Nor well, unless in mind; his letter there Will shew you his estate. [Bassanio opens the Letter. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger: bid her wel come Your hand Salanio; what's the news from Venice? We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would you had won the fleece that he [same paper, hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world, Could turn so much the constitution Of any constant man. What, worse and worse! Bass. O sweet Portia! Here are a few of the unpleasan'st words How much I was a braggart: when I told you, My state was nothing, I should then have told you, Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salanio? Have all his ventures failed? what! not one hit? From Tripolis, from Mexico, from England, From Lisbon, Mexico, and India? And not one vessel 'scap'd the dreadful touch, Sal. Not one my lord. Besides, it should appear, if he had Of greatest port have all persuaded with him; Jes. When I was with him I have heard him To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen, [swear, That he would rather have Anthonio's flesh [ble? Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouBass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, And one, in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. Por. What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lose a hair, thro' my Bassanio's fault. For Bid BASSANIO reads. Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, and my creditors grow cruel; my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, 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, Bass. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste; but till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay ; [Exeunt. Enter SHYLOCK, SOLARINO, ANTHONIO, Shy. Jailer, look to him; (56) tell not me of This is the fool that lent out money gratis.[mercy, Jailer, look to him., Anth. Hear me yet, good Shylock. [bond; Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my I've sworn an oath, that I will have my bond. (56) Jailer look to him. The repetition of this expression seems to prove that the jailer is to be found in what was the prototype of Bernardo in Hamlet, drawn in fig. 47; which prototype looks, in fact, directly upon Anthonio, Thou call'dst me dog, before thou hadst a cause; [speak ; Anth. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond: I will not hear thee 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 sigh, and yield, To christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I'll have my bond. [Exit Shy. Sola. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Anth. Let him alone. I'll follow him no more with bootless pray'rs. Many that have at times made moan to me; Sola. I am sure the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Anth. 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; |