In sooth I know not why I am so sad
It wearies me, you say it wearies you. But how I caught it, found it, or came by it...
...what stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me that I have much ado to know myself
Your mind is tossing on the ocean, there where your argosies with portly sail...
...like signors and rich burghers on the flood, do overpeer the petty traffickers...
...which curtsy to them, do them reverence, as they fly by them with their woven wings
Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth...
...the better part of my affections would be with my hopes abroad
I should be still plucking the grass to know where sits the wind
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads, and every object...
...that might make me fear misfortune to my ventures out of doubt would make me sad
My wind cooling my broth would blow me to an ague...
...when I thought what harm a wind too great might do at sea...
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run, but I should think of shallows and of flats...
...and see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand...
...vatting her high top lower than her ribs to kiss her burial
Should I go to church and see the holy edifice of stone...
...and not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks...
...which touching but my gentle vessel's side, would scatter all her spices on the stream...
...enrobe the roaring waters with my silks, and in a word...
...but even now worth this, and now worth nothing?
Shall I have the thought to think on this...
...and shall I lack the thought that such a thing bechanced would make me sad?
But tell not me. I know Antonio is sad to think upon his merchandise
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 merchandise makes me not sad - Why, then you are in love
- Fie, fie! - Not in love neither?
Then let us say you are sad because you are not merry
And 'twere as easy for you to laugh and leap, and say you are merry because you are not sad
Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano and Lorenzo
Fare ye well, we leave you now with better company
I would have stayed till I had made you merry, if worthier friends had not prevented me
Your worth is very dear in my regard
I take it, your own business calls on you, and you embrace the occasion to depart
Good morrow. My good lords!
Good Signors both, when shall we laugh? Say, when?
- You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so? - We'll make our leisures to attend on yours
My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio, we two will leave you. But at dinnertime...
- ...I pray you have in mind where we must meet - I will not fail you
You look not well, Signor Antonio. You have too much respect upon the world
They lose it that do buy it with much care. Believe me, you are marvellously changed
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano...
...a stage where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one
Let me play the fool. With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come
And let my liver rather heat with wine, than my heart cool with mortifying groans
Why should a man whose blood is warm within sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?
I'm sorry
I tell thee what, Antonio, I love thee, and it is my love that speaks
There are a sort of men whose visages do cream and mantle like a standing pond
And do a wilful stillness entertain, with purpose to be dressed...
...in an opinion of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit
As who should say, 'I am Sir Oracle, and when I ope my lips, let no dog bark'
O my Antonio, I do know of these that therefore only are reputed wise for saying nothing
I'll tell thee more of this another time.
But fish not with this melancholy bait for this fool gudgeon, this opinion
Come, good Lorenzo. Fare ye well awhile, I'll end my exhortation after dinner
Well, we will leave you then till dinnertime
I must be one of these same dumb wise men, for Gratiano never lets me speak
Well, keep me company but two years more, thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue
Fare you well, I'll grow a talker for this gear
Thanks, in faith, for silence is only commendable in a neat's tongue dried and a maid not vendible
Is that anything now?
Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice
His reasons are two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff
You shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search
Well, tell me now, what lady is the same...
...to whom you swore a secret pilgrimage that you today promised to tell me of?
'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, how much I have disabled mine estate...
...by something showing a more swelling port than my faint means would grant continuance
Nor do I now make moan to be abridged from such a noble rate. But my chief care...
...is to come fairly off from the great debts wherein my time something too prodigal hath left me gaged
To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love. And from your love I have a warranty...
...to unburden all my plots and purposes how to get clear of all the debts I owe
I pray you good Bassanio, let me know it, and if it stand as you yourself still do...
...within the eye of honour...
...be assured my purse, my person, my extremest means, lie all unlocked to your occasions
In my schooldays, when I had lost one shaft...
...I shot his fellow of the selfsame flight the selfsame way...
...with more advised watch to find the other forth, and by adventuring both I oft found both
I urge this childhood proof because what follows is pure innocence
I owe you much and, like a wilful youth, that which I owe is lost
But if you please to shoot another arrow that self way which you did shoot the first...
...I do not doubt, as I will watch the aim, or to find both...
...or bring your latter hazard back again and thankfully rest debtor for the first
You know me well, and herein spend but time to wind about my love with circumstance
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong in making question of my uttermost...
...than if you had made waste of all I have. Then do but say to me what I should do...
...that in your knowledge may by me be done, and I am pressed unto it. Therefore speak
In Belmont is a lady richly left, and she is fair and, fairer than that word, of wondrous virtues
Sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued to Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth...
...for the four winds blow in from every coast renowned suitors...
...and many Jasons come in quest of her
O my Antonio...
...had I but the means to hold a rival place with one of them...
...I have a mind presages me such thrift, that I should question less be fortunate
Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea
Neither have I money, nor commodity to raise a present sum
Therefore go forth
Try what my credit can in Venice do...
...that shall be racked, even to the uttermost...
...to furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia. Go, presently inquire, and so will I, where money is
And I no question make, to have it of my trust or for my sake
By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is a weary of this great world
You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance
as your good fortunes are.
And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing
- Good sentences and well pronounced - They would be better if well followed
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do...
...chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces
It is a good divine that follows his own instructions
I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done
than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching
The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps over a cold decree
But this reason is not in fashion to choose me a husband
O me, the word 'choose'!
I may neither choose whom I would, nor refuse whom I dislike...
...so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father
Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none?
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations
Therefore the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead...
...whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you...
...will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love
But what warmth is there in your affection toward any of these princely suitors that are already come?
I pray thee over name them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them
And according to my description level at my affection
First, there is the Neapolitan prince
He doth nothing but talk of his horse, I am much afraid my lady his mother played false with a smith
Then is there the County Palatine
I had rather to be married to a death's-head with a bone in his mouth
How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man
How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?
Very vilely in the morning when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon when he is drunk
Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee...
...set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket
For if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it
I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge
You need not fear, lady, the having of any of these lords.
They have acquainted me with their determinations...
...which is indeed to return to their home, and to trouble you with no more suit
Unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets
If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana...
...unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will
I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable
For there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I wish them a fair departure
Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time...
...a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat?
Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I think, so was he called
He, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise
The four strangers seek you, madam, to take their leave
And there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco...
...who brings word the Prince his master will be here tonight
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell...
...I should be glad of his approach. Come, Nerissa, go before
Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door
Three thousand ducats, well
- Ay, sir, for three months - For three months, well
- For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound - Antonio shall become bound, well
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?
Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound
- Your answer to that - Antonio is a good man
- Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? - Oh, no, no, no, no!
My meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient
Yet his means are in supposition. He hath an argosy bound to Tripoli, another to the Indies
I understand moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England...
...and other ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men
There be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves... I mean pirates
And then there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient
- Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his bond - Be assured you may
I will be assured I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?
- If it please you dine with us - Yes, to smell pork
I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following
But I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you
What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?
- This is Signor Antonio - How like a fawning publican he looks
I hate him, for that in low simplicity he lends out money gratis...
...and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, even there where merchants most do congregate...
...on me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, which he calls interest
Shylock, do you hear?
I am debating of my present store, and by the near guess of my memory...
...I cannot instantly raise up the gross of full three thousand ducats. What of that?
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, will furnish me. But soft! How many months do you desire?
Rest you fair, good signor. Your worship was the last man in our mouths
Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow by taking nor by giving of excess...
...yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I'll break a custom
- Is he yet possessed how much ye would? - Ay, ay, three thousand ducats
- And for three months - I had forgot, three months. You told me so
Well then, your bond. And let me see, but hear you
Methoughts you said you neither lend nor borrow upon advantage
- I do never use it - When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep...
- This Jacob from our holy Abram was - And what of him? Did he take interest?
No, not take interest, not, as you would say, directly interest. Mark what Jacob did
When Laban and himself were compromised...
...that all the new Iambs which were streaked and pied should fall as Jacob's hire
The ewes, being rank, in end of autumn turned to the rams
And when the work of generation was between these woolly breeders in the act...
...the skillful shepherd peeled him certain shoots, and stuck them up before the lusty ewes
Who then conceiving, did in eaning time fall parti-coloured Iambs, and those were Jacob's
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest. And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not
Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
I cannot tell, I make it breed as fast
- But note me, Signor... - Mark you this, Bassanio
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose
An evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek...
...a goodly apple rotten at the heart. O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
Three thousand ducats, 'tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see...
- The rate... - Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
Signor Antonio, many a time and oft in the Rialto...
...you have rated me about my moneys and my usances
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine
And all for use of that which is mine own
Well then, it now appears you need my help. Go to, then
You come to me and you say 'Shylock, we would have moneys'
You say so, you that did void your rheum upon my beard...
...and foot me as you spurn a stranger cur over your threshold
Moneys is your suit. What should I say to you? Should I not say...
'Hath a dog moneys? Is it possible a cur should lend three thousand ducats?'
Or shall I bend low and in a beggar's key...
...with bated breath and whispering humbleness, say this
'Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last, you spurned me such a day'
'Another time you called me dog, and for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much moneys?'
I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not as to thy friends
For when did friendship take a breed of barren metal of his friend?
But lend it rather to thine enemy
Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face exact the penalties
Why, look you how you storm!
I would be friends with you and have your love, forget the shames that you have stained me with
Supply your present wants and take no piece of interest of my moneys, and you'll not hear me
- This is kind I offer - This were kindness
This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there your single bond
And in a merry sport, if you repay me not on such a day, in such a place...
...such sum or sums as are expressed in the condition...
Let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh...
...to be cut off and taken in what part of your body it pleaseth me
Content, in faith, I'll seal to such a bond and say there is much kindness in the Jew
You shall not seal to such a bond for me. I'll rather dwell in my necessity
Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it
Within these two months, that's a month before this bond expires...
...I do expect return of thrice three times the value of this bond
O father Abram, what these Christians are...
...whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect the thoughts of others!
Pray you tell me this. If he should break his day...
...what should I gain by the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man's flesh taken from a man is not so estimable, profitable neither...
...as flesh of muttons, beefs or goats
I say to buy his favour, I extend this friendship. If he will take it, so. If not, adieu
And for my love, I pray you wrong me not
- Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond - Then meet me forthwith at the notary's
Give him direction for this merry bond, and I will go and purse the ducats straight
Hie thee, gentle Jew
- This Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind - I like not fair terms and a villain's mind
Come on, in this there can be no dismay. My ships come home a month before the day
Mislike me not for my complexion...
...the shadowed livery of the burnished sun, to whom I am a neighbour and near bred
Bring me the fairest creature northward born, where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles...
...and let us make incision for your love, to prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine hath feared the valiant
By my love I swear, the best-regarded virgins of our clime have loved it too
I would not change this hue...
...except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen
In terms of choice I am not solely led by nice direction of a maiden's eyes
But if my father had not scanted me, and hedged me by his wit...
...to yield myself his wife who wins me by that means I told you...
...yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection
Even for that I thank you. Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets to try my fortune
You must take your chance, and either not attempt to choose at all, or swear before you choose...
...if you choose wrong never to speak to lady afterward in way of marriage. Therefore be advised
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance
After dinner your hazard shall be made
Good fortune then. To make me blest or cursed'st among men
Oh, come on!
Sake.
Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master
The fiend is at mine elbow...
...and tempts me.
Saying to me, 'Gobbo, Lancelot Gobbo, good Lancelot'...
...or 'good Gobbo', or 'good Lancelot Gobbo'
'Use your legs, take the start, run away'
My conscience says, 'No, take heed, honest Lancelot, take heed, honest Gobbo'
Or, as aforesaid, 'Honest Lancelot Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy heels'
Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack. 'Fia!' says the fiend, 'away', says the fiend
'For the heavens, rouse up a brave mind', says the fiend, 'and run'
Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me
'My honest friend Lancelot, being an honest man's son'...
...or rather an honest woman's son
For indeed my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste
Well, my conscience says 'Lancelot, budge not'
'Budge', says the fiend. 'Budge not', says my conscience
'Conscience', say I, 'you counsel well'
'Fiend', say I, 'you counsel well'
To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master...
...who, God bless the mark, is a kind of devil
And to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend...
...who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself
Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnal, and in my conscience...
...my conscience is a kind of hard conscience to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew
The fiend gives the more friendly counsel
I will run, fiend. My heels are at your commandment. I will run
O rare fortune! Here comes Master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries
If I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground
To him, for I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer
You may do so, but let it be so hasted
that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock
See these letters delivered
- God bless your worship! - Gramercy, wouldst thou aught with me?
I have a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve, indeed
- What would you? - Serve you, sir. That is the very defect of the matter, sir
Thou hast obtained thy suit. Go, take leave of thy old master and inquire my lodging out
Give him a livery more tricked out than his fellows'. See it done. And good Leonardo, think on this
Well, if Fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear
- I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling - These things being bought and orderly bestowed...
...return in haste, for I do feast tonight my best-esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go
My best endeavours shall be done herein
- Where's your master? - Yonder, sir, he walks
- Signor Bassanio - Gratiano
- I have a suit to you - You have obtained it
You must not deny me. I must go with you to Belmont
Why then you must
But hear thee, Gratiano, thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice
Parts that become thee happily enough and in such eyes as ours appear not faults
But where they are not known, why, there they show something too liberal
Pray you take pain to allay with some cold drops of modesty thy skipping spirit
Lest through thy wild behaviour I be misconstered in the place I go to, and lose my hopes
Signor Bassanio, hear me. If I do not put on a sober habit, talk with respect...
...and swear but now and then, wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely...
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes thus with my hat, and sigh and say 'amen'...
Use all the observance of civility, like one well studied in a sad ostent to please his grandam...
- ...never trust me more - Well, we shall see your bearing
Nay, but I bar tonight. You shall not gauge me by what we do tonight
No, that were pity. I would entreat you rather to put on your boldest suit of mirth
For we have friends that purpose merriment. But fare you well. I have some business
And I must to Lorenzo and the rest, but we will visit you at suppertime
I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, didst rob it of some taste of tediousness
But fare thee well. There is payment for thee.
And Lancelot, Lancelot...
Soon at supper shall thou see Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest.
Give him this letter. Do it secretly
And so farewell. I would not have my father see me talk with thee
Adieu! Tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew
If a Christian did not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But adieu
These foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit
- Adieu - Farewell, good Lancelot
Alack, what heinous sin is it in me to be ashamed to be my father's child
But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners
O Lorenzo, if thou keep promise, I shall end this strife, become a Christian and thy loving wife
Nay, we will slink away at suppertime, disguise us at my lodging and return all in an hour
- We have not made good preparation - We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered, and better in my mind not undertook
'Tis now but four of clock. We have two hours to furnish us
Friend Lancelot, what's the news?
An it shall please you to break up this, shall it seem to signify
I know the hand. In faith, 'tis a fair hand...
...and whiter than the paper it writ on is the fair hand that writ
Love news, in faith
- By your leave, sir - Whither goest thou?
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the Christian
Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica I will not fail her. Speak it privately, go
Gentlemen, will you prepare you for this masque tonight? I am provided of a torchbearer
- Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight - And so will I
Meet me and Gratiano at Gratiano's lodging some hour hence
'Tis good we do so
- Was not that letter from fair Jessica? - I must needs tell thee all
She hath directed how I shall take her from her father's house
What gold and jewels she is furnished with, what page's suit she hath in readiness
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, it will be for his gentle daughter's sake
Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest. Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer
Well, thou shall see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, the difference of old Shylock and Bassanio
What, Jessica...! Thou shalt not gormandize as thou hast done with me
What, Jessica...! And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out
- Why, Jessica, I say - Why, Jessica!
Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee Cali
Your worship was won't to tell me I could do nothing without bidding
- Call you? What is your will? - I am bid forth to supper, Jessica
But wherefore should I go? I am not bid for love, they flatter me
But yet I'll go in hate. Jessica, my girl, look to my house. I am right loath to go
I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach
- So do I his - An they have conspired together
I will not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it was not for nothing...
...that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black-Monday last at six o'clock in the morning
What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica, lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum...
...clamber not you up to the casements then, to gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces
But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements.
Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter my sober house
By Jacob's staff, I swear, I have no mind of feasting forth tonight, but I will go
- Go you before me, sirrah, say I will come - I will go before, sir
Mistress, look out at window, for all this...
...there will come a Christian by, will be worth a Jew's eye
- What says that fool, ha? - His words were 'Farewell mistress', nothing else
The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder
Well, Jessica, go in. Perhaps I will return immediately
Do as I bid you, shut doors after you
Fast bind, fast find, a proverb never stale in thrifty mind
Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a father, you a daughter lost
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo desired us to make a stand
- His hour is almost past - And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour...
...for lovers ever run before the clock
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode. Not I but my affairs have made you wait
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, I'll watch as long for you then
Approach. Here dwells my father Jew
Ho, who's within?
Who are you?
Tell me, for more certainty, albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue
- Lorenzo, and thy love. - Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed
For who love I so much? And now who knows but you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art
Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, for I am much ashamed of my exchange
But love is blind and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush to see me thus transformed to a boy
- Descend, for you must be my torchbearer - What, must I hold a candle to my shames?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love, and I should be obscured
So you are, sweet, even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once
For the close night doth play the runaway, and we are stayed for at Bassanio's feast
I will make fast the doors and gild myself with some more ducats, and be with you straight
Now, by my hood, a gentle and no Jew
Beshrew me but I love her heartily. For she is wise, if I can judge of her
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true, and true she is, as she hath proved herself
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true, shall she be placed in my constant soul
What, art thou come?
On, gentlemen, away! Our masquing mates by this time for us stay
Who's there?
Antonio?
Fie, fie, Gratiano! Where are all the rest? 'Tis nine o'clock, our friends all stay for you
No masque tonight, the wind is come about
Bassanio presently will go aboard. I have sent twenty out to seek for you
I am glad on't. I desire no more delight than to be under sail and gone tonight
Go, discover the several caskets to this noble prince
Now make your choice
The first, of gold, who this inscription bears...
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire'
And then the silver, which this promise carries
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves'
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath'
How shall I know if I do choose the right?
The one of them contains my picture, Prince. If you choose that, then I am yours with a I
Some god direct my judgement! Let me see
I will survey the inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket?
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath'
Must give, for what? For lead? Hazard for lead?
This casket threatens. Men that hazard all do it in hope of fair advantages
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross, I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead
What says the silver with her virgin hue?
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves'
As much as he deserves... pause there, Morocco, and weigh thy value with an even hand
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, thou dost deserve enough
And yet enough may not extend so far as to the lady
And yet to be afeard of my deserving were but a weak disabling of myself
As much as I deserve?
Why, that's the lady
I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes, in graces and in qualities of breeding
But more than these, in love I do deserve. What if I strayed no farther, but chose here?
Let's see once more this saying graved in gold.
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire'
Why, that's the lady, all the world desires her
From the four corners of the earth they come, to kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint
One of these three contains her heavenly picture
Is't like that lead contains her?
'Twere damnation to think so base a thought
Or shall I think in silver she's immured...
...being ten times undervalued to tried gold
O sinful thought! Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may
If my form lie there, then I am yours
O hell! What have we here?
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye there is a written scroll. I'll read the writing
'All that glisters is not gold, Often have you heard that told'
'Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold'
'Gilded tombs do worms enfold'
'Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgement old...'
'...Your answer had not been inscrolled. Fare you well, your suit is cold'
Cold, indeed, and lab our lost. Then farewell, heat, and welcome, frost
Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart to make a tedious leave. Thus losers part
A gentle riddance. Go
Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail
With him is Gratiano gone along, and in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not
The villain Jew with outcries raised the Duke, who went with him to search Bassanio's ship
He comes too late, the ship was under sail. But there the Duke was given to understand...
...that in a gondola were seen together Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica
Besides, Antonio certified the Duke they were not with Bassanio in his ship
I never heard a passion so confused, so strange, outrageous, and so variable...
...as the dog Jew did utter in the streets
'My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!'
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats
Let good Antonio look he keep his day, or he shall pay for this
Marry, well remembered. I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday
Who told me, in the narrow seas that part the French and English...
...there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught
I thought upon Antonio when he told me, and wished in silence that it were not his
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear. Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part
Bassanio told him he would make some speed of his return
He answered, 'Do not so'
'Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio, but stay the very riping of the time'
'And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me, let it not enter in your mind of love'
'Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts to courtship...'
'...and such fair ostents of love as shall conveniently become you there'
And even there, his eye being big with tears, turning his face, he put his hand behind him
And with affection wondrous sensible he wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted
I think he only loves the world for him
I pray thee let us go and find him out, and quicken his embraced heaviness...
- ...with some delight or other - Do we so
Quick, quick, the Prince of Aragon hath taken his oath, and comes to his election presently
Behold, there hang...
Hello, my dear. How are you?
Are you enjoying your evening so far? Marvellous.
Do carry on.
There hang the caskets, noble Prince
If you choose that wherein I am contained, straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized
But if thou fail, without more speech, my lord, you must be gone from hence immediately
I am enjoined by oath to observe three things
First, never to unfold to anyone which casket 'twas I chose
Next, if I fail of the right casket, never in my life to woo a maid in way of marriage
Lastly, if I do fail in fortune of my choice, immediately to leave you and be gone
To these injunctions every one doth swear that comes to hazard for my worthless self
And so have I addressed me. Fortune now to my heart's hope!
Gold, silver, and base lead
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath'
You shall look fairer, ere I give or hazard
What? No, no, no, no, no
What says the golden chest? Let me see
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire'
What many men desire...
That 'many' may be meant by the fool multitude that choose by show
And as I will not jump with common spirits and rank me with the barbarous multitudes...
...why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house. Tell me now what title thou dost bear
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' And well said too
For who shall go about to cozen fortune and be honourable without the stamp of merit?
Let none presume to wear an undeserved dignity
O, that estates, degrees and offices...
...were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
Well, but to my choice
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves'
I will assume desert, and instantly unlock my fortunes here
What is here? A portrait?
The portrait of a blinking idiot presenting me a schedule. I will read it
Yes
Ah. What is't here?
Ah, very good!
'The fire seven times tried this'
'Seven times tried that judgement is That did never choose amiss'
'Some there be that shadows kiss, Such have but a shadow's bliss'
'There be fools alive, iwis, Silvered o'er, and so was this'
'Take what wife you will to bed, I will ever be your head'
'So begone, you are sped'
So begone, you are sped?
Still more fool I shall appear by the time I linger here
Sweet, adieu. I'll keep my oath, patiently to bear my wroth
Thus hath the candle singed the moth
Madam, there is alighted at your gate a young Venetian
One that comes before to signify the approaching of his lord...
...from whom he bringeth sensible regreets and gifts of rich value
I have not yet seen so likely an ambassador of love. A day in April never came so sweet...
...to show how costly summer was at hand, as this fore-spurrer comes before his lord
No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard thou wilt say anon...
...he is some kin to thee, thou spendest such high-day wit in praising him
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly
Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
Now, what news on the Rialto?
Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio...
...hath a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas
The good Antonio, the honest Antonio, hath lost a ship
I would it might prove the end of his losses
Let me say 'amen' betimes, lest the devil cross our prayer
for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew
How now, Shylock. What news among the merchants?
You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight
That's certain. I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew with a I
And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged
And then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam
- She is damned for it - That's certain, if the devil may be her judge
- My own flesh and blood to rebel - Out upon it, old carrion. Rebels it at these years?
I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood
There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory
More between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish
But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?
There I have another bad match
A bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto
A beggar that was used to come so smug upon the mart. Let him look to his bond
He was won't to call me usurer. Let him look to his bond
He was won't to lend money for a Christian courtesy. Let him look to his bond
Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh. What's that good for?
To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge
He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million
laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains...
Scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies
And what's the reason? I am a Jew
Hath not a Jew eyes?
Hath not a Jew hands...
...organs, senses, affections, passions?
Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons...
...subject to the same diseases, 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 we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that
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 villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction
Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both
We have been up and down to seek him
Here comes another of the tribe. A third cannot be matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew
How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa?
Hast thou found my daughter?
I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her
A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurt
The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till now
Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels
I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear
Would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin
The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief
And no satisfaction, no revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights on my shoulders
No sighs but of my breathing, no tears but of my shedding
Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa...
What, what, what? III luck, ill luck?
...hath an argosy cast away, coming from Tripoli
I thank God, I thank God. Is it true, is it true?
I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck
I thank thee, good Tubal, good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa?
Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night fourscore ducats
Thou stickest a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again
Fourscore ducats at a sitting, fourscore ducats!
There came many of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice...
...that swear he cannot choose but break
I am very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him. I am glad of it
One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey
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
But Antonio is certainly undone. Nay, that's true, that's very true
Go, Tubal, fee me an officer, bespeak him a fortnight before
I will have the heart of him, if he forfeit. Go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue
Go, good Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal
I pray you tarry, pause a day or two before you hazard
For in choosing wrong, I lose your company, therefore forbear awhile
There's something tells me, but it is not love
I would not lose you, and you know yourself, hate counsels not in such a quality
But lest you should not understand me well
I would detain you here some month or two before you venture for me
I could teach you how to choose right, but then I am forsworn. So will I never be
So may you miss me. But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin, that I had been forsworn
Beshrew your eyes, they have overlooked me and divided me
One half of me is yours, the other half yours, mine own, I would say
But if mine, then yours, and so all yours
O, these naughty times puts bars between the owners and their rights
And so, though yours, not yours. Prove it so, let fortune go to hell for it, not I
I speak too long, but 'tis to peise the time, to eke it
and to draw it out in length, to stay you from election
Let me choose, for as I am, I live upon the rack
Upon the rack, Bassanio? Then confess what treason there is mingled with your love
None but that ugly treason of mistrust, which makes me fear the enjoying of my love
There may as well be amity and life 'tween snow and fire, as treason and my love
Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, where men enforced do speak anything
- Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth - Well then, confess and live
'Confess and love' had been the very sum of my confession
O happy torment, when my torturer doth teach me answers for deliverance!
But let me to my fortune and the caskets
Away, then. I am locked in one of them. If you do love me, you will find me out
Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof
Go, Hercules!
Live thou, I live
With much, much more dismay I view the fight than thou that makest the fray
Let music sound while he doth make his choice
Tell me where is fancy bred, In the heart, or in the head?
How begot, how nourished?
'Tis engendered in the eyes, With gazing fed and fancy dies...
...In the cradle where it lies
Let us all ring fancy's knell. I'll begin it, ding, dong, bell
It's the gold one
So may the outward shows be least themselves...
...the world is still deceived with ornament
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt...
...but, being seasoned with a gracious voice, obscures the show of evil?
In religion, what damned error but some sober brow...
...will bless it and approve it with a text, hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
There is no vice so simple but assumes some mark of virtue on his outward parts
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false as stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins...
...the beards of Hercules or frowning Mars, who, inward searched, have livers white as milk
Thus ornament is but the gutted shore to a most dangerous sea
In a word, the seeming truth which cunning times put on to entrap the wisest
Therefore, then, thou gaudy gold, hard food for Midas, I will none of thee
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 'tween man and man
But thou, thou meagre lead, which rather threatenest than dost promise aught
Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence, and here choose I. Joy be the consequence!
How all the other passions fleet to air...
...as doubtful thoughts and rash-embraced despair
and shuddering fear and green-eyed jealousy
O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy, in measure rain thy joy, scant this excess
I feel too much thy blessing. Make it less, for fear I surfeit
What find I here?
Fair Portia's counterfeit
What demigod hath come so near creation?
Move these eyes? Or whether, riding on the balls of mine, seem they in motion?
Yet look how far the substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow in underprizing it...
...so far this shadow doth limp behind the substance
Here is the continent and summary of my fortune
'You that choose not by the view Chance as fair and choose as true'
'Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new'
'If you be well pleased with this And hold your fortune for your bliss...'
'...Turn you where your lady is And claim her with a loving kiss'
A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave, I come by note to give and to receive
Like one of two contending in a prize who thinks he hath done well in people's eyes...
...hearing applause and universal shout, giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt...
...whether those peals of praise be his or no, so, thrice-fair lady, stand I, even so
As doubtful whether what I see be true, until confirmed, signed, ratified by you
You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, such as I am
Though for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish, to wish myself much better...
...yet for you I would be trebled twenty times myself
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich
...that only to stand high in your account...
...I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, exceed account
But the full sum of me is sum of nothing, which to term in gross...
...is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractised
Happy in this, she is not yet so old but she may learn
Happier than this, she is not bred so dull but she can learn
Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit commits itself to yours to be directed...
...as from her lord, her governor, her king
Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours is now converted
But now I was the lord of this fair mansion, master of my servants, queen over myself
And even now, but now, this house, these servants and this same myself are yours, my lord
I give them with this ring, which when you part from, lose or give away...
...let it presage the ruin of your love and be my vantage to exclaim on you
Madam, you have bereft me of all words, only my blood speaks to you in my veins
And there is such confusion in my powers...
...as after some oration fairly spoke by a beloved prince...
...there doth appear among the buzzing pleased multitude...
...where every something being blent together...
...turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy expressed and not expressed
But when this ring parts from this finger, then parts life from hence
O, then be bold to say Bassanio's dead
My lord and lady, it is now our time, that have stood by and seen our wishes prosper...
- ...to cry, good joy, good joy, my lord and lady! - My Lord Bassanio and my gentle lady
I wish you all the joy that you can wish, as I am sure you can wish none from me
And when your honours mean to solemnize the bargain of your faith...
...I do beseech you, even at that time I may be married too
- With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife - I thank your lordship, you have got me one
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours. You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there, and so did mine too, as the matter falls
With oaths of love, at last, if promise last, I got a promise of this fair one here...
...to have her love, provided that your fortune achieved her mistress
- Is this true, Nerissa? - Madam, it is so, so you stand pleased with a I
- And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? - Yes, faith, my lord
Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage
We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats
What, and stake down?
No, we shall never win at that sport, and stake down
But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? And my old Venetian friend Salerio
Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither...
...if that the youth of my new interest here have power to bid you welcome
By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, sweet Portia, welcome
- So do I, my lord. They are entirely welcome - I thank your honour
For my part, my lord, my purpose was not to have seen you here
But meeting with Salerio by the way...
...he did entreat me, past all saying nay, to come with him along
I did, my lord, and I have reason for it. Signor Antonio commends him to you
I pray you, ere I ope his letter, tell me how my good friend doth
Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind, nor well, unless in mind
His letter there will show you his estate
Nerissa, cheer yond stranger, bid her welcome. Your hand, Salerio
What 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
I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost
There are some shrewd contents in yond same paper...
...that steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek
Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world...
...could turn so much the constitution of any constant man
What, worse and worse? With leave, Bassanio, I am half yourself...
...and I must freely have the half of anything that this same paper brings you
O sweet Portia, here are a few of the unpleasantest words that ever blotted paper
Gentle lady, when I did first impart my love to you...
...I told you freely all the wealth I had ran in my veins
I was a gentleman, and then I told you true
And yet, dear lady, rating myself at nothing, you shall see how much I was a braggart
When I told you my state was nothing, I should then have told you that I was worse than nothing
For indeed, I have engaged myself to a dear friend...
...engaged my friend to his mere enemy, to feed my means
Here is a letter, lady, the paper as the body of my friend...
...and every word in it a gaping wound, issuing life-blood
But is it true, Salerio? Hath all his ventures failed?
What, not one hit? From Tripoli, from Mexico...
...and England, from Lisbon, Barbary and India? - Not one, my lord
Besides, it should appear...
...that if he had the present money to discharge the Jew, he would not take it
Twenty merchants, the Duke herself and the magnificoes...
...of greatest port have all persuaded with him
And none can drive him from the envious plea of forfeiture, of justice and his bond
I know, my lord, if law, authority and power deny not, it will go hard with poor Antonio
- Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? - The dearest friend to me
The kindest man, the best-conditioned and unwearied spirit in doing courtesies
And one in whom the ancient Roman honour more appears than any that draws breath in Italy
- What sum owes he the Jew? - For me three thousand ducats
What, no more? Pay him six thousand and deface the bond
Double six thousand and then treble that, before a friend of this description...
...shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault
First go with me to church and call me wife, and then away to Venice to your friend
For never shall you lie by Portia's side with an unquiet soul
You shall have gold to pay the petty debt twenty times over.
When it is paid, bring your true friend along
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime will live as maids and widows. Come, away!
For you shall hence upon your wedding day. But let me hear the letter of your friend
'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 I, if I might see you at my death'
'Notwithstanding, use your pleasure. If your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter'
O love! Dispatch all business, and be gone
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
Jailer, look to him, tell not me of mercy. This is the fool that lends out money gratis
- Jailer, look to him - Hear me yet, good Shylock
I'll have my bond. Speak not against my bond...
...I have an oath that I will have my bond
Thou calledst me dog before thou hadst a cause, but since I am a dog, beware my fangs
The Duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder, thou naughty jailer...
...that thou art so fond to come abroad with him at his request
- I pray thee hear me speak - I'll have my bond, I will not hear thee speak
I'll have my bond and therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool...
...to shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield to Christian intercessors
Follow not, I'll have no speaking. I will have my bond
- It is the most impenetrable cur that ever kept with men - Let him alone
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. He seeks my life, his reason well I know
I oft delivered from his forfeitures many that have at times made moan to me.
Therefore he hates me
I am sure the Duke will never grant this forfeiture to hold
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...
...since that the trade and profit of the city consisteth of all nations. Therefore go
These griefs and losses have so bated me...
...that I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh tomorrow to my bloody creditor
Well, jailer, on
Pray God, Bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then I care not
Madam, although I speak it in your presence...
...you have a noble and true conceit of godlike amity...
...which appears most strongly in bearing thus the absence of your lord
But if you knew to whom you show this honour...
...how true a gentleman you send relief...
How dear a lover of my lord your husband...
...I know you would be prouder of the work than customary bounty can enforce you
I never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now
For in companions that do converse and waste the time together...
...whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love...
...there must be needs a like proportion of lineaments, of manners and of spirit
Which makes me think that this Antonio, being the bosom lover of my lord...
...must needs be like my lord
If it be so, how little is the cost I have bestowed...
...in purchasing the semblance of my soul from out the state of hellish cruelty
This comes too near the praising of myself, therefore no more of it. Hear other things
Lorenzo, I commit into your hands...
...the husbandry and manage of my house until my lord's return
For mine own part, I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow...
...to live in prayer and contemplation...
...only attended by Nerissa here, until her husband and my lord's return
There is a monastery two miles off, and there we will abide
I do desire you not to deny this imposition...
...the which my love and some necessity now lays upon you
Madam, with all my heart, I shall obey you in all fair commands
My people do already know my mind, and will acknowledge you and Jessica...
...in place of Lord Bassanio and myself. So fare you well till we shall meet again
- Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you - I wish your ladyship all heart's content
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased to wish it back on you. Fare you well Jessica
Take this same letter, and use thou all the endeavour of a man in speed to Padua
See thou render this into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario...
...and look what notes and garments he doth give thee
Bring them to the common ferry which trades to Venice.
Waste no time in words, but get thee gone
- I shall be there before thee - Madam, I go with all convenient speed
Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand that you yet know not of
- We'll see our husbands before they think of us - Shall they see us?
They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit...
...that they shall think we are accomplished with that we lack
I'll hold thee any wager, when we are both accoutred like young men...
...I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two
I have within my mind a thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks, which I will practise
- Why shall we turn to men? - I'll tell thee all my whole device...
...when I am in my coach, which stays for us at the park gate
And therefore haste away, for we must measure twenty miles today
Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children
Therefore, I promise you, I fear you
I was always plain with you. Truly I think you are damned
There is but one hope in it that can do you any good...
...and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither
And what hope is that, I pray thee?
Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not...
...that you are not the Jew's daughter
That were a kind of bastard hope indeed.
So the sins of my mother should be visited upon me
Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and mother
Thus when I shun Scylla, your father, I fall into Charybdis, your mother
Well, you are gone both ways
I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian
Truly, the more to blame he
This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs
If we grow all to be pork-eaters...
...we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money
I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Lancelot, if you thus get my wife into corners
Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. Lancelot and I are out
He tells me flatly there is no mercy for me in heaven because I am a Jew's daughter
And he says, you are no good member of the commonwealth
For in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork
I will answer that better to the commonwealth...
...than you can the getting up of the servant's belly. She is with child by you, Lancelot
- Go in, sirrah, bid them prepare for dinner - That is done, sir, they have all stomachs
Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you. Then bid them prepare dinner
- That is done too, sir, only 'cover' is the word - Will you cover then, sir?
- Not so, sir, neither. I know my duty - Yet more quarrelling with occasion
Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant?
I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain meaning
Go to thy fellows, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner
For the table, sir, it shall be served in. For the meat, sir, it shall be covered
For your coming in to dinner, sir...
...why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern
O dear discretion, how his words are suited!
Discourse shall soon grow commendable in none only but parrots
How cheerest thou, Jessica?
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion, how dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife?
Past all expressing
It is very meet the Lord Bassanio live an upright life
For, having such a blessing in his lady, he finds the joys of heaven here on earth
And if on earth he do not merit it, in reason he should never come to heaven
Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match...
...and on the wager lay two earthly women, and Portia one...
...there must be something else pawned with the other...
...for the poor rude world hath not her fellow
Even such a husband hast thou of me as she is for a wife
Nay, but ask my opinion too of that
I will anon. First, let us go to dinner
- What, is Antonio here? - Ready, so please your grace
I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer a stony adversary
An inhuman wretch uncapable of pity, void and empty from any dram of mercy
I have heard your grace hath taken great pains to qualify his rigorous course
But since he stands obdurate and that no lawful means...
...can carry me out of his envy's reach...
...I do oppose my patience to his fury
And am armed to suffer with a quietness of spirit the very tyranny and rage of his
- Go one, and call the Jew into the court - He is ready at the door. He comes, my lady
Make room, and let him stand before our face
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too...
...that thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice to the last hour of act
And then 'tis thought thou'lt show thy mercy...
...and remorse more strange than is thy strange apparent cruelty
And where thou now exactest the penalty, which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh...
...thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture, but, touched with human gentleness and love...
...forgive a moiety of the principal, glancing an eye of pity on his losses...
...that have of late so huddled on his back
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew
I have possessed your grace of what I purpose
And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn to have the due and forfeit of my bond
If you deny it, let the danger light upon your charter and your city's freedom
You will ask me why I rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh...
...than to receive three thousand ducats
I'll not answer that, but say it is my humour. Is it answered?
This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, to excuse the current of thy cruelty
- I am not bound to please thee with my answer - Do all men kill the things they do not love?
- Hates any man the thing he would not kill? - Every offence is not a hate at first
What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
I pray you think, you question with the Jew
You may as well go stand upon the beach and bid the main flood bate his usual height
Or even as well use question with the wolf why he hath made the ewe bleat for the Iamb
You may as well forbid the mountain pines to wag their high tops...
...and to make no noise when they are fretted with the gusts of heaven
You may as well do anything most hard as seek to soften that...
...than which what harder? - his Jewish heart
Therefore, I do beseech you make no more offers, use no farther means
But with all brief and plain conveniency let me have judgement and the Jew his will
For thy three thousand ducats here is six
If every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts...
...and every part a ducat, I would not draw them. I would have my bond
How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?
What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?
You have among you many a purchased slave...
...which, like your asses and your dogs and mules...
...you use in abject and in slavish parts, because you bought them
Shall I say to you, let them be free, marry them to your heirs?
Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds be made as soft as yours?
You will answer 'The slaves are ours'. So do I answer you
The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought, 'tis mine and I will have it
If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice
I stand for judgement. Answer, shall I have it?
Upon my power I may dismiss this court...
...unless Bellario, a learned doctor...
...whom I have sent for to determine this, come here today
My lady, here stays without a messenger...
...with letters from the doctor, new come from Padua
- Call the messenger - Good cheer, Antonio. What, man, courage yet
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones and all...
...ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood
I am a tainted wet her of the flock, meetest for death
The weakest kind of fruit drops earliest to the ground, and so let me
You cannot better be employed, Bassanio, than to live still and write mine epitaph
Came you from Padua, from Bellario? From both. My lord Bellario greets your grace
- Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? - To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there
- Can no prayers pierce thee? - No, none that thou hast wit enough to make
O, be thou damned, inexecrable dog! And for thy life let justice be accused
Thou almost makest me hold opinion...
...that souls of animals infuse themselves into the trunks of men
Thy currish spirit governed a wolf who, hanged for human slaughter...
...even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, and, whilst thou Ia yest in thy unhallowed dam...
...infused itself in thee, for thy desires are wolvish, bloody, starved and ravenous
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, thou but offendest thy lungs to speak so loud
Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall to endless ruin
I stand here for law
This letter from Bellario doth commend...
...a young and learned doctor to our court. Where is he?
He attendeth here hard by, to know your answer, whether you'll admit him
With all my heart. Meantime the court shall hear Bellario's letter
'Your grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick'
'But in the instant that your messenger came...
...in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome'
'His name is Balthasar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy...
...between the Jew and Antonio the merchant'
'He is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning...'
'...the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend...'
'...comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead'
'I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment...
...for I never knew so young a body with so old a head'
You hear the learned Bellario, what he writes. And here, I take it, is the doctor come
- Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario? - I did, my lady
You are welcome. Take your place
Are you acquainted with the difference that holds this present question in the court?
I am informed throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth
- Is your name Shylock? - Shylock is my name
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law cannot impugn you as you do proceed
- You stand within his danger, do you not? - Ay, so he says
- Do you confess the bond? - I do
- Then must the Jew be merciful - On what compulsion must I? Tell me that
The quality of mercy is not strained...
...it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath
It is twice blest: it blesseth him that gives and him that takes
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest, it becomes the throned monarch better than his crown
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty...
...wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings
But mercy is above this sceptred sway, it is enthroned in the hearts of kings
It is an attribute to God himself...
...and earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice
Therefore, Jew, though justice be thy plea, consider this
That in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation
We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy
I have spoke thus much to mitigate the justice of thy plea, which if thou follow...
...this strict court of Venice must needs give sentence against the merchant there
My deeds upon my head. I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond
- Is he not able to discharge the money? - Yes, here I tender it for him in the court
Yea, twice the sum. If that will not suffice...
...I will be bound to pay it ten times over on forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart
If that will not suffice, it must appear that malice bears down truth
And I beseech you, wrest once the law to your authority
To do a great right, do a little wrong, and curb this cruel devil of his will
It must not be. There is no power in Venice can alter a decree established
'Twill be recorded for a precedent, and many an error by the same example...
...will rush into the state. It cannot be
A Daniel come to judgement, yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how do I honour thee
- I pray you let me look upon the bond - Here it is, most reverend doctor, here it is
- Shylock, there's thrice thy money offered thee - An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice
Why, this bond is forfeit, and lawfully by this the Jew may claim a pound of flesh...
...to be by him cut off nearest the merchant's heart
Be merciful. Take thrice thy money, bid me tear the bond
When it is paid according to the tenure
It doth appear you are a worthy judge...
...you know the law, your exposition hath been most sound
I charge you by the law, whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, proceed to judgement
By my soul I swear, there is no power in the tongue of man to alter me
I stay here on my bond
Most heartily I do beseech the court to give the judgement
Why then, thus it is
- You must prepare your bosom for his knife - O noble judge, O excellent young man!
For the intent and purpose of the law hath full relation to the penalty...
...which here appeareth due upon the bond
'Tis very true. O wise and upright judge, how much more elder art thou than thy looks
- Therefore lay bare your bosom - Ay, his breast
So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge? 'Nearest his heart', those are the very words
- It is so. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh? - I have them ready
Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge...
...to stop his wounds, lest he should bleed to death
Is it so nominated in the bond?
It is not so expressed, but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity
I cannot find it, 'tis not in the bond
- Come, merchant, have you anything to say? - But little. I am armed and well prepared
Give me your hand, Bassanio
Fare you well. Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind than is her custom
It is still her use to let the wretched man outlive his wealth...
...to view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow...
...an age of poverty, from which lingering penance of such misery doth she cut me off
Commend me to your honourable wife
Tell her the process of Antonio's end
Say...
Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge whether Bassanio had not once a love
Repent not you that you shall lose your friend, and he repents not that he pays your debt
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I'll pay it instantly with all my heart
Antonio, I am married to a wife which is as dear to me as life itself
But life itself, my wife, and all the world, are not with me esteemed above thy life
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all here to this devil, to deliver you
Your wife would give you little thanks for that, if she were by to hear you make the offer
I have a wife, whom, I protest, I love
I would she were in heaven, so she could entreat some power to change this currish Jew
'Tis well you offer it behind her back, the wish would make else an unquiet house
These be the Christian husbands. I have a daughter
Would any of the stock of Barabbas had been her husband rather than a Christian!
We trifle time. I pray thee pursue sentence
A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine. The court awards it, and the law doth give it
Most rightful judge
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast. The law allows it, and the court awards it
Most learned judge. A sentence!
Come, prepare
Tarry a little, there is something else
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood, the words expressly are 'a pound of flesh'
Then take thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh
But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood...
...thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice
- O upright judge! Mark, Jew. O learned judge! - Is that the law?
Thyself shalt see the act, for as thou urgest justice...
...be assured thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest
O learned judge! Mark, Jew, a learned judge!
I take this offer, then. Pay the bond thrice and let the Christian go
- Here is the money - Soft! The Jew shall have all justice
Soft, no haste. He shall have nothing but the penalty
O Jew! An upright judge, a learned judge
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh
Shed thou no blood...
...nor cut thou less nor more but just a pound of flesh
If thou takest more or less than a just pound...
...be it so much as makes it light or heavy in the substance...
Or the division of the twentieth part of one poor scruple...
Nay, if the scale do turn but in the estimation of a hair...
...thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate
A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture
- Give me my principal, and let me go - I have it ready for thee, here it is
He hath refused it in the open court. He shall have merely justice and his bond
A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel! I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word
- Shall I not have barely my principal? - Thou shalt have nothing...
...but the forfeiture, to be taken so at thy peril, Jew
Why, then the devil give him good of it. I'll stay no longer question
Tarry, Jew. The law hath yet another hold on you
It is enacted in the laws of Venice, if it be proved against an alien...
...that by direct or indirect attempts he seek the life of any citizen...
...the party 'gainst the which he doth contrive shall seize one half his goods
The other half comes to the privy coffer of the state
And the offender's life lies in the mercy of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice
In which predicament, I say, thou standest...
...for it appears, by manifest proceeding, that indirectly, and directly too...
...thou hast contrived against the very life of the defendant
And thou hast incurred the danger formerly by me rehearsed.
Down therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke
Beg!
That thou mayst have leave to hang thyself...
...and yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state thou hast not left the value of a cord
Therefore thou must be hanged at the state's charge
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit, I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's, the other half comes to the general state...
- ...which humbleness may drive unto a fine - Ay, for the state, not for Antonio
Nay, take my life and all. Pardon not that
You take my house when you do take the prop that doth sustain my house
You take my life when you do take the means whereby I live
- What mercy can you render him, Antonio? - A halter gratis. Nothing else, for God's sake
So please my lady there and all the court...
...to quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content
So he will let me have the other half in use, to render it, upon his death...
...unto the gentleman that lately stole his daughter
Two things provided more. That for this favour he presently become a Christian
The other, that he do record a gift here in the court of all he dies...
...possessed unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter
He shall do this, or else I do recant the pardon that I late pronounced here
Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?
I am content
Clerk, draw a deed of gift
I pray thee give me leave to go from hence, I am not well
- Send the deed after me, and I will sign it - Get thee gone, but do it
In christening, thou shalt have two godfathers
Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more...
...to bring thee to the gallows, not to the font
- Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner - I humbly do desire your grace of pardon
I must away this night toward Padua, and it is meet I presently set forth
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not
Antonio, gratify this gentleman, for in my mind you are much bound to him
Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend have by your wisdom...
...been this day acquitted of grievous penalties
In lieu whereof, three thousand ducats due unto the Jew
...we freely cope your courteous pains with a I
And stand indebted, over and above, in love and service to you evermore
He is well paid that is well satisfied, and I, delivering you...
...am satisfied and therein do account myself well paid
I pray you know me when we meet again. I wish you well, and so I take my leave
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further
Take some remembrance of us as a tribute, not as fee
Grant me two things, I pray you. Not to deny me, and to pardon me
You press me far, and therefore I will yield. Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake
And for your love, I'll take this ring from you
Do not draw back your hand, I'll take no more, and you in love shall not deny me this
This ring, good sir, alas, it is a trifle. I will not shame myself to give you this
I will have nothing else but only this, and now methinks I have a mind to it
There's more depends on this than on the value
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, and find it out by proclamation
- Only for this, I pray you pardon me - I see, sir, you are liberal in offers
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks you teach me how a beggar should be answered
Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife, and when she put it on, she made me vow...
- ...that I should neither sell nor give nor lose it - That excuse serves many men to save their gifts
An if your wife be not a madwoman, and know how well I have deserved this ring...
...she would not hold out enemy forever for giving it to me
Well, peace be with you
My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring
Let his deservings and my love withal be valued against your wife's commandment
Gratiano, run and overtake him.
Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst, unto Antonio's house
Away, make haste. Come, you and I will thither presently
And in the morning early will we both fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, and let him sign it. We'll away tonight...
...and be a day before our husbands home. This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo
Fair sir, you are well overtaken
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice hath sent you here this ring
- And doth entreat your company at dinner - That cannot be
His ring I do accept most thankfully, and so, I pray you tell him
- That will I do - Sir, I would speak with you
I'll see if I can get my husband's ring, which I did make him swear to keep forever
Thou mayst, I warrant. Away, make haste. Thou know'st where I will tarry
Come, good sir, will you show me Shylock's house?
The moon shines bright
In such a night as this...
...when the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees and they did make no noise...
In such a night Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls...
...and sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents where Cressid lay that night
In such a night did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew...
...and saw the lion's shadow ere himself, and ran dismayed away
In such a night stood Dido with a willow in her hand upon the wild sea banks...
...and waft her love to come again to Carthage
In such a night Medea gathered the enchanted herbs that did renew old Aeson
In such a night did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew...
...and with an unthrift love did run from Venice as far as Belmont
In such a night did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well...
...stealing her soul with many vows of faith, and never a true one
In such a night did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, slander her love...
...and he forgave it her
I would out-night you, did nobody come. But hark
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
I bring word my mistress will before the break of day be here at Belmont
Go signify, I pray you, within the house, your mistress is at hand
And bring your music forth into the air
Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming
And yet no matter. Why should we go in?
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears
Soft stillness...
...and the night become the touches of sweet harmony
Sit, Jessica
Look how the floor of heaven is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold
There's not the smallest orb which thou beholdest but in his motion like an angel sings...
...still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins
Such harmony is in immortal souls
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it
- I am never merry when I hear sweet music - The reason is, your spirits are attentive
For do but note a wild and wanton herd or race of youthful and unhandled colts...
...fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, which is the hot condition of their blood
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound...
...or any air of music touch their ears, you shall perceive them make a mutual stand...
...their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze by the sweet power of music
Therefore the poet did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones and floods
Since nought so stockish, hard and full of rage, but music for time doth change his nature
The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds...
...is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils. The motions of his spirit are dull as night
And his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music
That light we see is burning in my hall
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world
- When the moon shone, we did not see the candle - So doth the greater glory dim the less
A substitute shines brightly as a king until a king be by
And then his state empties itself as doth an inland brook into the main of waters
- Music, hark! - It is your music, madam, of the house
Nothing is good, I see, without respect. Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day
That is the voice, or I am much deceived, of Portia
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, by the bad voice
- Dear lady, welcome home - We have been praying for our husbands' welfare...
...which speed, we hope, the better for our words. Are they returned?
- Madam, they are not yet - Go in, Nerissa. Give order to my servants...
...that they take no note at all of our being absent hence...
...nor you, Lorenzo, Jessica, nor you
Your husband is at hand. We are no telltales, madam, fear you not
This night methinks is but the daylight sick. It looks a little paler
'Tis a day, such as the day is when the sun is hid
We should hold day with the Antipodes if you would walk in absence of the sun
But God sort all. You are welcome home, my lord
I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend
This is the man, this is Antonio, to whom I am so infinitely bound
You should in all sense be much bound to him, for, as I hear, he was much bound for you
- No more than I am well acquitted of - Sir, you are very welcome to our house
It must appear in other ways than words, therefore I scant this breathing courtesy
By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong. In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk
Would he were gelt that had it, for my part, since you do take it, love, so much at heart
A quarrel, ho, already? What's the matter?
About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring that she did give me...
...whose posy was for all the world like cutler's poetry upon a knife...
'Love me, and leave me not'
What talk you of the posy or the value? You swore to me when I did give it you...
...that you would wear it till the hour of death and that it should lie with you in your grave
Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth, a kind of boy...
...a little scrubbed boy, no higher than thyself
The judge's clerk, a prating boy, that begged it as a fee
I could not for my heart deny it him
You were to blame, I must be plain with you, to part so slightly with your wife's first gift
I gave my love a ring and here he stands. I dare be sworn for him...
...he would not leave it, nor pluck it from his finger...
...for the wealth that the world masters
Now, in faith, Gratiano, you give your wife too unkind a cause of grief
An 'twere to me, I should be mad at it
Why, I were best to cut my left hand off and swear I lost the ring defending it
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away...
...unto the judge that begged it and indeed deserved it too
What ring gave you, my lord? Not that, I hope, which you received of me
If I could add a lie unto a fault, I would deny it. But you see this finger hath not the ring upon it
- It is gone - Even so void is your false heart of truth
By heaven, I will never come in your bed until I see the ring
Sweet Portia, if you did know to whom I gave the ring...
...if you did know for whom I gave the ring
And could conceive for what I gave the ring, and how unwillingly I left the ring...
...when nought would be accepted but the ring...
...you would abate the strength of your displeasure
If you had known the virtue of the ring, or half her worthiness that gave the ring...
...or your own honour to contain the ring, you would not then have parted with the ring
By mine honour, madam, by my soul, a civil doctor had it
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me and begged the ring, the which I did deny him...
...and suffered him to go displeased away...
...even he that had held up the very life of my dear friend
What should I say, sweet Portia? I was enforced to send it after him
I was beset with shame and courtesy
My honour would not let ingratitude so much besmear it
Pardon me, good lady. And by these blessed candles of the night, had you been there...
...I think you would have begged the ring of me to give the worthy doctor
I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels
Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding
Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong, and in the hearing of these many friends...
...I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, wherein I see myself...
Mark you but that! In both my eyes he doubly sees himself
In each eye, one. Swear by your double self, and there's an oath of credit
Nay, but hear me. Pardon this fault, and by my soul...
...I swear I never more will break an oath with thee
I once did lend my body for thy wealth...
...which but for him that had your husband's ring, had quite miscarried
I dare be bound again, my soul upon the forfeit...
...that your lord will never more break faith advisedly
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this and bid him keep it better than the other
Here, Lord Bassanio
Swear to keep this ring
By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
I had it of him. Pardon, Bassanio, for, by this ring, the doctor lay with me
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, for that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk...
...in lieu of this last night did lie with me
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
Speak not so grossly. You are all amazed
Here is a letter, read it at your leisure. It comes from Padua, from Bellario
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, Nerissa here her clerk
Lorenzo there shall witness I set forth as soon as you, and but even now returned
I have not yet entered my house
Antonio, you are welcome
I am dumb
- Were you the doctor and I knew you not? - Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it, unless he live until he be a man
Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow. When I am absent, then lie with my wife
How now, Lorenzo? My clerk hath some good comforts too for you
Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee. There do I give to you and Jessica...
...from the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, after his death, of all he dies possessed of
Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way of starved people
It is almost morning, and yet I am sure you are not satisfied of these events at full
Let us go in, and charge us there upon inter'gatories...
...and we will answer all things faithfully
Let it be so. The first inter'gatory that my Nerissa shall be sworn on is...
...whether till the next night she had rather stay, or go to bed now, being two hours to day
But were the day come, I should wish it dark, till I were couching with the doctor's clerk
Well, while I live I'll fear no other thing so sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring