Act II, Scene II - Page 2

The Merchant of Venice | Act II, Scene II - Page 2

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

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:: 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.

Exit Leonardo.

Enter Gratiano.

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)

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.

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