ous iewels: I would my daughter were dead at my foot,
[1250]
and
the iewels in her eare: would she were hearst at my
foote, and
the duckets in her coffin: no newes of them,
why so? and I know
not how much is spent in the search:
why thou losse vpon losse,
the theefe gone with so
much, and so much to finde the theefe,
and no satisfa
[1255]
ction, no reuenge, nor no ill luck
stirring but what lights
a my shoulders, no sighes but a my
breathing, no teares
but a my shedding.
Tub.
Yes, other men haue ill lucke too,
Anthonio as
I
heard in Genowa?
Shy.
[1260]
What, what, what, ill lucke, ill lucke.
Tub.
Hath an Argosie cast away comming from Tri
polis.
Shy.
I thanke God, I thanke God, is it true, is it true?
Tub.
I spoke with some of the Saylers that escaped
[1265]
the wracke.
Shy.
I thanke thee good
Tuball, good newes, good
newes: ha, ha, here in Genowa.
Tub.
Your daughter spent in Genowa, as I heard, one
night fourescore
ducats.
Shy.
[1270]
Thou stick'st a dagger in me, I shall neuer see my
gold againe,
fourescore ducats at a sitting, fourescore du
cats.
Tub.
There came diuers of
Anthonios creditors in my
company to Venice, that sweare hee cannot choose but
[1275]
breake.
Shy.
I am very glad of it, ile plague him, ile torture
him, I am glad
of it,
Tub.
One of them shewed me a ring that hee had of
your daughter for a
Monkie.
Shy.
[1280]
Out vpon her, thou torturest me
Tuball, it was
my Turkies, I had it of
Leah when I was
a Batcheler: I
would not haue giuen it for a wildernesse of
Monkies.
Tub.
But
Anthonio is certainely vndone.
Shy.
Nay, that's true, that's very true, goe
Tuball, see
[1285]
me an Officer, bespeake him a fortnight
before, I will
haue the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he
out of Ve
nice, I can make what merchandize I will: goe
Tuball,
and meete me at our
Sinagogue, goe good
Tuball, at our
Sinagogue
Tuball.
Exeunt.
[Act 3, Scene 2]
Enter Bassanio, Portia,
Gratiano, and all their traine.
Por.
[1290]
I pray you tarrie, pause a day or twoBefore you hazard, for in choosing wrongI loose your companie; therefore forbeare a while,There's something tels me (but it is not loue)I would not loose you, and you know your selfe,
[1295]
Hate counsailes not in such a quallitie;But least you should not vnderstand me well,And yet a maiden hath no tongue, but thought,I would detaine you here some month or twoBefore you venture for me. I could teach you
[1300]
How to choose right, but then I am forsworne,So will I neuer be, so may you misse me,But if you doe, youle make me wish a sinne,That I had beene forsworne: Beshrow your eyes,They haue ore‑lookt me and deuided me,
[1305]
One halfe of me is yours, the other halfe yours,Mine owne I would say: but of mine then yours,And so all yours; O these naughtie timesPuts bars betweene the owners and their rights.And so though yours, not yours (proue it so)
[1310]
Let Fortune goe to hell for it, not I.I speake too long, but 'tis to peize the time,To ich it, and to draw it out in length,To stay you from election.P3Bass. Let
[Act 3, Scene 2]
Enter Bassanio, Portia,
Gratiano, and all their traine.
Por.
[1290]
I pray you tarrie, pause a day or twoBefore you hazard, for in choosing wrongI loose your companie; therefore forbeare a while,There's something tels me (but it is not loue)I would not loose you, and you know your selfe,
[1295]
Hate counsailes not in such a quallitie;But least you should not vnderstand me well,And yet a maiden hath no tongue, but thought,I would detaine you here some month or twoBefore you venture for me. I could teach you
[1300]
How to choose right, but then I am forsworne,So will I neuer be, so may you misse me,But if you doe, youle make me wish a sinne,That I had beene forsworne: Beshrow your eyes,They haue ore‑lookt me and deuided me,
[1305]
One halfe of me is yours, the other halfe yours,Mine owne I would say: but of mine then yours,And so all yours; O these naughtie timesPuts bars betweene the owners and their rights.And so though yours, not yours (proue it so)
[1310]
Let Fortune goe to hell for it, not I.I speake too long, but 'tis to peize the time,To ich it, and to draw it out in length,To stay you from election.Bass.Let me choose,
[1315]
For as I am, I liue vpon the racke.Por.Vpon the racke
Bassanio, then confesse
What treason there is mingled with your loue.Bass.None but that vglie treason of mistrust.Which makes me feare the enioying of my loue:
[1320]
There may as well be amitie and life,'Tweene snow and fire, as treason and my loue.Por.I, but I feare you speake vpon the racke,Where men enforced doth speake any thing.Bass.Promise me life, and ile confesse the truth.Por.
[1325]
Well then, confesse and liue.Bass.Confesse and loueHad beene the verie sum of my confession:O happie torment, when my torturerDoth teach me answers for deliuerance:
[1330]
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.Por.Away then, I am lockt in one of them,If you doe loue me, you will finde me out.Nerryssa and the rest, stand all aloose,
Let musicke sound while he doth make his choise,
[1335]
Then if he loose he makes a Swan‑like end,Fading in musique. That the comparisonMay stand more proper, my eye shall be the streameAnd watrie death‑bed for him: he may win,And what is musique than? Than musique is
[1340]
Euen as the flourish, when true subiects boweTo a new crowned Monarch: Such it is,As are those dulcet sounds in breake of day,That creepe into the dreaming bride‑groomes eare,And summon him to marriage. Now he goes
[1345]
With no lesse presence, but with much more loueThen yong
Alcides, when he did redeeme
The virgine tribute, paied by howling
TroyTo the Sea‑monster: I stand for sacrifice,The rest aloofe are the Dardanian wiues:
[1350]
With bleared visages come forth to viewThe issue of th'exploit: Goe Hercules,Liue thou, I liue with much more dismayI view the fight, then thou that mak'st the fray.Here Musicke.A Song the whilst
Bassanio comments on the
Caskets to
himselfe.
Tell me where is fancie bred,
[1355]
Or in the heart, or in the head:
How begot, how nourished.Replie,
replie.
It is engendred in the eyes,
With gazing fed,
and Fancie
dies
,
In the cradle where it lies:
[1360]
Let vs all ring Fancies knell.Ile begin it.Ding dong,
bell.All.Ding,
dong,
bell.Bass.So may the outward showes be least themselues
[1365]
The world is still deceiu'd with ornament.In Law, what Plea so tanted and corrupt,But being season'd with a gracious voice,Obscures the show of euill? In Religion,What damned error, but some sober brow
[1370]
Will blesse it, and approue it with a text,Hiding the grosenesse with faire ornament:There is no voice so simple, but assumesSome marke of vertue on his outward parts;How manie cowards, whose hearts are all as false
[1375]
As stayers of sand, weare yet vpon their chinsThe beards of
Hercules and frowning
Mars,
Who inward searcht, haue lyuers white as milke,And these assume but valors excrement,To render them redoubted. Looke on beautie,
[1380]
And you shall see 'tis purchast by the weight,Which therein workes a miracle in nature,Making them lightest that weare most of it:So are those crisped snakie golden locksWhich makes such wanton gambols with the winde
[1385]
Vpon supposed fairenesse, often knowneTo be the dowrie of a second head,The scull that bred them in the Sepulcher.Thus ornament is but the guiled shoreTo a most dangerous sea: the beautious scarfe
[1390]
Vailing an Indian beautie; In a word,The seeming truth which cunning times put onTo intrap the wisest. Therefore then thou gaudie gold,Hard food for
Midas, I will none of thee,
Nor none of thee thou pale and common drudge
[1395]
'Tweene man and man: but thou, thou meager leadWhich rather threatnest then dost promise ought,Thy palenesse moues me more then eloquence,And here choose I, ioy be the consequence.Por.How all the other passions fleet to ayre,
[1400]
As doubtfull thoughts, and rash imbrac'd despaire:And shuddring feare, and greene‑eyed iealousie.O loue be moderate, allay thy extasie,In measure raine thy ioy, scant this excesse,I feele too much thy blessing, make it lesse,
[1405]
For feare I surfeit.Bas.What finde I here?Faire
Portias counterfeit. What demie God
Hath come so neere creation? moue these eies?Or whether riding on the bals of mine
[1410]
Seeme they in motion? Here are seuer'd lipsParted with suger breath, so sweet a barreShould sunder such sweet friends: here in her hairesThe Painter plaies the Spider, and hath wouenA golden mesh t'intrap the hearts of men
[1415]
Faster then gnats in cobwebs: but her eies,How could he see to doe them? hauing made one,Me thinkes it should haue power to steale both hisAnd leaue it selfe vnfurnisht: Yet looke how farreThe substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
[1420]
In vnderprising it, so farre this shadowDoth limpe behinde the substance. Here's the scroule,The continent, and summarie of my fortune.You that choose not by the viewChance as faire, and choose as true:
[1425]
Since this fortune fals to you,Be content, and seeke no new.If you be well pleasd with this,And hold your fortune for your blisse,Turne you where your Lady is,
[1430]
And claime her with a louing kisse.Bass.A gentle scroule: Faire Lady, by your leaue,I come by note to giue, and to receiue,Like one of two contending in a prizeThat thinks he hath done well in peoples eies:
[1435]
Hearing applause and vniuersall shout,Giddie in spirit, still gazing in a doubtWhether those peales of praise be his or no.So thrice faire Lady stand I euen so,As doubtfull whether what I see be true,
[1440]
Vntill confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.Por.You see my Lord
Bassiano where I stand,
Such as I am; though for my selfe aloneI would not be ambitious in my wish,To wish my selfe much better, yet for you,
[1445]
I would be trebled twenty times my selfe,A thousand times more faire, ten thousand timesMore rich, that onely to stand high in your account,I might in vertues, beauties, liuings, friends,Exceed account: but the full summe of me
[1450]
Is sum of nothing: which to terme in grosse,Is an vnlessoned girle, vnschool'd, vnpractiz'd,Happy in this, she is not yet so oldBut she may learne: happier then this,Shee is not bred so dull but she can learne;
[1455]
Happiest of all, is that her gentle spiritCommits it selfe to yours to be directed,As from her Lord, her Gouernour, her King.My selfe, and what is mine, to you and yoursIs now conuerted. But now I was the Lord
[1460]
Of this faire mansion, master of my seruants,Queene ore my selfe: and euen now, but now,This house, these seruants, and this same my selfeAre yours, my Lord, I giue them with this ring,Which when you part from, loose, or giue away,
[1465]
Let it presage the ruine of your loue,And be my vantage to exclaime on you.Bass.Maddam, you haue bereft me of all words,Onely my bloud speakes to you in my vaines,And there is such confusion in my powers,
[1470]
As after some oration fairely spokeBy a beloued Prince, there doth appeareAmong the buzzing pleased multitude,Where euery something being blent together,Turnes to a wilde of nothing, saue of ioy
[1475]
Exprest, and not exprest: but when this ringParts from this finger, then parts life from hence,O then be bold to say
Bassanio's dead.
Ner.My Lord and Lady, it is now our timeThat haue stood by and seene our wishes prosper,
[1480]
To cry good ioy, good ioy my Lord and Lady.Gra.My Lord
Bassanio, and my gentle Lady,
I wish you all the ioy that you can wish:For I am sure you can wish none from me:And when your Honours meane to solemnize
[1485]
The bargaine of your faith: I doe beseech youEuen at that time I may be married too.Bass.With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.Gra.I thanke your Lordship, you gaue got me one.My eyes my Lord can looke as swift as yours:
[1490]
You saw the mistres, I beheld the maid:You lou'd, I lou'd for intermission,No more pertaines to me my Lord then you;Your fortune stood vpon the caskets there,And so did mine too, as the matter falls:
[1495]
For wooing heere vntill I swet againe,And swearing till my very rough was dryWith oathes of loue, at last, if promise last,I got a promise of this faire one heereTo haue her loue: prouided that your fortune
[1500]
Atchieu'd her mistresse.Por.
Is this true
Nerrissa?
Ner.
Madam it is so, so you stand pleas'd withall.
Bass.
And doe you
Gratiano meane good faith?
Gra.
Yes faith my Lord.
Bass.
[1505]
Our feast shall be much honored in your mar
riage.
Gra.
Weele play with them the first boy for a thou
sand
ducats.
Ner.
What and stake downe?
Gra.
[1510]
No, we shal nere win at that sport, and stake
downe.
But who comes heere?
Lorenzo and his
Infidell?
What and my old Venetian friend
Salerio?
Enter Lorenzo, Iessica, and
Salerio.
Bas.Lorenzo and
Salerio,
welcome hether,
If that the youth of my new interest heere
[1515]
Haue power to bid you welcome: by your leaueI bid my verie friends and CountrimenSweet
Portia welcome.
Por.
So do I my Lord, they are intirely welcome.
Lor.I thanke your honor; for my part my Lord,
[1520]
My purpose was not to haue seene you heere,But meeting with
Salerio by the way,
He did intreate mee past all saying nayTo come with him along.Sal.I did my Lord,
[1525]
And I haue reason for it, Signior
AnthonioCommends him to you.Bass.Ere I ope his LetterI pray you tell me how my good friend doth.Sal.Not sicke my Lord, vnlesse it be in minde,
[1530]
Nor wel, vnlesse in minde: his Letter thereWil shew you his estate.Opens the Letter.Gra.Nerrissa, cheere yond stranger, bid her
welcom.
Your hand
Salerio, what's the newes from
Venice?
How doth that royal Merchant good
Anthonio;
[1535]
I know he will be glad of our successe,We are the
Iasons, we haue won the fleece.
Sal.
I would you had vvon the fleece that hee hath
lost.
Por.There are some shrewd contents in yond same
Paper,
[1540]
That steales the colour from
Bassianos
cheeke,
Some deere friend dead, else nothing in the worldCould turne so much the constitutionOf any constant man. What, worse and worse?With leaue
Bassanio I am halfe your selfe,
[1545]
And I must freely haue the halfe of any thingThat this same paper brings you.Bass.O sweet
Portia,
Heere are a few of the vnpleasant'st wordsThat euer blotted paper. Gentle Ladie
[1550]
When I did first impart my loue to you,I freely told you all the wealth I hadRan in my vaines: I was a Gentleman,And then I told you true: and yet deere Ladie,Rating my selfe at nothing, you shall see
[1555]
How much I was a Braggart, when I told youMy state was nothing, I should then haue told youThat I vvas worse then nothing: for indeedeI haue ingag'd my selfe to a deere friend,Ingag'd my friend to his meere enemie
[1560]
To feede my meanes. Heere is a Letter Ladie,The paper as the bodie of my friend,And euerie word in it a gaping woundIssuing life blood. But is it true
Salerio,
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 touchOf Merchant‑marring rocks?Sal.Not one my Lord.
[1570]
Besides, it should appeare, that if he hadThe present money to discharge the Iew,He would not take it: neuer did I knowA creature that did beare the shape of manSo keene and greedy to confound a man.
[1575]
He plyes the Duke at morning and at night,And doth impeach the freedome of the stateIf they deny him iustice. Twenty Merchants,The Duke himselfe, and the MagnificoesOf greatest port haue all perswaded with him,
[1580]
But none can driue him from the enuious pleaOf forfeiture, of iustice, and his bond.Iessi.When I was with him, I haue heard him sweareTo
Tuball and to
Chus,
his Countri‑men,
That he would rather haue
Anthonio's
flesh,
[1585]
Then twenty times the value of the summeThat 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 spiritIn doing curtesies: and one in whomThe ancient Romane honour more appearesThen 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 descriptionShall 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 goldTo 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.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="2" rend="notPresent">
<head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 2]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, and all their traine.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1290">I pray you tarrie, pause a day or two</l>
<l n="1291">Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong</l>
<l n="1292">I loose your companie; therefore forbeare a while,</l>
<l n="1293">There's something tels me (but it is not loue)</l>
<l n="1294">I would not loose you, and you know your selfe,</l>
<l n="1295">Hate counsailes not in such a quallitie;</l>
<l n="1296">But least you should not vnderstand me well,</l>
<l n="1297">And yet a maiden hath no tongue, but thought,</l>
<l n="1298">I would detaine you here some month or two</l>
<l n="1299">Before you venture for me. I could teach you</l>
<l n="1300">How to choose right, but then I am forsworne,</l>
<l n="1301">So will I neuer be, so may you misse me,</l>
<l n="1302">But if you doe, youle make me wish a sinne,</l>
<l n="1303">That I had beene forsworne: Beshrow your eyes,</l>
<l n="1304">They haue ore‑lookt me and deuided me,</l>
<l n="1305">One halfe of me is yours, the other halfe yours,</l>
<l n="1306">Mine owne I would say: but of mine then yours,</l>
<l n="1307">And so all yours; O these naughtie times</l>
<l n="1308">Puts bars betweene the owners and their rights.</l>
<l n="1309">And so though yours, not yours (proue it so)</l>
<l n="1310">Let Fortune goe to hell for it, not I.</l>
<l n="1311">I speake too long, but 'tis to peize the time,</l>
<l n="1312">To ich it, and to draw it out in length,</l>
<l n="1313">To stay you from election.</l>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0194-0.jpg" n="174"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1314">Let me choose,</l>
<l n="1315">For as I am, I liue vpon the racke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1316">Vpon the racke<hi rend="italic">Bassanio</hi>, then confesse</l>
<l n="1317">What treason there is mingled with your loue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1318">None but that vglie treason of mistrust.</l>
<l n="1319">Which makes me feare the enioying of my loue:</l>
<l n="1320">There may as well be amitie and life,</l>
<l n="1321">'Tweene snow and fire, as treason and my loue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1322">I, but I feare you speake vpon the racke,</l>
<l n="1323">Where men enforced doth speake any thing.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1324">Promise me life, and ile confesse the truth.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1325">Well then, confesse and liue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1326">Confesse and loue</l>
<l n="1327">Had beene the verie sum of my confession:</l>
<l n="1328">O happie torment, when my torturer</l>
<l n="1329">Doth teach me answers for deliuerance:</l>
<l n="1330">But let me to my fortune and the caskets.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1331">Away then, I am lockt in one of them,</l>
<l n="1332">If you doe loue me, you will finde me out.</l>
<l n="1333">
<hi rend="italic">Nerryssa</hi>and the rest, stand all aloose,</l>
<l n="1334">Let musicke sound while he doth make his choise,</l>
<l n="1335">Then if he loose he makes a Swan‑like end,</l>
<l n="1336">Fading in musique. That the comparison</l>
<l n="1337">May stand more proper, my eye shall be the streame</l>
<l n="1338">And watrie death‑bed for him: he may win,</l>
<l n="1339">And what is musique than? Than musique is</l>
<l n="1340">Euen as the flourish, when true subiects bowe</l>
<l n="1341">To a new crowned Monarch: Such it is,</l>
<l n="1342">As are those dulcet sounds in breake of day,</l>
<l n="1343">That creepe into the dreaming bride‑groomes eare,</l>
<l n="1344">And summon him to marriage. Now he goes</l>
<l n="1345">With no lesse presence, but with much more loue</l>
<l n="1346">Then yong<hi rend="italic">Alcides</hi>, when he did redeeme</l>
<l n="1347">The virgine tribute, paied by howling<hi rend="italic">Troy</hi>
</l>
<l n="1348">To the Sea‑monster: I stand for sacrifice,</l>
<l n="1349">The rest aloofe are the Dardanian wiues:</l>
<l n="1350">With bleared visages come forth to view</l>
<l n="1351">The issue of th'exploit: Goe Hercules,</l>
<l n="1352">Liue thou, I liue with much more dismay</l>
<l n="1353">I view the fight, then thou that mak'st the fray.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Here Musicke.</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">A Song the whilst<hi rend="roman">Bassanio</hi>comments on the
<lb/>Caskets to himselfe.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-all">
<lg>
<l n="1354">
<hi rend="italic">Tell me where is fancie bred</hi>,</l>
<l n="1355">
<hi rend="italic">Or in the heart, or in the head</hi>:</l>
<l rend="italic" n="1356">How begot, how nourished.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Replie, replie.</stage>
<l n="1357">
<hi rend="italic">It is engendred in the eyes</hi>,</l>
<l n="1358">
<hi rend="italic">With gazing fed</hi>,<hi rend="italic">and Fancie dies</hi>,</l>
<l rend="italic" n="1359">In the cradle where it lies:</l>
<l rend="italic" n="1360">Let vs all ring Fancies knell.</l>
<l n="1361">Ile begin it.</l>
<l n="1362">
<hi rend="italic">Ding dong</hi>,<hi rend="italic">bell.</hi>
</l>
</lg>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-all">
<speaker>All.</speaker>
<l n="1363">
<hi rend="italic">Ding</hi>,<hi rend="italic">dong</hi>,<hi rend="italic">bell.</hi>
</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1364">So may the outward showes be least themselues</l>
<l n="1365">The world is still deceiu'd with ornament.</l>
<l n="1366">In Law, what Plea so tanted and corrupt,</l>
<l n="1367">But being season'd with a gracious voice,</l>
<l n="1368">Obscures the show of euill? In Religion,</l>
<l n="1369">What damned error, but some sober brow</l>
<l n="1370">Will blesse it, and approue it with a text,</l>
<l n="1371">Hiding the grosenesse with faire ornament:</l>
<l n="1372">There is no voice so simple, but assumes</l>
<l n="1373">Some marke of vertue on his outward parts;</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1374">How manie cowards, whose hearts are all as false</l>
<l n="1375">As stayers of sand, weare yet vpon their chins</l>
<l n="1376">The beards of<hi rend="italic">Hercules</hi>and frowning<hi rend="italic">Mars</hi>,</l>
<l n="1377">Who inward searcht, haue lyuers white as milke,</l>
<l n="1378">And these assume but valors excrement,</l>
<l n="1379">To render them redoubted. Looke on beautie,</l>
<l n="1380">And you shall see 'tis purchast by the weight,</l>
<l n="1381">Which therein workes a miracle in nature,</l>
<l n="1382">Making them lightest that weare most of it:</l>
<l n="1383">So are those crisped snakie golden locks</l>
<l n="1384">Which makes such wanton gambols with the winde</l>
<l n="1385">Vpon supposed fairenesse, often knowne</l>
<l n="1386">To be the dowrie of a second head,</l>
<l n="1387">The scull that bred them in the Sepulcher.</l>
<l n="1388">Thus ornament is but the guiled shore</l>
<l n="1389">To a most dangerous sea: the beautious scarfe</l>
<l n="1390">Vailing an Indian beautie; In a word,</l>
<l n="1391">The seeming truth which cunning times put on</l>
<l n="1392">To intrap the wisest. Therefore then thou gaudie gold,</l>
<l n="1393">Hard food for<hi rend="italic">Midas</hi>, I will none of thee,</l>
<l n="1394">Nor none of thee thou pale and common drudge</l>
<l n="1395">'Tweene man and man: but thou, thou meager lead</l>
<l n="1396">Which rather threatnest then dost promise ought,</l>
<l n="1397">Thy palenesse moues me more then eloquence,</l>
<l n="1398">And here choose I, ioy be the consequence.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1399">How all the other passions fleet to ayre,</l>
<l n="1400">As doubtfull thoughts, and rash imbrac'd despaire:</l>
<l n="1401">And shuddring feare, and greene‑eyed iealousie.</l>
<l n="1402">O loue be moderate, allay thy extasie,</l>
<l n="1403">In measure raine thy ioy, scant this excesse,</l>
<l n="1404">I feele too much thy blessing, make it lesse,</l>
<l n="1405">For feare I surfeit.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bas.</speaker>
<l n="1406">What finde I here?</l>
<l n="1407">Faire<hi rend="italic">Portias</hi>counterfeit. What demie God</l>
<l n="1408">Hath come so neere creation? moue these eies?</l>
<l n="1409">Or whether riding on the bals of mine</l>
<l n="1410">Seeme they in motion? Here are seuer'd lips</l>
<l n="1411">Parted with suger breath, so sweet a barre</l>
<l n="1412">Should sunder such sweet friends: here in her haires</l>
<l n="1413">The Painter plaies the Spider, and hath wouen</l>
<l n="1414">A golden mesh t'intrap the hearts of men</l>
<l n="1415">Faster then gnats in cobwebs: but her eies,</l>
<l n="1416">How could he see to doe them? hauing made one,</l>
<l n="1417">Me thinkes it should haue power to steale both his</l>
<l n="1418">And leaue it selfe vnfurnisht: Yet looke how farre</l>
<l n="1419">The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow</l>
<l n="1420">In vnderprising it, so farre this shadow</l>
<l n="1421">Doth limpe behinde the substance. Here's the scroule,</l>
<l n="1422">The continent, and summarie of my fortune.</l>
<lg rend="italic center">
<l n="1423">You that choose not by the view</l>
<l n="1424">Chance as faire, and choose as true:</l>
<l n="1425">Since this fortune fals to you,</l>
<l n="1426">Be content, and seeke no new.</l>
<l n="1427">If you be well pleasd with this,</l>
<l n="1428">And hold your fortune for your blisse,</l>
<l n="1429">Turne you where your Lady is,</l>
<l n="1430">And claime her with a louing kisse.</l>
</lg>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1431">A gentle scroule: Faire Lady, by your leaue,</l>
<l n="1432">I come by note to giue, and to receiue,</l>
<l n="1433">Like one of two contending in a prize</l>
<l n="1434">That thinks he hath done well in peoples eies:</l>
<l n="1435">Hearing applause and vniuersall shout,</l>
<l n="1436">Giddie in spirit, still gazing in a doubt</l>
<l n="1437">Whether those peales of praise be his or no.</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0195-0.jpg" n="175"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1438">So thrice faire Lady stand I euen so,</l>
<l n="1439">As doubtfull whether what I see be true,</l>
<l n="1440">Vntill confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1441">You see my Lord<hi rend="italic">Bassiano</hi>where I stand,</l>
<l n="1442">Such as I am; though for my selfe alone</l>
<l n="1443">I would not be ambitious in my wish,</l>
<l n="1444">To wish my selfe much better, yet for you,</l>
<l n="1445">I would be trebled twenty times my selfe,</l>
<l n="1446">A thousand times more faire, ten thousand times</l>
<l n="1447">More rich, that onely to stand high in your account,</l>
<l n="1448">I might in vertues, beauties, liuings, friends,</l>
<l n="1449">Exceed account: but the full summe of me</l>
<l n="1450">Is sum of nothing: which to terme in grosse,</l>
<l n="1451">Is an vnlessoned girle, vnschool'd, vnpractiz'd,</l>
<l n="1452">Happy in this, she is not yet so old</l>
<l n="1453">But she may learne: happier then this,</l>
<l n="1454">Shee is not bred so dull but she can learne;</l>
<l n="1455">Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit</l>
<l n="1456">Commits it selfe to yours to be directed,</l>
<l n="1457">As from her Lord, her Gouernour, her King.</l>
<l n="1458">My selfe, and what is mine, to you and yours</l>
<l n="1459">Is now conuerted. But now I was the Lord</l>
<l n="1460">Of this faire mansion, master of my seruants,</l>
<l n="1461">Queene ore my selfe: and euen now, but now,</l>
<l n="1462">This house, these seruants, and this same my selfe</l>
<l n="1463">Are yours, my Lord, I giue them with this ring,</l>
<l n="1464">Which when you part from, loose, or giue away,</l>
<l n="1465">Let it presage the ruine of your loue,</l>
<l n="1466">And be my vantage to exclaime on you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1467">Maddam, you haue bereft me of all words,</l>
<l n="1468">Onely my bloud speakes to you in my vaines,</l>
<l n="1469">And there is such confusion in my powers,</l>
<l n="1470">As after some oration fairely spoke</l>
<l n="1471">By a beloued Prince, there doth appeare</l>
<l n="1472">Among the buzzing pleased multitude,</l>
<l n="1473">Where euery something being blent together,</l>
<l n="1474">Turnes to a wilde of nothing, saue of ioy</l>
<l n="1475">Exprest, and not exprest: but when this ring</l>
<l n="1476">Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence,</l>
<l n="1477">O then be bold to say<hi rend="italic">Bassanio'</hi>s dead.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Ner.</speaker>
<l n="1478">My Lord and Lady, it is now our time</l>
<l n="1479">That haue stood by and seene our wishes prosper,</l>
<l n="1480">To cry good ioy, good ioy my Lord and Lady.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-gra">
<speaker rend="italic">Gra.</speaker>
<l n="1481">My Lord<hi rend="italic">Bassanio</hi>, and my gentle Lady,</l>
<l n="1482">I wish you all the ioy that you can wish:</l>
<l n="1483">For I am sure you can wish none from me:</l>
<l n="1484">And when your Honours meane to solemnize</l>
<l n="1485">The bargaine of your faith: I doe beseech you</l>
<l n="1486">Euen at that time I may be married too.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1487">With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-gra">
<speaker rend="italic">Gra.</speaker>
<l n="1488">I thanke your Lordship, you gaue got me one.</l>
<l n="1489">My eyes my Lord can looke as swift as yours:</l>
<l n="1490">You saw the mistres, I beheld the maid:</l>
<l n="1491">You lou'd, I lou'd for intermission,</l>
<l n="1492">No more pertaines to me my Lord then you;</l>
<l n="1493">Your fortune stood vpon the caskets there,</l>
<l n="1494">And so did mine too, as the matter falls:</l>
<l n="1495">For wooing heere vntill I swet againe,</l>
<l n="1496">And swearing till my very rough was dry</l>
<l n="1497">With oathes of loue, at last, if promise last,</l>
<l n="1498">I got a promise of this faire one heere</l>
<l n="1499">To haue her loue: prouided that your fortune</l>
<l n="1500">Atchieu'd her mistresse.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<p n="1501">Is this true<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Ner.</speaker>
<p n="1502">Madam it is so, so you stand pleas'd withall.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<p n="1503">And doe you<hi rend="italic">Gratiano</hi>meane good faith?</p>
</sp>
<cb n="2"/>
<sp who="#F-mv-gra">
<speaker rend="italic">Gra.</speaker>
<p n="1504">Yes faith my Lord.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<p n="1505">Our feast shall be much honored in your mar
<lb n="1506"/>riage.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-gra">
<speaker rend="italic">Gra.</speaker>
<p n="1507">Weele play with them the first boy for a thou
<lb n="1508"/>sand ducats.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Ner.</speaker>
<p n="1509">What and stake downe?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-gra">
<speaker rend="italic">Gra.</speaker>
<l n="1510">No, we shal nere win at that sport, and stake
<lb/>downe.</l>
<l n="1511">But who comes heere?<hi rend="italic">Lorenzo</hi>and his Infidell?</l>
<l n="1512">What and my old Venetian friend<hi rend="italic">Salerio</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lorenzo, Iessica, and Salerio.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bas.</speaker>
<l n="1513">
<hi rend="italic">Lorenzo</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Salerio</hi>, welcome hether,</l>
<l n="1514">If that the youth of my new interest heere</l>
<l n="1515">Haue power to bid you welcome: by your leaue</l>
<l n="1516">I bid my verie friends and Countrimen</l>
<l n="1517">Sweet<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>welcome.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<p n="1518">So do I my Lord, they are intirely welcome.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-lor">
<speaker rend="italic">Lor.</speaker>
<l n="1519">I thanke your honor; for my part my Lord,</l>
<l n="1520">My purpose was not to haue seene you heere,</l>
<l n="1521">But meeting with<hi rend="italic">Salerio</hi>by the way,</l>
<l n="1522">He did intreate mee past all saying nay</l>
<l n="1523">To come with him along.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-slr">
<speaker rend="italic">Sal.</speaker>
<l n="1524">I did my Lord,</l>
<l n="1525">And I haue reason for it, Signior<hi rend="italic">Anthonio</hi>
</l>
<l n="1526">Commends him to you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1527">Ere I ope his Letter</l>
<l n="1528">I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-sln">
<speaker rend="italic">Sal.</speaker>
<l n="1529">Not sicke my Lord, vnlesse it be in minde,</l>
<l n="1530">Nor wel, vnlesse in minde: his Letter there</l>
<l n="1531">Wil shew you his estate.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Opens the Letter.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-gra">
<speaker rend="italic">Gra.</speaker>
<l n="1532">
<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>, cheere yond stranger, bid her welcom.</l>
<l n="1533">Your hand<hi rend="italic">Salerio</hi>, what's the newes from Venice?</l>
<l n="1534">How doth that royal Merchant good<hi rend="italic">Anthonio</hi>;</l>
<l n="1535">I know he will be glad of our successe,</l>
<l n="1536">We are the<hi rend="italic">Iasons</hi>, we haue won the fleece.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-slr">
<speaker rend="italic">Sal.</speaker>
<p n="1537">I would you had vvon the fleece that hee hath
<lb n="1538"/>lost.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1539">There are some shrewd contents in yond same
<lb/>Paper,</l>
<l n="1540">That steales the colour from<hi rend="italic">Bassianos</hi>cheeke,</l>
<l n="1541">Some deere friend dead, else nothing in the world</l>
<l n="1542">Could turne so much the constitution</l>
<l n="1543">Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?</l>
<l n="1544">With leaue<hi rend="italic">Bassanio</hi>I am halfe your selfe,</l>
<l n="1545">And I must freely haue the halfe of any thing</l>
<l n="1546">That this same paper brings you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1547">O sweet<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>,</l>
<l n="1548">Heere are a few of the vnpleasant'st words</l>
<l n="1549">That euer blotted paper. Gentle Ladie</l>
<l n="1550">When I did first impart my loue to you,</l>
<l n="1551">I freely told you all the wealth I had</l>
<l n="1552">Ran in my vaines: I was a Gentleman,</l>
<l n="1553">And then I told you true: and yet deere Ladie,</l>
<l n="1554">Rating my selfe at nothing, you shall see</l>
<l n="1555">How much I was a Braggart, when I told you</l>
<l n="1556">My state was nothing, I should then haue told you</l>
<l n="1557">That I vvas worse then nothing: for indeede</l>
<l n="1558">I haue ingag'd my selfe to a deere friend,</l>
<l n="1559">Ingag'd my friend to his meere enemie</l>
<l n="1560">To feede my meanes. Heere is a Letter Ladie,</l>
<l n="1561">The paper as the bodie of my friend,</l>
<l n="1562">And euerie word in it a gaping wound</l>
<l n="1563">Issuing life blood. But is it true<hi rend="italic">Salerio</hi>,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0196-0.jpg" n="176"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1564">Hath all his ventures faild, what not one hit,</l>
<l n="1565">From Tripolis, from Mexico and England,</l>
<l n="1566">From Lisbon, Barbary, and India,</l>
<l n="1567">And not one vessell scape the dreadfull touch</l>
<l n="1568">Of Merchant‑marring rocks?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-slr">
<speaker rend="italic">Sal.</speaker>
<l n="1569">Not one my Lord.</l>
<l n="1570">Besides, it should appeare, that if he had</l>
<l n="1571">The present money to discharge the Iew,</l>
<l n="1572">He would not take it: neuer did I know</l>
<l n="1573">A creature that did beare the shape of man</l>
<l n="1574">So keene and greedy to confound a man.</l>
<l n="1575">He plyes the Duke at morning and at night,</l>
<l n="1576">And doth impeach the freedome of the state</l>
<l n="1577">If they deny him iustice. Twenty Merchants,</l>
<l n="1578">The Duke himselfe, and the Magnificoes</l>
<l n="1579">Of greatest port haue all perswaded with him,</l>
<l n="1580">But none can driue him from the enuious plea</l>
<l n="1581">Of forfeiture, of iustice, and his bond.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-jes">
<speaker rend="italic">Iessi.</speaker>
<l n="1582">When I was with him, I haue heard him sweare</l>
<l n="1583">To<hi rend="italic">Tuball</hi>and to<hi rend="italic">Chus</hi>, his Countri‑men,</l>
<l n="1584">That he would rather haue<hi rend="italic">Anthonio's</hi>flesh,</l>
<l n="1585">Then twenty times the value of the summe</l>
<l n="1586">That he did owe him: and I know my Lord,</l>
<l n="1587">If law, authoritie, and power denie not,</l>
<l n="1588">It will goe hard with poore<hi rend="italic">Anthonio.</hi>
</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1589">Is it your deere friend that is thus in trouble?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1590">The deerest friend to me, the kindest man,</l>
<l n="1591">The best condition'd, and vnwearied spirit</l>
<l n="1592">In doing curtesies: and one in whom</l>
<l n="1593">The ancient Romane honour more appeares</l>
<l n="1594">Then any that drawes breath in Italie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1595">What summe owes he the Iew?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1596">For me three thousand ducats.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1597">What, no more?</l>
<l n="1598">Pay him sixe thousand, and deface the bond:</l>
<l n="1599">Double sixe thousand, and then treble that,</l>
<l n="1600">Before a friend of this description</l>
<l n="1601">Shall lose a haire through<hi rend="italic">Bassano</hi>'s fault.</l>
<l n="1602">First goe with me to Church, and call me wife,</l>
<l n="1603">And then away to Venice to your friend:</l>
<l n="1604">For neuer shall you lie by<hi rend="italic">Portias</hi>side</l>
<l n="1605">With an vnquiet soule. You shall haue gold</l>
<l n="1606">To pay the petty debt twenty times ouer.</l>
<l n="1607">When it is payd, bring your true friend along,</l>
<l n="1608">My maid<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>, and my selfe meane time</l>
<l n="1609">Will liue as maids and widdowes; come away,</l>
<l n="1610">For you shall hence vpon your wedding day:</l>
<l n="1611">Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheere,</l>
<l n="1612">Since you are deere bought, I will loue you deere.</l>
<l n="1613">But let me heare the letter of your friend.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<note type="editorial" resp="#LMC">This unattributed speech is conventionally given to Bassanio.</note>
<p rend="italic" n="1614">Sweet<hi rend="roman">Bassanio,</hi>my ships haue all miscarried<hi rend="roman">,</hi>my Credi
<lb n="1615"/>tors grow cruell<hi rend="roman">,</hi>my estate is very low<hi rend="roman">,</hi>my bond to the Iew is
<lb n="1616"/>forfeit<hi rend="roman">,</hi>and since in paying it<hi rend="roman">,</hi>it is impossible I should liue<hi rend="roman">,</hi>all
<lb n="1617"/>debts are cleerd betweene you and I<hi rend="roman">,</hi>if I might see you at my
<lb n="1618"/>death: notwithstanding<hi rend="roman">,</hi>vse your pleasure<hi rend="roman">,</hi>if your loue doe not
<lb n="1619"/>perswade you to come<hi rend="roman">,</hi>let not my letter.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<p n="1620">O loue! dispach all busines and be gone.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bas">
<speaker rend="italic">Bass.</speaker>
<l n="1621">Since I haue your good leaue to goe away,</l>
<l n="1622">I will make hast; but till I come againe,</l>
<l n="1623">No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay,</l>
<l n="1624">Nor rest be interposer twixt vs twaine.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>