfold to any one
which casket twas / chofe » next, if 1 faile
of the right casket, neuerin my life
towooc a maidein way of marriage :
laQly, if /doe faile in fortune of my choyfe
immediatly to leaueyou, and be gone.

'Par, To ^t^fi iniunftions euery one doth (weare
that comes to hazard formyworthlefTefelfe.

iy4rr. And fo haue I addred me, fortune now
To my harts hope : gold, filuer,andbare lead.
Who choofeth me, muft giue and hazard all he hath.
You fhall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard.
What faies the golden chefl, ha, let me fee.
Who chooleth me, fhall eaine what many men defire,
What many men defire.that many may be meant
by the foole multitude that choofe by fhow,
notlearning more then thefond eye doth teach,
which pries not to thinteriour, but like the Martlet

builds

33.

EST

the Merchant ofFenice*

Builds in the weather on the outward wall,

Euen in the force and rode of calualfy.

/ will not choofe what many men defire,

Becaufe 1 will not iumpe with common fpirits, 32

And ranlcc me with the barbarous multitudes.

Why then to ihee thou filuer treafure hou(c,

Tell me once more what title thou dooft beare j

"Who choofeth me /hall get as much as he dcferues^ 3J

And well fay de to *, for who (hall goe about

To cofen Portune, and be honourable

without theflampeof merrit, let noneprcHime

To wearc an vndeferued dignity : 4,^

0 that eflates, degrees, and offices,
were not deriu'd corruptly, and that cleare honour
were purchaftby the merrit of the wearer.
How many then fhould couer that fland bare i i^j^
How many be commaunded that commaund ?
How mucn low pea(antry would then be gleaned
From the true feede of honour ? and how much honour
Pickt from the chaft and ruin of the times, j^s
To be new varnift 5 well but to my choife.
"Who choofeth me fhall get as much as he de(erues,

1 will alTume defert ', giue me a key for this,
And inftantly vnlocke my fortunes heere. 32

Portia. Too long a paufe for that which you finde there.
i^rrag. What's heere, the pourtrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a (hedule, I will reade it :
How mucn vnlike art thou to Tortia}
How much vnlike ray hopes and my deferuings.
Who choofeth me,ftiall haueas much as he dclerues ?
Did I de(erue no more then a fooles head.
Is that my prize , are my d^ts no better ? go

Torttn. To offend and iudge are diftinft offices,
And of oppofed natures.
tyirrAg. What is heere?

The jier feauen times tried this ^
Seanen tunes tried that iudement is, 6¥i

jE. That

The eomkall HiTlorie of

That ^idneuer choofe amUy
Some there be that/hadowes k^.
Such haue hut aP^adowes blu :
There befooles aline Iwii
Stluerd ore, andfo vpo^ this.
Take what roife you tvillto bed,
J vpilleuer be your head :
Sobegone^youaref^ed,

^rraa. Still more foole I fliall appeare
By the time I linger heere,
With one fooles head / came to woo,
But I goeaway with two.
Sweet adiew, ilekeepe my oath,
Pacientiy to beare my wroath.

Tortia. Thus hath the candle fingd the moath :
O thefe deliberate fooles when they doe choofe.
They haue the wifedome by their wit to loole.

Nerrijf. Theauncientfayingisnoherifie,
/hanging and wiuinggoes by deftinie.
Portia, Come draw the curtaine Nerrtjfa^

Enter LMe^enger,
tji^eff. Where is my Lady.
Tort fa. fJecTQ, what would my Lord ?
Mef, Madame, there is a-lighted at your gate
A young Venetian,onc that comes before
To fignifie th'approching of his Lord,
From whomhe bringeth fenfibleregreetsj
To wit, (bcfides commends andcurtious breath)
Gifts of rich valiew 5 yet 1 haue notfcene
So likely an EmbalTador of loue.
A day in Aprill neuer came fofweete
To Hiow how coftly Sommer was at hand,
As this fore-fpurrer comes before his Lord.

Portia. No more 1 pray thee, / am halfe a-feard
Thou wiit (ay anone he is (bme kin to thee,
Thou fpendft fuch high day wit in pray fing him:

Come

3b.

the Merchant of Venice,

Come come T^ertyjfa, for I long to fee
Quick Cupids Port that comes fo mannerly,

Nenyjf. CS^^jf/^wLoid^loueif thywillitbe. Exeunt,

Soianto a.nA Salarino,

Solamo. Now what newes on the Ryaito ?

Satari. Why yet it Hues there vncheckt.that /inthonio hath a Oiip
of rich lading wrackt on the narrowSeas*, the Goodwins I thinke
they call the place, a very dangerous flat, and fatall, where the car-
cailes of many a tail /hip \\f: buried, as they fay, if my goflip report
bean honeft woman of her word.

Solamo. I would Oie were as lying a go/Iip in that, as euer knapt
Ginger, of made her neighbours beleeue fhe wept for the death of
a third husband: but it is true, without any flips of prolixity, or
crofling tlie plaine high way of talke , that the good /inthomo, the
honefl t^nthonio \ 6 that / had a tytle good enough lo kcepe his
name company.

Sa/ari. Come, the full Hop.

Solamo. Ha.what fayeft thou,why the end is, he hath loft a Hiip.

Salari. J would it might proue the end of his loHes.

Solamo. Let me fay amen betimesjieafl the deuil crofTe my prai-
er, for heere he comes in the likenes of a /ewe. How now Shy locket
what newes among the Merchants? Etiter Slrj/locke.

Shy. You knew,none fo well, none fo well asyou,of my daugh-
ters flight.

Salari. Thats certaine,/ for my part knew the Taylor that made
the wings flieflew withall.

Solan. And J'/ry^c)^ for his own part knew the bird was flidge,
and then it is the complexion of them all foleaue the dam.

Shy. Sheisdamndforit.

Salari. Thats certame, if the deuill may be her Judge.

Shy. My owne flefh and blood to rebell.

Sola. Out vpon it old carrion, rebels it at thefe yeeres.

Shy. 1 fav my daughter is my flefh and my blood.

Salari. There is more diflference betweene thy flefh and hers,
then betweene^et and /xjorie, more betweene your bloods, then
there is betweene red wine and rennifli : but tell vs, doe you heare
whether Anthonio haue had any lofleatfea or no J

E a Shy, There

36.

The comicall HiSlorte of

Shy. There I haue another bad match, a bankrouf, a prodigall,
who darcfcarce Ihewe his head on the Ryalto , a begger that was
vfd to come fofimug vpon the Mart : let him looke to his bond,
hewaswontfo callmevfurer, Icthimlookctohis bond, heewas
wont tolendemoney for a Chriftian curfie , let him looke to his
bond. .

Salari. Why I am iure if he forfaite,thou wilf not take his flefh,
what's that good for ?

Shyl. Tobaitefiibwithall, ifi t will feede nothing elfe , it will
ittde my reuenge ) hee hath difgrac'd me, and hindred me halfe a
million, laughtat my loiTes, mockc at ray gaines, fcorned my Na-
tion,thwartcd my bargaines, cooled my friends, heated mine ene-
mies, and whats his reafbn, I am a lewe ; Hath not a lewe eyes,
hath not a lewe hands, organs.dementions, fences, affeflions, paf-
fions, fed with the fame foode, hurt with the fameweapons, fub-
ieft to the fame difeafes, healed by the fame meanes, warmed and
cooled by the fame Wmter and Sommer as a Chriflian is : if you
prickevsdoewenotbleede, ifyou tickle vs doe wee not laugh, if
you poyfon vs doe wee not die, and ifyou wrong vs fhall wee not
reuenge^fwe are like you in tlie reft, we will refembleyou in that.
Ifa lewe wrong a Chriftian, what is his humillity, reuenge ? If a
Chriftian wrong a Icwe, what fhould his {iifferance be by Chrifti-
an example, why reuenge? The villanie you teachmel will exe-
cute, and it ftiall goe hard but I will better ^e inftru£lion.

Snter a man from Anthonio.
Gentlemen, my maifter Anthonio is at his houle , and defires to
fpeakc with you both.
Saleri, We haue bcene vp and downc to feeke him.

Enter TubalL
Solanio. Heere comes another of the Tribe, a third cannot bee
matchr, vnlefle the deuill himfelfc turne lewe. Exeunt Gentlemen,
SnterTMhTkW..
Shy. How now 7«^^//, what n ewes fromGcnowa, haft thou
found my daughter ?
Tuhall. I often came where I didheare of her, but cannot finde
her.

Shy,

31.

the Merchant of Venice,
Shyhcke, "Why therc,there,therejthere,a diamond gone coft me
two thouland ducatsin Franckford, the curfe ncuer fell vpon our
Nation till now, I neuer felt it till nowe, twothoufand ducatsin
that,& other precious precious iewels j I would my daughter were
dead at my foote.and the iewels in her eare : would fhe were hcarft
at my foote, and the ducatsin her coffin : no newes of them, why
{o ? dX\A I know not whats (pent in the fearch : why thou lofTe vp-
on loUe, the thcefe^onewithfo much, and fo much to finde the
theefe and no fatisraflion, no reuengcnor no ill iucke ftirring but
what hghts a my fhouldcrs, no fighs but amy breathing, no teares
but a my Ihcdding.

Tuball. Yes, other men haue ill Iucke to , Anthonio as Iheard
in Genowa ?
Shy. What, what,what, ill iucke, ill Iucke.
Tuball. Hath an Argofie cad away comming from Tripolis.
Shy. I thank God,7thank God, is it true, is it true.
Tuball. /{jDoke with fome of the Saylers that efcaped the wrack.
Shy. I thank thee good Tuball, good newes,good newes : ha ha,
heere in Genowa.

Tuball. Your daughter fpent in Genowa, as Iheard, one night
fourefcore ducats.

Shy. Thou ftickfta dagger in me, I fiiall neuer fee my golda-
gainc. four c (core ducats at a fitting;, fourc fcore ducafs

Tuball. There came diuers oi ^yinthomos creditors in my com*
pany to Venice that (weare, he cannot choofe but brcake.

Shy, lamverygladofit, ile plague him, ile torture him, /am
glad of it.

TuhaO. One of them (hewed raee aripg that hee had of your
daughter for a Monky.

Shy. Out vpon her, thou tortureftmce Tuball^ it was my Tur-
kies, IhaditofZrt?^^whenlwasa Batcheler: I would not haue
giuen it for a Wilderncs of Monkies.
Tuball. But %Anthomo is certainly vndone.
Shy. Nay, that's true, that's very true, goe Tuhall fee me an Offi-
cer, befpeake him a fortnight before, I will haue the hart of him if
heforfeite, for were he out of Venice I can make what merdhan-
dize I will : goe Tuball, and meete me at our Smagogue, goe good

E 3 Tuball,

38.

The comicall Hi^lorie of

Ttihallf at our Sinagogue TnhalL Sxemu

Enter Bajfamo, Toma,GratiM9, anda/l
their tray nes.
Portia, I pray you tarry, paufe a day or two
Beforeyou hazard, for in cnoofing wrong
/Joofe your companie*, therefore forbeare a while,
Theres Ibmething tells me (but it is not loue)
/would not loofeyou, and you know your felfe.
Hate counlailes not in fuch a quallity •,
Butleaftyoufhould not vnderfland me well.
And yet a mayden hath no tongue, but thought,
/would detameyou heere fome moneth or two
beforeyou venture for mc. I could teach you
how to choofe right, but then I am forfworne.
So will 1 ncuer be, ib may you mifle me,
But ifyou doe,youlemakemewifh a fmne,
That / had beene forfworne : Befhrow your eyes.
They haue ore-lookt me and deuided me,
On& halfe of me is yours, the other halfe yours,
Mine owne I would fay : but if mine then yours.
And fo all yours i 6 thefe naughty hmes
puts barres betweenc the owners and their rights,
And fb though yours, not yours, (proue iffol
Let Fortune goe to hell for it. not I.
I fpeake too long, but tis to peize the time.
To cch it, and to draw it out in length,
To (lay you from eleflion.

IBalf. ^^^ "^^ choofe.
For as / am, f liue vpon the racke.

*Pi)r, Vpon theracke Bajfmio, then confefTe
what treason there is mingled with your loue.

Baf None but that vgly treafon of miflruA,
which makes me feare th'inioying of my Loue,
There may as well be amity and life
Tweene fiiow and fire, as treafon and my loue.

For 1 but I feare you fpeake vpon the racke
where men enforced doefpeake any thing.

-»#

the Merchant of Venice,

^ajf. Promife me life, and ile confefTe thetruth*

Portia. Well then, confelTeandliue.

Baff". ConfefTe and loue
had bcene the very fum of my confe/fion:
O happy torment, when my torturer
doth teach me aunfwercs for deliuerance :
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.

Portia. Away then, I am lockt in one of them.
If you doe loue me, you will fincfe me out.
Nerryjfa and the reft, ftand all aloofe,
Let mufique found while he doth make his choyfe.
Then if he loofe he makes a Swan-like end.
Fading in mufique. That the compatifbn
may ftand more proper, my eye fhall be the ftreame
and watry death-bed for him : he may win,
And what is muficjue than ? Than mufique is
euen as the flourifh, when true fubie<J^s bowe
to a new crowned Monarch : Such it is.
As are thofe dulcet founds in breake of day.
That creepe into the dreaming bride-groomes eare,
Andfummon him to marriage. Now he goes
with nolelle prefence, but with much more loue
Then young Alcides, when he did redeeme
The virgine tribute, payed by howling Troy
To the Sea-monftcr : I Hand fbrftcrifice.
The reft aloofe are the Dardanian vviues :
With bleared vifages come forth to view
The iftue of th'exploit : Goe Hercules,
Liue thou, I liue with much much more difmay,
I view the fight, then thou that mak'ft the fray.

ty^ Song the whitft Bajfanio comments on the catkets
to himfelfe.

Tell me vphere Ufancie bred.
Or in the hart, or in the head^
How begot, how nourifhed ?

%epliej replk»

The comicall Hi^orie of

It is engendreditt the eye.

With gating fed, and Fmcie die: :

9ft the cradle where it lies

L et vs all ring Fancies kjtel/^

lie begin it.

'Ding, dong, bell.

All. ^tngydongyM/.

'Baf. So may the outward fliowcs be leaftfhemfclues,
The world is ft ill dcccau'd with ornament
In Law, what plci fo tainted and corrupt.
But being fcafon'd with a gracious voyce,
Obfcurcs the ftK>w of cuill. In religion
What damned error but fome fober brow
will blclTc it, and approue it with a text.
Hiding the grofnes with fairc omamcrt :
There is no voycc fo fimplc, but aflumes
Some markcofvertuc on his outward parts;
How many cowards whofc harts arc all as falfc
As ftayers of (and, weare yet vpon their chins
The beards o^ Hercules and frowning cJTi^r/,
who inward (earcht, haue lyucrs white as milke,

Andthefe affume butvaJours excrement

To render them redoubted. Looke on beauty,

And you fhall fee tis purchaft by the weight,

vvhich therein works a miracle in nature.

Making them lighteft that wcarc moft of it :

So are thole crifpcd fiiaky golden locks

vvhich makcth fuch wanton gambols with the wind

Vpon fuppofed fairenes, often knownc

To be the dowry of a fecond head,

The fcuU that bred them in the Sepulcher.

Thus ornament is but the guiled fhore

To a moft dangerous fea : the beautious icarfc

vailing an Indian beauty s In a word.

The fceming truth which cunning times put on

To intrap the wifeft. Therefore then thou gaudy gold,

Hard food for ^JMtdoi^ I will none of thee.

Nor

41.

IH.ii.

lOli-

108

11Z

the Merchant of Venice,
Nor none of thee thou pale and common drudge
twecnc man and man ; but thou, thou meager lead
which rather threatenfl then doft promife ought,
thy palenes moucs me more then eloquence,
and hccre choofe I, ioy be the confcqucnce.

y pr. How all the other paflions fleet to ayre.
As doubtful! thoughts, andralh imbrac'd defpairc :
Andlhyddring feare, and greene-eyediealoufie.

0 loue be moderate, allay thy extafie,
In meafure raine thy ioy, fcant this cxcefle,

1 fcele too much thy blefling, make it lefTe
for feare yfurfeif.

Baf, Whatfindelheere?
Faire7*i>r/M/ counterfeit. What demy God iie

hath come fo ncere creation i moue thcfe eyes ?
Or whither riding on the balls of mine
feeme they in motion ? Hecre are fcuerd lips
parted with fuger breath, fo Rveet a barre ^^<^

Ihouldrunderluch fwect friends: heere in herhaires
the Paynter playes the Spy dcr, and hath wouen
a golden mefh tyntrap the harts cf men
fafter then gnats in cobwebs, but her ev'es /^^

how could he fee to doc them ? hauing made one,
me thinkes it iTiould haue power to fteale both his
andleaue itfclfc vnfurnifht s Yet lookc how farre
the fiibftance of my praife doth wrong this fhadow izs

invnderpryfingit, fo farre this ihadow
doth limpe behind the fubftance. Heeres thefcroule,
the continent andfummarie of iry fortune.

ToH that choofe mt by the view i^z

Chaunceasfaire, and choofe as trues

Since this fortune falls to yon,

*Be content, andfeeke no new,

Jfyofi he wellfleafd with this, ^36

attd holdyony fortune for your hlife,

Tumey Of* where yotir Lady is,

ty^ttdclaimehermthaloHingkii, m

42.

The comicallHi^orie of
A gentle fcroulc : Faire Lady, by your leaue,
I come by note to giue, and to rcceaucj
Like one of two contending in a prize
That thinks he hath done well in peoples eyes :
Hearing applaufe and vniuerfall fhoute.
Giddy in fpirit, dill gazing in a doubt
whether thofe pcales of praife be his or no.
So thrice faire Lady ftand I eucn fo,
As doubtfull whether what I fee be true,
Vntill confirmdjfignd, ratified by you.

Tor. You fee me Lord Bajfamo where I Hand,
fuch as I am ; though for my felfe alone
I would not be ambitious in my wifli
to wifh my felfe much better, yet for you,
I would be trebled twentie timc5 my felfe,
a thoufand times more faire, tennc thoufand times
more rich, that onely to ftand high in your account>
I might in vertueSj beauties, liuings, friends
excecde account : but the full (umme of me
is fume of fomething : which to termein grofle,
is an vnleflbnd girle, vnfchoold, vnpraftized,
happy in this, ftie is not yet fo old
but Hie may leame : happier then this,
fhee is not bred fo dull but fhe can learne 5
happieft of all, is that her gentle fpirit
commits it felfe to yours to be dire£led,
as from her Lord, her goucrnour, her King.
My felfe, and what is mine, to you and yours
is now conucrted. But now I was the Lord
of this faire manfion, maifler of my feruants,
Queene ore my fclfc ; and eucn now, but now,
this houfe, thefe feruaunts, and this fame my (clfc
are yours, my Lords, I^iue them with thisringi
which when you part from, loofe, or giucaway,
let it prefage the ruine of your loue,
and be my vantage to exclaimc on you.

"Baff: Maddam, you haue bereft me of all words,

oncly

43.

the Merchant of Fen Ice,
onely my blood (jjeakes to you in my vaines,
and there is fuch confufion in my powers,
as after fome oration faircly fpoke
by a beloued Prince, there doth appeare
among the buzzing pleafed multitude.
Where euery fomthing bceing blent together,
turnes to a wild of nothing, laue of ioy
expreft,and notexprcft : but when this ring
parts from this finecr, then parts life from nencc,
6 then be bold to fay liajfantos dead.

Ner. My Lord and Lady, it is now our time
that haue Hoode by and feeneour wifhes profper,
to cry good ioy, good ioy my Lord and Lady.

Gra, My Lord "Bajfanioy an d my gentle Lady,
I wifh you all the ioy that you can wifh:
for /am furc you can wifli none from me ;
and when your honours meane to folemnize
(hebargaine of your fayth : I doe befeechyou
euen at that time I may be married to.

£af With all my hart, fo thou canfl: get a wife.

Gfa. I thanke your Lordfliip, you haue got me one.
My eyes my Lord can looke as (vviftas yours :
you faw the miflres, 1 beheld the mayd ;
You lou'd, /lou'd for intermidion,
No more pertaines to me my lord then you j
your fortune flood vpon the caskets there,
and fo did mine to as the matter falls :
for wooing heere vntili / fwet againe,
and (wearing till my very rough was dry
with oathes of loue, at laft, if promifelaft
I got a promife of this faire one heerc
Co haue her loue : prouided that your fortune
atchiu'd her miftres.

Tffr. Is this true Nerrijfa f

Ner. Maddam it is, (b you fland plcafd withalL

^aff. And doe you (jratiano meane good fayth J

Gra^ Yes faith my Lord.

F 2.

m.it.

180

18 k-

i88

192

190

ZOO

ZOi^- ^

t
208

21 Z

44.

The comicallHiHorie of

Sajf Our fcaft flialbe much honered in youx manage.

Gra. Wele play with them the firft boy for a thoufand ducats.

7\(jr. What and Hake downe ?

Gra, No, we fhall nere win at that fport and ftake downe.
But who comes heere ? Lorenzo and his mfidell ?
what, and my old Venecian friend Salerio ?

Enter Loretvco, lejfica^zn^ Salerio a melTenger
from Venice.

2?<ij(/2r. Lorenxjo an d Salerio^ welcome hether,
if that theyouth of my newe intreft heere
haue power to bid you welcome : by your leaue
I bid my very friends and countrymen
fweet Tortia welcome.

Por. So doe I my Lord, they are intirely welcome.

-i or, I thankeyour honour, for my part my Lord
my purpofe was not to haue feene you heere,
hut meeting with Salerio by the way
he did entreate me paft all faying nay
to come with him along.

Sal.l did my Lord,
and I haue reafon for it, Signior Anthon'to
commends him to you.

Titiff Ere i ope Ins Letter
I pray you te Jl me how my good friend doth.

Sal. Not ficke my Lord, vnlefTe it be in mind,
nor welJ,vnleflein mind : his letter there
will Ihow youhiseftate. open the ietter.

Gra.MrriJfa, checrc yond (h-anger,bid her welcom.
Your hand Salerio j what* s the newes from Venice ?
How doth that royall Merchant good (s^»/A<?iffoi -
I know he will be glad of ourfuccelTe,
We are the lafom, we haue wone the fleece.

Sd/. I would you had won die fleece that he hath loft.
Br There are fome flirowd contents in yond fame paper
That fleales the colour from Baffanios chceke,
Some decre friend dead, elfe nothing in the world
could turne fo much the conftitution

45.

12 252

Z56

ZG^

the Merchant of Venice*

of any conflant man : what worfe and worfe ?
'V^x^hzut Bahama I am halfeyourielfe,
and I muft freely haue rhehalfe of any thini
that this fame paper brings you.

Ba^, O fweete ^Pcrtta,
heere are a few of the vnpleaJfant'ft words
that euer blotted paper. Gentle Lady
when 1 did firft impart my loue to you,
I freely told you all the wealth I had
ranne in my vaines, I was a gentleman,
and then / told you true : and yet deere Lady
rating my felfe at nothing, you fhall fee zeo

how much /was a Braggart, when I toldyou
my ftate was nothing, 1 fhould then haue toldyou
that /was worfe then nothing *, for indeede
I haue ingag'd my felfe to a deere friend,
ingag'd my friend to his meere enemie
to ^t&^t my meanes. Heere is a letter Lady, t

the paper as the body of my friend,

and euery word in it a gaping wound 2.6^?

ilTuing life blood, But is it true Sakrio
hath all his venmres faiid, what not one hitj
from Tripolis,from Mexico and England,
from Lisbon, Barbary, and /ndia, 2-72.

and not one veffell (cape the dreadfull touch
of Merchant-marring rocks ?

Sal. Not one my Lord-
Befides, it (houldappeare, that if he had
the prcfenf money to difcharge the lew,
hee would not take it : neuer did /know
a creature that did beare the Ihape of man
fo keene and greedie to confound a man.
He plyes the Duke at morning and at night, zso

and doth impeach the freedome of the ftate
if they deny him iuftice. Twentie Merchants,
the Duke himfclfc,andthcMagnificoes
of grcatcft port haucall perfwaded with him, 2*^

46.

The comtcall Hi^orie of

but none can driue him from the enuious plea
of forfaiture, of iuftice, and his bond.

feJJ7. When I was with him, I haue heard him fweare
toTuh/Iand to {^i^^iij, his country -men,
that he would rather haue z^mhomos flefli
then twentie times the value of the fiimme
that he did owe him : and I know my lord,
if law, authoritie, and power denienot,
itwillgoe hard with pooietyiffithonio,

'Poy. Is it your deere friend that is thus in trouble ?

JSajf. The deereft friend to me, the kindefl man,
the beft conditiondand vnweariedfpirit
in dooing curtefies : and one in whom
theauncientKomaine honour more appeares
then any that drawes breath in /talie.

For. What fumme owes he the lew I

Baff'. For me three thouland ducats.

Tor, What no more, pay him fix thou{and,& deface the bond:
double fixe thouland and then treble that,
before a friend of this difcription
fhall lofe a haire through BaffamofhaU.
Firft goe with me to Church, and call me wife,
and then away to Venice to your friend :
forneuer fhall you lie hy Portias fide
with an vnquiet foule. You fhall haue gold
to pay the petty debt twenty times ouer.
When it is payd, bring your true friend along,
my mayd Nerrifa, and my felfe meane time
will hue as maydes and widdowcsj come away,
for you fhall hence vponyour wedding day :
bid your freends welcome, fhow a merry cheere,
fince you are deere bought, I will loue you deere.
But let me heare the letter of your friend ,

Siveet BaflTanio , myjhipshaue all mifcaried , my Creators growe
cruell, my efhjte u very low, my bond to the Icppb isforfaite, and fin ce in
payingu,itisim^ofjible 1 pjouldlwey alldehts are cleerd heiweetie yon

and

43.

ihe Merchant ofFenice^

and I if J mt^ht hut fee yon at tny death ; mimthfianding/ufe pur pleU'
fure^ if your lone do mt perfwadeyoH to come^ let not mj/ letter,

Por. O loue ! dilpatch all bufines and be gone.

JBaf. Since /Jiaue your good leaue fo goe away,
I will make haQ *, but till I come againCi
no bed fhall ere be guiUie of my Oay,
nor reft be interpoler twixt vs twaine.

Exetwt.

Enter the lew, and Salerio, and ty^nthottio,
andthelaylor.

letv, laylor, looke to him, tell not me of mercie,
this is thefoole that lent out money gratis,
laylor, looke to him.

^yfnt, Heare me yet good Shylocki

lerv. He haue my bond, fpeake not againft my bond,
I haue fworne an oath, that I will liaue my bond :
thou callMft me dogge before thou hadft a caufe,
but fince I am a dog, beware my phanges,
the Duke fhall graunt me iuftice, /do wonder
thou naughtie /aylor that thou art Co fond
to come abroade with him at his requeft*

e-^». I pray thee heare me (peake.

lew. He haue my bond. I will not heare thee {peake,
He haue my bond, and therefore fpeake no more.
He not be madea foft and dull eyde foole,
to fhake the head, relent, and figh, and yeeld
to chriflian interceflers : follow not.
He haue no fpeaking, /will haue my bond.

Exit lew*

SoL It is the moft irapenitrable curre
that euer kept with men.

tyirt. Let him alone.
He follow him no more with bootleffe prayers.

hee

48.

The comicdlHiSiorie of

hee feekcs my life, his realba well /know >
I oft deliuerd from his forfeytures
many that haue at times made mone to me,
therefore he hates me,

Sal Iam{iiretheDulce"wJllneuergiant
this forfaiture to hold.

e/Y», The Duke cannot denie the courfe of law :
for the commoditie that ftrangers haue
with vs in Venice, if it be denyed^
will much impeach the iuflice of the flate,
fince that the trade and profit of the citty
confifleth of all Nations, Therefore goe,
thefe griefesand loffes haue (b bated me
that / Uiall hardly ^are a pound of flefh
to morrow, to my bloody Creditor,
Well /ayloron^pray GodBafpimo come
to fee me pay his deot, and then / care not. fxeunh
Enter P<?J**/w, NerriJfa^Lorefvcfft lefica, and a
man of'Porfias.

Lor, Maddam, although 1 fpeake it in your prefencCi
you haue a noble and a true conceite
of god-like amitie,whichappeare$moft ftrongly
in bearing thus the abfence of your Lord-
But if you knew to whomyoufhow this honour,
how true a gentleman you fend releefe,
how deerealouerofmy Lord your husband,
I know you would be prouder of the worke
then cuftomarie bountie can enforceyou.

^J'cr. I ncuer did repent for dooing good,
nor fhall not now ; for in companions
that doe conuerfe and waft the time together,
vvhofefbules doebearean egallyokeof loue,
there muft beneedes alike proportion
of lymaments, of manners, and of Iphit ;
which makes me thinke that this ty^mhonio
becing the befome louer of my Lord,
muft needes be like my Loid. If it be fo,

how

___^_^ 49.

the Merchant of Venice, ^^

How little is the coft I haue bellowed

in purchafing thefemblance of my foulej zo

From out the (late of hellilh cruelty.

This comes too neere the pra'ifing of my (elfe,

Therefore no more of it : heere other things

Lorenfo I commit into your hands, %u

The husbandly and raanna^e of my houfe,

Vntill my Lords returne : for mine owne part

I haue toward heauen breath'd a (ecret vowe.

To liue in prayer and contemplation, zg

Onely attended by ?^errtjfa heere,

Vntill her husband and ray Lords returne.

There is a Monaflry two miles off.

And there we will abide. Idoedefireyou 3zt

not to denie thisimpoiition,

the which my loue and fome neceffity

now laycs vpon you.

Lorenf. Madame.withallmy hart,
I /ball obey you in all faire commaunds, u

For. My people doe already know my mind,
And will acknowledge you and 7^f<j
in place of Lord "JBaJfattio and my felfe.
So far you well till we fliall roeete againe. 40 f

Lor. Faire thoughts and happy houres attend on you.

IeJ]^i. I wifh your Ladifhip all harts content.

Tor I thank you for your wifli, and am well pleafd
to wifh it back on you : far you well JeJJica. Exeunt. |t^^

Now *Balth4fer, as I haue eucr found thee honeft true,
So let me find thee ftill : take this lame letter,
and vfe thou all th'indeuour of a man, 4^

In fpeedeto Mantua, (ee thou render this
into my cofin hands T>o^ov'Belnrio^
And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,
bringthem /pray thee with imagin'd fpeede sz

vnto the Tranefl, to the common Ferric
which trades to Venice*, waft no time in words
but get thee gone, I fliall be there before thee. 55

G> Baitha.

The comtcalt Hifiorie of

Baltha. Madam, I goe with all conucnicnt fpeede.

Torti a Come on Nerrtffa, I haue worke in hand
That you yet know not of*, week (ce our husbands
teforethey thinkeof vs ?

Nernjfa. Shall they ke\s ?

Portia. They (hall T^rrijja : but in fuch a habite,
that they (hall thinkc we are accomphfhed
vvith that welacke *, He hold thee any wager
when we are both accoutered like young men,
lie proue the prettier fellow of the two,
and weare my dagger with the brauer grace,
and fpeaJ<e betweene the change of man and boy,
with a reede voyce, and turne two minfing fteps
into a manly flndej andfpeakeoffraycs
like a fine bragging youth : and tell quaint lyes
how honorable Ladiesfought my loue,
which I denying, they felllicke and dyed.
I could not doe wif hall ; then ile repent^
and wifli for all that, that I had not killd them 5
And twenty of thefc punie lies ile tell,
that men fhall (weare I haue difcontinued fchoole

aboue a twelue- moneth : 1 haue within my minde

a thoufand raw tricks of thefe bragging lacks,

which I will pra ftife.
Nerrijf. Why, (hall we turne to men ?
Tortm. Fie, what aciuefhon s that,

if thou wert nere a lewd mterpreter :

But come, ile tell thee all my my whole deuice

when lam in my coach, which flayes for vs

at the Parke gate •, and therefore haf^ away,

for we muft meafure twenty miles to day Exeunt.

Enter Clowne and'jeffua.
Clorvnc. Yes truly, for lookeyou, the finnes of the Father are to

be laid vpon the children, therefore I promife you, I feare you, I

was alwaics plaine withyou, and fo now I fpeake my agitation of

the matter : therefore be a good chere, for truly I thinke you are

damnd, there is but one hope in it that can doe you any good, and

that

51.

the Merchant of Venice,

that is hut a kinde of baflard hope neither.
/e^ca. And what hope is that I pray thee ?
Clowne. Marry you may partly hope that your Father got you
not, that you are not the lewes daughter.

'Jejfica, That were a kind of baftard hope in deede,(b the finnes
of my mother fhould be vifited vpon me.

Qowne. Truly thenlfeareyouare damnd both by lather and
mother: thus when I Ihun5f///<? your father^ I fall into Caribdii
your mother > well, you are gone both wayes.

leJftcA. I fhall be fau'd by my husband,he hath made me a Chri-
ftian?

Clovone, Truly the more to blame he, we were Chriftians enow
before, in as many as could well hue one by another ; this making
of Chriflianswill raife the price of Hogs.ifwe grow all to bepork
eaters, we fhall not fhortly haue a rafher on the coles for mony.
Enter Lorenxj>.
lejji. He tell my husband Lamcelet what you (ay.here he come ?
Loren. I fhall grow iealious ofyou fhortly Lannceiet, if you thus
^tt my wife into corners i

Jejftca. Nay, you neede notfeare vs Lorenzo, Launcelet and I are
out, he tells meflatly there's no mercy for meein heauen, becaufe
lama lewes daughter : and hefayes you are no good member of
the common-wealth, for in conuerting lewes to Chriflians, you
raife theprice of porke,

Loren. I fhall aunfwerethat better to the common -wealth than
you can the getting vp of the Negroes belly : the Moore is with
child by you Launcelet ?

Clowne. It is much that the Moore (hould be more then tea -
ion ; but if fhebelefTethen an honefl woman,fheis indeede more
then I tooke her for.

Loren. How euery foole can play vpon the word, I thinke the
befl grace of wit will fhortly turne into filence, and difcourfegrow
commendable in none onely but Parrats : goe in firra , bid them
prepare for dinner ?
Porvne. That is done fir, they haue all flomacks ?
Loren. Goodly Lord what a wit fnapper areyou,than bid them
prepare dinner ?

G 2 Clowne,

The comicall HiTlorie of

^lovptte. That is done to fir, onely couer is the wordl.
Loren. Will you couer than fir ?
Clorvne. Not fo fir neither, I know my duty.
Loren, Yet more quarrelling with occafion, wilt thou fhewe
the whole wealth of thy wit in an inftantj I pray thee vnderftand a
plame man in his plaine meaning : goc to thy fellowes, bid them
couer the table, ferue in the meate, and we will come in to dinner.
[lorvne. For the table fir, it (ball be (eru'd in, for the meate fir, it
fhall be couerd, for your comming in to dinner /ir, why let it be as
humors and conceites fhal! gouernc. Exit (^lowne.

Loren. O deare difcretion, how his words are fiited.
The fbole hath planted in his msmorie
an Armie of good words, and I doe know
a many fooles that ftand in better place,
garni(ht like him, that for a tricklie word
defie the matter : how cherft thou lejfica.
And now good (weet (ay thy opinion ,
How doofl thou like the Lor<i 'Bajfamos wife >

JeJ/i. Paft all expreding, it is very mecte
the Lord 'Sajfamo Hue an vpright life
For hauing luch a bleffing in his Lady,
he findes the icyes of heauen hecre on earth.
And if on earth he doe not meane it, it
in reafbn he fhould neuer come to heauen ?
Why if two Gods fhould play Come heauenly match,
and on the wager lay two earthly women.
And Tortia one ; there mufV be fomthing el(e
paund with the other, for thepoore rude world
hath not her fellow.

Loren. Euen fuch a husband
haft thou of me, as fhe is for wife.

Lejfi. Nay, butaske my opinion to of that ?

Loren. I will anone, firft^ let vs goe to dinner ?

lejfi. Nay, let me praife you while I haue a ftomack .

Loren. No pray thee, let it ferue for table talke.
Then how (b mere thou fpeakft mone other things,
I[halldi%cftit?

53.

the Merchant of Venice. ^^^•

IcJJi. WelUle fet you forth. ExH. 96

Enter the T>uke, the Magnificoes, AnthonioyBaJfamo, — .

and Gratiano. XS-.\.

*Duke. What, is Amhomohtcre ?
Antho. Ready, fo pleafeyour grace ?
B»ke. I am forry for thee, thou art come to aunfwere
a (Ionic aduer/arie, an inhumaine wretch,
vncapable of pirty , voyd, and empty
from any dram of mercie.

Antho. I ha ue heard
your grace hath tane great paines to quallifie
his rigorous courfej but fince he ftands obdurate.
And that no lawfull meanes can carry me
out of his enuies reach, I doeoppofe
my patience to his furie, and amarmd

to fuffer with a quietnes of fpirit, /2

the very tiranny and rage of his.
*I>uke. Goe one and call the lew into the Court.
Salerio. He is ready at the dore, he comes my Lord.

SnterShylocke.
Dnhe, Make roome,an d let him ftand before our face. u

Shylocke the world thinks, and I thinke fo to
that thou but leadeft this fafliion of thy mallice
to the lad: houre of aft. and then tis thought
thowlt (hew thy mercy and remorfe more ftrange, %o

than is thy Orange apparant cruelty ;
and where thou now exafts the penalty,
which is a pound of this poore Merchants jRefh,
thou wilt not onely loofe the forfaiturc, %i^

but toucht with humaine gentlenesand loue:
Forgiuc a moytie of the principad,
glauncing an eye ofpitty on his lofles

that haue of late fohudled on his backe, z^

Enow to prelTe a royall Merchant downe \

And pluck comiferation of this ftares f

from braflic bofomes and rough harts of flints,
from ilubborne Turkes, and Tarters neuer traind 2>t

G3 to

The comicall HiSlorie of

to offices of tender curtefie :

We all expefta gentle aunfwere lewe ?

Tewe. I haue pofleft your grace of what I purpofe,
and by our holy Sabaoth haue 1 iworne
to haue the due and forfet of my bond,
if you deny it, let the danger light
vpon your charter and your Citties frecdome ?
I oule aske me why I rather choofe to haUe
a weight of carrion flefli, then to receaue
three thoufand ducats : lie notauniwer that ?
But fay it is my humour, is it aunlwerd ?
What if my houfebe troubled with a Rat,
and I be pleafd to ^ue ten thoufand ducats
to haue it baind ? what, are you aunfwerd yet ?
Some men there are loue not a gaping pigge ?

Some that are mad if they behold a Cat i

And others when the bagpipe fings ith nofe,

cannot containe their vrinc for affeOion.

Maifters of paflion (way es it to the moode

of what it likes or loathes, now for your aunlwer J

As there is no firme reafon to berendred

■why he cannot abide a gaping pigge t

why he a harmelefle neccflarie Cat ?

why he a woollen bagpipe : but of force

muflyeeld to (lich in euitable Hiame,

as to offend himfelfe being oflfended j

So can I ^ue no reafon, nor I will not,

more then a lodgdhate, and a certaine loathing

I beare eyfnthottiOf that /follow thus

a loofinefute againfl him ! areyou aunfwered ?
'Bajf. This is no aunfwer thou vnfeeling man,
to excufe the currant of thy cruelty }
lewe. /am not bound topleafe thee with my anfwers?
Saf Doe all men kill the things they doenot loue?
Ifiv>e. Hates any man the thing he would not kill ?
Baf[. Euery offence is not a hate at firft ?
Jetve» What wouldft thou haue a ferpent fling thee twice ?

55.

the Merchant of Venice.

^fjth. I pray you think you queflion with the/ewe,

you may as well goe ftand vpon the Beach

and bid the maine flood bate his vfiiall height 1%

well vfe queflion with the Woolfe, 1"

the Ewe bleake for the Lambe : 1"

You may as well forbid the raountaine of Pines

to wag their high tops, and to make no noife T6

vvhen they arefrettcn with thegufls of heauen:

You may as well doe any thing mofl hard

as feeke to foften that then which what's harder :

his /ewilh hart ? therefore / doe be(eech you so

make no moe offers^ vfe no farther meanes^

but with all briefeand plaine conueniencie

let me haue iudgement, and the /ewe his will ?
Bag'. For thy three thouland ducats heerc is fixe? 8^

lerve. /f euery ducat in fixe thoufand ducats
were in fixe parts, and euery part a ducat,
/would not draw them, / would haue my bond ?
Duk^ How (halt thou hope for mercy rendringnone? 88

fetve. What iudgment fhall /dread doing no wrong?
you haue among you many a purchaft flaue,
vvhich like your Afles, and your Dogs and Mules
you vfe in abieft and in flauifli parts, 92

becaufe you bought them, fhall / fay to you,
let them be free, marry them to your heires ?
why fiveat they vnder burthens, let their beds
be made as foft as yours, and let their pallats pg

be feafbnd with fiich viands, you will aunfwer
the flaues are ours, fb doe / aunfwer you :
The pound of flefh which / demaund of him

is deerely bought, as mine and I will haue it : fioo

ifyou deny me, fie vpon your Law,
there is no force in the decrees of Venice .•
/ fliand for iudgement, auniwer, iliafl I haue it ?

lyuke. Vpon my power/ may difmifTe this Court, loi^

vt\\e([cBeI/ario a learned Doflor,
whom J haue fent for to determine this

Come

56.

. The comicall HiSlorie of

Comeheeretoday?
Salerio. My Lord, heere ftayes without
me{Ten2;er with letters from the Do^or,

new come from Padua ?
'Duke- Bring vs the letters i call the MefTenger ?
'Ba^. Good cheere Anthomo ? what man, courage yet :
The lew fhall haue my fle[h,blood,bones and all,
ere thou Hialt loofe for me one drop of blood ?

^ntho. /am a fainted weather of the flocke,
meetefl for death, theweakeft kind offruite
drops earheft to the ground, and fo let me j
You cannot better be imploy 6 £aJfamo,
then to Hue ftill and write mine Epitaph ?
fnter Nerrtjfa.
Duke. Came you from Padua from 'Sellario ?
Ner. From both ? myL. jS^/Z^wgreetes your grace?
^af Why dooft thou whet thy knife fo earneftly ?
Jewe, To cut the forfaiture from that bankrouf there?
Gratia, Not on tlw foule ; but on thy fbule harHi lew
thou makft thy knife kcene : but no mettell can,
no, not the hangmans axebeare halfe the keenenefle
of thy (harpe enuie : can no prayers pearcethee ?
lewe. No, none thai thou haft witenough to make)
Gratia. O be thou damnd, inexccrable dogge,
And for thy life let iuftice be accufd j
Thou almoft mak'ft me wauer in my faith,
to hold opmion with Pythagoras,
that foulcs of Animalls infufc themfelues
into the trunks of men t Thy currifh fpirit
gouernd a VVoolfe, whohangd for humaineflaughter
euen from the gallowes did his fell foule fleete,
and whileft thou layeft in thy vnhallowed dam 5
infufd it felfe in thee : for thy deGres
are woiuifh, bloody, ftaru'd, and rauenous-

letve. Till thou canfJ raile the fealefrom off my bond,
Thou but offendft thy lungs to fpeake fo loud ;
Repaire thy wit good youth, or it will fall

51.

the Merchant of Venice,

to curelefTe ruine. I fland heere for law .

1)uke. This letter firom Bellario doth commend
ayoung and learned Doflor to our Court ;
Where is he?

Ner. He attendeth here hard by
to know your aunlwer whether youle admit him.

Dnks- With all my hart : fome three or foure ofyou
goegiue himcurteous conduft to this place^
meane time the Court (hall heare BeliaHofhtter.

Your Grace fliall vnderftand , that at the receit of your letter I
am very fickc, but in the inllant that your mefTenger came, in lo-
uing vifitation was with me ayouna Do^^or of Rome, his name is
Balthaz-eri /acquainted him with the caufe in cotroucrfie between
the /ew and Anthomo the Merchant , wee turnd ore many bookes
together, heeis fumifhed with my opinion, which bettered with
his owne learning, the greatnes whereof I cannot enough com-
mend, comes with him at my importunitie , to fill vpyour graces
requeft in my ftead. Jbefeechyou let hislackc of yeeres be no im-
pediment to let him lacke a reuerend eflimation, for / neuer knew
To young a body with fo oldea head : I leaue him to your gracious
acceptance, whofe tryall (hall better publifh his commendation.
Enter ^Portia for 'Baithax.er.

^ukg. You heare the learnd 'jBellanovfh^X he writes,
and heere 1 take it is the doftor come.
Giue me your hand, comeyou from old Bellario f

PortM, /did my Lord.

Duke, You arewelcome, take your places
are you acquainted with the difference
that holds thisprefent queftion in the Court.

'Por, J am enfbrmed throughly of the caufe,
which is the Merchant here ? and which the /ew f

2)«/^. ^nthotiio and old Shylocke^ both (land forth.

For. Is your name 5^/f><r>^.^

lew, Shylocbe is my name.

'Por. Of a (Irange nature is the fute you follow,
yet in filch rule, that the Venetiarvlaw

H. cannot

58.

The comic allHSlorie of

cannot impugne you as you doe proceed.
You jftand within his danger, doe you not.

^n. I,fohefayes.

*Tor. Doe you confefTe the bond ?

t^n. Idee.

'Tor. Then muft the /ew be merciful!.

Shy. On what compulfion muft I, tell me that.

For. The qualitue of mercie is not ftramd,
it droppeth as the gentle rainefrom heauen
vpon the place beneath nt is twife blell,
it blelTeth him that i^iues, and him that takes,
tis mightiell in the mightiefl:, it becomes
the throned Monarch better then his crowne.
His fcepterftiowes the force of temporallpowei;,
theattribut to awe and maiefhcj
wherein doth fit the dreadand feare of Kings :
but mercie is aboue this Jfceptred fway,
if is enthroned in the harts of Kings,
it is an attribut to God himfelfej
and earthly power doth then fhowlikefl-gods
when mercie feafonsiuftice: therefore few,
though iuftice be thy plea, confider this,
that in the courfe of iuftice, none of vs
fhould feefaluation : we doe pray for mercy,
and that lame prayer, doth teach vs all to render
the deedes of mercie . I haue fpoke thus much
to mittigate the iuftice of thy plea,
which if thou follow, this ftrid Court of Venice
muft needes giue fentence gainft the Merchant there.

Shy. My deeds vpon my head, I craue the law.
the penalty and forfaite of my bond.
Vor, Is he not able to difcharge the money ?
"Bajf. Yes,heere I tender itfor him in the Court,
yea, twife the fumme, if that will not fuflife,
I will be bound to pay it ten times ore
on forfait of my hands, my head, my hart,
if this will not fuffife, if muft appeare

that

59.

Zi3

the Merchant of Venice. ^-^

that malice beares downe truth. And /befeechyou
wreft once the law to your authoritic,
to doe a great right, doe a little -wrong, 2/6

and carbe this cruell deuill of his will.

For. It muft not be, there is no power in Venice
can altar a decree eftablilhed :
twill be recorded for a precedent, zzo

and many an errour by the fame example
will ru(h into the fl-ate,it cannot be.

Shy. A Daniell come to iudgement : yea a Daniell,
O wife young ludge how /doe honour thee. zzj,-

Por. Iprayyouletmelookevponthebond.

Shy. Heere tis moft reuerend doftor, here it is.

Por, Shylocke theres thrice thy money oflfired thee.

Shy. An oath,an oath, I haue an oath in hcauen^
fKall I lay periurie vpon my (bule ?
Not not for Venice. t

Por, Why this bond is forfait,
and lawfully by this the lew may daime
a pound of flelh, to be by him cut off %-b%

neereft the Merchants hart j be mercifull,
take thrice thy money, bid me teare the bond.

Shy. When it is pay d^ according to the tenure.
It doth appeareyou are aworthy iudge, zu

you know the law, your expofition
hath beene moft fou nd : 7 charge you by the law,
whereofyouareawell dcferuing piller,
proceede to iudgement : by my foule I fweare, ^w

there is no power in the tongue of man
to alter me,? ftay here on my Bond,

%^H. Moft hartelie I doe befeech the Court
to glue the iudgement.

^or. Why than thus it is, «4*^

you muft prepare your bofome for his knife.

jShy- O noble 7udge, 6 excellent young man.

Por. For the intent an d pur pofe of the law
hathfuU relation to the penaltie, zi^s

H z which

60.

The comicall Hi^iorie of
vvKich hccre appeareth due vpon the bond

lew. Tis very true: 6 wife and vpright ludge,
how much more cider art thou then thy lookes.

Por. Therefore lay bare your bofome.

few. l,hisbrcafl:,
fc fayes the bond, doth it not noble ludgc ?
Ncereft his hart, thofe are the very words.
Por. Itis fo,arc there ballance here to weigh the flcfh ?

lew. I hauc them ready.

Por. Hauc by fome Surgion Shylocke on your charge,
to ftop his wounds, leaft he doe bleede to death.

lew. Is it fo nominated in the bond ?

*Tor. \t is not Co expreft, but what of that ?
Twerc good you doe fo much for charitic.

Jew. I cannot findeit, tis not in the bond.

'Por. You Merchant, haucyou any thing to fay ?

jifit. But little •> 7am armd and well prepard,
giue mc your hand Ba^amo, far you well,
grccue not that Jam falne to this for you :
for heerein Fortune fliowesher felfc more kind
then is her cuftome : it is ftill her vfc
to let the wretched man out-liue his wealth,
to view with hollow eye and wrinckled brow
an age of poucrtie : from which lingring pennance
of fucb mifery doth fhccut me of
Commend me to your honourable wife,
tell her the procefTc of Anthonios end,
fay how I lou'd you, (peakc me faire in death :
and when the talc is told, bid her be iudt^c
whether ^<»j(/^«5 had not oncealouc :
Repent butyou that you fhall loofc your friend
and he repents not that he pay es your debt.
For if the /ew doe cut but deepe enough.
Tie pay it inftantly with all my hart.

SrfJ/^ tAnthonio, 7 am married to a wife
which is as deere fo mc as life it felfe,
but hfc it fdfc, my wife, andall the world.

61.

the Merchant of Venice, J^

are notwith rae eftecmd aboue thy life. zd5

I would loofe all, I f^cri6ze them all
heere to this deuill, to dcliuer you.

Por. Your wife would giue you little thankcs for that zss

iffhewereby to heareyou make the offer.
Gra. I haue a wifewho /proteft / loue,
/would Hie were in heauen,fo /he could
intreate fome power to change this currifh lew. t9%

T^r. Tis well you offer it behind her back,
the wifli would make elfe an vnquiet houfe.

leip. Thefc be the chriftian husbands/hauea daughter
would any of the ftocke of Barrabas Z96

had beene her husband, rather then a Chriflian.
We trifle time, / pray thee purfuefentence.

Tor. A pound of that fame Merchants flcfli is thine^
the Court awards if, andthe law doth giucit. 3oo

fetv, Moftrightfullludge.

Por. And you muft cut this flcfli from oflFhis breaf},
the law alowes it, and the court awards it.

ftrw. Moft learned ludge, a fentcnce , come preparer 3<7 v

'Por. Tarry a little, there is fome thing elfe,
this bond doth giue thee heere no iote of blood,
the words exprefly are a pound of flefh :
take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flefh, 30^

but in the cutting it,if .'hou dooft Hied
one drop of Chriftian blood, thy lands and goods
arc by the lawes of Venice confifcate
vnto the ftatc of Venice. ^^^

Gra, Ovpright ludge,
Markc lew, 6 learned /udge.

Sfjjf. Is that the law i

Por. ThyfelferhaltfeetheAft: ^^^

for as thou vrgeft iuftice, be affurd
thou fhalt haue iuftice more then thou defirfl. 3^6

Gra. O learned iudge, mark 7ew, a learned iudge.

lew. 1 take this offer then, pay the bond thrice
and let the Oiriftian goe. ^f p

H. 3. ^#

Th comicallHi^lorie of

Bajf. Heere is the money.

For. Soft, the Tew (hal haue all iuflice/oft no liaft,
he fliall haue nothing but the penalty.

^ra. O lew, an vprighf ludge.a learned ludge.

For. Therefore prepare thee to cut of the fle/h,
Shed thou no blood^not cut thou leflTe nor more
but iuft a pound of flefh : if thou tak'ft more
or lefTe then a iufl: pound, be it but fo much
as makes it hghtorheauy inthefubftancCi
or the deuifion of the twentith part
of onepoorefcruple, nay ifthefcale doeturne
but in the eflimation of a hayre,
thou dyefl", and all thy goods are confifcate.

Gra. A fecond Daniell, a Daniell lew,
now mfidell / haue you on tlie hip.

For. Why doth the lew paufe, take thy forfaiture.

Shy- Giuc me my principal!, and let me goe.

£aJJ. I haueit ready for thee, here it is.

'For. Hee hath refufd it in the open Court,
hee Ihall haue meerely iullice and his bond.

Gra. A Daniell /till fay /, a fecond Daniell,
J thanke thee lew for leaching me that word.

Shy. Shall 7 not haue barely my principall >

For. Thou Ihalt haue nothing but the forfaiture
to be fb taken at thy perrill lew.

Shy. Why then the deuill giue him good of if :
Teftay no longer queflion.

'For. Tarry lew,
the law hath yet another hold on you.
It is enaftedin the lawes of Venice,
if it beproued againft an alien,
that by direft, or indirect attempts
hefeeke the life of any Cittizen,
the party gainfl the which he doth contriue,
fhall feaze one halfe hisgoods, the other halfe
comes to the priuie coflfer of the State,
and the offenders life lies in the mercy

^63.

the Merchant of Venice. M^

of the D uke onely, gainft all other voyce. 3H

In which predicament I fay thou ftandft :
for it appearesby manifeft proceeding,
that indireftly, and direftly to

thou haft contriued againft the very Jife 36o

of the defendant ; and thou haft incurd
the danger fbrmorly by me rehearft.
Downe therefore, and beg mercie of the Duke.

Gra. Beg that thou maift haue leaue to hang thy felfe, 3^^

andyet thy wealth beeingforfait to the ftate,
thou haft not left the value of a cord,
therefore thou muft be han^d at the (\zt& charge.

JDuke. That thou ftialt lee the difference of ourlpirit 3^g

I pardon thee thy hfe before thou aske it :
for halfe thy wealthy it is ^^^mhcnm^
the other halfe comes to the generall ftate,

which humblenes may driue vnto a fine. 37i

Tc/-. I for the ^atf^, not for Anthomo.
Shy. Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that,
you take my houfe, when you doe take the prop
that doth fuftaine my houfe : you take my life yib

when you doe take the meanes whereby /hue.
IP or . What mercy can you render him ^nthonio ?
Gra. A halter gratis, nothing elfe forGodiake.
Affth. So pleafe my Lord the Duke, 6<. all the Court 350

to cjuit the fine for one halfe of his goods,
lam content : fo he will let me haue
the other halfe in \ie, to render it
vpon his death vnto the Gentleman 3^^

that lately ftole his daughter.
Two things prouided more, that for this fauour
he prefently become a C hriftian :

the other, that he doe record a gift 38^

heere in the Court of all he dies pofteft
vnto his fonne Lorenzj) and his daugliter.

1>uke. He ftiall doe this, or elfe I doe recant
the pardon that I late pronounced heere. 39?.

Tor,

64^ ^

.^- The comic All HBorie of

2>D2> Tor. Art thou contented lew? what doft thou fay?

Shy. lam content.
?or. Clarke, draw a deedeof gift.
Sh^f I pray you giue me leaue to goefroni hence,
i9G I am not wellj fend the decde after mc,

and I will %ne It.
Dtih^. Get thee gone, but doe it.
Shy. In chriftning flialt thou haue two Godfathers,
had I beene iudge,thou fhouldft haue had ten more,
-\itOO to bring thee to the gallowes, not to the font. £»:it.

t Duke. Sir I entreate you home with me to dinner,

t For, I humbly doe defire your Grace of pardon,

/muft away this night toward Padua,
ko ^ and It is meete I prefently itt forth.

Duke. 1 am forry that your leyfure ferues you not.
fiAnthoniOy grafifie this gentleman,
for in my mind you are much bound to him.

Exit Duke and his trame.
kOd Taf. Moftworthy gentleman, I and my friend

haue by your wifedorac been this day aquitted
of greeuous penalties, in lewe whereof)
three thoufand ducats due vnto the Jew
4/ 2 wee freely cope your curtious paines withall,

yifj. And fiand indebted ouer and aboue
in loue and feruice to you euer-more.
Par. Hee is well payd that is well fatisfied,
liU. and 1 deliuering you, am facisHed,

and therein doe account my felfewell payd,
my mindewas neuer yet more mercinarie.
I pray you know me when we meete againe,
u 0 I wilTh you well, and fo I take my leaue>

'Bajf. Deere lir , of force / muft attempt you further,
take fome remembrance of vs as a tribute,
+ not as fee : graunt me two things I pray you,

« 4> not to deny me, and to pardon me.

^or. You prelTe me farre, and therefore / wil yeeld,
giue mee your gloues, He weare^thcmfor your fake,

anc

65.

the Merchant ofFenice.

W.J.

and for your loue ile take this ring from you.

doe not draw back your hand, ile take no more.

iil8

and you in loue fliall not denie me this ?

'Bajf. This ring good fir, alas it is a trifle,

I will not /harae my felfe to giueyou this ?

"Por, I will haue nothing elfe but onely this.

uyi

and now me thinks I hauea minde to it ?

C94|//^ There's more depends on this then on thevalew.

the dearell ring in Venice will I giueyou.

and finde it out by proclamation,

t.'bG

oncly for this I pray you pardon me ?

For. I fee fir you are liberall in offers.

you taught meflrfl to beg, and now me thinks

you teach me how a begger fhould beaunfwerd.

l^i+O

Bajf. G ood fir, this ring was giuen me by my wife.

and when Ihe put it on, fhe made me vowe

that I fliould neither fell, nor giue, nor loofe it.

Tor. That fcufe ferues many men to faue thdr gifts,

444

and if your wife be not a mad woman,

and know how well I haue deferu'd this rmg.

fhe would not hold out enemy for euer

fbrgiuingittome: well, peace be with you. Exeunt.
jinth. my LMajfamo, let him haue the ring,

Uii-8

let his deferuines and my loue withall

be valued gainft your wiues commaundement.

"Baff. Goe gratiano, ruime and ouer-take him.

U5Z

giue him thering, and bring him if thou canft

vnto Anthonios houfe, away,make haft. Exit Gratutno.

Come, you and I will thither prefently,

453

and in the morning early will we both

flie toward Belmont, come Anthonio.

4^5 7

Exeunt,

Enter T^^errijfa.

K.n.

'Por. Enquire the /ewes houfe out,giue him this deed.

and let him figneit, weeleaway to night.

and be a day before our husbands home :

this deedewillbewell welcome to Loren^ f

J, Enter

66.

The comicall HtTlorie of

Enter Gratiano,

Grati. Faire fir, you are well ore-tane :
My L . 'Sajfanio v pon more aduice,
hath fent you heere (his ring, and doth intreate
your company at dinner.

Par. That cannot be ;
his ring I doe accept moft thankfully,
and fo I pray you tell him : furthermore,
1 pray you fliew my youth old Shybckes houfe.

(^ra. That will I doe.

Ner, Sir, / would fpeake with you :
lie (ee if /can get my husbands ring
which I did make him (wearc to keepefbr euer.

For, Thou maift I warrant,we fhal hauc old (wearing
that they didgiue the rings away to men ;
but wele out- face them, and out-fweare them to ;
away.make haft, thou knowft where I will tarry.

Ner. Come good fir,will yov fhew me to this houfe.
Enter Lorenz^o andlejftca.

Lor. The moone fhines bright.In fuch a night as this,
when theiwcetwindc did gently ki(Ie the trees,
and (hey did make no noyfe, in fuch a night
Troylus me thinks mounted the Troian walls,
and figh'd his foule toward the Grecian tents
where ^<?j[/^<fli lay that night.

'^ejfi. In fuch a night
did Thijbie fearefully ore-trip the dewe,
and faw the Lyons fhadow ere him {^1^^^
and ranne difmayed away.

Lot en, Inftichanight
ftoode Dido with a willow in her hand
vpon the wildc (ea banks, and waft her Loue
to comeagaine to Carthage.

JeJJj^ In fuch a night
tMfiiea gathered the inchanted hearbs
that did renew old Efon,

Loren. In fuch a night

did

£4^

: ^67.

the Merchant of Venice. ^ ' * '

^x^lejfica fteale from the wealthy lewe,

andwith an vnthrift loue did runne&om Vcniccv i(>

asfarrc as Belmont.
fejp. Infudianight

did young Lorenino (vveare he loued her well,
Healing her foule with many vowes of faith,
andnereatnieone.

Loren. In fuch a night ^^

did pretty felfica. (like a little (hrow)
flaunder her Loue, and he forgaue it her.

Jejfi. I would out-nieht you did no body come.*
But harke, I heare the rooting of a man.
Bnter a Meffenger.

Loren, Who comes fo fall in (ilence of the night ?

Oi^ejfen. A friend?

Loren. A friend, what friend, your name T pray you (riend ?

Afejf. 5/<'/>^«««i?ismyname,and I bring word 2-8

my Miftres will before thebreake of day
be heere at Belmont, fhe doth Hray about
by holy crofles where fhe kneeles and pray es
for happy wedlock houres.

Loren. Who comes with her? 32.

LMeff, None but a holy Hermit andher mayd :
Ipray youis my Maifteryet rctumd ?

Loren. He is not, nor wc hauenot heard from him.
But goe we in I pray thee leffica^ 3 &

and ceremonioufly let vs prepare
fomewelcomefor the Miftres of thehoule. €nter powne.

Clowne, Sola,fola : wo ha^ ho fola, fola.

Loren. Who calls?

po. Sola, did you fee M.Loren/to & MZoren^ fola, fola.

Loren, Leaue hollowing man,heere.

Chwne, Sob, where, where?

Loren. Heere >

Clow. Tell him there's a Poft come from my Maifter, with his
home full of good newes, my Maifter will be heere ere morning

fweete foule*

1 z Loren*

Ifk

68.

The comicall H/Tfor/V of

Loren. Let's in, and there expeft their comming.
And yet no matter : why fhould we gocin.
My friend Stephen^ fignifie/ pray you
within the houfe, your miftres is at hand,
and bring your mufique foorth info theayre.
Howfweet the moone-light jfleepes vpon this banke,
heere will we fit, and let the founds of mufique
creepe in our eares foft ftilnes, and the night
become the tutches of fweet harmonic :
fit \ejfica, lookehow theflooreofheaucn
is thick inlayed with pattens of bright gold,
there's not the finalleft orbe which thou beholdfl
but in his motion like an Angell fings,
flili quiring to the young eydeCherubinsj
fuch harmonie is in immortall fi)ules,
but whilft this muddy vefhire of decay
dooth grofly clofcitin.wecannot heareit :
Come hoe, and v/dkeT)ia»aW\t\\ a himne,
vvith fiveeteft tutches pearce your miftres eare,
and draw her home with mufique. play Mupcjue,

lejfi. I am neuer merry when I heare fweet mufique.

Loren. The reafbn is,your (pirits areattentiue :
for doe but note a wild and wanton heard
orraceofyouthfiilland vnhandled colts
fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neghingloude>
which is the bote condition of their blood,
if they but heare perchance a trumpet found,
or any ayre of mufiaue touch their eares,
you fiiall perceaue them make a mufuall Hand,
their fauage eyes turn'd to a modefl gaze,
by thefweet power of mufique: therefore the Poet
did faine that Orpheus drew trees, ftones, and floods.
Since naught fo ftocki/h hard and full of rage,
but mufique for the time doth change his nature,
the man that hath no mufique in himfclfe,
nor is not moued with concord of fweet founds,
is fit for treafons, flrafagems, and fpoiles,

the

the Merchant of Venice,

69
Y.i.

the motions of his (pirit are dull as night, Sb

and hisaflFe£tions darke as Terehus r

let no fuch man be trufted : marke the mufique. 8 5

Etaer^ortiaandNerriffa. t

For. That light we fee is burning in my hall :

how farre that little candell throwes his beames,

£b fhinesa good deede in a naughty world.

Ner. When the moone /hone we did not fee the candle ? 9%

T^or. So dooth the areater glory dim the lefle,

a (ubftitute fhines brightly as a King

vntill a King be by, and then his flate

empties it fclre, as doth an inland brooke 9 G

into the maine of waters : mufique harke.

Ner. It is your mufique Madame of the houfe ?

'Por. Nothing is good I fee without refpeft,

me thinks it founds much fweef er then by day ? wo

Ner. Silence beflowes that vertue on it Madam ?

'For. The Crow doth fing as (weetly as the Larke

when neither is attended : and I thinke

the Nightingale if /he fhould fing by day iOl^-

when euery Goofe is cackling, would be thought

no better a Mufition then the Renne ?

How many things by feafon, feafbnd are

to their right pray/e, and true perfeftion : W8

Peace, how the moone fleepes with EndimioHj

and would not be awak'd.

Loren. That is the voyce, i^o

or /am much deceau'd oi Portia.

Por. He knowes me as the blind man knowes the Cuckoe
by the bad voyce ? U2,

Loren. Deere Lady welcome home 3
Por. Wehauc bin praying for our husbands wel&re, t

which /peed we hope the better for our words: iib

are they return'd ?

Loren. Madam, they are nof yet r
but there is come a Mellenger before ^^7

fo /ignific their comming ?

1 3 ^or.

The comicatl Hi?iom of

Tor* Goe'm Nemlfd.
Giue order to my feruants, that they take
no note at all of our being abfent hence,
nor you Lorenx^/Jejjica nor you.

Loren. Your husband is at hand, I heare his trumpeti
l^e are no tell-tales Madame, feare you not.

For. This night me thinks is but the day light ficke,
it lookes a little paler, tis a day,
fiich as the day is when the (iinne is hid.

£t)t€r'SaJfam, AnthoruOf Gratiano, and their
follcwers.
Bajf. We fliouid hold day with the Antipodes,
if you would walke in abfence of the funne.

'Por. Let me giue light, but let me not be light,
ibr a light wife doth make a heauie husband^
and neuer be Bajfanio fo for me.
but God fort all : you are welcomehomemy Lord.

'Bajf. I thank you Madam,giue welcome toiny friendi
this is the man, this is Anthomo^
to whom I am £b infinitely bound .

^or. You fhould in all fence be much bound to him,
for as I heare he was much bound for you.
•sAnth. No more then I am well acquitted of.
Tor. Sir, you are very welcome to our houfe ;
it muft appeare in other wayes thenwords«
therefore Ifcant this breathing curtefie.

<^rit. By yonder moone I Iweare you doe me wrong,
in^th I gaueit to the /udges Clarke,
would he were gelt that had it for my part,
finceyou doe take it Louefo much at hart.
Par. A quarrell hoe already, what's the matter i
Grati. About a hoope of gold, a paltry ring
that ihe did giue me, whole pofiewas
for all the world like Cutlers poetry
Vpon a knife, Loue me, andleaueme not,

T>{er. What talke you of the pofie or the valew t
You (wore to me when I did giueyouj

riiat

71.

the Merchant of Venice.
that you would weare it till your houre of death,
and that it Ihouldlie with you in your graue,
though not for me, yet for your vehement oathes,
you ihould haue beene re(pe£>iue and haue kept it.
Gaue it a ludges Clarke : no Gods my ludge
the Clarke will nere weare haire ons face that hadit.
Cra. He will, and if he Hue to be a man.
Nerhjfa. I, if a woman liue to be a man .
^ra. Now by this hand I gaue it to a youth,
a kind of boy, a little fcrubbed boy,
no higher then thy felfe, the ludges Clarke,
a prating boy that begd it as a fee,
I could notror my hart deny it him.

Por, You were to blame, I mud be plaine with you,
to part Co flightly with your wiues firft gift,
a thing ftuck on with oaths vpon your finger,
and fo riueted with faith vnto your fle/h.
I gaue my Louearing, and made himfweare
neuer to partwith it, andheere he Hands :
I dare be (worne for him he would not leaue it,
nor pluck itfrom hisfineer, for thewealth
that the world maifters. Now in faith gratiatto
you giueyour wife too vnkind a caule of griefe,
and twere to me I fhould be mad at it.

'Bafj'. Why I were belt to cut my left hand oflF,
and fweare I loft the ring defending it.

Gra, My Lord -fftfjJWc/ gaue his ring away
vnto the Judge that begd it, and indeede
deleru*d it to : and then the boy his Clarke
that tooke fbme paines in writing, he begd mine,
and neither man nor maiffer would fake ought
but the two rings.

Tor. What rin^ gaue you my Lord ?
"Not that 1 hopewnich you reccau'd of me.

Bajf: /fl could add a lie vntoa fault,
I would deny it : but you fee my finger
hath not the ring vpon it, it is gone.

V.i.

153

15$

160

16i-

168

116

180

18^

188

Tcr.

ii}Z

The comicall HSlorie of

S9 For. Euen fo voy d is your falfe hart of truth.

By heauen I will nere come in your bed
vntili /fee the ring?

TV^Vn Norlinyours
till I againe fee mine i
Bajf. Sv/cet Forfia,
if you did know to whom I gaue the ring,
ifyou did know for whom /gauethering,
and would conceaue for what /gaue the ring,

19 6 and how vnwillingly I left the ring,
when naught would be accepted but the ring,
you would abate the ftrcngth of your difpleamre ?

For. Ifyou had knowne the vcrtue o/ the ring,
zoo or halfe her worthines that gaue the ring,

or your owne honour to containe the ring,

you would not then haue parted with the ring :

■what man is there fo much vnreafonable
2 0Jf ifyou had pleafd to haue defended it

w^ithany termes ofzeale: wanted themodefty

to vrge the thing held as a ceremonie :

JSferrijfa teaches me what f o beleeue,

20 8 lie die for't, but fome woman had the ring ?
jBaf No by my honour Madam, by ray foule

no woman had it, but a ciuill Doctor,

which did refufe three thoufand ducats of me,
z 1 2 and begd the ring, the which I did denie him,

and fufferd him to goe difoleafd away,
t euen be that had held vp the very life

of my deere friend. What /houid /(ay fweet Lady,
Z16 I was inforc'd to fend it after him,

I wasbefetwith fliameand curtefie,

my honour would not let ingratitude

fo much befmere it : pardon me good Lady,

for by thefe bleffed candels of the night,

had you been there, I think you would haue begd

thering of me togiue the worthy Doftor ?
Per, Let not that Do^or ere come neere my hou(e

fince

zzo

22V

the Merchant of Venice.
{ince he hath got the iewell that I loued,
and that which you did fweare to keepe for me,
I will become as liberall as you,
lie not deny him any thing I haue,
no, not my body, nor my husbands bed : zz8

Know him I fhall, I am well fare of it.
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argos,
if you doe not, if I be left alone,
now by mine honour which is yet mine owne> 232

ilehaue that Do£^or for mine bedfellow. t

Isljrri^a. And I his Clark : therefore be well aduUH
how you doe leaue me to mine owne protection.

Gra. Well doe you (b: let not me take him then, z56

for ifl doe, ile mar the young Clarks pen.

j4nth. I am th'vnhappy fubie^ ofthefe quarrells.

Tor. Sir,greeuenot you, you are welcome notwithftanding.

!2?4jp Por/ia.forgiue me this enforced wrong, zuo

and in the hearing ofthefe many friends
I (weare to thee, euen by thine owne faire eyes
vvherein I fee my felfe.

'Por. Markeyoubutthat^?
/n both my eyes he doubly fees himfelfe : %u v

In each eye one, fweare by your double felfe>
and there's an oath ofcredite.

Bajf. Nay,butheareme.
Pardon this fault, and by my fbule I fweare
I neuermorewillbreakean oath with thee. %U8

Anth. I once did lend my body for his wealth,
which but for him that had your husbands ring
had quite mi(caried. /dare be bound againe,
my foule vpon the forfet, that your Lord Z5z

will neuer more breake faith aduifedly.

*Tor. Then you fhall be his furety . giue him this,
and bid him keepe it better then the other.

Antho. Here Lord 3afptmo, fweare to keepe this ring. z5 6

Taff, By heauenit is thefamelgauethe Doctor.

For, I had it ofhim : pardon meBaJfanio,

K. ior

74.

The comicall Hi?iorie of

for by this ring the Doftor lay with me.

Nerrijfa. And pardon me my gentle ^yatianot
for that fame fcrubbed boy the Doftors Clarke
in hew of this.laft night did lie with me.

Grati. Why this is like the mending of hieh wayes
in Sommer where the wayes are faire enough >
What, are we cuckolds ere we haue deferu'd rt.

For. Speake not fo grofly, you are all amaz'd >
Heereis a letter, reade it atyourleafure,
It comes from Padua from Bellario,
there you fhall finde that Foriia was the Doflor,
Nerrijfa there her Clarke. Lorenzo heere
fhall witnes I fet foorth as foone as you,
and euen but now rctumd : Jhauenotyet
enterd my houfe. ^nthonioyo\x are welcome,
and 1 haue better newes in ftore for you
than you exfpeft : vnfeale this letter (bone,
there you fhall finde three ofyour Argofics
are richly come to harbour fodainly.
You fhall not know by what flrangc accident
Jchaunced on this letter.

tAntho. /am dumb?

Ma^, Were you the Doftor, and 7 knew you not ?

GrA. Were you the Clark that is to make me cuckold.

lier. /but the Clarke that neuer meancs to doc it,
vnlefTe he liue vntill he be a man.

"Bn^. (Sweet Do^or) you fhall bemy bedfellow,
when /am abfent then lie with my wife.

An. (Sweet Lady) you haue giuen me Hfc and lyuinw
for heere /reade for certaine that my fhips
are fafely come to Rode.

For. How now Lorenzo ?
my Clarke hath fome good comforts to for you,

Ner 7, and ile giue them him without a fee.
There doe/giuetoyou ^ndlefftca
horn the rich /ewe, a fpcciall deede of gift
after his death, of all he dies pofTeft of.

Loren*

the Merchant of Venice.

Zoren. Faire Ladies,you drop Manna in the way
of ftarued people.

*Por. /t is almoft morning,
and yet f am (lire you are not fatisHed
of thefe euents at full. Let vs goe in,
and charge vs therevpon intereotories,
and we will aunfwcr all things feithfuUy.

Gra. Let it be lb, the firft xntergory
that my Nerriffa /hall be fwome on, is,
whether till the next night flie had rather ftay,
or goe to bed now being two houres to day :
But were the day come, / /hould wifli it darke
till /were couching with the Doftors Clarke.
Well, while /liue, ile feare no other thing
fo fore, as keeping (afc Nerrijfas ring.

Y.i.

29^

Z96

ExitttiU

\2>00

FINIS.

J>om C.34. K.22,Brit.Mus.,forl]TLes.73,74.

the Merchant of Venice.
tLAntb. /pray you think you queAion with the /ewe,
you may as well goe ftand vpon the Beach
and bid the maine flood bate his vfuall height,
you may as well vfe queftion with the Woolfe
why he hath made the Ewe bleake for the Lambe:
You may as well forbid the mountaine of Pines
to wag their high tops, and to make no noife
when they arefretten with thegufts of heauen:
You may as well doe any thing moft hard
as feeketo foften that then which what's harder :
his /ewifli hart ? therefore /doe befeechyou
make no moe offers, vfe no farther meanes,
but with all briefeand plaine conueniencie
let me haue Judgement, and the /ewe his will ?
Baff. For thy three thoufand ducats heere is fixe ?
lewe. /f euery ducat in fixe thouland ducats
were in fixe parts, and euery part a ducat,
/would not draw them, /would haue my bond ?
Duk: How fhaltthou hopefor mercy rendring none?
^ewe. What iu dgment fhall /dread doing no wrong?
you haueamongyou many apurchaftflaue,
which like your AfTes, and your Dogs and Mules
you vfe in abieft and inflauifh parts,
becaufeyou bought them, fliall /fay to you,
let them be free, marry them to your heires ?
why (weat they vnder burthens, let their beds
be made as fofl asyours, and let their pallats
be feafond with fuch viands , you will aunfwer
the flaues are ours, fo doe /aunfwer you :
The pound of flefhwhich /demaundof him
is deerety bought, as mine and / will haue it ;
if you deny me, fie vpon your Law,
there is no force in the decrees of Venice ;
/ ftand for iudgement, aunfwer, (hall 1 haue it ?

IDukS' Vpon my power / may difm iffe this C ourf,
vnlcfle Bellario a learned Doftor,
■whom /haue fcnt for to determine this

lY.i

8¥

too +

101+

Come

PR
2750
B25
1887

Shake speare , William
Merchant of Venice

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Full text of "Merchant of Venice: the second (and better quarto, 1600. A facsimile in foto-lithography ... by Charles Praetorius; with forewords by Frederick Furnivall"

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