Jes. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo; Launcelot and I are out; he tells me flatly, there is no mercy for me in heav'n, because I am a Jew's daughter; and he says, you are no good member of the common-wealth; for in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork. Lor. I shall answer that better to the commonwealth, than you can the getting up of the negro's belly. The Moor is with child by you Launcelot. Laun. It is much, that the Moor should be more than reason: but if she be less than an honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for. Lor. How every fool can play upon the word! Go in, sirrah; and bid them prepare for dinner. Laun. That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. Lor. Good lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner. Laun. That is done too, sir; only cover is the word. Lor. Will you cover then, sir? Laun. Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty. Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou shew the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain meaning. Go to thy fellows, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Laun. For the table, sir, it shall be served in ; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern. [Exit Laun. Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are The fool hath planted in his memory of good words. And I do know [suited; A-many fools that stand in better place, In reason, he should never come to heav'n. And Portia one, there must be something else Lor. Even such a husband Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife. Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk, Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st 'mong other things I shall digest it. Jes. Well, I'll set forth. [Exeunt. ACT IV. Enter the DUKE, the Senators, ANTHONIO, BAS SANIO, and GRATIANO, Duke. What, is Anthonio here? (58) Anth. Ready, so please your grace. [answer Duke. I'm sorry for thee. Thou art come to A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Anth. I have heard Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rig'rous course; but since he stands obdurate, (58) Anthonio is in fact near the person of the duke, as above designated. Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Sal. He's ready at the door; he comes, my lord. Enter SHYLOCK. Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, [face. That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice, To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought, Thou❜lt shew thy mercy and remorse more strange, Than is thy strange apparent cruelty. And, where thou now exact'st the penalty, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd yourgrace of what I purpose, And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond. If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter, and your city's freedom! You'll ask me why I rather choose to have Of what it likes or loaths. Now, for your answer, A losing suit against him. Are you answered? Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, T'excuse the current of thy cruelty. [answer. Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my Bass. Do all men kill the thing they do not love? Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? |