me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation. -I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility?? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction. Salerio appears [L.]. Salerio. Gentlemen, Antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both. Salarino. We have been up and down to seek him. [Salerio, Salanio, and Salarino exeunt L.] Tubal enters [R.]. Shylock. How now, Tubal! what news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter? Tubal. I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her. Antonio hath an argosy cast away,3 coming from Tripolis. Shylock. I thank God, I thank God. Is't true, is't true? Tubal. I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck. Shylock. I thank thee, good Tubal; good news, good news! Tubal. Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, in one night fourscore ducats. 1 half a million: probably half a million ducats. 2 humility: humanity. 3 an argosy cast away: a large merchant vessel wrecked. Shylock. Thou stick'st a dagger in me: I shall never see my gold again. Tubal. There came divers1 of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice, that swear he cannot choose but break. Shylock. I am very glad of it. I'll plague him; I'll torture him. I am glad of it. Tubal. One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey. Shylock. Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. Tubal. But Antonio is certainly undone. Shylock. That's true, that's very true. [Exeurt.] ACT IV Belmont. A room in Portia's house Bassanio enters [R.] with Portia, her hand resting upon his arm. A moment later there enter [L.] Lorenzo, Jessica, and a messenger from Venice-Salerio. Bassanio. Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither, If the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome. — By your leave, I bid my friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome. Portia. So do I, my lord;2 Signior Antonio They are entirely welcome. Lorenzo. I thank your honor. Salerio. 1 divers (di'vers): different ones. 2 my lord: Portia's term of respectful address to the man who is to become her husband. Commends him1 to you. [Gives Bassanio a letter.] I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. [Bassanio reads.] 3 Portia. There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper, That steal the color from Bassanio's cheek. What, worse and worse! With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself. [Comes up and with him looks at the letter.] Bassanio. O sweet Portia, here are a few of the unpleasantest words That ever blotted paper! Is it true, Salerio? Have all his ventures failed? What? not one hit? From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel scape the dreadful touch Salerio. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Bassanio. [Reads.] "Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and me, if I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure; if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter." Portia. O love, dispatch all business, and be gone! 1 commends him: commends himself, asks to be remembered. 2 estate: condition. 3 shrewd: keen, painful, or evil. Bassanio. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste; but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt L.] A moment later Portia comes back with "Lorenzo, Jessica, and her servant Balthasar. Portia. Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage1 of my house Which my love and some necessity Now lays upon you. Lorenzo. Madam, with all my heart I shall obey you in all fair commands. Portia. My people do already know my mind, Now, Balthasar, take this same letter, [Gives letter.] In speed to Padua. See thou deliver this Unto my cousin, Doctor Bellario. And, look, what 3 notes and garments he doth give thee, To the ferry Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words, But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee. [Exeunt L.] 1 husbandry and manage: stewardship and management. 2 imposition: the word originally meant command. what: whatever. |