Scene I

[Belmont]

Enter Morocco a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa, and their traine.

Flour[ish] cornets.

MOROCCO:

Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadowed livery of the burnish'd sun,
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,(5)
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love, I swear,
The best-regarded virgins of our clime(10)
Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

PORTIA:

In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes:
Besides, the lottery of my destiny(15)
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But, if my father had not scanted me,
And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself
His wife, who wins me by that means I told you,
Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair(20)
As any comer I have look'd on yet,
For my affection.

MOROCCO:

Even for that I thank you;
Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
To try my fortune. By this scimitar,—(25)
That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince,
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,—
I would o'erstare the sternest eyes that look,
Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,
Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,(30)
Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:(35)
So is Alcides beaten by his page;
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

PORTIA:

You must take your chance;(40)
And either not attempt to choose at all,
Or swear, before you choose,—if you choose wrong,
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage; therefore be advis'd.

MOROCCO:

Nor will not; come, bring me unto my chance.(45)

PORTIA:

First, forward to the temple; after dinner
Your hazard shall be made.

MOROCCO:

Good fortune, then! Cornets.
To make me bless'd, or cursed'st among men.

Exeunt.

Scene II

[Venice]

Enter the clown [Launcelot] alone.

[LAUNCELOT:]

Certainly, my conscience will serve me to run
from this Jew, my master. The fiend is at mine elbow, and
tempts me; saying to me,—Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo,
good Launcelot, or good Gobbo, or good Launcelot
Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.—My(5)
conscience says, no; take heed, honest Launcelot; take
heed, honest Gobbo; or, (as aforesaid) honest Launcelot
Gobbo; do not run: scorn running with thy heels: well,
the most courageous fiend bids me pack; Via! says the
fiend; away! says the fiend, for the heavens rouse up a(10)
brave mind, says the fiend, and run. Well, my conscience,
hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to
me,—my honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's
son: or rather an honest woman's son;—for, indeed, my
father did something smack, something grow to, he had a(15)
kind of taste;—well, my conscience says, Launcelot, budge
not: budge, says the fiend; budge not, says my conscience:
Conscience, say I, you counsel well; fiend, say I, you counsel
well: to be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with
the Jew my master, who, (God bless the mark!) is a kind of(20)
devil; and to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by
the fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself.
Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation: and, in my
conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience,
to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew: the fiend gives(25)
the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at
your command, I will run.

Enter old Gobbo with a Basket.

GOBBO:

Master, young man, you; I pray you, which is the way
to master Jew's?

LAUNCELOT:

O heavens, this is my true-begotten father! who,(30)
being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me
not: I will try confusions with him.

GOBBO:

Master, young gentleman, I pray you which is the way
to master Jew's?

LAUNCELOT:

Turn up on your right hand at the next turning,(35)
but, at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very
next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to
the Jew's house.

GOBBO:

By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you
tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell(40)
with him, or no?

LAUNCELOT:

Talk you of young Master Launcelot?—Mark me
now—now will I raise the waters.—Talk you of young master
Launcelot?

GOBBO:

No master, sir, but a poor man's son: his father, though(45)
I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man, and, God be
thanked, well to live.

LAUNCELOT:

Well, let his father be what a will, we talk of young
master Launcelot.

GOBBO:

Your worship's friend and Launcelot, sir.(50)

LAUNCELOT:

But I pray you ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you,
talk you of young master Launcelot.

GOBBO:

Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership.

LAUNCELOT:

Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of Master
Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman (according(55)
to fates and destinies, and such odd sayings,
the sister three, and such branches of learning) is, indeed,
deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to
heaven.

GOBBO:

Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of my(60)
age, my very prop.

LAUNCELOT:

Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-post, a staff,
or a prop? Do you know me, father?

GOBBO:

Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman:
but, I pray you tell me, is my boy (God rest his soul!)(65)
alive or dead?

LAUNCELOT:

Do you not know me, father?

GOBBO:

Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not.

LAUNCELOT:

Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes you might fail
of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own(70)
child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: give
me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot
be hid long; a man's son may; but, in the end, truth
will out.

GOBBO:

Pray you, sir, stand up; I am sure you are not(75)
Launcelot, my boy.

LAUNCELOT:

Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but
give me your blessing; I am Launcelot, your boy that was,
your son that is, your child that shall be.

GOBBO:

I cannot think you are my son.(80)

LAUNCELOT:

I know not what I shall think of that: but I am
Launcelot, the Jew's man; and I am sure Margery, your
wife, is my mother.

GOBBO:

Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou
be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord(85)
worshipped might he be! what a beard hast thou got!
thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my
phill-horse has on his tail.

LAUNCELOT:

It should seem then, that Dobbin's tail grows
backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail, than I(90)
have of my face, when I last saw him.

GOBBO:

Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy
master agree? I have brought him a present. How 'gree
you now?

LAUNCELOT:

Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up(95)
my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some
ground. My master's a very Jew. Give him a present! give him
a halter: I am famished in his service; you may tell every finger
I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come: give
me your present to one master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives(100)
rare new liveries; if I serve not him, I will run as far as God
has any ground.—O rare fortune! here comes the man;—to
him, father; for I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer.

Enter Bassanio with a follower or two [one of them Leonardo.]

BASSANIO:

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(105)
delivered; put the liveries to making; and desire Gratiano to
come anon to my lodging.

LAUNCELOT:

To him, father.

GOBBO:

God bless your worship!

BASSANIO:

Gramercy! wouldst thou aught with me?(110)

GOBBO:

Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,—

LAUNCELOT:

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

GOBBO:

He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to
serve,—(115)

LAUNCELOT:

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

GOBBO:

His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are
scarce cater-cousins:—

LAUNCELOT:

To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having(120)
done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being I hope
an old man, shall frutify unto you, —

GOBBO:

I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon
your worship; and my suit is,—

LAUNCELOT:

In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself,(125)
as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and,
though I say it, though old man, yet, poor man, my father.

BASSANIO:

One speak for both:—what would you?

LAUNCELOT:

Serve you, sir.

GOBBO:

That is the very defect of the matter, sir.(130)

BASSANIO:

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.(135)

[LAUNCELOT:]

The old proverb is very well parted between
my master Shylock and you, sir; you have the grace of
God, sir, and he hath enough.

BASSANIO:

Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son:—
Take leave of thy old master, and inquire(140)
My lodging out:—Give him a livery
More guarded than his fellows: see it done.

[LAUNCELOT:]

Father, in:—I cannot get a service, no!—I have
ne'er a tongue in my head!—well! If any man in Italy
have a fairer table, which doth offer to swear upon a(145)
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; aleven widows and nine maids, is a simple
coming-in for one man: and then, to 'scape drowning
thrice; and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a(150)
feather bed; here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune be a
woman, she's a good wench for this gear.—Father, come.
I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.

Exit Clown.

BASSANIO:

I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.
These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd,(155)
Return in haste, for I do feast to-night
My best-esteem'd acquaintance: hie thee Go.

LEONARDO:

My best endeavours shall be done herein.

Exit Leonardo.

Enter Gratiano.

GRATIANO:

Where's your master?

LEONARDO:

Yonder, sir, he walks.(160)

GRATIANO:

Signior Bassanio,—

BASSANIO:

Gratiano!

GRATIANO:

I have a suit to you.

BASSANIO:

You have obtain'd it.

GRATIANO:

You must not deny me. I must go with you to(165)
Belmont.

BASSANIO:

Why, then you must.—But hear thee, Gratiano;
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice;
Parts, that become thee happily enough,
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;(170)
But where thou art not known, why, there they show
Something too liberal: pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty,
Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild behavior,
I be misconster'd in the place I go to,(175)
And lose my hopes.

GRATIANO:

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 pocket, look demurely;(180)
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say Amen;
Use all the observance of civility,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his grandam,—never trust me more.(185)

BASSANIO:

Well, we shall see your bearing.

GRATIANO:

Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me
By what we do to-night.

BASSANIO:

No, that were pity;
I would entreat you rather to put on(190)
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment. But fare you well,
I have some business.

GRATIANO:

And I must to Lorenzo and the rest;
But we will visit you at supper-time.(195)

Exeunt.

Scene III

[Venice]

Enter Jessica and [Launcelot] the Clown.

JESSICA:

I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so;
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,
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(5)
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest:
Give him this letter; do it secretly,
And so farewell; I would not have my father
See me in talk with thee.

[LAUNCELOT:]

Adieu!—tears exhibit my tongue. Most(10)
beautiful pagan,—most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not
play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But,
adieu! these foolish drops do something drown my manly
spirit: adieu!

Exit.

JESSICA:

Farewell, good Launcelot.(15)
Alack, what heinous sin is it 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 his manners: O Lorenzo!
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife;(20)
Become a Christian, and thy loving wife.

Exit.

Scene IV

[Venice]

Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio, and Solanio.

LORENZO:

Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return,
All in an hour.

GRATIANO:

We have not made good preparation.

SALERIO:

We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.(5)

SOLANIO:

'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered,
And better, in my mind, not undertook.

LORENZO:

'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours,
To furnish us.—
Friend Launcelot, what's the news?(10)

Enter Launcelot, with a letter.

LAUNCELOT:

An it shall please you to break up this, it shall
seem to signify.

LORENZO:

I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
And whiter than the paper it writ on,
Is the fair hand that writ.(15)

GRATIANO:

Love-news, in faith.

LAUNCELOT:

By your leave, sir.

LORENZO:

Whither goest thou?

LAUNCELOT:

Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup
to-night with my new master the Christian.(20)

LORENZO:

Hold here, take this.—Tell gentle Jessica,
I will not fail her.—Speak it privately.
Go. Gentlemen, will you prepare you for this masque
to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.(25)

Exit Clown.

SALERIO:

Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

SOLANIO:

And so will I.

LORENZO:

Meet me and Gratiano,
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

SALERIO:

'Tis good we do so.(30)

Exit [Salerio and Solanio]

GRATIANO:

Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

LORENZO:

I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
How I shall take her from her father's house;
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with;
What page's suit she hath in readiness.(35)
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake:
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
Unless she do it under this excuse,—
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.(40)
Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest:
Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer.

Exit.