The Merchant of Venice Page 5
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