Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman; And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, How much I was a braggart: When I told you And not one veffel 'scape the dreadful touch Of merchant-marring rocks? SALE. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Of greatest port, have all perfuaded with him; JES. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, VOL. II. K Than twenty times the value of the fum That he did owe him: and I know, my lord, If law, authority, and power deny not, It will go hard with poor Antonio. POR. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Pay him fix thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lofe a hair through Baffanio's fault. For Bid you But let me hear the letter of your friend. BASS. [reads.] Sweet Baffanio, my ships have all mifcarried, my creditors grow grow cruel, my eftate is very low, my bond to the few is forfeit; and fince, in paying it, it is impossible I could live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but fee you at my death: notwithstanding, ufe your pleafure: if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my let ter. POR. O love, dispatch all business, and be gone. No reft be interpofer 'twixt us twain. SCENE III. Venice. A Street. [Exeunt. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and GAOLER. SHY. Gaoler, look to him ;-Tell not me of mercy ;This is the fool that lent out money gratis ; Gaoler, look to him. ANT. Hear me yet, good Shylock. SHY. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have fworn an oath, that I will have my bond: Thou call❜ft me dog, before thou hadft a cause: But, fince I am a dog, beware my fangs : The duke fhall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art fo fond To come abroad with him at his request. ANT. I pray thee, hear me speak. Sør. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak : To shake the head, relent, and figh, and yield [Exit SHYLOCK. SALAN. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. ANT. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootlefs prayers. Many that have at times made moan to me; SALAN. I am fure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. ANT. The duke cannot deny the course of law; Will much impeach the justice of the state; Well, gaoler, on:-Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Belmont. A Room in PORTIA'S House. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR. LOR. Madam, Although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly you knew to whom you show this honour, POR. I never did repent for doing good, That do converfe and waste the time together, The husbandry and manage of my house, Until her husband and my lord's return: And there we will abide. I do defire you, Not to deny this impofition; The which my love, and fome neceffity, Now lays upon you. LOR. Madam, with all my heart; I fhall obey you in all fair commands. POR. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jeffica In place of lord Baffanio and myself. So fare you well, till we shall meet again. LOR. Fair thoughts, and happy hours, attend on you! JES. I wish your ladyship all heart's content. POR. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd |