Enter Antonio, Salarino, and Solanio.

ANTONIO 
FTLN 0001 In sooth I know not why I am so sad.
FTLN 0002 It wearies me, you say it wearies you.
FTLN 0003 But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
FTLN 0004 What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born,
FTLN 00055 I am to learn.
FTLN 0006 And such a want-wit sadness makes of me
FTLN 0007 That I have much ado to know myself.
SALARINO 
FTLN 0008 Your mind is tossing on the ocean,
FTLN 0009 There where your argosies with portly sail
FTLN 001010 (Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood,
FTLN 0011 Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea)
FTLN 0012 Do overpeer the petty traffickers
FTLN 0013 That curtsy to them, do them reverence,
FTLN 0014 As they fly by them with their woven wings.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 001515 Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,
FTLN 0016 The better part of my affections would
FTLN 0017 Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still
FTLN 0018 Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind,
FTLN 0019 Piring in maps for ports and piers and roads;
FTLN 002020 And every object that might make me fear

---

FTLN 0021 Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt
FTLN 0022 Would make me sad.
SALARINO  FTLN 0023 My wind cooling my broth
FTLN 0024 Would blow me to an ague when I thought
FTLN 002525 What harm a wind too great might do at sea.
FTLN 0026 I should not see the sandy hourglass run
FTLN 0027 But I should think of shallows and of flats,
FTLN 0028 And see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand,
FTLN 0029 Vailing her high top lower than her ribs
FTLN 003030 To kiss her burial. Should I go to church
FTLN 0031 And see the holy edifice of stone
FTLN 0032 And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks,
FTLN 0033 Which, touching but my gentle vessel’s side,
FTLN 0034 Would scatter all her spices on the stream,
FTLN 003535 Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks,
FTLN 0036 And, in a word, but even now worth this
FTLN 0037 And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought
FTLN 0038 To think on this, and shall I lack the thought
FTLN 0039 That such a thing bechanced would make me sad?
FTLN 004040 But tell not me: I know Antonio
FTLN 0041 Is sad to think upon his merchandise.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0042 Believe me, no. I thank my fortune for it,
FTLN 0043 My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,
FTLN 0044 Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate
FTLN 004545 Upon the fortune of this present year:
FTLN 0046 Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 0047 Why then you are in love.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0048 Fie, fie!
SOLANIO 
FTLN 0049 Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad
FTLN 005050 Because you are not merry; and ’twere as easy
FTLN 0051 For you to laugh and leap, and say you are merry
FTLN 0052 Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed
FTLN 0053 Janus,

---

FTLN 0054 Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time:
FTLN 005555 Some that will evermore peep through their eyes
FTLN 0056 And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper,
FTLN 0057 And other of such vinegar aspect
FTLN 0058 That they’ll not show their teeth in way of smile
FTLN 0059 Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

Enter Bassanio, Lorenzo, and Gratiano.

FTLN 006060 Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,
FTLN 0061 Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare you well.
FTLN 0062 We leave you now with better company.
SALARINO 
FTLN 0063 I would have stayed till I had made you merry,
FTLN 0064 If worthier friends had not prevented me.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 006565 Your worth is very dear in my regard.
FTLN 0066 I take it your own business calls on you,
FTLN 0067 And you embrace th’ occasion to depart.
SALARINO 
FTLN 0068 Good morrow, my good lords.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0069 Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? Say,
FTLN 007070 when?
FTLN 0071 You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so?
SALARINO 
FTLN 0072 We’ll make our leisures to attend on yours.
Salarino and Solanio exit.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0073 My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio,
FTLN 0074 We two will leave you. But at dinner time
FTLN 007575 I pray you have in mind where we must meet.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0076 I will not fail you.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0077 You look not well, Signior Antonio.
FTLN 0078 You have too much respect upon the world.

---

FTLN 0079 They lose it that do buy it with much care.
FTLN 008080 Believe me, you are marvelously changed.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0081 I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,
FTLN 0082 A stage where every man must play a part,
FTLN 0083 And mine a sad one.
GRATIANO  FTLN 0084 Let me play the fool.
FTLN 008585 With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come,
FTLN 0086 And let my liver rather heat with wine
FTLN 0087 Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.
FTLN 0088 Why should a man whose blood is warm within
FTLN 0089 Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?
FTLN 009090 Sleep when he wakes? And creep into the jaundice
FTLN 0091 By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio
FTLN 0092 (I love thee, and ’tis my love that speaks):
FTLN 0093 There are a sort of men whose visages
FTLN 0094 Do cream and mantle like a standing pond
FTLN 009595 And do a willful stillness entertain
FTLN 0096 With purpose to be dressed in an opinion
FTLN 0097 Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,
FTLN 0098 As who should say “I am Sir Oracle,
FTLN 0099 And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark.”
FTLN 0100100 O my Antonio, I do know of these
FTLN 0101 That therefore only are reputed wise
FTLN 0102 For saying nothing, when, I am very sure,
FTLN 0103 If they should speak, would almost damn those ears
FTLN 0104 Which, hearing them, would call their brothers
FTLN 0105105 fools.
FTLN 0106 I’ll tell thee more of this another time.
FTLN 0107 But fish not with this melancholy bait
FTLN 0108 For this fool gudgeon, this opinion.—
FTLN 0109 Come, good Lorenzo.—Fare you well a while.
FTLN 0110110 I’ll end my exhortation after dinner.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0111 Well, we will leave you then till dinner time.
FTLN 0112 I must be one of these same dumb wise men,
FTLN 0113 For Gratiano never lets me speak.

---

GRATIANO 
FTLN 0114 Well, keep me company but two years more,
FTLN 0115115 Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own
FTLN 0116 tongue.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0117 Fare you well. I’ll grow a talker for this gear.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0118 Thanks, i’ faith, for silence is only commendable
FTLN 0119 In a neat’s tongue dried and a maid not vendible.
Gratiano and Lorenzo exit.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0120120Is that anything now?
BASSANIO  FTLN 0121Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing,
FTLN 0122 more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as
FTLN 0123 two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you
FTLN 0124 shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you
FTLN 0125125 have them, they are not worth the search.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0126 Well, tell me now what lady is the same
FTLN 0127 To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage,
FTLN 0128 That you today promised to tell me of?
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0129 ’Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
FTLN 0130130 How much I have disabled mine estate
FTLN 0131 By something showing a more swelling port
FTLN 0132 Than my faint means would grant continuance.
FTLN 0133 Nor do I now make moan to be abridged
FTLN 0134 From such a noble rate. But my chief care
FTLN 0135135 Is to come fairly off from the great debts
FTLN 0136 Wherein my time, something too prodigal,
FTLN 0137 Hath left me gaged. To you, Antonio,
FTLN 0138 I owe the most in money and in love,
FTLN 0139 And from your love I have a warranty
FTLN 0140140 To unburden all my plots and purposes
FTLN 0141 How to get clear of all the debts I owe.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0142 I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;

---

FTLN 0143 And if it stand, as you yourself still do,
FTLN 0144 Within the eye of honor, be assured
FTLN 0145145 My purse, my person, my extremest means
FTLN 0146 Lie all unlocked to your occasions.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0147 In my school days, when I had lost one shaft,
FTLN 0148 I shot his fellow of the selfsame flight
FTLN 0149 The selfsame way with more advisèd watch
FTLN 0150150 To find the other forth; and by adventuring both
FTLN 0151 I oft found both. I urge this childhood proof
FTLN 0152 Because what follows is pure innocence.
FTLN 0153 I owe you much, and, like a willful youth,
FTLN 0154 That which I owe is lost. But if you please
FTLN 0155155 To shoot another arrow that self way
FTLN 0156 Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt,
FTLN 0157 As I will watch the aim, or to find both
FTLN 0158 Or bring your latter hazard back again,
FTLN 0159 And thankfully rest debtor for the first.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0160160 You know me well, and herein spend but time
FTLN 0161 To wind about my love with circumstance;
FTLN 0162 And out of doubt you do me now more wrong
FTLN 0163 In making question of my uttermost
FTLN 0164 Than if you had made waste of all I have.
FTLN 0165165 Then do but say to me what I should do
FTLN 0166 That in your knowledge may by me be done,
FTLN 0167 And I am prest unto it. Therefore speak.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0168 In Belmont is a lady richly left,
FTLN 0169 And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
FTLN 0170170 Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes
FTLN 0171 I did receive fair speechless messages.
FTLN 0172 Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued
FTLN 0173 To Cato’s daughter, Brutus’ Portia.
FTLN 0174 Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,
FTLN 0175175 For the four winds blow in from every coast

---

FTLN 0176 Renownèd suitors, and her sunny locks
FTLN 0177 Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,
FTLN 0178 Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos’ strond,
FTLN 0179 And many Jasons come in quest of her.
FTLN 0180180 O my Antonio, had I but the means
FTLN 0181 To hold a rival place with one of them,
FTLN 0182 I have a mind presages me such thrift
FTLN 0183 That I should questionless be fortunate!
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0184 Thou know’st that all my fortunes are at sea;
FTLN 0185185 Neither have I money nor commodity
FTLN 0186 To raise a present sum. Therefore go forth:
FTLN 0187 Try what my credit can in Venice do;
FTLN 0188 That shall be racked even to the uttermost
FTLN 0189 To furnish thee to Belmont to fair Portia.
FTLN 0190190 Go presently inquire, and so will I,
FTLN 0191 Where money is, and I no question make
FTLN 0192 To have it of my trust, or for my sake.
They exit.

Enter Portia with her waiting woman Nerissa.

PORTIA  FTLN 0193By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary
FTLN 0194 of this great world.
NERISSA  FTLN 0195You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries
FTLN 0196 were in the same abundance as your good fortunes
FTLN 01975 are. And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that
FTLN 0198 surfeit with too much as they that starve with
FTLN 0199 nothing. It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be
FTLN 0200 seated in the mean. Superfluity comes sooner by
FTLN 0201 white hairs, but competency lives longer.
PORTIA  FTLN 020210Good sentences, and well pronounced.
NERISSA  FTLN 0203They would be better if well followed.

---

PORTIA  FTLN 0204If to do were as easy as to know what were
FTLN 0205 good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor
FTLN 0206 men’s cottages princes’ palaces. It is a good divine
FTLN 020715 that follows his own instructions. I can easier teach
FTLN 0208 twenty what were good to be done than to be one of
FTLN 0209 the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The brain
FTLN 0210 may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper
FTLN 0211 leaps o’er a cold decree: such a hare is madness the
FTLN 021220 youth, to skip o’er the meshes of good counsel the
FTLN 0213 cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to
FTLN 0214 choose me a husband. O, me, the word “choose”! I
FTLN 0215 may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I
FTLN 0216 dislike. So is the will of a living daughter curbed by
FTLN 021725 the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that
FTLN 0218 I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?
NERISSA  FTLN 0219Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men
FTLN 0220 at their death have good inspirations. Therefore the
FTLN 0221 lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of
FTLN 022230 gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his
FTLN 0223 meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be
FTLN 0224 chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly
FTLN 0225 love. But what warmth is there in your affection
FTLN 0226 towards any of these princely suitors that are already
FTLN 022735 come?
PORTIA  FTLN 0228I pray thee, overname them, and as thou
FTLN 0229 namest them, I will describe them, and according
FTLN 0230 to my description level at my affection.
NERISSA  FTLN 0231First, there is the Neapolitan prince.
PORTIA  FTLN 023240Ay, that’s a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but
FTLN 0233 talk of his horse, and he makes it a great appropriation
FTLN 0234 to his own good parts that he can shoe him
FTLN 0235 himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother
FTLN 0236 played false with a smith.
NERISSA  FTLN 023745Then is there the County Palatine.
PORTIA  FTLN 0238He doth nothing but frown, as who should say
FTLN 0239 “An you will not have me, choose.” He hears

---

FTLN 0240 merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the
FTLN 0241 weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so
FTLN 024250 full of unmannerly sadness in his youth. I had
FTLN 0243 rather be married to a death’s-head with a bone in
FTLN 0244 his mouth than to either of these. God defend me
FTLN 0245 from these two!
NERISSA  FTLN 0246How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le
FTLN 024755 Bon?
PORTIA  FTLN 0248God made him, and therefore let him pass for
FTLN 0249 a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker,
FTLN 0250 but he!—why, he hath a horse better than the
FTLN 0251 Neapolitan’s, a better bad habit of frowning than
FTLN 025260 the Count Palatine. He is every man in no man. If a
FTLN 0253 throstle sing, he falls straight a-cap’ring. He will
FTLN 0254 fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I
FTLN 0255 should marry twenty husbands! If he would despise
FTLN 0256 me, I would forgive him, for if he love me to
FTLN 025765 madness, I shall never requite him.
NERISSA  FTLN 0258What say you then to Falconbridge, the young
FTLN 0259 baron of England?
PORTIA  FTLN 0260You know I say nothing to him, for he understands
FTLN 0261 not me, nor I him. He hath neither Latin,
FTLN 026270 French, nor Italian; and you will come into the
FTLN 0263 court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in
FTLN 0264 the English. He is a proper man’s picture, but alas,
FTLN 0265 who can converse with a dumb show? How oddly
FTLN 0266 he is suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy,
FTLN 026775 his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany,
FTLN 0268 and his behavior everywhere.
NERISSA  FTLN 0269What think you of the Scottish lord, his
FTLN 0270 neighbor?
PORTIA  FTLN 0271That he hath a neighborly charity in him, for
FTLN 027280 he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman,
FTLN 0273 and swore he would pay him again when he was
FTLN 0274 able. I think the Frenchman became his surety and
FTLN 0275 sealed under for another.

---

NERISSA  FTLN 0276How like you the young German, the Duke of
FTLN 027785 Saxony’s nephew?
PORTIA  FTLN 0278Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober,
FTLN 0279 and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk.
FTLN 0280 When he is best he is a little worse than a man, and
FTLN 0281 when he is worst he is little better than a beast. An
FTLN 028290 the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift
FTLN 0283 to go without him.
NERISSA  FTLN 0284If he should offer to choose, and choose the
FTLN 0285 right casket, you should refuse to perform your
FTLN 0286 father’s will if you should refuse to accept him.
PORTIA  FTLN 028795Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set
FTLN 0288 a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary
FTLN 0289 casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation
FTLN 0290 without, I know he will choose it. I will do
FTLN 0291 anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge.
NERISSA  FTLN 0292100You need not fear, lady, the having any of
FTLN 0293 these lords. They have acquainted me with their
FTLN 0294 determinations, which is indeed to return to their
FTLN 0295 home and to trouble you with no more suit, unless
FTLN 0296 you may be won by some other sort than your
FTLN 0297105 father’s imposition depending on the caskets.
PORTIA  FTLN 0298If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as
FTLN 0299 chaste as Diana unless I be obtained by the manner
FTLN 0300 of my father’s will. I am glad this parcel of wooers
FTLN 0301 are so reasonable, for there is not one among them
FTLN 0302110 but I dote on his very absence. And I pray God
FTLN 0303 grant them a fair departure!
NERISSA  FTLN 0304Do you not remember, lady, in your father’s
FTLN 0305 time, a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came
FTLN 0306 hither in company of the Marquess of Montferrat?
PORTIA  FTLN 0307115Yes, yes, it was Bassanio—as I think so was he
FTLN 0308 called.
NERISSA  FTLN 0309True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my
FTLN 0310 foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a
FTLN 0311 fair lady.

---

PORTIA  FTLN 0312120I remember him well, and I remember him
FTLN 0313 worthy of thy praise.

Enter a Servingman.

FTLN 0314 How now, what news?
SERVINGMAN  FTLN 0315The four strangers seek for you, madam,
FTLN 0316 to take their leave. And there is a forerunner come
FTLN 0317125 from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings
FTLN 0318 word the Prince his master will be here tonight.
PORTIA  FTLN 0319If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good
FTLN 0320 heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should
FTLN 0321 be glad of his approach. If he have the condition of
FTLN 0322130 a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather
FTLN 0323 he should shrive me than wive me.
FTLN 0324 Come, Nerissa.  To Servingman. Sirrah, go before.—
FTLN 0325 Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another
FTLN 0326 knocks at the door.
They exit.

Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew.

SHYLOCK  FTLN 0327Three thousand ducats, well.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0328Ay, sir, for three months.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0329For three months, well.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0330For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall
FTLN 03315 be bound.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0332Antonio shall become bound, well.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0333May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?
FTLN 0334 Shall I know your answer?
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0335Three thousand ducats for three months,
FTLN 033610 and Antonio bound.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0337Your answer to that?
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0338Antonio is a good man.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0339Have you heard any imputation to the
FTLN 0340 contrary?

---

SHYLOCK  FTLN 034115Ho, no, no, no, no! My meaning in saying he
FTLN 0342 is a good man is to have you understand me that he
FTLN 0343 is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he
FTLN 0344 hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the
FTLN 0345 Indies. I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto,
FTLN 034620 he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and
FTLN 0347 other ventures he hath squandered abroad. But
FTLN 0348 ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land
FTLN 0349 rats and water rats, water thieves and land
FTLN 0350 thieves—I mean pirates—and then there is the
FTLN 035125 peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is,
FTLN 0352 notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats.
FTLN 0353 I think I may take his bond.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0354Be assured you may.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0355I will be assured I may. And that I may be
FTLN 035630 assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with
FTLN 0357 Antonio?
BASSANIO  FTLN 0358If it please you to dine with us.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0359Yes, to smell pork! To eat of the habitation
FTLN 0360 which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the
FTLN 036135 devil into! I will buy with you, sell with you, talk
FTLN 0362 with you, walk with you, and so following; but I
FTLN 0363 will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with
FTLN 0364 you.—What news on the Rialto?—Who is he comes
FTLN 0365 here?

Enter Antonio.

BASSANIO  FTLN 036640This is Signior Antonio.
SHYLOCK , aside 
FTLN 0367 How like a fawning publican he looks!
FTLN 0368 I hate him for he is a Christian,
FTLN 0369 But more for that in low simplicity
FTLN 0370 He lends out money gratis and brings down
FTLN 037145 The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
FTLN 0372 If I can catch him once upon the hip,
FTLN 0373 I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.

---

FTLN 0374 He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
FTLN 0375 Even there where merchants most do congregate,
FTLN 037650 On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,
FTLN 0377 Which he calls “interest.” Cursèd be my tribe
FTLN 0378 If I forgive him!
BASSANIO  FTLN 0379 Shylock, do you hear?
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0380 I am debating of my present store,
FTLN 038155 And, by the near guess of my memory,
FTLN 0382 I cannot instantly raise up the gross
FTLN 0383 Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?
FTLN 0384 Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,
FTLN 0385 Will furnish me. But soft, how many months
FTLN 038660 Do you desire?  To Antonio. Rest you fair, good
FTLN 0387 signior!
FTLN 0388 Your Worship was the last man in our mouths.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0389 Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow
FTLN 0390 By taking nor by giving of excess,
FTLN 039165 Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,
FTLN 0392 I’ll break a custom.  To Bassanio. Is he yet
FTLN 0393 possessed
FTLN 0394 How much you would?
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0395 Ay, ay, three thousand
FTLN 039670 ducats.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0397And for three months.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0398I had forgot—three months.  To Bassanio.
FTLN 0399 You told me so.—
FTLN 0400 Well then, your bond. And let me see—but hear
FTLN 040175 you:
FTLN 0402 Methoughts you said you neither lend nor borrow
FTLN 0403 Upon advantage.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0404 I do never use it.
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0405 When Jacob grazed his Uncle Laban’s sheep—
FTLN 040680 This Jacob from our holy Abram was

---

FTLN 0407 (As his wise mother wrought in his behalf)
FTLN 0408 The third possessor; ay, he was the third—
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0409 And what of him? Did he take interest?
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0410 No, not take interest, not, as you would say,
FTLN 041185 Directly “interest.” Mark what Jacob did.
FTLN 0412 When Laban and himself were compromised
FTLN 0413 That all the eanlings which were streaked and pied
FTLN 0414 Should fall as Jacob’s hire, the ewes being rank
FTLN 0415 In end of autumn turnèd to the rams,
FTLN 041690 And when the work of generation was
FTLN 0417 Between these woolly breeders in the act,
FTLN 0418 The skillful shepherd pilled me certain wands,
FTLN 0419 And in the doing of the deed of kind
FTLN 0420 He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,
FTLN 042195 Who then conceiving did in eaning time
FTLN 0422 Fall parti-colored lambs, and those were Jacob’s.
FTLN 0423 This was a way to thrive, and he was blest;
FTLN 0424 And thrift is blessing if men steal it not.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0425 This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for,
FTLN 0426100 A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
FTLN 0427 But swayed and fashioned by the hand of heaven.
FTLN 0428 Was this inserted to make interest good?
FTLN 0429 Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0430 I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast.
FTLN 0431105 But note me, signior—
ANTONIO , aside to Bassanio 
FTLN 0432 Mark you this, Bassanio,
FTLN 0433 The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose!
FTLN 0434 An evil soul producing holy witness
FTLN 0435 Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
FTLN 0436110 A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
FTLN 0437 O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

---

SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0438 Three thousand ducats. ’Tis a good round sum.
FTLN 0439 Three months from twelve, then let me see, the
FTLN 0440 rate—
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0441115 Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0442 Signior Antonio, many a time and oft
FTLN 0443 In the Rialto you have rated me
FTLN 0444 About my moneys and my usances.
FTLN 0445 Still have I borne it with a patient shrug
FTLN 0446120 (For suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe).
FTLN 0447 You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,
FTLN 0448 And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine,
FTLN 0449 And all for use of that which is mine own.
FTLN 0450 Well then, it now appears you need my help.
FTLN 0451125 Go to, then. You come to me and you say
FTLN 0452 “Shylock, we would have moneys”—you say so,
FTLN 0453 You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
FTLN 0454 And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
FTLN 0455 Over your threshold. Moneys is your suit.
FTLN 0456130 What should I say to you? Should I not say
FTLN 0457 “Hath a dog money? Is it possible
FTLN 0458 A cur can lend three thousand ducats?” Or
FTLN 0459 Shall I bend low, and in a bondman’s key,
FTLN 0460 With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness,
FTLN 0461135 Say this: “Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday
FTLN 0462 last;
FTLN 0463 You spurned me such a day; another time
FTLN 0464 You called me ‘dog’; and for these courtesies
FTLN 0465 I’ll lend you thus much moneys”?
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0466140 I am as like to call thee so again,
FTLN 0467 To spet on thee again, to spurn thee, too.
FTLN 0468 If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
FTLN 0469 As to thy friends, for when did friendship take

---

FTLN 0470 A breed for barren metal of his friend?
FTLN 0471145 But lend it rather to thine enemy,
FTLN 0472 Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face
FTLN 0473 Exact the penalty.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0474 Why, look you how you storm!
FTLN 0475 I would be friends with you and have your love,
FTLN 0476150 Forget the shames that you have stained me with,
FTLN 0477 Supply your present wants, and take no doit
FTLN 0478 Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me!
FTLN 0479 This is kind I offer.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0480This were kindness!
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0481155This kindness will I show.
FTLN 0482 Go with me to a notary, seal me there
FTLN 0483 Your single bond; and in a merry sport,
FTLN 0484 If you repay me not on such a day,
FTLN 0485 In such a place, such sum or sums as are
FTLN 0486160 Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit
FTLN 0487 Be nominated for an equal pound
FTLN 0488 Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
FTLN 0489 In what part of your body pleaseth me.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0490 Content, in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond,
FTLN 0491165 And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0492 You shall not seal to such a bond for me!
FTLN 0493 I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0494 Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it!
FTLN 0495 Within these two months—that’s a month before
FTLN 0496170 This bond expires—I do expect return
FTLN 0497 Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0498 O father Abram, what these Christians are,
FTLN 0499 Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
FTLN 0500 The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this:
FTLN 0501175 If he should break his day, what should I gain

---

FTLN 0502 By the exaction of the forfeiture?
FTLN 0503 A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man
FTLN 0504 Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
FTLN 0505 As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
FTLN 0506180 To buy his favor I extend this friendship.
FTLN 0507 If he will take it, so. If not, adieu;
FTLN 0508 And for my love I pray you wrong me not.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0509 Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0510 Then meet me forthwith at the notary’s.
FTLN 0511185 Give him direction for this merry bond,
FTLN 0512 And I will go and purse the ducats straight,
FTLN 0513 See to my house left in the fearful guard
FTLN 0514 Of an unthrifty knave, and presently
FTLN 0515 I’ll be with you.
ANTONIO  FTLN 0516190 Hie thee, gentle Jew.
Shylock exits.
FTLN 0517 The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0518 I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0519 Come on, in this there can be no dismay;
FTLN 0520 My ships come home a month before the day.
They exit.

Enter the Prince of Morocco, a tawny Moor all in
white, and three or four followers accordingly, with
Portia, Nerissa, and their train.

MOROCCO 
FTLN 0521 Mislike me not for my complexion,
FTLN 0522 The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
FTLN 0523 To whom I am a neighbor and near bred.
FTLN 0524 Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
FTLN 05255 Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,
FTLN 0526 And let us make incision for your love
FTLN 0527 To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
FTLN 0528 I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
FTLN 0529 Hath feared the valiant; by my love I swear
FTLN 053010 The best regarded virgins of our clime
FTLN 0531 Have loved it too. I would not change this hue
FTLN 0532 Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0533 In terms of choice I am not solely led
FTLN 0534 By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes;
FTLN 053515 Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny
FTLN 0536 Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.
FTLN 0537 But if my father had not scanted me
FTLN 0538 And hedged me by his wit to yield myself
FTLN 0539 His wife who wins me by that means I told you,

---

FTLN 054020 Yourself, renownèd prince, then stood as fair
FTLN 0541 As any comer I have looked on yet
FTLN 0542 For my affection.
MOROCCO  FTLN 0543 Even for that I thank you.
FTLN 0544 Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets
FTLN 054525 To try my fortune. By this scimitar
FTLN 0546 That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince,
FTLN 0547 That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
FTLN 0548 I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look,
FTLN 0549 Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,
FTLN 055030 Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
FTLN 0551 Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
FTLN 0552 To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!
FTLN 0553 If Hercules and Lychas play at dice
FTLN 0554 Which is the better man, the greater throw
FTLN 055535 May turn by fortune from the weaker hand;
FTLN 0556 So is Alcides beaten by his page,
FTLN 0557 And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,
FTLN 0558 Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
FTLN 0559 And die with grieving.
PORTIA  FTLN 056040 You must take your chance
FTLN 0561 And either not attempt to choose at all
FTLN 0562 Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
FTLN 0563 Never to speak to lady afterward
FTLN 0564 In way of marriage. Therefore be advised.
MOROCCO 
FTLN 056545 Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
PORTIA 
FTLN 0566 First, forward to the temple. After dinner
FTLN 0567 Your hazard shall be made.
MOROCCO  FTLN 0568 Good fortune then,
FTLN 0569 To make me blest—or cursed’st among men!
They exit.

Enter Lancelet Gobbo the Clown, alone.

LANCELET  FTLN 0570Certainly my conscience will serve me to
FTLN 0571 run from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine
FTLN 0572 elbow and tempts me, saying to me “Gobbo,
FTLN 0573 Lancelet Gobbo, good Lancelet,” or “good Gobbo,”
FTLN 05745 or “good Lancelet Gobbo, use your legs, take
FTLN 0575 the start, run away.” My conscience says “No. Take
FTLN 0576 heed, honest Lancelet, take heed, honest Gobbo,”
FTLN 0577 or, as aforesaid, “honest Lancelet Gobbo, do not
FTLN 0578 run; scorn running with thy heels.” Well, the most
FTLN 057910 courageous fiend bids me pack. “Fia!” says the
FTLN 0580 fiend. “Away!” says the fiend. “For the heavens,
FTLN 0581 rouse up a brave mind,” says the fiend, “and run!”
FTLN 0582 Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my
FTLN 0583 heart, says very wisely to me “My honest friend
FTLN 058415 Lancelet, being an honest man’s son”—or rather,
FTLN 0585 an honest woman’s son, for indeed my father did
FTLN 0586 something smack, something grow to—he had a
FTLN 0587 kind of taste—well, my conscience says “Lancelet,
FTLN 0588 budge not.” “Budge,” says the fiend. “Budge not,”
FTLN 058920 says my conscience. “Conscience,” say I, “you
FTLN 0590 counsel well.” “Fiend,” say I, “you counsel well.”
FTLN 0591 To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the
FTLN 0592 Jew my master, who (God bless the mark) is a kind
FTLN 0593 of devil; and to run away from the Jew, I should be
FTLN 059425 ruled by the fiend, who (saving your reverence) is
FTLN 0595 the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil
FTLN 0596 incarnation, and, in my conscience, my conscience
FTLN 0597 is but a kind of hard conscience to offer to counsel
FTLN 0598 me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the more
FTLN 059930 friendly counsel. I will run, fiend. My heels are at
FTLN 0600 your commandment. I will run.

Enter old Gobbo with a basket.

---

GOBBO  FTLN 0601Master young man, you, I pray you, which is
FTLN 0602 the way to Master Jew’s?
LANCELET , aside   FTLN 0603O heavens, this is my true begotten
FTLN 060435 father, who being more than sandblind, high gravelblind,
FTLN 0605 knows me not. I will try confusions with him.
GOBBO  FTLN 0606Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is
FTLN 0607 the way to Master Jew’s?
LANCELET  FTLN 0608Turn up on your right hand at the next
FTLN 060940 turning, but at the next turning of all on your left;
FTLN 0610 marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand,
FTLN 0611 but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house.
GOBBO  FTLN 0612Be God’s sonties, ’twill be a hard way to hit.
FTLN 0613 Can you tell me whether one Lancelet, that dwells
FTLN 061445 with him, dwell with him or no?
LANCELET  FTLN 0615Talk you of young Master Lancelet?  Aside.
FTLN 0616 Mark me now, now will I raise the waters.—Talk
FTLN 0617 you of young Master Lancelet?
GOBBO  FTLN 0618No master, sir, but a poor man’s son. His
FTLN 061950 father, though I say ’t, is an honest exceeding poor
FTLN 0620 man and, God be thanked, well to live.
LANCELET  FTLN 0621Well, let his father be what he will, we talk
FTLN 0622 of young Master Lancelet.
GOBBO  FTLN 0623Your Worship’s friend, and Lancelet, sir.
LANCELET  FTLN 062455But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech
FTLN 0625 you, talk you of young Master Lancelet?
GOBBO  FTLN 0626Of Lancelet, an ’t please your mastership.
LANCELET  FTLN 0627Ergo, Master Lancelet. Talk not of Master
FTLN 0628 Lancelet, father, for the young gentleman, according
FTLN 062960 to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the
FTLN 0630 Sisters Three, and such branches of learning, is
FTLN 0631 indeed deceased, or, as you would say in plain
FTLN 0632 terms, gone to heaven.
GOBBO  FTLN 0633Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff
FTLN 063465 of my age, my very prop.
LANCELET , aside   FTLN 0635Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post,
FTLN 0636 a staff or a prop?—Do you know me, father?

---

GOBBO  FTLN 0637Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman.
FTLN 0638 But I pray you tell me, is my boy, God rest his
FTLN 063970 soul, alive or dead?
LANCELET  FTLN 0640Do you not know me, father?
GOBBO  FTLN 0641Alack, sir, I am sandblind. I know you not.
LANCELET  FTLN 0642Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might
FTLN 0643 fail of the knowing me. It is a wise father that
FTLN 064475 knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you
FTLN 0645 news of your son.  He kneels. Give me your blessing.
FTLN 0646 Truth will come to light, murder cannot be hid
FTLN 0647 long—a man’s son may, but in the end, truth will
FTLN 0648 out.
GOBBO  FTLN 064980Pray you, sir, stand up! I am sure you are not
FTLN 0650 Lancelet my boy.
LANCELET  FTLN 0651Pray you, let’s have no more fooling about
FTLN 0652 it, but give me your blessing. I am Lancelet, your
FTLN 0653 boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall
FTLN 065485 be.
GOBBO  FTLN 0655I cannot think you are my son.
LANCELET  FTLN 0656I know not what I shall think of that; but I
FTLN 0657 am Lancelet, the Jew’s man, and I am sure Margery
FTLN 0658 your wife is my mother.
GOBBO  FTLN 065990Her name is Margery, indeed. I’ll be sworn if
FTLN 0660 thou be Lancelet, thou art mine own flesh and
FTLN 0661 blood. Lord worshiped might He be, what a beard
FTLN 0662 hast thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin
FTLN 0663 than Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail.
LANCELET , standing up  FTLN 066495It should seem, then, that
FTLN 0665 Dobbin’s tail grows backward. I am sure he had
FTLN 0666 more hair of his tail than I have of my face when I
FTLN 0667 last saw him.
GOBBO  FTLN 0668Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou
FTLN 0669100 and thy master agree? I have brought him a present.
FTLN 0670 How ’gree you now?
LANCELET  FTLN 0671Well, well. But for mine own part, as I have
FTLN 0672 set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I

---

FTLN 0673 have run some ground. My master’s a very Jew.
FTLN 0674105 Give him a present! Give him a halter. I am
FTLN 0675 famished in his service. You may tell every finger I
FTLN 0676 have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come!
FTLN 0677 Give me your present to one Master Bassanio, who
FTLN 0678 indeed gives rare new liveries. If I serve not him, I
FTLN 0679110 will run as far as God has any ground. O rare
FTLN 0680 fortune, here comes the man! To him, father, for I
FTLN 0681 am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer.

Enter Bassanio with Leonardo and a follower or two.

BASSANIO , to an Attendant  FTLN 0682You may do so, but let it be
FTLN 0683 so hasted that supper be ready at the farthest by five
FTLN 0684115 of the clock. See these letters delivered, put the
FTLN 0685 liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come
FTLN 0686 anon to my lodging. The Attendant exits.
LANCELET  FTLN 0687To him, father.
GOBBO , to Bassanio  FTLN 0688God bless your Worship.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0689120Gramercy. Wouldst thou aught with me?
GOBBO  FTLN 0690Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy—
LANCELET  FTLN 0691Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man,
FTLN 0692 that would, sir, as my father shall specify—
GOBBO  FTLN 0693He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say,
FTLN 0694125 to serve—
LANCELET  FTLN 0695Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the
FTLN 0696 Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify—
GOBBO  FTLN 0697His master and he (saving your Worship’s
FTLN 0698 reverence) are scarce cater-cousins—
LANCELET  FTLN 0699130To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew,
FTLN 0700 having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my
FTLN 0701 father being, I hope, an old man, shall frutify unto
FTLN 0702 you—
GOBBO  FTLN 0703I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow
FTLN 0704135 upon your Worship, and my suit is—
LANCELET  FTLN 0705In very brief, the suit is impertinent to
FTLN 0706 myself, as your Worship shall know by this honest

---

FTLN 0707 old man, and though I say it, though old man yet
FTLN 0708 poor man, my father—
BASSANIO  FTLN 0709140One speak for both. What would you?
LANCELET  FTLN 0710Serve you, sir.
GOBBO  FTLN 0711That is the very defect of the matter, sir.
BASSANIO , to Lancelet 
FTLN 0712 I know thee well. Thou hast obtained thy suit.
FTLN 0713 Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,
FTLN 0714145 And hath preferred thee, if it be preferment
FTLN 0715 To leave a rich Jew’s service, to become
FTLN 0716 The follower of so poor a gentleman.
LANCELET  FTLN 0717The old proverb is very well parted between
FTLN 0718 my master Shylock and you, sir: you have “the
FTLN 0719150 grace of God,” sir, and he hath “enough.”
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0720 Thou speak’st it well.—Go, father, with thy son.—
FTLN 0721 Take leave of thy old master, and inquire
FTLN 0722 My lodging out.  To an Attendant. Give him a livery
FTLN 0723 More guarded than his fellows’. See it done.
Attendant exits. Bassanio and Leonardo talk apart.
LANCELET  FTLN 0724155Father, in. I cannot get a service, no! I have
FTLN 0725 ne’er a tongue in my head! Well,  studying his palm
FTLN 0726 if any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth
FTLN 0727 offer to swear upon a book—I shall have good
FTLN 0728 fortune, go to! Here’s a simple line of life. Here’s a
FTLN 0729160 small trifle of wives—alas, fifteen wives is nothing;
FTLN 0730 eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in
FTLN 0731 for one man—and then to ’scape drowning
FTLN 0732 thrice, and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a
FTLN 0733 featherbed! Here are simple ’scapes. Well, if Fortune
FTLN 0734165 be a woman, she’s a good wench for this gear.
FTLN 0735 Father, come. I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the
FTLN 0736 twinkling. Lancelet and old Gobbo exit.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0737 I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.
Handing him a paper.

---

FTLN 0738 These things being bought and orderly bestowed,
FTLN 0739170 Return in haste, for I do feast tonight
FTLN 0740 My best esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go.
LEONARDO 
FTLN 0741 My best endeavors shall be done herein.

Enter Gratiano.

GRATIANO , to Leonardo  FTLN 0742Where’s your master?
LEONARDO  FTLN 0743Yonder, sir, he walks. Leonardo exits.
GRATIANO  FTLN 0744175Signior Bassanio!
BASSANIO  FTLN 0745Gratiano!
GRATIANO  FTLN 0746I have suit to you.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0747You have obtained it.
GRATIANO  FTLN 0748You must not deny me. I must go with you
FTLN 0749180 to Belmont.
BASSANIO 
FTLN 0750 Why then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano,
FTLN 0751 Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice—
FTLN 0752 Parts that become thee happily enough,
FTLN 0753 And in such eyes as ours appear not faults.
FTLN 0754185 But where thou art not known—why, there they
FTLN 0755 show
FTLN 0756 Something too liberal. Pray thee take pain
FTLN 0757 To allay with some cold drops of modesty
FTLN 0758 Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behavior
FTLN 0759190 I be misconstered in the place I go to,
FTLN 0760 And lose my hopes.
GRATIANO  FTLN 0761 Signior Bassanio, hear me.
FTLN 0762 If I do not put on a sober habit,
FTLN 0763 Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
FTLN 0764195 Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demurely,
FTLN 0765 Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
FTLN 0766 Thus with my hat, and sigh and say “amen,”
FTLN 0767 Use all the observance of civility
FTLN 0768 Like one well studied in a sad ostent
FTLN 0769200 To please his grandam, never trust me more.

---

BASSANIO  FTLN 0770Well, we shall see your bearing.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0771 Nay, but I bar tonight. You shall not gauge me
FTLN 0772 By what we do tonight.
BASSANIO  FTLN 0773 No, that were pity.
FTLN 0774205 I would entreat you rather to put on
FTLN 0775 Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
FTLN 0776 That purpose merriment. But fare you well.
FTLN 0777 I have some business.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0778 And I must to Lorenzo and the rest.
FTLN 0779210 But we will visit you at supper time.
They exit.

Enter Jessica and Lancelet Gobbo.

JESSICA 
FTLN 0780 I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so.
FTLN 0781 Our house is hell and thou, a merry devil,
FTLN 0782 Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.
FTLN 0783 But fare thee well. There is a ducat for thee,
FTLN 07845 And, Lancelet, soon at supper shalt thou see
FTLN 0785 Lorenzo, who is thy new master’s guest.
FTLN 0786 Give him this letter, do it secretly,
FTLN 0787 And so farewell. I would not have my father
FTLN 0788 See me in talk with thee.
LANCELET  FTLN 078910Adieu. Tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful
FTLN 0790 pagan, most sweet Jew. If a Christian do not
FTLN 0791 play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived.
FTLN 0792 But adieu. These foolish drops do something drown
FTLN 0793 my manly spirit. Adieu.
JESSICA  FTLN 079415Farewell, good Lancelet.
Lancelet exits.

---

FTLN 0795 Alack, what heinous sin is it in me
FTLN 0796 To be ashamed to be my father’s child?
FTLN 0797 But though I am a daughter to his blood,
FTLN 0798 I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,
FTLN 079920 If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
FTLN 0800 Become a Christian and thy loving wife.
She exits.

Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Solanio.

LORENZO 
FTLN 0801 Nay, we will slink away in supper time,
FTLN 0802 Disguise us at my lodging, and return
FTLN 0803 All in an hour.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0804 We have not made good preparation.
SALARINO 
FTLN 08055 We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 0806 ’Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered,
FTLN 0807 And better in my mind not undertook.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0808 ’Tis now but four o’clock. We have two hours
FTLN 0809 To furnish us.

Enter Lancelet.

FTLN 081010 Friend Lancelet, what’s the news?
LANCELET  FTLN 0811An it shall please you to break up this, it
FTLN 0812 shall seem to signify. Handing him Jessica’s letter.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0813 I know the hand; in faith, ’tis a fair hand,
FTLN 0814 And whiter than the paper it writ on
FTLN 081515 Is the fair hand that writ.
GRATIANO  FTLN 0816 Love news, in faith!

---

LANCELET  FTLN 0817By your leave, sir.
LORENZO  FTLN 0818Whither goest thou?
LANCELET  FTLN 0819Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to
FTLN 082020 sup tonight with my new master the Christian.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0821 Hold here, take this.  Giving him money. Tell gentle
FTLN 0822 Jessica
FTLN 0823 I will not fail her. Speak it privately.
Lancelet exits.
FTLN 0824 Go, gentlemen,
FTLN 082525 Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?
FTLN 0826 I am provided of a torchbearer.
SALARINO 
FTLN 0827 Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 0828 And so will I.
LORENZO  FTLN 0829 Meet me and Gratiano
FTLN 083030 At Gratiano’s lodging some hour hence.
SALARINO  FTLN 0831’Tis good we do so.
Salarino and Solanio exit.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0832 Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
LORENZO 
FTLN 0833 I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
FTLN 0834 How I shall take her from her father’s house,
FTLN 083535 What gold and jewels she is furnished with,
FTLN 0836 What page’s suit she hath in readiness.
FTLN 0837 If e’er the Jew her father come to heaven,
FTLN 0838 It will be for his gentle daughter’s sake;
FTLN 0839 And never dare misfortune cross her foot
FTLN 084040 Unless she do it under this excuse,
FTLN 0841 That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
FTLN 0842 Come, go with me. Peruse this as thou goest;
Handing him the letter.
FTLN 0843 Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer.
They exit.

Enter Shylock, the Jew, and Lancelet,
his man that was, the Clown.

SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0844 Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,
FTLN 0845 The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio.—
FTLN 0846 What, Jessica!—Thou shalt not gormandize
FTLN 0847 As thou hast done with me—what, Jessica!—
FTLN 08485 And sleep, and snore, and rend apparel out.—
FTLN 0849 Why, Jessica, I say!
LANCELET  FTLN 0850 Why, Jessica!
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0851 Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.
LANCELET  FTLN 0852Your Worship was wont to tell me I could
FTLN 085310 do nothing without bidding.

Enter Jessica.

JESSICA  FTLN 0854Call you? What is your will?
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0855 I am bid forth to supper, Jessica.
FTLN 0856 There are my keys.—But wherefore should I go?
FTLN 0857 I am not bid for love. They flatter me.
FTLN 085815 But yet I’ll go in hate, to feed upon
FTLN 0859 The prodigal Christian.—Jessica, my girl,
FTLN 0860 Look to my house.—I am right loath to go.
FTLN 0861 There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,
FTLN 0862 For I did dream of money bags tonight.
LANCELET  FTLN 086320I beseech you, sir, go. My young master
FTLN 0864 doth expect your reproach.
SHYLOCK  FTLN 0865So do I his.
LANCELET  FTLN 0866And they have conspired together—I will
FTLN 0867 not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it
FTLN 086825 was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on
FTLN 0869 Black Monday last, at six o’clock i’ th’ morning,
FTLN 0870 falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four
FTLN 0871 year in th’ afternoon.

---

SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0872 What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica,
FTLN 087330 Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum
FTLN 0874 And the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife,
FTLN 0875 Clamber not you up to the casements then,
FTLN 0876 Nor thrust your head into the public street
FTLN 0877 To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces,
FTLN 087835 But stop my house’s ears (I mean my casements).
FTLN 0879 Let not the sound of shallow fopp’ry enter
FTLN 0880 My sober house. By Jacob’s staff I swear
FTLN 0881 I have no mind of feasting forth tonight.
FTLN 0882 But I will go.—Go you before me, sirrah.
FTLN 088340 Say I will come.
LANCELET  FTLN 0884I will go before, sir.  Aside to Jessica. Mistress,
FTLN 0885 look out at window for all this.
FTLN 0886 There will come a Christian by
FTLN 0887 Will be worth a Jewess’ eye. He exits.
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 088845 What says that fool of Hagar’s offspring, ha?
JESSICA 
FTLN 0889 His words were “Farewell, mistress,” nothing else.
SHYLOCK 
FTLN 0890 The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder,
FTLN 0891 Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
FTLN 0892 More than the wildcat. Drones hive not with me,
FTLN 089350 Therefore I part with him, and part with him
FTLN 0894 To one that I would have him help to waste
FTLN 0895 His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.
FTLN 0896 Perhaps I will return immediately.
FTLN 0897 Do as I bid you. Shut doors after you.
FTLN 089855 Fast bind, fast find—
FTLN 0899 A proverb never stale in thrifty mind. He exits.
JESSICA 
FTLN 0900 Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed,
FTLN 0901 I have a father, you a daughter, lost.
She exits.

Enter the masquers, Gratiano and Salarino.

GRATIANO 
FTLN 0902 This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
FTLN 0903 Desired us to make stand.
SALARINO  FTLN 0904His hour is almost past.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0905 And it is marvel he outdwells his hour,
FTLN 09065 For lovers ever run before the clock.
SALARINO 
FTLN 0907 O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly
FTLN 0908 To seal love’s bonds new-made than they are wont
FTLN 0909 To keep obligèd faith unforfeited.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0910 That ever holds. Who riseth from a feast
FTLN 091110 With that keen appetite that he sits down?
FTLN 0912 Where is the horse that doth untread again
FTLN 0913 His tedious measures with the unbated fire
FTLN 0914 That he did pace them first? All things that are,
FTLN 0915 Are with more spirit chasèd than enjoyed.
FTLN 091615 How like a younger or a prodigal
FTLN 0917 The scarfèd bark puts from her native bay,
FTLN 0918 Hugged and embracèd by the strumpet wind;
FTLN 0919 How like the prodigal doth she return
FTLN 0920 With overweathered ribs and raggèd sails,
FTLN 092120 Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind!

Enter Lorenzo.

SALARINO 
FTLN 0922 Here comes Lorenzo. More of this hereafter.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0923 Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode.
FTLN 0924 Not I but my affairs have made you wait.
FTLN 0925 When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
FTLN 092625 I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach.
FTLN 0927 Here dwells my father Jew.—Ho! Who’s within?

---

Enter Jessica above, dressed as a boy.

JESSICA 
FTLN 0928 Who are you? Tell me for more certainty,
FTLN 0929 Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue.
LORENZO  FTLN 0930Lorenzo, and thy love.
JESSICA 
FTLN 093130 Lorenzo certain, and my love indeed,
FTLN 0932 For who love I so much? And now who knows
FTLN 0933 But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
LORENZO 
FTLN 0934 Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
JESSICA 
FTLN 0935 Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.
FTLN 093635 I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me,
FTLN 0937 For I am much ashamed of my exchange.
FTLN 0938 But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
FTLN 0939 The pretty follies that themselves commit,
FTLN 0940 For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
FTLN 094140 To see me thus transformèd to a boy.
LORENZO 
FTLN 0942 Descend, for you must be my torchbearer.
JESSICA 
FTLN 0943 What, must I hold a candle to my shames?
FTLN 0944 They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
FTLN 0945 Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love,
FTLN 094645 And I should be obscured.
LORENZO  FTLN 0947 So are you, sweet,
FTLN 0948 Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
FTLN 0949 But come at once,
FTLN 0950 For the close night doth play the runaway,
FTLN 095150 And we are stayed for at Bassanio’s feast.
JESSICA 
FTLN 0952 I will make fast the doors and gild myself
FTLN 0953 With some more ducats, and be with you straight.
Jessica exits, above.

---

GRATIANO 
FTLN 0954 Now, by my hood, a gentle and no Jew!
LORENZO 
FTLN 0955 Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
FTLN 095655 For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
FTLN 0957 And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
FTLN 0958 And true she is, as she hath proved herself.
FTLN 0959 And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
FTLN 0960 Shall she be placèd in my constant soul.

Enter Jessica, below.

FTLN 096160 What, art thou come? On, gentleman, away!
FTLN 0962 Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
All but Gratiano exit.

Enter Antonio.

ANTONIO  FTLN 0963Who’s there?
GRATIANO  FTLN 0964Signior Antonio?
ANTONIO 
FTLN 0965 Fie, fie, Gratiano, where are all the rest?
FTLN 096665 ’Tis nine o’clock! Our friends all stay for you.
FTLN 0967 No masque tonight; the wind is come about;
FTLN 0968 Bassanio presently will go aboard.
FTLN 0969 I have sent twenty out to seek for you.
GRATIANO 
FTLN 0970 I am glad on ’t. I desire no more delight
FTLN 097170 Than to be under sail and gone tonight.
They exit.

Enter Portia with the Prince of Morocco and both
their trains.

PORTIA 
FTLN 0972 Go, draw aside the curtains and discover

---

FTLN 0973 The several caskets to this noble prince.
A curtain is drawn.
FTLN 0974 Now make your choice.
MOROCCO 
FTLN 0975 This first, of gold, who this inscription bears,
FTLN 09765 “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men
FTLN 0977 desire”;
FTLN 0978 The second, silver, which this promise carries,
FTLN 0979 “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he
FTLN 0980 deserves”;
FTLN 098110 This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,
FTLN 0982 “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he
FTLN 0983 hath.”
FTLN 0984 How shall I know if I do choose the right?
PORTIA 
FTLN 0985 The one of them contains my picture, prince.
FTLN 098615 If you choose that, then I am yours withal.
MOROCCO 
FTLN 0987 Some god direct my judgment! Let me see.
FTLN 0988 I will survey th’ inscriptions back again.
FTLN 0989 What says this leaden casket?
FTLN 0990 “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he
FTLN 099120 hath.”
FTLN 0992 Must give—for what? For lead? Hazard for lead?
FTLN 0993 This casket threatens. Men that hazard all
FTLN 0994 Do it in hope of fair advantages.
FTLN 0995 A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross.
FTLN 099625 I’ll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.
FTLN 0997 What says the silver with her virgin hue?
FTLN 0998 “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he
FTLN 0999 deserves.”
FTLN 1000 As much as he deserves—pause there, Morocco,
FTLN 100130 And weigh thy value with an even hand.
FTLN 1002 If thou beest rated by thy estimation,
FTLN 1003 Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough
FTLN 1004 May not extend so far as to the lady.

---

FTLN 1005 And yet to be afeard of my deserving
FTLN 100635 Were but a weak disabling of myself.
FTLN 1007 As much as I deserve—why, that’s the lady!
FTLN 1008 I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,
FTLN 1009 In graces, and in qualities of breeding,
FTLN 1010 But more than these, in love I do deserve.
FTLN 101140 What if I strayed no farther, but chose here?
FTLN 1012 Let’s see once more this saying graved in gold:
FTLN 1013 “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men
FTLN 1014 desire.”
FTLN 1015 Why, that’s the lady! All the world desires her.
FTLN 101645 From the four corners of the earth they come
FTLN 1017 To kiss this shrine, this mortal, breathing saint.
FTLN 1018 The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds
FTLN 1019 Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
FTLN 1020 For princes to come view fair Portia.
FTLN 102150 The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head
FTLN 1022 Spets in the face of heaven, is no bar
FTLN 1023 To stop the foreign spirits, but they come
FTLN 1024 As o’er a brook to see fair Portia.
FTLN 1025 One of these three contains her heavenly picture.
FTLN 102655 Is ’t like that lead contains her? ’Twere damnation
FTLN 1027 To think so base a thought. It were too gross
FTLN 1028 To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.
FTLN 1029 Or shall I think in silver she’s immured,
FTLN 1030 Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?
FTLN 103160 O, sinful thought! Never so rich a gem
FTLN 1032 Was set in worse than gold. They have in England
FTLN 1033 A coin that bears the figure of an angel
FTLN 1034 Stamped in gold, but that’s insculped upon;
FTLN 1035 But here an angel in a golden bed
FTLN 103665 Lies all within.—Deliver me the key.
FTLN 1037 Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1038 There, take it, prince.  Handing him the key. And if
FTLN 1039 my form lie there,
FTLN 1040 Then I am yours.

---

Morocco opens the gold casket.
MOROCCO  FTLN 104170 O hell! What have we here?
FTLN 1042 A carrion death within whose empty eye
FTLN 1043 There is a written scroll. I’ll read the writing:
FTLN 1044 All that glisters is not gold—
FTLN 1045 Often have you heard that told.
FTLN 104675 Many a man his life hath sold
FTLN 1047 But my outside to behold.
FTLN 1048 Gilded tombs do worms infold.
FTLN 1049 Had you been as wise as bold,
FTLN 1050 Young in limbs, in judgment old,
FTLN 105180 Your answer had not been enscrolled.
FTLN 1052 Fare you well, your suit is cold.
FTLN 1053 Cold indeed and labor lost!
FTLN 1054 Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost.
FTLN 1055 Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart
FTLN 105685 To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part.
He exits, with his train.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1057 A gentle riddance! Draw the curtains, go.
FTLN 1058 Let all of his complexion choose me so.
They exit.

Enter Salarino and Solanio.

SALARINO 
FTLN 1059 Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail;
FTLN 1060 With him is Gratiano gone along;
FTLN 1061 And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 1062 The villain Jew with outcries raised the Duke,
FTLN 10635 Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.
SALARINO 
FTLN 1064 He came too late; the ship was under sail.

---

FTLN 1065 But there the Duke was given to understand
FTLN 1066 That in a gondola were seen together
FTLN 1067 Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.
FTLN 106810 Besides, Antonio certified the Duke
FTLN 1069 They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 1070 I never heard a passion so confused,
FTLN 1071 So strange, outrageous, and so variable
FTLN 1072 As the dog Jew did utter in the streets.
FTLN 107315 “My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter!
FTLN 1074 Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!
FTLN 1075 Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter,
FTLN 1076 A sealèd bag, two sealèd bags of ducats,
FTLN 1077 Of double ducats, stol’n from me by my daughter,
FTLN 107820 And jewels—two stones, two rich and precious
FTLN 1079 stones—
FTLN 1080 Stol’n by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl!
FTLN 1081 She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.”
SALARINO 
FTLN 1082 Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,
FTLN 108325 Crying “His stones, his daughter, and his ducats.”
SOLANIO 
FTLN 1084 Let good Antonio look he keep his day,
FTLN 1085 Or he shall pay for this.
SALARINO  FTLN 1086Marry, well remembered.
FTLN 1087 I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday
FTLN 108830 Who told me, in the Narrow Seas that part
FTLN 1089 The French and English, there miscarrièd
FTLN 1090 A vessel of our country richly fraught.
FTLN 1091 I thought upon Antonio when he told me,
FTLN 1092 And wished in silence that it were not his.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 109335 You were best to tell Antonio what you hear—
FTLN 1094 Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.
SALARINO 
FTLN 1095 A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.

---

FTLN 1096 I saw Bassanio and Antonio part.
FTLN 1097 Bassanio told him he would make some speed
FTLN 109840 Of his return. He answered “Do not so.
FTLN 1099 Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,
FTLN 1100 But stay the very riping of the time;
FTLN 1101 And for the Jew’s bond which he hath of me,
FTLN 1102 Let it not enter in your mind of love.
FTLN 110345 Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts
FTLN 1104 To courtship and such fair ostents of love
FTLN 1105 As shall conveniently become you there.”
FTLN 1106 And even there, his eye being big with tears,
FTLN 1107 Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
FTLN 110850 And with affection wondrous sensible
FTLN 1109 He wrung Bassanio’s hand—and so they parted.
SOLANIO 
FTLN 1110 I think he only loves the world for him.
FTLN 1111 I pray thee, let us go and find him out
FTLN 1112 And quicken his embracèd heaviness
FTLN 111355 With some delight or other.
SALARINO  FTLN 1114 Do we so.
They exit.

Enter Nerissa and a Servitor.

NERISSA 
FTLN 1115 Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight.
FTLN 1116 The Prince of Arragon hath ta’en his oath
FTLN 1117 And comes to his election presently.

Enter the Prince of Arragon, his train, and Portia.

PORTIA 
FTLN 1118 Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince.
FTLN 11195 If you choose that wherein I am contained,
FTLN 1120 Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.

---

FTLN 1121 But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
FTLN 1122 You must be gone from hence immediately.
ARRAGON 
FTLN 1123 I am enjoined by oath to observe three things:
FTLN 112410 First, never to unfold to anyone
FTLN 1125 Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail
FTLN 1126 Of the right casket, never in my life
FTLN 1127 To woo a maid in way of marriage;
FTLN 1128 Lastly, if I do fail in fortune of my choice,
FTLN 112915 Immediately to leave you, and be gone.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1130 To these injunctions everyone doth swear
FTLN 1131 That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
ARRAGON 
FTLN 1132 And so have I addressed me. Fortune now
FTLN 1133 To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
FTLN 113420 “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he
FTLN 1135 hath.”
FTLN 1136 You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
FTLN 1137 What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see:
FTLN 1138 “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men
FTLN 113925 desire.”
FTLN 1140 What many men desire—that “many” may be
FTLN 1141 meant
FTLN 1142 By the fool multitude that choose by show,
FTLN 1143 Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,
FTLN 114430 Which pries not to th’ interior, but like the martlet
FTLN 1145 Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
FTLN 1146 Even in the force and road of casualty.
FTLN 1147 I will not choose what many men desire,
FTLN 1148 Because I will not jump with common spirits
FTLN 114935 And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
FTLN 1150 Why, then, to thee, thou silver treasure house.
FTLN 1151 Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
FTLN 1152 “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he
FTLN 1153 deserves.”

---

FTLN 115440 And well said, too; for who shall go about
FTLN 1155 To cozen fortune and be honorable
FTLN 1156 Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
FTLN 1157 To wear an undeservèd dignity.
FTLN 1158 O, that estates, degrees, and offices
FTLN 115945 Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor
FTLN 1160 Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
FTLN 1161 How many then should cover that stand bare?
FTLN 1162 How many be commanded that command?
FTLN 1163 How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
FTLN 116450 From the true seed of honor? And how much honor
FTLN 1165 Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times,
FTLN 1166 To be new varnished? Well, but to my choice.
FTLN 1167 “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he
FTLN 1168 deserves.”
FTLN 116955 I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,
He is given a key.
FTLN 1170 And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
He opens the silver casket.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1171 Too long a pause for that which you find there.
ARRAGON 
FTLN 1172 What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
FTLN 1173 Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.—
FTLN 117460 How much unlike art thou to Portia!
FTLN 1175 How much unlike my hopes and my deservings.
FTLN 1176 “Who chooseth me shall have as much as he
FTLN 1177 deserves”?
FTLN 1178 Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?
FTLN 117965 Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
PORTIA 
FTLN 1180 To offend and judge are distinct offices
FTLN 1181 And of opposèd natures.
ARRAGON  FTLN 1182 What is here?
He reads.

---

FTLN 1183 The fire seven times tried this;
FTLN 118470 Seven times tried that judgment is
FTLN 1185 That did never choose amiss.
FTLN 1186 Some there be that shadows kiss;
FTLN 1187 Such have but a shadow’s bliss.
FTLN 1188 There be fools alive, iwis,
FTLN 118975 Silvered o’er—and so was this.
FTLN 1190 Take what wife you will to bed,
FTLN 1191 I will ever be your head.
FTLN 1192 So begone; you are sped.
FTLN 1193 Still more fool I shall appear
FTLN 119480 By the time I linger here.
FTLN 1195 With one fool’s head I came to woo,
FTLN 1196 But I go away with two.
FTLN 1197 Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath,
FTLN 1198 Patiently to bear my wroth. He exits with his train.
PORTIA 
FTLN 119985 Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
FTLN 1200 O, these deliberate fools, when they do choose,
FTLN 1201 They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
NERISSA 
FTLN 1202 The ancient saying is no heresy:
FTLN 1203 Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
PORTIA  FTLN 120490Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.

Enter Messenger.

MESSENGER 
FTLN 1205 Where is my lady?
PORTIA  FTLN 1206 Here. What would my
FTLN 1207 lord?
MESSENGER 
FTLN 1208 Madam, there is alighted at your gate
FTLN 120995 A young Venetian, one that comes before
FTLN 1210 To signify th’ approaching of his lord,
FTLN 1211 From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
FTLN 1212 To wit (besides commends and courteous breath),
FTLN 1213 Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen

---

FTLN 1214100 So likely an ambassador of love.
FTLN 1215 A day in April never came so sweet,
FTLN 1216 To show how costly summer was at hand,
FTLN 1217 As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.
PORTIA 
FTLN 1218 No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
FTLN 1219105 Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
FTLN 1220 Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him!
FTLN 1221 Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
FTLN 1222 Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
NERISSA 
FTLN 1223 Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
They exit.