Shakespeare's play of the Merchant of Venice Part 6

_Bas_. Gramercy! Would'st thou aught with me?

_Gob_. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy--

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

_Gob_. He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve----

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

_Gob_. His master and he (saving your wors.h.i.+p's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins.

_Lau_. 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 frutify unto you.

_Gob_. I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your wors.h.i.+p; and my suit is----

_Lau_. In very brief, the suit is impertinent[51] to myself, as your wors.h.i.+p shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.

_Bas_. One speak for both. What would you?

_Lau_. Serve you, sir.

_Gob_. That is the very defect of the matter, sir.

_Bas_. 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.

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

_Bas_. Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son:-- Take leave of thy old master, and inquire My lodging out:--give him a livery. [_To his Followers_.

More guarded[52] than his fellows': See it done.

_Lau_. Father, in:--_(Exit_ OLD GOBBO.) I cannot get a service, no!--I have ne'er a tongue in my head!--Well; (_looking on his palm_) if any man in Italy have a fairer table;[53] which doth offer to swear upon a book I shall have good fortune![54] Go to, here's a simple line of life![55] here's a small trifle of wives: Alas, fifteen wives is nothing; eleven 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 feather-bed,[56] here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune be a woman she's a good wench for this gear.--I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.

[_Exit_ LAUNCELOT.

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

_Leo_. My best endeavours shall be done herein.

_Enter_ GRATIANO.

_Gra_. Where is your master?

_Leo_. Yonder, sir, he walks.

[_Exit_ LEONARDO

_Gra_. Signior Ba.s.sanio,--

_Bas_. Gratiano!

_Gra_. I have a suit to you.

_Bas_. You have obtained it.

_Gra_. You must not deny me: I must go with you to Belmont.

_Bas_. 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; But, where they are not known, why, there they show Something too liberal:[57]--pray thee take pain To allay with some cold drops of modesty Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild behaviour, I be misconstrued in the place I go to, And lose my hopes.

_Gra_. Signior Ba.s.sanio, 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; Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes[58]

Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say amen; Use all the observance of civility, Like one well studied in a sad ostent;[59]

To please his grandam,--never trust me more.

_Bas_, Well, we shall see your bearing.[60]

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

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

_Gra_. And I must to Lorenzo and the rest; But we will visit you at supper time.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ JESSICA _and_ LAUNCELOT _from_ SHYLOCK'S _house_.

_Jes_. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so; Our house is h.e.l.l, 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 shall thou see 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.

_Lau_. Adieu!--Tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagan,--most sweet Jew! Adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit: adieu.

[_Exit_.

_Jes_. Farewell, good Launcelot.

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; Become a Christian, and thy loving wife.

[_Exit into house_.

_Enter_ GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, _and_ SALANIO.

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

_Gra_. We have not made good preparation.

_Salar_. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.[61]

_Sal_. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook.

_Lor_. 'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours To furnish us.--