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 worship; and my suit is, Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet, poor man, my father. Bass. One speak for both ;-What would you? Laun. Serve you, sir. Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, sir. Bass. 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. Laun. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir; you have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough. Bass. Thou speak'st it well; Go, father with thy son: Take leave of thy old master, and enquire [To his Followers. More guarded' than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father, in:-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," which doth offer to swear upon a book.-I shall have good fortune; Go to, here's a simple line of life! here's a small trifle of wives: Alas, fifteen 7 more guarded-] i. e. more ornamented. 8 Well; if any man in Italy have a fairer table,] Table is the palm of the hand extended. Launcelot congratulates himself upon his dexterity and good fortune, and in the height of his rapture inspects his hand, and congratulates himself upon the felicities in his table. 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;9-here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear.-Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old GOBBO. Bass. 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. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein. Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with Bass. Why, then you must;-But hear thee, Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice ;- And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; 9-in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed ;] A cant phrase to signify the danger of marrying. Something too liberal;] i. e. gross, coarse, licentious. I be misconstrued in the place I go to, Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me : If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Like one well studied in a sad ostent2 Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity; Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; SCENE III. [Exeunt. The same. A Room in Shylock's House. Enter JESSICA and LAUNCelot. Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father so; sad ostent-] Ostent is a word very commonly used for show among the old dramatick writers. 3 your bearing.] Bearing is carriage, deportment. And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see And so farewell; I would not have my father Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit thy tongue.Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But, adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu! Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot. If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. SCENE IV. The same. A Street. [Exit. [Exit. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and 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. Salan. "Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. "Tis now but four a-clock; we have two hours To furnish us; Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. paper Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And whiter than the it writ on, Is the fair hand that writ. Gra. Love-news, in faith. Laun. By your leave, sir. Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this:-tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her;-speak it privately; go. Gentlemen, Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodgings some hour hence. [Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica ? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath directed, How I shall take her from her father's house; [Exeunt. |