Gra. No; we shall ne'er win at that fport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel ? Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO. Baf. Lorenzo, and Salerio, welcome hither; Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour -For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have feen you here; But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me, paft all faying nay, Sale. And I have reason for it. I did, my lord, Signior Antonio [Gives BASSANIO a letter. Ere I ope his letter, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Sale. Not fick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. Gra. Neriffa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her welcome. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice? How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? I know, he will be glad of our success ; We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sale. 'Would you had won the fleece that he hath loft! Per. Por. There are fome fhrewd contents in yon' fame paper, That fteal the colour from Baffanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Of any constant man. What, worse and worse ?-- And I must freely have the half of any thing Baff. How much I was a braggart: When I told you From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one veffel 'fcape the dreadful touch Sale. Not one, my lord. Befides, it should appear, that if he had A creature, A creature, that did bear the shape of man, Of greatest port, have all perfuaded with him ; Jef. When I was with him, I have heard him fwear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, Than twenty times the value of the fum It will go hard with poor Antonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? In doing courtefies; and one in whom What, no more? Pay him fix thousand, and deface the bond; Shall lofe a hair through Baffario's fault. When When it is paid, bring your true friend along; Will live as maids and widows. Come, away; Baff. [reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my eftate is very low, my bond to the few is forfeit; and fince, in paying it, it is impoffible I bould live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but fee you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Baff. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make hafte; but till I come again, No bed fhall e'er be guilty of my stay, [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler. -Tell not me of mercy ; Shy. Gaoler, look to him ;- Gaoler, look to him. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; fpeak not against my bond; I have fworn an oath, that I will have my bond: Thou call'dft me dog, before thou had'st a cause : But, fince I am a dog, beware my fangs : E 4 The The duke fhall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: [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; For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; [Exeunt. SCENE |