Autonio, the Merchant of Venice. Bassanio, his friend. Salanio, Gratiano, } Friends to Antonio and Bassanie. Lorenzo, in love with Jessica. Shylock, a Jew: Tubal, a Jew, his friend. Launcelot Gobbo, a clown, servant to Shylock. Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot. Salerio, a messenger from Venice, Leonardo, servant to Bassanio. Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Jailer, Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the Seat of Portia, on the Continent. ACT I SCENE I. 1 Venice. A Street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. Ant. In sooth, I know not why I am so sad; And such a want wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That curt'sy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings.. Salan. Believe me, Sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks? To think on this; and shall I lack the thought, That such a thing, bechauc'd, would make me sad? But, tell not me: I know, Antonio Is sad to think upon his merchandize. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate Upon the fortune of this present year: Therefore, my merchandize makes me not sað.“ Salan. Why then you are in love. Ant. Fie, fie! Salan. Not in love neither? Then let's say, Because you are not Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy and leap, and say, you are merry, sad. Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyess And laugh, like parrots, at a bag-piper; And other of such vinegar aspect, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and Gratiano. Salan. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo: Fare you well; Salar. I would have staid till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. You grow exceeding strange; Must it be so? yours. [Exeunt SALARINO and SALANIÓ. Lor. My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio, We two will leave you: but, at dinner time, Gra. You look not well, Signior Antonio ; Ant. I hold the world but as the world, Gra tiano; Asstage, where every man must play a part, Gra. Let me play the Fool: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come; Sleep when he wakes? and creep into the jaundice With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion For saying nothing; who, I am very sure, If they should speak, would almost damn those ears, Which hearing them, would call their brothers, fools. I'll tell thee more of this another time: But fish not, with this melancholy bait, Fare ye well, a while; I'll end my exhortation after dinner. Lor. Well, we will leave you then till dinner. time: I must be one of these same dumb wise men, Gra. Well, keep me company but two years more, Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue. |