The Merchant of Venice Read online

  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 mark19, is a kind of devil; and to run away from the

  Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence20,

  is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil

  incarnation22, and in my conscience, my conscience is a kind of

  hard conscience to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew; the

  fiend gives the more friendly counsel. I will run, fiend. My

  heels are at your commandment. 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?

  LANCELET O heavens, this is my true-begotten28 father,

  Aside

  who, being more than sand-blind29, high-gravel-blind, knows

  me not. I will try confusions30 with him.

  GOBBO Master young gentleman, I pray you which is the

  way to Master Jew’s?

  LANCELET Turn upon your right hand at the next turning, but

  at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very

  next turning, turn of no hand35, but turn down indirectly to

  the Jew’s house.

  GOBBO By God’s sonties37, ’twill be a hard way to hit. Can you

  tell me whether one Lancelet, that dwells with him, dwell

  with him or no?

  LANCELET Talk you of young Master Lancelet?—

  Aside

  Mark me now, now will I raise the waters41.—Talk you of

  young Master Lancelet?

  GOBBO No master43, sir, but a poor man’s son. His father,

  though I say’t, is an honest exceeding poor man and, God be

  thanked, well to live45.

  LANCELET Well, let his father be what a46 will, we talk of young

  Master Lancelet.

  GOBBO Your worship’s friend and Lancelet48.

  LANCELET But I pray you ergo49, old man, ergo, I beseech you talk

  you of young Master Lancelet?

  GOBBO Of Lancelet, an’t51 please your mastership.

  LANCELET Ergo, Master Lancelet. Talk not of Master Lancelet,

  father53, for the young gentleman—according to fates and

  destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three54 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

  age, my very prop.

  LANCELET Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post59, 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, alive or

  dead?

  LANCELET Do you not know me, father?

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

  LANCELET Nay, indeed if you had your eyes you might fail of

  the knowing66 me: it is a wise father that knows his own

  child67.

  Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son. Give

  He kneels

  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

  Lancelet, my boy.

  LANCELET Pray you let’s have no more fooling about it, but

  give me your blessing. I am Lancelet, your boy that was, your

  son that is, your child that shall be74.

  GOBBO I cannot think you are my son.

  LANCELET I know not what I shall think of that. But I am

  Lancelet, the Jew’s man, and I am sure Margery your wife is

  my mother.

  GOBBO Her name is Margery80, indeed. I’ll be sworn, if thou

  be Lancelet, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord

  worshipped might he be! What a beard hast thou got! Thou

  hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse83 has

  on his tail.

  LANCELET It should seem, then, that Dobbin’s tail

  He rises

  grows backward86. I am sure he had more hair of his tail than

  I have of my face when I last saw him.

  GOBBO Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy

  master agree89? I have brought him a present. How ’gree you

  now?

  LANCELET Well, well. But for mine own part, as I have set up

  my rest91 to run away, so I will not rest92 till I have run some

  ground; my master’s a very93 Jew. Give him a present? Give

  him a halter94! I am famished in his service. You may tell every

  finger I have with my ribs95. Father, I am glad you are come.

  Give me96 your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed,

  gives rare97 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 Jew99 if I serve the Jew any longer.

  Enter Bassanio, with a follower or two [including Leonardo]

  BASSANIO You may do so, but let it be so hasted100

  To a Servant

  that supper be ready at the farthest101 by five of the clock. See

  these letters delivered, put the liveries to making, and desire

  Gratiano to come anon103 to my lodging.

  [Exit a Servant]

  LANCELET To him, father.

  GOBBO God bless your worship!

  Comes forward

  BASSANIO Gramercy106! Wouldst thou aught with me?

  GOBBO Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy—

  LANCELET Not a poor108 boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man, that

  would, sir, as my father shall specify—

  GOBBO He hath a great infection110, sir, as one would say, to

  serve—

  LANCELET 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 scarce115 cater-cousins—

  LANCELET 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 frutify118 unto you—

  GOBBO I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon

  your worship, and my suit is—

  LANCELET In very brief, the suit is impertinent121 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.

  BASSANIO One speak for both. What would you?

  LANCELET Serve you, sir.

  GOBBO That is the very defect126 of the matter, sir.

  BASSANIO I know thee well, thou hast obtained thy suit.

  Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,

  And hath preferred129 thee, if it be preferment

  To leave a rich Jew’s service, to become

  The follower of so poor a gentleman.

  LANCELET The old proverb132 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

  My lodging out136.—Give him a livery

  To a Servant

  More guarded138 than his fellows’. See it done.

  LANCELET 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

  Points to his palm

  fairer table141 wh
ich doth offer to swear upon a book,

  I shall have good fortune. Go to, here’s a simple142 line of life,

  here’s a small trifle143 of wives. Alas, fifteen wives is nothing!

  Eleven widows and nine maids is a simple144 coming-in for one

  man, and then to scape145 drowning thrice, and to be in peril

  of my life with the edge of a feather-bed146. Here are simple

  scapes147. Well, if Fortune be a woman, she’s a good wench for

  this gear148. Father, come; I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the

  twinkling.

  Exit Clown [Lancelet with Old Gobbo]

  BASSANIO I pray thee good Leonardo, think on this.

  Gives a list

  These things being bought and orderly bestowed151,

  Return in haste, for I do feast152 tonight

  My best-esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go.

  LEONARDO My best endeavours shall be done herein154.

  Enter Gratiano

  GRATIANO Where’s your master?

  LEONARDO Yonder, sir, he walks.

  Exit

  GRATIANO Signior Bassanio!

  BASSANIO Gratiano!

  GRATIANO I have a suit to you.

  BASSANIO You have obtained it160.

  GRATIANO You must not deny me. I must go with you to

  Belmont.

  BASSANIO Why then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano,

  Thou art too wild, too rude164 and bold of voice,

  Parts165 that become thee happily enough

  And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;

  But where they are not known, why, there they show167

  Something too liberal168. Pray thee take pain

  To allay169 with some cold drops of modesty

  Thy skipping170 spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour

  I be misconstered171 in the place I go to,

  And lose my hopes.

  GRATIANO Signior Bassanio, hear me:

  If I do not put on a sober habit174,

  Talk with respect and swear but175 now and then,

  Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely,

  Nay more, while grace is saying177, hood mine eyes

  Thus with my hat, and sigh and say ‘Amen’,

  Covers his face

  Use all the observance of civility,

  Like one well studied in a sad ostent180

  To please his grandam181, never trust me more.

  BASSANIO Well, we shall see your bearing.

  GRATIANO Nay, but I bar183 tonight. You shall not gauge me

  By what we do tonight.

  BASSANIO No, that were pity.

  I would entreat you rather to put on

  Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends

  That purpose188 merriment. But fare you well.

  I have some business.

  GRATIANO And I must to Lorenzo and the rest,

  But we will visit you at suppertime.

  Exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 3]

  running scene 6

  Enter Jessica and the Clown [Lancelet]

  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.

  Gives money

  And, Lancelet, soon at supper shalt thou see

  Lorenzo, who is thy new master’s guest:

  Give him this letter. Do it secretly.

  Gives a letter

  And so farewell. I would not have my father

  See me talk with thee.

  LANCELET Adieu! Tears exhibit10 my tongue, most beautiful

  pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave

  and get12 thee, I am much deceived; but adieu. These foolish

  drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit. Adieu.

  Exit

  JESSICA Farewell, good Lancelet.

  Alack, what heinous sin is it in me

  To be ashamed to be my father’s child!

  But though I am a daughter to his blood,

  I am not to his manners18. O Lorenzo,

  If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife19,

  Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

  Exit

  [Act 2 Scene 4]

  running scene 7

  Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio and Solanio

  LORENZO Nay, we will slink away in1 suppertime,

  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 of5 torchbearers.

  SOLANIO ’Tis vile6, unless it may be quaintly ordered,

  And better in my mind not undertook.

  LORENZO ’Tis now but four of clock. We have two hours

  To furnish us9.—Friend Lancelet, what’s the news?

  Enter Lancelet, with a letter

  LANCELET An10 it shall please you to break up this,

  Gives him the letter

  shall it seem to signify11.

  LORENZO I know the hand12. In faith, ’tis a fair hand,

  And whiter than the paper it writ on

  Is the fair hand that writ.

  GRATIANO Love-news, in faith.

  LANCELET By your leave16, sir.

  Starts to leave

  LORENZO Whither goest thou?

  LANCELET Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup18

  tonight with my new master the Christian.

  LORENZO Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica

  Gives money

  I will not fail her. Speak it privately.

  Go22, gentlemen,

  Will you prepare you for this masque23 tonight?

  I am provided of24 a torchbearer.

  Exit Clown [Lancelet]

  SALERIO Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight.

  SOLANIO And so will I.

  LORENZO Meet me and Gratiano

  At Gratiano’s lodging some28 hour hence.

  SALERIO ’Tis good we do so.

  Exit [Salerio with Solanio]

  GRATIANO Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

  LORENZO I must needs31 tell thee all. She hath directed

  How I shall take her from her father’s house,

  What gold and jewels she is furnished with,

  What page’s suit she hath in readiness.

  If e’er the Jew her father come to heaven,

  It will be for his gentle36 daughter’s sake;

  And never dare misfortune cross her foot37,

  Unless she38 do it under this excuse,

  That she39 is issue to a faithless Jew.

  Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest.

  Gives the letter

  Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer.

  Exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 5]

  running scene 8

  Enter [Shylock the] Jew and [Lancelet,] his man that was, the Clown

  SHYLOCK Well, thou shall see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,

  The difference of2 old Shylock and Bassanio.—

  What, Jessica!—Thou shalt not gormandize3

  As thou hast done with me—What, Jessica!—

  And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out5—

  Why, Jessica, I say!

  LANCELET Why, Jessica!

  SHYLOCK Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.

  LANCELET Your worship was wont9 to tell me

  I could do nothing without bidding.

  Enter Jessica

  JESSICA Call you? What is your will?

  SHYLOCK I am bid forth12 to supper, Jessica.

  There are my keys. But wherefore13 should I go?

  I am not bid for love, they flatter me.

  But yet I’ll go in hate, to feed upon15

  The prodigal16 Christian. Jessica, my girl,

  Look to17 my house. I am rig
ht loath to go.

  There is some ill18 a-brewing towards my rest,

  For I did dream of money-bags tonight19.

  LANCELET I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect20

  your reproach21.

  SHYLOCK So do I his.

  LANCELET An they have conspired together. I will not say you

  shall see a masque, but if you do, then it was not for nothing

  that my nose fell a-bleeding25 on Black Monday last at

  six o’clock i’th’morning, falling out that year on Ash

  Wednesday was four year, in th’afternoon.

  SHYLOCK What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica:

  Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum

  And the vile squealing of the wry-necked30 fife,

  Clamber not you up to the casements31 then,

  Nor thrust your head into the public street

  To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces33,

  But stop34 my house’s ears, I mean my casements.

  Let not the sound of shallow fopp’ry35 enter

  My sober house. By Jacob’s staff36, I swear,

  I have no mind of37 feasting forth tonight,

  But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah,

  Say I will come.

  LANCELET I will go before, sir.—Mistress, look out

  Aside to Jessica

  at window, for41 all this,

  There will come a Christian by,

  Will be worth a Jewès eye43.

  [Exit Lancelet]

  SHYLOCK What says that fool of Hagar’s offspring44, ha?

  JESSICA His words were ‘Farewell mistress’, nothing else.

  SHYLOCK The patch46 is kind enough, but a huge feeder,

  Snail-slow in profit47, but he sleeps by day

  More than the wild-cat. Drones48 hive not with me:

  Therefore I part with him, and part with him

  To one that I would have him help to waste

  His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.

  Perhaps I will return immediately.

  Do as I bid you, shut doors after you.

  Fast bind, fast find54—

  A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

  Exit

  JESSICA Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed56,

  I have a father, you a daughter lost.

  Exit

  [Act 2 Scene 6]

  running scene 9

  Enter the masquers, Gratiano and Salerio

  GRATIANO This is the penthouse1 under which Lorenzo

  Desired us to make a stand2.

  SALERIO His hour is almost past3.

  GRATIANO And it is marvel4 he out-dwells his hour,

  For lovers ever5 run before the clock.

  SALERIO O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons6 fly

  To seal love’s bonds new-made, than they are wont