Than is thy strange apparent cruelty. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have poffefs'd your Grace of what I purpose. And by our holy Sabbath have I fworn, Masterless (15) Cannot contain their Urine for Affection. Masterless paffion sways it to the Mood Of what it likes, or loaths.] Masterless Paffion was first Mr. Rowe's Reading, (on what Authority, I am at a Loss to know;) which Mr. Pope has fince copied. And tho' I have nor disturb'd the Text, yet, I must observe, I don't know what Word there is to which this Relative [it, in the ad Line] is to be referr'd. The ingenious Dr. Thirlby, therefore, would thus idjust the Passage. VOL. II. G Canner Masterless passion sways it to the mood Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my an fwer. Baff. Do all men kill the thing they do not love? Shy. What, would'st thou have a ferpent sting thee twice? Ant. I pray you, think, you question with a Jew. You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood 'bate his usual height. You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb. You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops, and to make no noise, Cannot contain their Urine; for Affection, * Master of Paffion, sways it &c. * Or, Mistress. And then it is govern'd of Passion: and the 2 old Quarte's and Folio's read. - Masters of Paffion, &c. It may be objected, that Affection and Passion are Synonomous Terms, and mean the same Thing. I agree, they do at this time. But I observe, the Writers of our Author's Age made a fort of Distinction: considering the One as the Cause, When they are fretted with the gufts of heav'n. none ? Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas'd flave, Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, You use in abject and in slavish part, Because you bought them. Shall I say to you, Let them be free, marry them to your heirs ? Why sweat they under burdens? let their beds Be made as foft as yours, and let their palates Be season'd with such viands; you will answer, The flaves are ours. So do I answer you: The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought, 'tis mine, and I will have it. If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice : I ftand for judgment; answer; shall I have it? Duke. Upon my pow'r I may dismiss this Court, Unless Bellario, a learned Doctor, Sal. My lord, here stays, without, Duke. Bring us the letters, call the messenger. Baf. Good cheer, Anthonio; what, man, courage yet: The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, G2 Ant. Ant. I am a tainted weather of the flock, Meeteft for death: the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and fo let me. You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph. Enter Nerissa, dress'd like a Lawyer's Clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? (16) Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your Grace. Baff. Why doft thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Few, (17) Thou mak'st thy knife keen; for no metal can, And for thy life let justice be accus'd! (16) From both : my Lord Bellario greets your Grace.] Thus the two old Folio's, and Mr. Pope in his Quarto, had inaccurately pointed this Passage, by which a Doctor of Laws was at once rais'd to the Dignity of the Peerage. (17) Not on thy Soale, but on thy Soul, harsh Jew.] I was obliged, from the Authority of the old Folio's, to restore this Conceit, and Jingle upon two words alike in Sound, but differing in Sense. Gratiano thus rates the Jew; Tho' thou thinkest, that thou art whetting thy Knife on the Soale of thy Shoe, yet it is upon thy Soul, thy immortal Part, that "thou do'st it, thou inexorable Man!" There is no room to doubt, but this was our Author's Antithesis; as it is so usual with him to play on Words in this manner: and That from the Mouth of his most serious Characters. Ev'n from the gallows did his fell foul fleet, Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. Shy. ""Till thou canst rail the feal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud. Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend.. Ner. He attendeth here hard by To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. Y re OUR Grace shall understand, that, at the ceipt of your letter, I am very fick : but at the inftant that your messenger came, in loving vifitation was with me a young Doctor of Rome, his Name is Balthafar: I acquainted him with the cause in controverfie between the Jew and Anthonio the merchant. We turn'd d'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning, (the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend,) comes with him at my importunity, to fill up your Grace's request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lask of years be no impediment, to let him lack a reverend estimation: For I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious, acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his com. mendation. Enter Portia, dress'd like a Doctor of Laws. Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes, And here, I take it, is the Doctor come: Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario ? Por. I did, my lord. Duke. You're welcome: take your place... G3 Are |