bid my very friends and country-men, weet Portia) welcome. Por. So do I, my Lord; they are intirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour; for my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salanio by the way, He did intreat me, past all saying nay, Sal. I did, my lord, And I have reason for't; Signior Anthonio Commends him to you. Baf. Ere I ope his letter, [Gives Bassanio a Letter. I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. Sal. Not fick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind; his letter there Will shew you his eftate. [Bassanio opens the letter. Gra. Neriffa, cheer yond stranger: Bid her wel come. Your hand, Salanio; what's the news from Venice? We are the Jafons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would you had won the fleece, that he hath lost! That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Of any conftant man. What, worse and worse! Baff. O fweet Portia! Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words, How How much I was a braggart: when I told you, Sal. Not one, my lord.. Jef. When I was with him, I have heard him fwear, Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? The best condition'd and unweary'd spirit Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. Por. What Sum owes he the Jew? Pay him fix thousand and deface the bond; mif Baff. reads. Weet Baffanio, my hips have all mis estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and fince, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and me, if I might but See you at my death; notwithstanding, use your pleasure : if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love! dispatch all Business, and be gone. No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay; No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a Street in Venice. Enter Shylock, Solarino, Anthonio, and the Goaler. Oaler, look to him: tell not me of mercy. Shy. G Goaler, look to him. Ant. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond : I've sworn an oath, that I will have my bond. Thou call'dit me dog, before thou hadst a cause ; But fince I am a dog, beware my fangs: The Duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder, Thou naughty goaler, that thou art fo fond To come abroad with him at his request. Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more; I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and figh and yield To christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. Sola. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone, Exit Shylock. I'll follow him no more with bootless pray'rs: Many, that have at times made moan to me; Sola. I am fure, the Duke Will never grant this Forfeiture to hold. Ant. The Duke cannot deny the course of law For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be deny'd, Will much impeach the justice of the state; Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations. Therefore go, These griefs and losses have so 'bated me, That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh To morrow to my bloody creditor. Well, goaler, on; pray God, Baffanio come To fee me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE changes to BELMONT. Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jeffsica, and Balthazar. Lor. MAdam, although I speak it in your prefence Of God-like amity; which appears most strongly (13) This comes too near the praising of my self; Lorenzo, I commit, &c.] Thus has this Passage been writ and pointed, but absurdly, thro' all the Editions. Portia finding the reflections the had made came too near Self-praise, begins to chide herself for it: fays, She'll say no more of that Sort; but call a new Subject. The Regulation I have made in the Text was likewise prescrib'd by Dr. Thirlby. To |