The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



Text and Image

Here you can read a digital edition of each play in various views.

Page Image & Text
Digital Text
XML

Reference: P4v - Comedies, p. 176

Left Column


The Merchant of Venice. Hath all his ventures faild, what not one hit,
[1565]
From Tripolis, from Mexico and England, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India, And not one vessell scape the dreadfull touch Of Merchant‑marring rocks?
Sal. Not one my Lord.
[1570]
Besides, it should appeare, that if he had The present money to discharge the Iew, He would not take it: neuer did I know A creature that did beare the shape of man So keene and greedy to confound a man.
[1575]
He plyes the Duke at morning and at night, And doth impeach the freedome of the state If they deny him iustice. Twenty Merchants, The Duke himselfe, and the Magnificoes Of greatest port haue all perswaded with him,
[1580]
But none can driue him from the enuious plea Of forfeiture, of iustice, and his bond.
Iessi. When I was with him, I haue heard him sweare To Tuball and to Chus, his Countri‑men, That he would rather haue Anthonio's flesh,
[1585]
Then twenty times the value of the summe That he did owe him: and I know my Lord, If law, authoritie, and power denie not, It will goe hard with poore Anthonio.
Por. Is it your deere friend that is thus in trouble? Bass.
[1590]
The deerest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd, and vnwearied spirit In doing curtesies: and one in whom The ancient Romane honour more appeares Then any that drawes breath in Italie.
Por.
[1595]
What summe owes he the Iew?
Bass. For me three thousand ducats. Por. What, no more? Pay him sixe thousand, and deface the bond: Double sixe thousand, and then treble that,
[1600]
Before a friend of this description Shall lose a haire through Bassano's fault. First goe with me to Church, and call me wife, And then away to Venice to your friend: For neuer shall you lie by Portias side
[1605]
With an vnquiet soule. You shall haue gold To pay the petty debt twenty times ouer. When it is payd, bring your true friend along, My maid Nerrissa, and my selfe meane time Will liue as maids and widdowes; come away,
[1610]
For you shall hence vpon your wedding day: Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheere, Since you are deere bought, I will loue you deere. But let me heare the letter of your friend.
This unattributed speech is conventionally given to Bassanio.

Sweet Bassanio, my ships haue all miscarried , my Credi ­

[1615]

tors grow cruell , my estate is very low , my bond to the Iew is

forfeit , and since in paying it , it is impossible I should liue , all

debts are cleerd betweene you and I , if I might see you at my

death: notwithstanding , vse your pleasure , if your loue doe not

perswade you to come , let not my letter.

Por.
[1620]

O loue! dispach all busines and be gone.

Bass. Since I haue your good leaue to goe away, I will make hast; but till I come againe, No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay, Nor rest be interposer twixt vs twaine. Exeunt.
[Act 2, Scene 3] Enter the Iew, and Solanio, and Anthonio, and the Iaylor. Iew.
[1625]
Iaylor, looke to him, tell not me of mercy,

Right Column


This is the foole that lends out money gratis. Iaylor, looke to him. Ant.

Heare me yet good Shylok.

Iew. Ile haue my bond, speake not against my bond,
[1630]
I haue sworne an oath that I will haue my bond: Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, But since I am a dog, beware my phangs, The Duke shall grant me iustice, I do wonder Thou naughty Iaylor, that thou art so fond
[1635]
To come abroad with him at his request.
Ant.

I pray thee heare me speake.

Iew. Ile haue my bond, I will not heare thee speake, Ile haue my bond, and therefore speake no more, Ile not be made a soft and dull ey'd foole,
[1640]
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yeeld To Christian intercessors: follow not, Ile haue no speaking, I will haue my bond.
Exit Iew. Sol. It is the most impenetrable curre That euer kept with men. Ant.
[1645]
Let him alone, Ile follow him no more with bootlesse prayers: He seekes my life, his reason well I know; I oft deliuer'd from his forfeitures Many that haue at times made mone to me,
[1650]
Therefore he hates me.
Sol.

I am sure the Duke will neuer grant

this forfeiture to hold.

An. The Duke cannot deny the course of law: For the commoditie that strangers haue
[1655]
With vs in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the iustice of the State, Since that the trade and profit of the citty Consisteth of all Nations. Therefore goe, These greefes and losses haue so bated mee,
[1660]
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh To morrow, to my bloudy Creditor. Well Iaylor, on, pray God Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.
Exeunt.
[Act 3, Scene 4] Enter Portia, Nerrissa, Lorenzo, Iessica, and a man of Portias. Lor. Madam, although I speake it in your presence,
[1665]
You haue a noble and a true conceit Of god‑like amity, which appeares most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your Lord. But if you knew to whom you shew this honour, How true a Gentleman you send releefe,
[1670]
How deere a louer of my Lord your husband, I know you would be prouder of the worke Then customary bounty can enforce you.
Por. I neuer did repent for doing good, Nor shall not now: for in companions
[1675]
That do conuerse and waste the time together, Whose soules doe beare an egal yoke of loue. There must be needs a like proportion Of lyniaments, of manners, and of spirit; Which makes me thinke that this Anthonio
[1680]
Being the bosome louer of my Lord, Must needs be like my Lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I haue bestowed In purchasing the semblance of my soule; From out the state of hellish cruelty,
[1685]
This comes too neere the praising of my selfe, Therefore no more of it: heere other things Lorenso I commit into your hands, The

Download the digital text and images of the play



 
[Act 3, Scene 4] Enter Portia, Nerrissa, Lorenzo, Iessica, and a man of Portias. Lor. Madam, although I speake it in your presence,
[1665]
You haue a noble and a true conceit Of god‑like amity, which appeares most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your Lord. But if you knew to whom you shew this honour, How true a Gentleman you send releefe,
[1670]
How deere a louer of my Lord your husband, I know you would be prouder of the worke Then customary bounty can enforce you.
Por. I neuer did repent for doing good, Nor shall not now: for in companions
[1675]
That do conuerse and waste the time together, Whose soules doe beare an egal yoke of loue. There must be needs a like proportion Of lyniaments, of manners, and of spirit; Which makes me thinke that this Anthonio
[1680]
Being the bosome louer of my Lord, Must needs be like my Lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I haue bestowed In purchasing the semblance of my soule; From out the state of hellish cruelty,
[1685]
This comes too neere the praising of my selfe, Therefore no more of it: heere other things Lorenso I commit into your hands, The husbandry and mannage of my house, Vntill my Lords returne; for mine owne part
[1690]
I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vow, To liue in prayer and contemplation, Onely attended by Nerrissa heere, Vntill her husband and my Lords returne: There is a monastery too miles off,
[1695]
And there we will abide. I doe desire you Not to denie this imposition, The which my loue and some necessity Now layes vpon you.
Lorens. Madame, with all my heart,
[1700]
I shall obey you in all faire commands.
Por. My people doe already know my minde, And will acknowledge you and Iessica In place of Lord Bassanio and my selfe. So far you well till we shall meete againe. Lor.
[1705]
Faire thoughts & happy houres attend on you.
Iessi. I wish your Ladiship all hearts content. Por. I thanke you for your wish, and am well pleas'd To wish it backe on you: faryouwell Iessica. Exeunt. Now Balthaser, as I haue euer found thee honest true,
[1710]
So let me finde thee still: take this same letter, And vse thou all the indeauor of a man, In speed to Mantua, see thou render this Into my cosins hand, Doctor Belario, And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,
[1715]
Bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speed Vnto the Tranect, to the common Ferrie Which trades to Venice; waste no time in words, But get thee gone, I shall be there before thee.
Balth. Madam, I goe with all conuenient speed. Por.
[1720]
Come on Nerissa, I haue worke in hand That you yet know not of; wee'll see our husbands Before they thinke of vs?
Nerrissa. Shall they see vs ? Portia. They shall Nerrissa: but in such a habit,
[1725]
That they shall thinke we are accomplished With that we lacke; Ile hold thee any wager When we are both accoutered like yong men, Ile proue the prettier fellow of the two, And weare my dagger with the brauer grace,
[1730]
And speake betweene the change of man and boy, With a reede voyce, and turne two minsing steps Into a manly stride; and speake of frayes Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lyes How honourable Ladies sought my loue,
[1735]
Which I denying, they fell sicke and died. I could not doe withall: then Ile repent, And wish for all that, that I had not kil'd them; And twentie of these punie lies Ile tell, That men shall sweare I haue discontinued schoole
[1740]
Aboue a twelue moneth: I haue within my minde A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Iacks, Which I will practise.
Nerris.

Why, shall wee turne to men?

Portia. Fie, what a questions that?
[1745]
If thou wert nere a lewd interpreter: But come, Ile tell thee all my whole deuice When I am in my coach, which stayes for vs At the Parke gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twentie miles to day.
Exeunt.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="4" rend="notPresent">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 4]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Portia, Nerrissa, Lorenzo, Iessica, and a man of
      <lb/>Portias.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mv-lor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lor.</speaker>
      <l n="1664">Madam, although I speake it in your presence,</l>
      <l n="1665">You haue a noble and a true conceit</l>
      <l n="1666">Of god‑like amity, which appeares most strongly</l>
      <l n="1667">In bearing thus the absence of your Lord.</l>
      <l n="1668">But if you knew to whom you shew this honour,</l>
      <l n="1669">How true a Gentleman you send releefe,</l>
      <l n="1670">How deere a louer of my Lord your husband,</l>
      <l n="1671">I know you would be prouder of the worke</l>
      <l n="1672">Then customary bounty can enforce you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-por">
      <speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
      <l n="1673">I neuer did repent for doing good,</l>
      <l n="1674">Nor shall not now: for in companions</l>
      <l n="1675">That do conuerse and waste the time together,</l>
      <l n="1676">Whose soules doe beare an egal yoke of loue.</l>
      <l n="1677">There must be needs a like proportion</l>
      <l n="1678">Of lyniaments, of manners, and of spirit;</l>
      <l n="1679">Which makes me thinke that this<hi rend="italic">Anthonio</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="1680">Being the bosome louer of my Lord,</l>
      <l n="1681">Must needs be like my Lord. If it be so,</l>
      <l n="1682">How little is the cost I haue bestowed</l>
      <l n="1683">In purchasing the semblance of my soule;</l>
      <l n="1684">From out the state of hellish cruelty,</l>
      <l n="1685">This comes too neere the praising of my selfe,</l>
      <l n="1686">Therefore no more of it: heere other things</l>
      <l n="1687">
         <hi rend="italic">Lorenso</hi>I commit into your hands,</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0197-0.jpg" n="177"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="1688">The husbandry and mannage of my house,</l>
      <l n="1689">Vntill my Lords returne; for mine owne part</l>
      <l n="1690">I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vow,</l>
      <l n="1691">To liue in prayer and contemplation,</l>
      <l n="1692">Onely attended by<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>heere,</l>
      <l n="1693">Vntill her husband and my Lords returne:</l>
      <l n="1694">There is a monastery too miles off,</l>
      <l n="1695">And there we will abide. I doe desire you</l>
      <l n="1696">Not to denie this imposition,</l>
      <l n="1697">The which my loue and some necessity</l>
      <l n="1698">Now layes vpon you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-lor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lorens.</speaker>
      <l n="1699">Madame, with all my heart,</l>
      <l n="1700">I shall obey you in all faire commands.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-por">
      <speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
      <l n="1701">My people doe already know my minde,</l>
      <l n="1702">And will acknowledge you and<hi rend="italic">Iessica</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="1703">In place of Lord<hi rend="italic">Bassanio</hi>and my selfe.</l>
      <l n="1704">So far you well till we shall meete againe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-lor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lor.</speaker>
      <l n="1705">Faire thoughts &amp; happy houres attend on you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-jes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Iessi.</speaker>
      <l n="1706">I wish your Ladiship all hearts content.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-por">
      <speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
      <l n="1707">I thanke you for your wish, and am well pleas'd</l>
      <l n="1708">To wish it backe on you: faryouwell<hi rend="italic">Iessica</hi>.</l>
      <stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
      <l n="1709">Now<hi rend="italic">Balthaser</hi>, as I haue euer found thee honest true,</l>
      <l n="1710">So let me finde thee still: take this same letter,</l>
      <l n="1711">And vse thou all the indeauor of a man,</l>
      <l n="1712">In speed to Mantua, see thou render this</l>
      <l n="1713">Into my cosins hand, Doctor<hi rend="italic">Belario</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1714">And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,</l>
      <l n="1715">Bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speed</l>
      <l n="1716">Vnto the Tranect, to the common Ferrie</l>
      <l n="1717">Which trades to Venice; waste no time in words,</l>
      <l n="1718">But get thee gone, I shall be there before thee.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-bal">
      <speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
      <l n="1719">Madam, I goe with all conuenient speed.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-por">
      <speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
      <l n="1720">Come on<hi rend="italic">Nerissa</hi>, I haue worke in hand</l>
      <l n="1721">That you yet know not of; wee'll see our husbands</l>
      <l n="1722">Before they thinke of vs?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-ner">
      <speaker rend="italic">Nerrissa.</speaker>
      <l n="1723">Shall they see vs<hi rend="italic">?</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-por">
      <speaker rend="italic">Portia.</speaker>
      <l n="1724">They shall<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>: but in such a habit,</l>
      <l n="1725">That they shall thinke we are accomplished</l>
      <l n="1726">With that we lacke; Ile hold thee any wager</l>
      <l n="1727">When we are both accoutered like yong men,</l>
      <l n="1728">Ile proue the prettier fellow of the two,</l>
      <l n="1729">And weare my dagger with the brauer grace,</l>
      <l n="1730">And speake betweene the change of man and boy,</l>
      <l n="1731">With a reede voyce, and turne two minsing steps</l>
      <l n="1732">Into a manly stride; and speake of frayes</l>
      <l n="1733">Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lyes</l>
      <l n="1734">How honourable Ladies sought my loue,</l>
      <l n="1735">Which I denying, they fell sicke and died.</l>
      <l n="1736">I could not doe withall: then Ile repent,</l>
      <l n="1737">And wish for all that, that I had not kil'd them;</l>
      <l n="1738">And twentie of these punie lies Ile tell,</l>
      <l n="1739">That men shall sweare I haue discontinued schoole</l>
      <l n="1740">Aboue a twelue moneth: I haue within my minde</l>
      <l n="1741">A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Iacks,</l>
      <l n="1742">Which I will practise.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-ner">
      <speaker rend="italic">Nerris.</speaker>
      <p n="1743">Why, shall wee turne to men?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mv-por">
      <speaker rend="italic">Portia.</speaker>
      <l n="1744">Fie, what a questions that?</l>
      <l n="1745">If thou wert nere a lewd interpreter:</l>
      <l n="1746">But come, Ile tell thee all my whole deuice</l>
      <l n="1747">When I am in my coach, which stayes for vs</l>
      <l n="1748">At the Parke gate; and therefore haste away,</l>
      <l n="1749">For we must measure twentie miles to day.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

Download the XML