SA

NA

Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO, (37) and a

follower or two more. Bass. You may do so; but let it be so hasted, that supper be ready, at the farthest, by five of the clock : see these letters deliver'd, put the liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come, anon, to my lodging.

Laun. To him, father.
Gob. Heav'n bless your worship !
Bass. Gramercy, wouldst thou aught with me?
Gob. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy--

Laun. Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man, that would, sir, as my father shall specify

Gob. He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve

Laun. Indeed the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify

Gra. His master and he, saving your worship’s reverence, are scarce cater-cousins.

Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, I hope, an old man, shall frutify unto you.

(37) Leonardo seems to be the same as Reynoldo in Hamlet, drawn before in fig. 65 : The streaks of light like the lace of liveries, and the shears near his head are sufficient to determine bis prototype.

Gob. I have a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship, and my suit is,

Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.

Bass. One speal for both. What would you?
Laun. Serve you, sir.
Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, sir.
Bass. I know thee well, thou hast obtain'd thy

suit;
Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day,
And hath preferr'd thee; if it be preferment
To leave a rich Jew's service, to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.

Laun. The old proverb is very well parted. between my master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of Heav'n, sir, and he hath enough.

Bass. Thou speak’st it well. Go, father, with Take leave of thy old master, and inquire [thy son, My lodging out; give him a livery, [To Leonardo. More guarded than his fellows; see it done.

Laun. Father, in: I cannot get a service, no! I have ne'er a tongue iri my head! Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table, which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune, Go to, here's a simple line of life; here's a small trifle of wives. Alas, fifteen wives is nothing,

eleven widows and nine maids is a simple comingin for one man! and then to 'scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed, here are simple 'scapes! Well, it fortune be a woman, she's a good wench, for this geer. Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew, in the twinkling of an eye.

[Exeunt Laun, and Gob, Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this, These things being brought and orderly bestowed, Return in haste, for I do feast, to-night, My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go,

Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein.

Enter GRATIANO, Grą. Where is your master ? Leon. Yonder, sir, he walks. [Exit Leonardo, Gra. Signior BassanioBass. Gratiano ! . Gra. I have a suit to you. Bass. You have obtained it.

Gra. You must not deny me, I must go witļi you to Belmont.

[Gratiano, Bass. Why, then you must; but hear thee Thou art too wild, too rude, and too bold of voice; Parts that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appear no faults; (shew But where thou art not known, why, there they

Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain
Tallay, with some cold drops of modesty, [viour,
Thy skipping spirit ;- lest, through thy wild beha-
I be misconstru'd in the place I go to ;
And lose my hopes.

Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me;
If I do not put on a sober habit,
Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
Wear prayer-books in my pockets, look demurely ;
Nay, more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say, Amen!
Ne'er trust me more.

Bass. Well, we shall see your bearing. [me, Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night, you shall not gage By what we do to-night,

Bass. No, that were pity,
I would intreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment: but fare you well,
I have some business.

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo and the rest :
But we will visit you at supper-time. [Exeunt.

Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. (38) Jes. I'm sorry thou, wilt leave my father Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, [so;

mer

(38) Jessica is the same as Othello's Desdemona, drawn

Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness ;
But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee.
And Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest;
Give him this letter, do it secretly,
And so farewel: I would not have my father
See me talk with thee.

Laun. Adieu ! Tears exhibit my tongue ; most beautiful Pagan, most sweet Jew! if a Christian did not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceiv’d. But adieu ! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit. Adieu !

Jes. Farewel, good Launcelot. Alack, what heinous sin it is in me, To be asham'd to be my father's child ! But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to liis manners. 0, Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife, Become a christian, and thy loving wife. [Exit.

Ome

Enter GRATIANO, Lorenzo, SOLARIxo, and

SALANIO. Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time, disguise us at my lodging, and return all in an hour.

e

fig. 68. Her attitude in the moon, as kissing the figure of Lorenzo there, shews the propriety of assigning him for her lover.