Folger Shakespeare Library

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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Antonio, the merchant in The Merchant of Venice, secures a loan from Shylock for his friend Bassanio, who seeks to court Portia. Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, recalls past insults from Antonio and, instead of asking interest on the loan, asks instead—in what he calls a “merry sport”—that if the loan is not repaid, Antonio will owe a pound of his own flesh.

Bassanio sails to Belmont, where the wealthy heiress Portia is being courted by suitors from around the world. Her father’s will requires that the successful suitor solve a riddle involving chests of gold, silver, and lead. Where others have failed, Bassanio succeeds by selecting the right chest. Portia marries Bassanio; her waiting woman, Nerissa, marries his friend Gratiano.

Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, has eloped with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo, taking her father’s money with her. Shylock is devastated. When Antonio cannot repay the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh. When the news reaches Belmont, Bassanio returns to Venice. Portia and Nerissa also travel to Venice, disguised as a lawyer and his clerk. Portia uses the law to defeat Shylock and rescue Antonio.

Characters in the Play
Portia, an heiress of Belmont
Nerissa, her waiting-gentlewoman
Balthazar
Stephano
servants to Portia
Prince of Morocco
Prince of Arragon
suitors to Portia
Antonio, a merchant of Venice
Bassanio, a Venetian gentleman, suitor to Portia
Solanio
Salarino
Gratiano
Lorenzo
companions of Antonio and Bassanio
Leonardo, servant to Bassanio
Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Venice
Jessica, his daughter
Tubal, another Jewish moneylender
Lancelet Gobbo, servant to Shylock and later to Bassanio
Old Gobbo, Lancelet’s father
Salerio, a messenger from Venice
Jailer
Duke of Venice
Magnificoes of Venice
Servants
Attendants and followers
Messenger
Musicians

ACT 1
Scene 1
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 0005 5 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 0010 10 (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 0015 15 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 0020 20 And every object that might make me fear
7

9
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 1
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 0025 25 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 0030 30 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 0035 35 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 0040 40 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 0045 45 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 0050 50 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,

11
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0054 Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time:
FTLN 0055 55 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 0060 60 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 0065 65 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 0070 70 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 0075 75 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.

13
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0079 They lose it that do buy it with much care.
FTLN 0080 80 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 0085 85 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 0090 90 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 0095 95 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 0100 100 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 0105 105 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 0110 110 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.

15
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 1
GRATIANO
FTLN 0114 Well, keep me company but two years more,
FTLN 0115 115 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 0120 120 Is that anything now?
BASSANIO FTLN 0121 Gratiano 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 0125 125 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 0130 130 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 0135 135 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 0140 140 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;

17
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0143 And if it stand, as you yourself still do,
FTLN 0144 Within the eye of honor, be assured
FTLN 0145 145 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 0150 150 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 0155 155 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 0160 160 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 0165 165 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 0170 170 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 0175 175 For the four winds blow in from every coast

19
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 2
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 0180 180 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 0185 185 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 0190 190 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.
Scene 2
Enter Portia with her waiting woman Nerissa.
PORTIA FTLN 0193 By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary
FTLN 0194 of this great world.
NERISSA FTLN 0195 You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries
FTLN 0196 were in the same abundance as your good fortunes
FTLN 0197 5 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 0202 10 Good sentences, and well pronounced.
NERISSA FTLN 0203 They would be better if well followed.

21
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 2
PORTIA FTLN 0204 If 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 0207 15 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 0212 20 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 0217 25 the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that
FTLN 0218 I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?
NERISSA FTLN 0219 Your 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 0222 30 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 0227 35 come?
PORTIA FTLN 0228 I 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 0231 First, there is the Neapolitan prince.
PORTIA FTLN 0232 40 Ay, 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 0237 45 Then is there the County Palatine.
PORTIA FTLN 0238 He doth nothing but frown, as who should say
FTLN 0239 “An you will not have me, choose.” He hears

23
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0240 merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the
FTLN 0241 weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so
FTLN 0242 50 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 0246 How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le
FTLN 0247 55 Bon?
PORTIA FTLN 0248 God 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 0252 60 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 0257 65 madness, I shall never requite him.
NERISSA FTLN 0258 What say you then to Falconbridge, the young
FTLN 0259 baron of England?
PORTIA FTLN 0260 You know I say nothing to him, for he understands
FTLN 0261 not me, nor I him. He hath neither Latin,
FTLN 0262 70 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 0267 75 his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany,
FTLN 0268 and his behavior everywhere.
NERISSA FTLN 0269 What think you of the Scottish lord, his
FTLN 0270 neighbor?
PORTIA FTLN 0271 That he hath a neighborly charity in him, for
FTLN 0272 80 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.

25
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 2
NERISSA FTLN 0276 How like you the young German, the Duke of
FTLN 0277 85 Saxony’s nephew?
PORTIA FTLN 0278 Very 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 0282 90 the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift
FTLN 0283 to go without him.
NERISSA FTLN 0284 If 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 0287 95 Therefore, 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 0292 100 You 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 0297 105 father’s imposition depending on the caskets.
PORTIA FTLN 0298 If 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 0302 110 but I dote on his very absence. And I pray God
FTLN 0303 grant them a fair departure!
NERISSA FTLN 0304 Do 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 0307 115 Yes, yes, it was Bassanio—as I think so was he
FTLN 0308 called.
NERISSA FTLN 0309 True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my
FTLN 0310 foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a
FTLN 0311 fair lady.

27
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
PORTIA FTLN 0312 120 I remember him well, and I remember him
FTLN 0313 worthy of thy praise.
Enter a Servingman.
FTLN 0314 How now, what news?
SERVINGMAN FTLN 0315 The four strangers seek for you, madam,
FTLN 0316 to take their leave. And there is a forerunner come
FTLN 0317 125 from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings
FTLN 0318 word the Prince his master will be here tonight.
PORTIA FTLN 0319 If 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 0322 130 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.
Scene 3
Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew.
SHYLOCK FTLN 0327 Three thousand ducats, well.
BASSANIO FTLN 0328 Ay, sir, for three months.
SHYLOCK FTLN 0329 For three months, well.
BASSANIO FTLN 0330 For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall
FTLN 0331 5 be bound.
SHYLOCK FTLN 0332 Antonio shall become bound, well.
BASSANIO FTLN 0333 May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?
FTLN 0334 Shall I know your answer?
SHYLOCK FTLN 0335 Three thousand ducats for three months,
FTLN 0336 10 and Antonio bound.
BASSANIO FTLN 0337 Your answer to that?
SHYLOCK FTLN 0338 Antonio is a good man.
BASSANIO FTLN 0339 Have you heard any imputation to the
FTLN 0340 contrary?

29
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
SHYLOCK FTLN 0341 15 Ho, 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 0346 20 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 0351 25 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 0354 Be assured you may.
SHYLOCK FTLN 0355 I will be assured I may. And that I may be
FTLN 0356 30 assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with
FTLN 0357 Antonio?
BASSANIO FTLN 0358 If it please you to dine with us.
SHYLOCK FTLN 0359 Yes, to smell pork! To eat of the habitation
FTLN 0360 which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the
FTLN 0361 35 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 0366 40 This 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 0371 45 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.

31
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0374 He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
FTLN 0375 Even there where merchants most do congregate,
FTLN 0376 50 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 0381 55 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 0386 60 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 0391 65 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 0396 70 ducats.
ANTONIO FTLN 0397 And for three months.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 0398 I 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 0401 75 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 0406 80 This Jacob from our holy Abram was

33
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
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 0411 85 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 0416 90 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 0421 95 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 0426 100 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 0431 105 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 0436 110 A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
FTLN 0437 O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

35
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
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 0441 115 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 0446 120 (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 0451 125 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 0456 130 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 0461 135 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 0466 140 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

37
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0470 A breed for barren metal of his friend?
FTLN 0471 145 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 0476 150 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 0480 This were kindness!
SHYLOCK FTLN 0481 155 This 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 0486 160 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 0491 165 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 0496 170 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 0501 175 If he should break his day, what should I gain

39
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 1. SC. 3
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 0506 180 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 0511 185 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 0516 190 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.

ACT 2
Scene 1
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 0525 5 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 0530 10 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 0535 15 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,
43

45
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0540 20 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 0545 25 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 0550 30 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 0555 35 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 0560 40 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 0565 45 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.

47
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Lancelet Gobbo the Clown, alone.
LANCELET FTLN 0570 Certainly 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 0574 5 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 0579 10 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 0584 15 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 0589 20 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 0594 25 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 0599 30 friendly counsel. I will run, fiend. My heels are at
FTLN 0600 your commandment. I will run.
Enter old Gobbo with a basket.

49
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 2
GOBBO FTLN 0601 Master young man, you, I pray you, which is
FTLN 0602 the way to Master Jew’s?
LANCELET , aside FTLN 0603 O heavens, this is my true begotten
FTLN 0604 35 father, who being more than sandblind, high gravelblind,
FTLN 0605 knows me not. I will try confusions with him.
GOBBO FTLN 0606 Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is
FTLN 0607 the way to Master Jew’s?
LANCELET FTLN 0608 Turn up on your right hand at the next
FTLN 0609 40 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 0612 Be God’s sonties, ’twill be a hard way to hit.
FTLN 0613 Can you tell me whether one Lancelet, that dwells
FTLN 0614 45 with him, dwell with him or no?
LANCELET FTLN 0615 Talk 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 0618 No master, sir, but a poor man’s son. His
FTLN 0619 50 father, though I say ’t, is an honest exceeding poor
FTLN 0620 man and, God be thanked, well to live.
LANCELET FTLN 0621 Well, let his father be what he will, we talk
FTLN 0622 of young Master Lancelet.
GOBBO FTLN 0623 Your Worship’s friend, and Lancelet, sir.
LANCELET FTLN 0624 55 But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech
FTLN 0625 you, talk you of young Master Lancelet?
GOBBO FTLN 0626 Of Lancelet, an ’t please your mastership.
LANCELET FTLN 0627 Ergo, Master Lancelet. Talk not of Master
FTLN 0628 Lancelet, father, for the young gentleman, according
FTLN 0629 60 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 0633 Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff
FTLN 0634 65 of my age, my very prop.
LANCELET , aside FTLN 0635 Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post,
FTLN 0636 a staff or a prop?—Do you know me, father?

51
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 2
GOBBO FTLN 0637 Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman.
FTLN 0638 But I pray you tell me, is my boy, God rest his
FTLN 0639 70 soul, alive or dead?
LANCELET FTLN 0640 Do you not know me, father?
GOBBO FTLN 0641 Alack, sir, I am sandblind. I know you not.
LANCELET FTLN 0642 Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might
FTLN 0643 fail of the knowing me. It is a wise father that
FTLN 0644 75 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 0649 80 Pray you, sir, stand up! I am sure you are not
FTLN 0650 Lancelet my boy.
LANCELET FTLN 0651 Pray 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 0654 85 be.
GOBBO FTLN 0655 I cannot think you are my son.
LANCELET FTLN 0656 I 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 0659 90 Her 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 0664 95 It 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 0668 Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou
FTLN 0669 100 and thy master agree? I have brought him a present.
FTLN 0670 How ’gree you now?
LANCELET FTLN 0671 Well, 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

53
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0673 have run some ground. My master’s a very Jew.
FTLN 0674 105 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 0679 110 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 0682 You may do so, but let it be
FTLN 0683 so hasted that supper be ready at the farthest by five
FTLN 0684 115 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 0687 To him, father.
GOBBO , to Bassanio FTLN 0688 God bless your Worship.
BASSANIO FTLN 0689 120 Gramercy. Wouldst thou aught with me?
GOBBO FTLN 0690 Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy—
LANCELET FTLN 0691 Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man,
FTLN 0692 that would, sir, as my father shall specify—
GOBBO FTLN 0693 He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say,
FTLN 0694 125 to serve—
LANCELET FTLN 0695 Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the
FTLN 0696 Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify—
GOBBO FTLN 0697 His master and he (saving your Worship’s
FTLN 0698 reverence) are scarce cater-cousins—
LANCELET FTLN 0699 130 To 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 0703 I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow
FTLN 0704 135 upon your Worship, and my suit is—
LANCELET FTLN 0705 In very brief, the suit is impertinent to
FTLN 0706 myself, as your Worship shall know by this honest

55
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0707 old man, and though I say it, though old man yet
FTLN 0708 poor man, my father—
BASSANIO FTLN 0709 140 One speak for both. What would you?
LANCELET FTLN 0710 Serve you, sir.
GOBBO FTLN 0711 That 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 0714 145 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 0717 The old proverb is very well parted between
FTLN 0718 my master Shylock and you, sir: you have “the
FTLN 0719 150 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 0724 155 Father, 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 0729 160 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 0734 165 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.

57
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0738 These things being bought and orderly bestowed,
FTLN 0739 170 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 0742 Where’s your master?
LEONARDO FTLN 0743 Yonder, sir, he walks. Leonardo exits.
GRATIANO FTLN 0744 175 Signior Bassanio!
BASSANIO FTLN 0745 Gratiano!
GRATIANO FTLN 0746 I have suit to you.
BASSANIO FTLN 0747 You have obtained it.
GRATIANO FTLN 0748 You must not deny me. I must go with you
FTLN 0749 180 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 0754 185 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 0759 190 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 0764 195 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 0769 200 To please his grandam, never trust me more.

59
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 3
BASSANIO FTLN 0770 Well, 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 0774 205 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 0779 210 But we will visit you at supper time.
They exit.
Scene 3
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 0784 5 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 0789 10 Adieu. 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 0794 15 Farewell, good Lancelet.
Lancelet exits.

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ACT 2. SC. 4
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 0799 20 If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
FTLN 0800 Become a Christian and thy loving wife.
She exits.
Scene 4
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 0805 5 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 0810 10 Friend Lancelet, what’s the news?
LANCELET FTLN 0811 An 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 0815 15 Is the fair hand that writ.
GRATIANO FTLN 0816 Love news, in faith!

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The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 4
LANCELET FTLN 0817 By your leave, sir.
LORENZO FTLN 0818 Whither goest thou?
LANCELET FTLN 0819 Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to
FTLN 0820 20 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 0825 25 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 0830 30 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 0835 35 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 0840 40 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.

65
The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 5
Scene 5
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 0848 5 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 0852 Your Worship was wont to tell me I could
FTLN 0853 10 do nothing without bidding.
Enter Jessica.
JESSICA FTLN 0854 Call 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 0858 15 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 0863 20 I beseech you, sir, go. My young master
FTLN 0864 doth expect your reproach.
SHYLOCK FTLN 0865 So do I his.
LANCELET FTLN 0866 And they have conspired together—I will
FTLN 0867 not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it
FTLN 0868 25 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.

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SHYLOCK
FTLN 0872 What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica,
FTLN 0873 30 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 0878 35 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 0883 40 Say I will come.
LANCELET FTLN 0884 I 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 0888 45 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 0893 50 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 0898 55 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.

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The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 6
Scene 6
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 0904 His hour is almost past.
GRATIANO
FTLN 0905 And it is marvel he outdwells his hour,
FTLN 0906 5 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 0911 10 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 0916 15 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 0921 20 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 0926 25 I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach.
FTLN 0927 Here dwells my father Jew.—Ho! Who’s within?

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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 0930 Lorenzo, and thy love.
JESSICA
FTLN 0931 30 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 0936 35 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 0941 40 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 0946 45 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 0951 50 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.

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The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 7
GRATIANO
FTLN 0954 Now, by my hood, a gentle and no Jew!
LORENZO
FTLN 0955 Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
FTLN 0956 55 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 0961 60 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 0963 Who’s there?
GRATIANO FTLN 0964 Signior Antonio?
ANTONIO
FTLN 0965 Fie, fie, Gratiano, where are all the rest?
FTLN 0966 65 ’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 0971 70 Than to be under sail and gone tonight.
They exit.
Scene 7
Enter Portia with the Prince of Morocco and both
their trains.
PORTIA
FTLN 0972 Go, draw aside the curtains and discover

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The Merchant of Venice
ACT 2. SC. 7
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 0976 5 “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 0981 10 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 0986 15 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 0991 20 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 0996 25 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 1001 30 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.

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FTLN 1005 And yet to be afeard of my deserving
FTLN 1006 35 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 1011 40 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 1016 45 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 1021 50 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 1026 55 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 1031 60 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 1036 65 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.

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ACT 2. SC. 8
Morocco opens the gold casket.
MOROCCO FTLN 1041 70 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 1046 75 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 1051 80 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 1056 85 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.
Scene 8
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 1063 5 Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.
SALARINO
FTLN 1064 He came too late; the ship was under sail.

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ACT 2. SC. 8
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 1068 10 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 1073 15 “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 1078 20 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 1083 25 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 1086 Marry, well remembered.
FTLN 1087 I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday
FTLN 1088 30 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 1093 35 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.

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ACT 2. SC. 9
FTLN 1096 I saw Bassanio and Antonio part.
FTLN 1097 Bassanio told him he would make some speed
FTLN 1098 40 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 1103 45 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 1108 50 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 1113 55 With some delight or other.
SALARINO FTLN 1114 Do we so.
They exit.
Scene 9
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 1119 5 If you choose that wherein I am contained,
FTLN 1120 Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.

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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 1124 10 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 1129 15 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 1134 20 “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 1139 25 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 1144 30 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 1149 35 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.”

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ACT 2. SC. 9
FTLN 1154 40 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 1159 45 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 1164 50 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 1169 55 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 1174 60 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 1179 65 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.

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ACT 2. SC. 9
FTLN 1183 The fire seven times tried this;
FTLN 1184 70 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 1189 75 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 1194 80 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 1199 85 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 1204 90 Come, 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 1209 95 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

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FTLN 1214 100 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 1219 105 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.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Solanio and Salarino.
SOLANIO FTLN 1224 Now, what news on the Rialto?
SALARINO FTLN 1225 Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio
FTLN 1226 hath a ship of rich lading wracked on the
FTLN 1227 Narrow Seas—the Goodwins, I think they call the
FTLN 1228 5 place—a very dangerous flat, and fatal, where the
FTLN 1229 carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say,
FTLN 1230 if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her
FTLN 1231 word.
SOLANIO FTLN 1232 I would she were as lying a gossip in that as
FTLN 1233 10 ever knapped ginger or made her neighbors believe
FTLN 1234 she wept for the death of a third husband. But
FTLN 1235 it is true, without any slips of prolixity or crossing
FTLN 1236 the plain highway of talk, that the good Antonio,
FTLN 1237 the honest Antonio—O, that I had a title good
FTLN 1238 15 enough to keep his name company!—
SALARINO FTLN 1239 Come, the full stop.
SOLANIO FTLN 1240 Ha, what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he
FTLN 1241 hath lost a ship.
SALARINO FTLN 1242 I would it might prove the end of his losses.
SOLANIO FTLN 1243 20 Let me say “amen” betimes, lest the devil
FTLN 1244 cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness
FTLN 1245 of a Jew.
Enter Shylock.
95

97
The Merchant of Venice
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FTLN 1246 How now, Shylock, what news among the
FTLN 1247 merchants?
SHYLOCK FTLN 1248 25 You knew, none so well, none so well as you,
FTLN 1249 of my daughter’s flight.
SALARINO FTLN 1250 That’s certain. I for my part knew the tailor
FTLN 1251 that made the wings she flew withal.
SOLANIO FTLN 1252 And Shylock for his own part knew the bird
FTLN 1253 30 was fledge, and then it is the complexion of them
FTLN 1254 all to leave the dam.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1255 She is damned for it.
SALARINO FTLN 1256 That’s certain, if the devil may be her judge.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1257 My own flesh and blood to rebel!
SOLANIO FTLN 1258 35 Out upon it, old carrion! Rebels it at these
FTLN 1259 years?
SHYLOCK FTLN 1260 I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood.
SALARINO FTLN 1261 There is more difference between thy flesh
FTLN 1262 and hers than between jet and ivory, more between
FTLN 1263 40 your bloods than there is between red wine and
FTLN 1264 Rhenish. But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio
FTLN 1265 have had any loss at sea or no?
SHYLOCK FTLN 1266 There I have another bad match! A bankrout,
FTLN 1267 a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on
FTLN 1268 45 the Rialto, a beggar that was used to come so smug
FTLN 1269 upon the mart! Let him look to his bond. He was
FTLN 1270 wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond. He
FTLN 1271 was wont to lend money for a Christian cur’sy; let
FTLN 1272 him look to his bond.
SALARINO FTLN 1273 50 Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not
FTLN 1274 take his flesh! What’s that good for?
SHYLOCK FTLN 1275 To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else,
FTLN 1276 it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me and
FTLN 1277 hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses,
FTLN 1278 55 mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted
FTLN 1279 my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies—
FTLN 1280 and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not
FTLN 1281 a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions,

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FTLN 1282 senses, affections, passions? Fed with the
FTLN 1283 60 same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to
FTLN 1284 the same diseases, healed by the same means,
FTLN 1285 warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer
FTLN 1286 as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not
FTLN 1287 bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you
FTLN 1288 65 poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall
FTLN 1289 we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
FTLN 1290 resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian,
FTLN 1291 what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong
FTLN 1292 a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian
FTLN 1293 70 example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I
FTLN 1294 will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the
FTLN 1295 instruction.
Enter a man from Antonio.
SERVINGMAN FTLN 1296 Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his
FTLN 1297 house and desires to speak with you both.
SALARINO FTLN 1298 75 We have been up and down to seek him.
Enter Tubal.
SOLANIO FTLN 1299 Here comes another of the tribe; a third
FTLN 1300 cannot be matched unless the devil himself turn
FTLN 1301 Jew.
Salarino, Solanio, and the Servingman exit.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1302 How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa?
FTLN 1303 80 Hast thou found my daughter?
TUBAL FTLN 1304 I often came where I did hear of her, but
FTLN 1305 cannot find her.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1306 Why, there, there, there, there! A diamond
FTLN 1307 gone cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurt!
FTLN 1308 85 The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I
FTLN 1309 never felt it till now. Two thousand ducats in that,
FTLN 1310 and other precious, precious jewels! I would my
FTLN 1311 daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her
FTLN 1312 ear; would she were hearsed at my foot and the

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FTLN 1313 90 ducats in her coffin. No news of them? Why so? And
FTLN 1314 I know not what’s spent in the search! Why, thou
FTLN 1315 loss upon loss! The thief gone with so much, and so
FTLN 1316 much to find the thief, and no satisfaction, no
FTLN 1317 revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights a’ my
FTLN 1318 95 shoulders, no sighs but a’ my breathing, no tears but
FTLN 1319 a’ my shedding.
TUBAL FTLN 1320 Yes, other men have ill luck, too. Antonio, as I
FTLN 1321 heard in Genoa—
SHYLOCK FTLN 1322 What, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck?
TUBAL FTLN 1323 100—hath an argosy cast away coming from
FTLN 1324 Tripolis.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1325 I thank God, I thank God! Is it true, is it true?
TUBAL FTLN 1326 I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped
FTLN 1327 the wrack.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1328 105 I thank thee, good Tubal. Good news, good
FTLN 1329 news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa—
TUBAL FTLN 1330 Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one
FTLN 1331 night fourscore ducats.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1332 Thou stick’st a dagger in me. I shall never
FTLN 1333 110 see my gold again. Fourscore ducats at a sitting,
FTLN 1334 fourscore ducats!
TUBAL FTLN 1335 There came divers of Antonio’s creditors in my
FTLN 1336 company to Venice that swear he cannot choose
FTLN 1337 but break.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1338 115 I am very glad of it. I’ll plague him, I’ll
FTLN 1339 torture him. I am glad of it.
TUBAL FTLN 1340 One of them showed me a ring that he had of
FTLN 1341 your daughter for a monkey.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1342 Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It
FTLN 1343 120 was my turquoise! I had it of Leah when I was a
FTLN 1344 bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness
FTLN 1345 of monkeys.
TUBAL FTLN 1346 But Antonio is certainly undone.
SHYLOCK FTLN 1347 Nay, that’s true, that’s very true. Go, Tubal,
FTLN 1348 125 fee me an officer. Bespeak him a fortnight before. I

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FTLN 1349 will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he
FTLN 1350 out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will.
FTLN 1351 Go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue. Go, good
FTLN 1352 Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Bassanio, Portia, and all their trains, Gratiano,
Nerissa.
PORTIA
FTLN 1353 I pray you tarry, pause a day or two
FTLN 1354 Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong
FTLN 1355 I lose your company; therefore forbear a while.
FTLN 1356 There’s something tells me (but it is not love)
FTLN 1357 5 I would not lose you, and you know yourself
FTLN 1358 Hate counsels not in such a quality.
FTLN 1359 But lest you should not understand me well
FTLN 1360 (And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought)
FTLN 1361 I would detain you here some month or two
FTLN 1362 10 Before you venture for me. I could teach you
FTLN 1363 How to choose right, but then I am forsworn.
FTLN 1364 So will I never be. So may you miss me.
FTLN 1365 But if you do, you’ll make me wish a sin,
FTLN 1366 That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,
FTLN 1367 15 They have o’erlooked me and divided me.
FTLN 1368 One half of me is yours, the other half yours—
FTLN 1369 Mine own, I would say—but if mine, then yours,
FTLN 1370 And so all yours. O, these naughty times
FTLN 1371 Puts bars between the owners and their rights!
FTLN 1372 20 And so though yours, not yours. Prove it so,
FTLN 1373 Let Fortune go to hell for it, not I.
FTLN 1374 I speak too long, but ’tis to peize the time,
FTLN 1375 To eche it, and to draw it out in length,
FTLN 1376 To stay you from election.

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BASSANIO FTLN 1377 25 Let me choose,
FTLN 1378 For as I am, I live upon the rack.
PORTIA
FTLN 1379 Upon the rack, Bassanio? Then confess
FTLN 1380 What treason there is mingled with your love.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1381 None but that ugly treason of mistrust,
FTLN 1382 30 Which makes me fear th’ enjoying of my love.
FTLN 1383 There may as well be amity and life
FTLN 1384 ’Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.
PORTIA
FTLN 1385 Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack
FTLN 1386 Where men enforcèd do speak anything.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1387 35 Promise me life and I’ll confess the truth.
PORTIA
FTLN 1388 Well, then, confess and live.
BASSANIO FTLN 1389 “Confess and love”
FTLN 1390 Had been the very sum of my confession.
FTLN 1391 O happy torment, when my torturer
FTLN 1392 40 Doth teach me answers for deliverance!
FTLN 1393 But let me to my fortune and the caskets.
PORTIA
FTLN 1394 Away, then. I am locked in one of them.
FTLN 1395 If you do love me, you will find me out.—
FTLN 1396 Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.
FTLN 1397 45 Let music sound while he doth make his choice.
FTLN 1398 Then if he lose he makes a swanlike end,
FTLN 1399 Fading in music. That the comparison
FTLN 1400 May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream
FTLN 1401 And wat’ry deathbed for him. He may win,
FTLN 1402 50 And what is music then? Then music is
FTLN 1403 Even as the flourish when true subjects bow
FTLN 1404 To a new-crownèd monarch. Such it is
FTLN 1405 As are those dulcet sounds in break of day
FTLN 1406 That creep into the dreaming bridegroom’s ear
FTLN 1407 55 And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,

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The Merchant of Venice
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FTLN 1408 With no less presence but with much more love
FTLN 1409 Than young Alcides when he did redeem
FTLN 1410 The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
FTLN 1411 To the sea-monster. I stand for sacrifice;
FTLN 1412 60 The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,
FTLN 1413 With blearèd visages, come forth to view
FTLN 1414 The issue of th’ exploit. Go, Hercules!
FTLN 1415 Live thou, I live. With much much more dismay
FTLN 1416 I view the fight than thou that mak’st the fray.
A song the whilst Bassanio comments on
the caskets to himself.
FTLN 1417 65 Tell me where is fancy bred,
FTLN 1418 Or in the heart, or in the head?
FTLN 1419 How begot, how nourishèd?
FTLN 1420 Reply, reply.
FTLN 1421 It is engendered in the eye,
FTLN 1422 70 With gazing fed, and fancy dies
FTLN 1423 In the cradle where it lies.
FTLN 1424 Let us all ring fancy’s knell.
FTLN 1425 I’ll begin it.—Ding, dong, bell.
ALL FTLN 1426 Ding, dong, bell.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1427 75 So may the outward shows be least themselves;
FTLN 1428 The world is still deceived with ornament.
FTLN 1429 In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
FTLN 1430 But, being seasoned with a gracious voice,
FTLN 1431 Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
FTLN 1432 80 What damnèd error but some sober brow
FTLN 1433 Will bless it and approve it with a text,
FTLN 1434 Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
FTLN 1435 There is no vice so simple but assumes
FTLN 1436 Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
FTLN 1437 85 How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
FTLN 1438 As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
FTLN 1439 The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1440 Who inward searched have livers white as milk,
FTLN 1441 And these assume but valor’s excrement
FTLN 1442 90 To render them redoubted. Look on beauty,
FTLN 1443 And you shall see ’tis purchased by the weight,
FTLN 1444 Which therein works a miracle in nature,
FTLN 1445 Making them lightest that wear most of it.
FTLN 1446 So are those crispèd snaky golden locks,
FTLN 1447 95 Which maketh such wanton gambols with the wind
FTLN 1448 Upon supposèd fairness, often known
FTLN 1449 To be the dowry of a second head,
FTLN 1450 The skull that bred them in the sepulcher.
FTLN 1451 Thus ornament is but the guilèd shore
FTLN 1452 100 To a most dangerous sea, the beauteous scarf
FTLN 1453 Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,
FTLN 1454 The seeming truth which cunning times put on
FTLN 1455 To entrap the wisest. Therefore, then, thou gaudy
FTLN 1456 gold,
FTLN 1457 105 Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee.
FTLN 1458 Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge
FTLN 1459 ’Tween man and man. But thou, thou meager lead,
FTLN 1460 Which rather threaten’st than dost promise aught,
FTLN 1461 Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence,
FTLN 1462 110 And here choose I. Joy be the consequence!
Bassanio is given a key.
PORTIA , aside
FTLN 1463 How all the other passions fleet to air,
FTLN 1464 As doubtful thoughts and rash embraced despair,
FTLN 1465 And shudd’ring fear, and green-eyed jealousy!
FTLN 1466 O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy,
FTLN 1467 115 In measure rain thy joy, scant this excess!
FTLN 1468 I feel too much thy blessing. Make it less,
FTLN 1469 For fear I surfeit.
Bassanio opens the lead casket.
BASSANIO FTLN 1470 What find I here?
FTLN 1471 Fair Portia’s counterfeit! What demigod
FTLN 1472 120 Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?

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FTLN 1473 Or whether, riding on the balls of mine,
FTLN 1474 Seem they in motion? Here are severed lips
FTLN 1475 Parted with sugar breath; so sweet a bar
FTLN 1476 Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs
FTLN 1477 125 The painter plays the spider, and hath woven
FTLN 1478 A golden mesh t’ entrap the hearts of men
FTLN 1479 Faster than gnats in cobwebs. But her eyes!
FTLN 1480 How could he see to do them? Having made one,
FTLN 1481 Methinks it should have power to steal both his
FTLN 1482 130 And leave itself unfurnished. Yet look how far
FTLN 1483 The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
FTLN 1484 In underprizing it, so far this shadow
FTLN 1485 Doth limp behind the substance. Here’s the scroll,
FTLN 1486 The continent and summary of my fortune.
He reads the scroll.
FTLN 1487 135 You that choose not by the view
FTLN 1488 Chance as fair and choose as true.
FTLN 1489 Since this fortune falls to you,
FTLN 1490 Be content and seek no new.
FTLN 1491 If you be well pleased with this
FTLN 1492 140 And hold your fortune for your bliss,
FTLN 1493 Turn you where your lady is,
FTLN 1494 And claim her with a loving kiss.
FTLN 1495 A gentle scroll! Fair lady, by your leave,
FTLN 1496 I come by note to give and to receive.
FTLN 1497 145 Like one of two contending in a prize
FTLN 1498 That thinks he hath done well in people’s eyes,
FTLN 1499 Hearing applause and universal shout,
FTLN 1500 Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt
FTLN 1501 Whether those peals of praise be his or no,
FTLN 1502 150 So, thrice-fair lady, stand I even so,
FTLN 1503 As doubtful whether what I see be true,
FTLN 1504 Until confirmed, signed, ratified by you.
PORTIA
FTLN 1505 You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,
FTLN 1506 Such as I am. Though for myself alone

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FTLN 1507 155 I would not be ambitious in my wish
FTLN 1508 To wish myself much better, yet for you
FTLN 1509 I would be trebled twenty times myself,
FTLN 1510 A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times
FTLN 1511 More rich, that only to stand high in your account
FTLN 1512 160 I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,
FTLN 1513 Exceed account. But the full sum of me
FTLN 1514 Is sum of something, which, to term in gross,
FTLN 1515 Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpracticed;
FTLN 1516 Happy in this, she is not yet so old
FTLN 1517 165 But she may learn; happier than this,
FTLN 1518 She is not bred so dull but she can learn;
FTLN 1519 Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit
FTLN 1520 Commits itself to yours to be directed
FTLN 1521 As from her lord, her governor, her king.
FTLN 1522 170 Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours
FTLN 1523 Is now converted. But now I was the lord
FTLN 1524 Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,
FTLN 1525 Queen o’er myself; and even now, but now,
FTLN 1526 This house, these servants, and this same myself
FTLN 1527 175 Are yours, my lord’s. I give them with this ring,
Handing him a ring.
FTLN 1528 Which, when you part from, lose, or give away,
FTLN 1529 Let it presage the ruin of your love,
FTLN 1530 And be my vantage to exclaim on you.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1531 Madam, you have bereft me of all words.
FTLN 1532 180 Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
FTLN 1533 And there is such confusion in my powers
FTLN 1534 As after some oration fairly spoke
FTLN 1535 By a belovèd prince there doth appear
FTLN 1536 Among the buzzing pleasèd multitude,
FTLN 1537 185 Where every something being blent together
FTLN 1538 Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy
FTLN 1539 Expressed and not expressed. But when this ring
FTLN 1540 Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.
FTLN 1541 O, then be bold to say Bassanio’s dead!

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NERISSA
FTLN 1542 190 My lord and lady, it is now our time,
FTLN 1543 That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper,
FTLN 1544 To cry “Good joy, good joy, my lord and lady!”
GRATIANO
FTLN 1545 My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady,
FTLN 1546 I wish you all the joy that you can wish,
FTLN 1547 195 For I am sure you can wish none from me.
FTLN 1548 And when your honors mean to solemnize
FTLN 1549 The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you
FTLN 1550 Even at that time I may be married too.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1551 With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.
GRATIANO
FTLN 1552 200 I thank your Lordship, you have got me one.
FTLN 1553 My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:
FTLN 1554 You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.
FTLN 1555 You loved, I loved; for intermission
FTLN 1556 No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.
FTLN 1557 205 Your fortune stood upon the caskets there,
FTLN 1558 And so did mine, too, as the matter falls.
FTLN 1559 For wooing here until I sweat again,
FTLN 1560 And swearing till my very roof was dry
FTLN 1561 With oaths of love, at last (if promise last)
FTLN 1562 210 I got a promise of this fair one here
FTLN 1563 To have her love, provided that your fortune
FTLN 1564 Achieved her mistress.
PORTIA FTLN 1565 Is this true, Nerissa?
NERISSA
FTLN 1566 Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1567 215 And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?
GRATIANO FTLN 1568 Yes, faith, my lord.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1569 Our feast shall be much honored in your marriage.
GRATIANO FTLN 1570 We’ll play with them the first boy for a
FTLN 1571 thousand ducats.

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NERISSA FTLN 1572 220 What, and stake down?
GRATIANO FTLN 1573 No, we shall ne’er win at that sport and
FTLN 1574 stake down.
Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salerio, a messenger
from Venice.
FTLN 1575 But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel?
FTLN 1576 What, and my old Venetian friend Salerio?
BASSANIO
FTLN 1577 225 Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither—
FTLN 1578 If that the youth of my new int’rest here
FTLN 1579 Have power to bid you welcome. To Portia. By
FTLN 1580 your leave,
FTLN 1581 I bid my very friends and countrymen,
FTLN 1582 230 Sweet Portia, welcome.
PORTIA
FTLN 1583 So do I, my lord. They are entirely welcome.
LORENZO , to Bassanio
FTLN 1584 I thank your Honor. For my part, my lord,
FTLN 1585 My purpose was not to have seen you here,
FTLN 1586 But meeting with Salerio by the way,
FTLN 1587 235 He did entreat me past all saying nay
FTLN 1588 To come with him along.
SALERIO FTLN 1589 I did, my lord,
FTLN 1590 And I have reason for it. Handing him a paper.
FTLN 1591 Signior Antonio
FTLN 1592 240 Commends him to you.
BASSANIO FTLN 1593 Ere I ope his letter,
FTLN 1594 I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.
SALERIO
FTLN 1595 Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind,
FTLN 1596 Nor well, unless in mind. His letter there
FTLN 1597 245 Will show you his estate.
Bassanio opens the letter.
GRATIANO
FTLN 1598 Nerissa, cheer yond stranger, bid her welcome.—
FTLN 1599 Your hand, Salerio. What’s the news from Venice?

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The Merchant of Venice
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FTLN 1600 How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?
FTLN 1601 I know he will be glad of our success.
FTLN 1602 250 We are the Jasons, we have won the Fleece.
SALERIO
FTLN 1603 I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.
PORTIA
FTLN 1604 There are some shrewd contents in yond same
FTLN 1605 paper
FTLN 1606 That steals the color from Bassanio’s cheek.
FTLN 1607 255 Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world
FTLN 1608 Could turn so much the constitution
FTLN 1609 Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?—
FTLN 1610 With leave, Bassanio, I am half yourself,
FTLN 1611 And I must freely have the half of anything
FTLN 1612 260 That this same paper brings you.
BASSANIO FTLN 1613 O sweet Portia,
FTLN 1614 Here are a few of the unpleasant’st words
FTLN 1615 That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady,
FTLN 1616 When I did first impart my love to you,
FTLN 1617 265 I freely told you all the wealth I had
FTLN 1618 Ran in my veins: I was a gentleman.
FTLN 1619 And then I told you true; and yet, dear lady,
FTLN 1620 Rating myself at nothing, you shall see
FTLN 1621 How much I was a braggart. When I told you
FTLN 1622 270 My state was nothing, I should then have told you
FTLN 1623 That I was worse than nothing; for indeed
FTLN 1624 I have engaged myself to a dear friend,
FTLN 1625 Engaged my friend to his mere enemy
FTLN 1626 To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady,
FTLN 1627 275 The paper as the body of my friend,
FTLN 1628 And every word in it a gaping wound
FTLN 1629 Issuing life blood.—But is it true, Salerio?
FTLN 1630 Hath all his ventures failed? What, not one hit?
FTLN 1631 From Tripolis, from Mexico and England,
FTLN 1632 280 From Lisbon, Barbary, and India,
FTLN 1633 And not one vessel ’scape the dreadful touch
FTLN 1634 Of merchant-marring rocks?

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SALERIO FTLN 1635 Not one, my lord.
FTLN 1636 Besides, it should appear that if he had
FTLN 1637 285 The present money to discharge the Jew,
FTLN 1638 He would not take it. Never did I know
FTLN 1639 A creature that did bear the shape of man
FTLN 1640 So keen and greedy to confound a man.
FTLN 1641 He plies the Duke at morning and at night,
FTLN 1642 290 And doth impeach the freedom of the state
FTLN 1643 If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants,
FTLN 1644 The Duke himself, and the magnificoes
FTLN 1645 Of greatest port have all persuaded with him,
FTLN 1646 But none can drive him from the envious plea
FTLN 1647 295 Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.
JESSICA
FTLN 1648 When I was with him, I have heard him swear
FTLN 1649 To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen,
FTLN 1650 That he would rather have Antonio’s flesh
FTLN 1651 Than twenty times the value of the sum
FTLN 1652 300 That he did owe him. And I know, my lord,
FTLN 1653 If law, authority, and power deny not,
FTLN 1654 It will go hard with poor Antonio.
PORTIA
FTLN 1655 Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?
BASSANIO
FTLN 1656 The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,
FTLN 1657 305 The best conditioned and unwearied spirit
FTLN 1658 In doing courtesies, and one in whom
FTLN 1659 The ancient Roman honor more appears
FTLN 1660 Than any that draws breath in Italy.
PORTIA FTLN 1661 What sum owes he the Jew?
BASSANIO
FTLN 1662 310 For me, three thousand ducats.
PORTIA FTLN 1663 What, no more?
FTLN 1664 Pay him six thousand and deface the bond.
FTLN 1665 Double six thousand and then treble that,
FTLN 1666 Before a friend of this description
FTLN 1667 315 Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.

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FTLN 1668 First go with me to church and call me wife,
FTLN 1669 And then away to Venice to your friend!
FTLN 1670 For never shall you lie by Portia’s side
FTLN 1671 With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold
FTLN 1672 320 To pay the petty debt twenty times over.
FTLN 1673 When it is paid, bring your true friend along.
FTLN 1674 My maid Nerissa and myself meantime
FTLN 1675 Will live as maids and widows. Come, away,
FTLN 1676 For you shall hence upon your wedding day.
FTLN 1677 325 Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer;
FTLN 1678 Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.
FTLN 1679 But let me hear the letter of your friend.
BASSANIO reads
FTLN 1680 Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my
FTLN 1681 creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to
FTLN 1682 330 the Jew is forfeit, and since in paying it, it is impossible
FTLN 1683 I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I if
FTLN 1684 I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use
FTLN 1685 your pleasure. If your love do not persuade you to
FTLN 1686 come, let not my letter.
PORTIA
FTLN 1687 335 O love, dispatch all business and begone!
BASSANIO
FTLN 1688 Since I have your good leave to go away,
FTLN 1689 I will make haste. But till I come again,
FTLN 1690 No bed shall e’er be guilty of my stay,
FTLN 1691 Nor rest be interposer ’twixt us twain.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Shylock, the Jew, and Solanio, and Antonio,
and the Jailer.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1692 Jailer, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.

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FTLN 1693 This is the fool that lent out money gratis.
FTLN 1694 Jailer, look to him.
ANTONIO FTLN 1695 Hear me yet, good Shylock—
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1696 5 I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond.
FTLN 1697 I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
FTLN 1698 Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause,
FTLN 1699 But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.
FTLN 1700 The Duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder,
FTLN 1701 10 Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fond
FTLN 1702 To come abroad with him at his request.
ANTONIO FTLN 1703 I pray thee, hear me speak—
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1704 I’ll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.
FTLN 1705 I’ll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.
FTLN 1706 15 I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,
FTLN 1707 To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
FTLN 1708 To Christian intercessors. Follow not!
FTLN 1709 I’ll have no speaking. I will have my bond. He exits.
SOLANIO
FTLN 1710 It is the most impenetrable cur
FTLN 1711 20 That ever kept with men.
ANTONIO FTLN 1712 Let him alone.
FTLN 1713 I’ll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
FTLN 1714 He seeks my life. His reason well I know:
FTLN 1715 I oft delivered from his forfeitures
FTLN 1716 25 Many that have at times made moan to me.
FTLN 1717 Therefore he hates me.
SOLANIO FTLN 1718 I am sure the Duke
FTLN 1719 Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
ANTONIO
FTLN 1720 The Duke cannot deny the course of law,
FTLN 1721 30 For the commodity that strangers have
FTLN 1722 With us in Venice, if it be denied,
FTLN 1723 Will much impeach the justice of the state,
FTLN 1724 Since that the trade and profit of the city

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FTLN 1725 Consisteth of all nations. Therefore go.
FTLN 1726 35 These griefs and losses have so bated me
FTLN 1727 That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
FTLN 1728 Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.—
FTLN 1729 Well, jailer, on.—Pray God Bassanio come
FTLN 1730 To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and Balthazar,
a man of Portia’s.
LORENZO
FTLN 1731 Madam, although I speak it in your presence,
FTLN 1732 You have a noble and a true conceit
FTLN 1733 Of godlike amity, which appears most strongly
FTLN 1734 In bearing thus the absence of your lord.
FTLN 1735 5 But if you knew to whom you show this honor,
FTLN 1736 How true a gentleman you send relief,
FTLN 1737 How dear a lover of my lord your husband,
FTLN 1738 I know you would be prouder of the work
FTLN 1739 Than customary bounty can enforce you.
PORTIA
FTLN 1740 10 I never did repent for doing good,
FTLN 1741 Nor shall not now; for in companions
FTLN 1742 That do converse and waste the time together,
FTLN 1743 Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,
FTLN 1744 There must be needs a like proportion
FTLN 1745 15 Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;
FTLN 1746 Which makes me think that this Antonio,
FTLN 1747 Being the bosom lover of my lord,
FTLN 1748 Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,
FTLN 1749 How little is the cost I have bestowed
FTLN 1750 20 In purchasing the semblance of my soul
FTLN 1751 From out the state of hellish cruelty!

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FTLN 1752 This comes too near the praising of myself;
FTLN 1753 Therefore no more of it. Hear other things:
FTLN 1754 Lorenzo, I commit into your hands
FTLN 1755 25 The husbandry and manage of my house
FTLN 1756 Until my lord’s return. For mine own part,
FTLN 1757 I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow
FTLN 1758 To live in prayer and contemplation,
FTLN 1759 Only attended by Nerissa here,
FTLN 1760 30 Until her husband and my lord’s return.
FTLN 1761 There is a monastery two miles off,
FTLN 1762 And there we will abide. I do desire you
FTLN 1763 Not to deny this imposition,
FTLN 1764 The which my love and some necessity
FTLN 1765 35 Now lays upon you.
LORENZO FTLN 1766 Madam, with all my heart.
FTLN 1767 I shall obey you in all fair commands.
PORTIA
FTLN 1768 My people do already know my mind
FTLN 1769 And will acknowledge you and Jessica
FTLN 1770 40 In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.
FTLN 1771 So fare you well till we shall meet again.
LORENZO
FTLN 1772 Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!
JESSICA
FTLN 1773 I wish your Ladyship all heart’s content.
PORTIA
FTLN 1774 I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased
FTLN 1775 45 To wish it back on you. Fare you well, Jessica.
Lorenzo and Jessica exit.
FTLN 1776 Now, Balthazar,
FTLN 1777 As I have ever found thee honest true,
FTLN 1778 So let me find thee still: take this same letter,
FTLN 1779 And use thou all th’ endeavor of a man
FTLN 1780 50 In speed to Padua. See thou render this
FTLN 1781 Into my cousin’s hands, Doctor Bellario.
She gives him a paper.

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FTLN 1782 And look what notes and garments he doth give
FTLN 1783 thee,
FTLN 1784 Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed
FTLN 1785 55 Unto the traject, to the common ferry
FTLN 1786 Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,
FTLN 1787 But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee.
BALTHAZAR
FTLN 1788 Madam, I go with all convenient speed. He exits.
PORTIA
FTLN 1789 Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand
FTLN 1790 60 That you yet know not of. We’ll see our husbands
FTLN 1791 Before they think of us.
NERISSA FTLN 1792 Shall they see us?
PORTIA
FTLN 1793 They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit
FTLN 1794 That they shall think we are accomplishèd
FTLN 1795 65 With that we lack. I’ll hold thee any wager,
FTLN 1796 When we are both accoutered like young men,
FTLN 1797 I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two,
FTLN 1798 And wear my dagger with the braver grace,
FTLN 1799 And speak between the change of man and boy
FTLN 1800 70 With a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps
FTLN 1801 Into a manly stride, and speak of frays
FTLN 1802 Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies
FTLN 1803 How honorable ladies sought my love,
FTLN 1804 Which I denying, they fell sick and died—
FTLN 1805 75 I could not do withal!—then I’ll repent,
FTLN 1806 And wish, for all that, that I had not killed them.
FTLN 1807 And twenty of these puny lies I’ll tell,
FTLN 1808 That men shall swear I have discontinued school
FTLN 1809 Above a twelvemonth. I have within my mind
FTLN 1810 80 A thousand raw tricks of these bragging jacks
FTLN 1811 Which I will practice.
NERISSA FTLN 1812 Why, shall we turn to men?
PORTIA FTLN 1813 Fie, what a question’s that,
FTLN 1814 If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!

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FTLN 1815 85 But come, I’ll tell thee all my whole device
FTLN 1816 When I am in my coach, which stays for us
FTLN 1817 At the park gate; and therefore haste away,
FTLN 1818 For we must measure twenty miles today.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Lancelet, the Clown, and Jessica.
LANCELET FTLN 1819 Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father
FTLN 1820 are to be laid upon the children. Therefore I
FTLN 1821 promise you I fear you. I was always plain with you,
FTLN 1822 and so now I speak my agitation of the matter.
FTLN 1823 5 Therefore be o’ good cheer, for truly I think you
FTLN 1824 are damned. There is but one hope in it that can do
FTLN 1825 you any good, and that is but a kind of bastard hope
FTLN 1826 neither.
JESSICA FTLN 1827 And what hope is that, I pray thee?
LANCELET FTLN 1828 10 Marry, you may partly hope that your father
FTLN 1829 got you not, that you are not the Jew’s daughter.
JESSICA FTLN 1830 That were a kind of bastard hope indeed; so
FTLN 1831 the sins of my mother should be visited upon me!
LANCELET FTLN 1832 Truly, then, I fear you are damned both by
FTLN 1833 15 father and mother; thus when I shun Scylla your
FTLN 1834 father, I fall into Charybdis your mother. Well, you
FTLN 1835 are gone both ways.
JESSICA FTLN 1836 I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made
FTLN 1837 me a Christian.
LANCELET FTLN 1838 20 Truly the more to blame he! We were Christians
FTLN 1839 enow before, e’en as many as could well live
FTLN 1840 one by another. This making of Christians will
FTLN 1841 raise the price of hogs. If we grow all to be pork
FTLN 1842 eaters, we shall not shortly have a rasher on the
FTLN 1843 25 coals for money.
Enter Lorenzo.

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JESSICA FTLN 1844 I’ll tell my husband, Lancelet, what you say.
FTLN 1845 Here he comes.
LORENZO FTLN 1846 I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Lancelet,
FTLN 1847 if you thus get my wife into corners!
JESSICA FTLN 1848 30 Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. Lancelet
FTLN 1849 and I are out. He tells me flatly there’s no mercy for
FTLN 1850 me in heaven because I am a Jew’s daughter; and
FTLN 1851 he says you are no good member of the commonwealth,
FTLN 1852 for in converting Jews to Christians you
FTLN 1853 35 raise the price of pork.
LORENZO FTLN 1854 I shall answer that better to the commonwealth
FTLN 1855 than you can the getting up of the Negro’s
FTLN 1856 belly! The Moor is with child by you, Lancelet.
LANCELET FTLN 1857 It is much that the Moor should be more
FTLN 1858 40 than reason; but if she be less than an honest
FTLN 1859 woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.
LORENZO FTLN 1860 How every fool can play upon the word! I
FTLN 1861 think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into
FTLN 1862 silence, and discourse grow commendable in none
FTLN 1863 45 only but parrots. Go in, sirrah, bid them prepare for
FTLN 1864 dinner.
LANCELET FTLN 1865 That is done, sir. They have all stomachs.
LORENZO FTLN 1866 Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you!
FTLN 1867 Then bid them prepare dinner.
LANCELET FTLN 1868 50 That is done too, sir, only “cover” is the
FTLN 1869 word.
LORENZO FTLN 1870 Will you cover, then, sir?
LANCELET FTLN 1871 Not so, sir, neither! I know my duty.
LORENZO FTLN 1872 Yet more quarreling with occasion! Wilt
FTLN 1873 55 thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an
FTLN 1874 instant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his
FTLN 1875 plain meaning: go to thy fellows, bid them cover the
FTLN 1876 table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to
FTLN 1877 dinner.
LANCELET FTLN 1878 60 For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for
FTLN 1879 the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in

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FTLN 1880 to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humors and conceits
FTLN 1881 shall govern. Lancelet exits.
LORENZO
FTLN 1882 O dear discretion, how his words are suited!
FTLN 1883 65 The fool hath planted in his memory
FTLN 1884 An army of good words, and I do know
FTLN 1885 A many fools that stand in better place,
FTLN 1886 Garnished like him, that for a tricksy word
FTLN 1887 Defy the matter. How cheer’st thou, Jessica?
FTLN 1888 70 And now, good sweet, say thy opinion
FTLN 1889 How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio’s wife?
JESSICA
FTLN 1890 Past all expressing. It is very meet
FTLN 1891 The Lord Bassanio live an upright life,
FTLN 1892 For having such a blessing in his lady
FTLN 1893 75 He finds the joys of heaven here on Earth,
FTLN 1894 And if on Earth he do not merit it,
FTLN 1895 In reason he should never come to heaven.
FTLN 1896 Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match,
FTLN 1897 And on the wager lay two earthly women,
FTLN 1898 80 And Portia one, there must be something else
FTLN 1899 Pawned with the other, for the poor rude world
FTLN 1900 Hath not her fellow.
LORENZO FTLN 1901 Even such a husband
FTLN 1902 Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.
JESSICA
FTLN 1903 85 Nay, but ask my opinion too of that!
LORENZO
FTLN 1904 I will anon. First let us go to dinner.
JESSICA
FTLN 1905 Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach!
LORENZO
FTLN 1906 No, pray thee, let it serve for table talk.
FTLN 1907 Then howsome’er thou speak’st, ’mong other things
FTLN 1908 90 I shall digest it.
JESSICA FTLN 1909 Well, I’ll set you forth.
They exit.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio,
Salerio, and Gratiano, with Attendants.
DUKE FTLN 1910 What, is Antonio here?
ANTONIO FTLN 1911 Ready, so please your Grace.
DUKE
FTLN 1912 I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer
FTLN 1913 A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,
FTLN 1914 5 Uncapable of pity, void and empty
FTLN 1915 From any dram of mercy.
ANTONIO FTLN 1916 I have heard
FTLN 1917 Your Grace hath ta’en great pains to qualify
FTLN 1918 His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate,
FTLN 1919 10 And that no lawful means can carry me
FTLN 1920 Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose
FTLN 1921 My patience to his fury, and am armed
FTLN 1922 To suffer with a quietness of spirit
FTLN 1923 The very tyranny and rage of his.
DUKE
FTLN 1924 15 Go, one, and call the Jew into the court.
SALERIO
FTLN 1925 He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord.
Enter Shylock.
DUKE
FTLN 1926 Make room, and let him stand before our face.—
141

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FTLN 1927 Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,
FTLN 1928 That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
FTLN 1929 20 To the last hour of act, and then, ’tis thought,
FTLN 1930 Thou ’lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange
FTLN 1931 Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;
FTLN 1932 And where thou now exacts the penalty,
FTLN 1933 Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh,
FTLN 1934 25 Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,
FTLN 1935 But, touched with humane gentleness and love,
FTLN 1936 Forgive a moi’ty of the principal,
FTLN 1937 Glancing an eye of pity on his losses
FTLN 1938 That have of late so huddled on his back,
FTLN 1939 30 Enow to press a royal merchant down
FTLN 1940 And pluck commiseration of his state
FTLN 1941 From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint,
FTLN 1942 From stubborn Turks, and Tartars never trained
FTLN 1943 To offices of tender courtesy.
FTLN 1944 35 We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1945 I have possessed your Grace of what I purpose,
FTLN 1946 And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn
FTLN 1947 To have the due and forfeit of my bond.
FTLN 1948 If you deny it, let the danger light
FTLN 1949 40 Upon your charter and your city’s freedom!
FTLN 1950 You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have
FTLN 1951 A weight of carrion flesh than to receive
FTLN 1952 Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that,
FTLN 1953 But say it is my humor. Is it answered?
FTLN 1954 45 What if my house be troubled with a rat,
FTLN 1955 And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats
FTLN 1956 To have it baned? What, are you answered yet?
FTLN 1957 Some men there are love not a gaping pig,
FTLN 1958 Some that are mad if they behold a cat,
FTLN 1959 50 And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ th’ nose,
FTLN 1960 Cannot contain their urine; for affection
FTLN 1961 Masters oft passion, sways it to the mood

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FTLN 1962 Of what it likes or loathes. Now for your answer:
FTLN 1963 As there is no firm reason to be rendered
FTLN 1964 55 Why he cannot abide a gaping pig,
FTLN 1965 Why he a harmless necessary cat,
FTLN 1966 Why he a woolen bagpipe, but of force
FTLN 1967 Must yield to such inevitable shame
FTLN 1968 As to offend, himself being offended,
FTLN 1969 60 So can I give no reason, nor I will not,
FTLN 1970 More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing
FTLN 1971 I bear Antonio, that I follow thus
FTLN 1972 A losing suit against him. Are you answered?
BASSANIO
FTLN 1973 This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,
FTLN 1974 65 To excuse the current of thy cruelty.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1975 I am not bound to please thee with my answers.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1976 Do all men kill the things they do not love?
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1977 Hates any man the thing he would not kill?
BASSANIO
FTLN 1978 Every offence is not a hate at first.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1979 70 What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
ANTONIO , to Bassanio
FTLN 1980 I pray you, think you question with the Jew.
FTLN 1981 You may as well go stand upon the beach
FTLN 1982 And bid the main flood bate his usual height;
FTLN 1983 You may as well use question with the wolf
FTLN 1984 75 Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;
FTLN 1985 You may as well forbid the mountain pines
FTLN 1986 To wag their high tops and to make no noise
FTLN 1987 When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven;
FTLN 1988 You may as well do anything most hard
FTLN 1989 80 As seek to soften that than which what’s harder?—
FTLN 1990 His Jewish heart. Therefore I do beseech you

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FTLN 1991 Make no more offers, use no farther means,
FTLN 1992 But with all brief and plain conveniency
FTLN 1993 Let me have judgment and the Jew his will.
BASSANIO
FTLN 1994 85 For thy three thousand ducats here is six.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1995 If every ducat in six thousand ducats
FTLN 1996 Were in six parts, and every part a ducat,
FTLN 1997 I would not draw them. I would have my bond.
DUKE
FTLN 1998 How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend’ring none?
SHYLOCK
FTLN 1999 90 What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?
FTLN 2000 You have among you many a purchased slave,
FTLN 2001 Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,
FTLN 2002 You use in abject and in slavish parts
FTLN 2003 Because you bought them. Shall I say to you
FTLN 2004 95 “Let them be free! Marry them to your heirs!
FTLN 2005 Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds
FTLN 2006 Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates
FTLN 2007 Be seasoned with such viands”? You will answer
FTLN 2008 “The slaves are ours!” So do I answer you:
FTLN 2009 100 The pound of flesh which I demand of him
FTLN 2010 Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it.
FTLN 2011 If you deny me, fie upon your law:
FTLN 2012 There is no force in the decrees of Venice.
FTLN 2013 I stand for judgment. Answer: shall I have it?
DUKE
FTLN 2014 105 Upon my power I may dismiss this court
FTLN 2015 Unless Bellario, a learnèd doctor
FTLN 2016 Whom I have sent for to determine this,
FTLN 2017 Come here today.
SALERIO FTLN 2018 My lord, here stays without
FTLN 2019 110 A messenger with letters from the doctor,
FTLN 2020 New come from Padua.

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DUKE
FTLN 2021 Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2022 Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!
FTLN 2023 The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all
FTLN 2024 115 Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood!
ANTONIO
FTLN 2025 I am a tainted wether of the flock,
FTLN 2026 Meetest for death. The weakest kind of fruit
FTLN 2027 Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.
FTLN 2028 You cannot better be employed, Bassanio,
FTLN 2029 120 Than to live still and write mine epitaph.
Enter Nerissa, disguised as a lawyer’s clerk.
DUKE
FTLN 2030 Came you from Padua, from Bellario?
NERISSA , as Clerk
FTLN 2031 From both, my lord. Bellario greets your Grace.
Handing him a paper, which he reads, aside, while
Shylock sharpens his knife on the sole of his shoe.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2032 Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2033 To cut the forfeiture from that bankrout there.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2034 125 Not on thy sole but on thy soul, harsh Jew,
FTLN 2035 Thou mak’st thy knife keen. But no metal can,
FTLN 2036 No, not the hangman’s axe, bear half the keenness
FTLN 2037 Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2038 No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2039 130 O, be thou damned, inexecrable dog,
FTLN 2040 And for thy life let justice be accused;
FTLN 2041 Thou almost mak’st me waver in my faith,
FTLN 2042 To hold opinion with Pythagoras

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FTLN 2043 That souls of animals infuse themselves
FTLN 2044 135 Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit
FTLN 2045 Governed a wolf who, hanged for human slaughter,
FTLN 2046 Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,
FTLN 2047 And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam,
FTLN 2048 Infused itself in thee, for thy desires
FTLN 2049 140 Are wolfish, bloody, starved, and ravenous.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2050 Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond,
FTLN 2051 Thou but offend’st thy lungs to speak so loud.
FTLN 2052 Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall
FTLN 2053 To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.
DUKE
FTLN 2054 145 This letter from Bellario doth commend
FTLN 2055 A young and learnèd doctor to our court.
FTLN 2056 Where is he?
NERISSA , as Clerk FTLN 2057 He attendeth here hard by
FTLN 2058 To know your answer whether you’ll admit him.
DUKE
FTLN 2059 150 With all my heart.—Some three or four of you
FTLN 2060 Go give him courteous conduct to this place.
Attendants exit.
FTLN 2061 Meantime the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.
He reads.
FTLN 2062 Your Grace shall understand that, at the receipt of
FTLN 2063 your letter, I am very sick, but in the instant that your
FTLN 2064 155 messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a
FTLN 2065 young doctor of Rome. His name is Balthazar. I
FTLN 2066 acquainted him with the cause in controversy between
FTLN 2067 the Jew and Antonio the merchant. We turned o’er
FTLN 2068 many books together. He is furnished with my opinion,
FTLN 2069 160 which, bettered with his own learning (the greatness
FTLN 2070 whereof I cannot enough commend), comes with
FTLN 2071 him at my importunity to fill up your Grace’s request
FTLN 2072 in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no
FTLN 2073 impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, for I

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FTLN 2074 165 never knew so young a body with so old a head. I
FTLN 2075 leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial
FTLN 2076 shall better publish his commendation.
FTLN 2077 You hear the learnèd Bellario what he writes.
Enter Portia for Balthazar, disguised as a doctor of
laws, with Attendants.
FTLN 2078 And here I take it is the doctor come.—
FTLN 2079 170 Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2080 I did, my lord.
DUKE FTLN 2081 You are welcome. Take your place.
FTLN 2082 Are you acquainted with the difference
FTLN 2083 That holds this present question in the court?
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2084 175 I am informèd throughly of the cause.
FTLN 2085 Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew?
DUKE
FTLN 2086 Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2087 Is your name Shylock?
SHYLOCK FTLN 2088 Shylock is my name.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2089 180 Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,
FTLN 2090 Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
FTLN 2091 Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.
FTLN 2092 To Antonio. You stand within his danger, do you
FTLN 2093 not?
ANTONIO
FTLN 2094 185 Ay, so he says.
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2095 Do you confess the bond?
ANTONIO
FTLN 2096 I do.
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2097 Then must the Jew be merciful.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2098 On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

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PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2099 190 The quality of mercy is not strained.
FTLN 2100 It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
FTLN 2101 Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
FTLN 2102 It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
FTLN 2103 ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
FTLN 2104 195 The thronèd monarch better than his crown.
FTLN 2105 His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
FTLN 2106 The attribute to awe and majesty
FTLN 2107 Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
FTLN 2108 But mercy is above this sceptered sway.
FTLN 2109 200 It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings;
FTLN 2110 It is an attribute to God Himself;
FTLN 2111 And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
FTLN 2112 When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
FTLN 2113 Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
FTLN 2114 205 That in the course of justice none of us
FTLN 2115 Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
FTLN 2116 And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
FTLN 2117 The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
FTLN 2118 To mitigate the justice of thy plea,
FTLN 2119 210 Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
FTLN 2120 Must needs give sentence ’gainst the merchant
FTLN 2121 there.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2122 My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
FTLN 2123 The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2124 215 Is he not able to discharge the money?
BASSANIO
FTLN 2125 Yes. Here I tender it for him in the court,
FTLN 2126 Yea, twice the sum. If that will not suffice,
FTLN 2127 I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er
FTLN 2128 On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.
FTLN 2129 220 If this will not suffice, it must appear

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FTLN 2130 That malice bears down truth. To the Duke. And I
FTLN 2131 beseech you,
FTLN 2132 Wrest once the law to your authority.
FTLN 2133 To do a great right, do a little wrong,
FTLN 2134 225 And curb this cruel devil of his will.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2135 It must not be. There is no power in Venice
FTLN 2136 Can alter a decree establishèd;
FTLN 2137 ’Twill be recorded for a precedent
FTLN 2138 And many an error by the same example
FTLN 2139 230 Will rush into the state. It cannot be.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2140 A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel.
FTLN 2141 O wise young judge, how I do honor thee!
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2142 I pray you let me look upon the bond.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2143 Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.
Handing Portia a paper.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2144 235 Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2145 An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven!
FTLN 2146 Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
FTLN 2147 No, not for Venice!
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2148 Why, this bond is forfeit,
FTLN 2149 240 And lawfully by this the Jew may claim
FTLN 2150 A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off
FTLN 2151 Nearest the merchant’s heart.—Be merciful;
FTLN 2152 Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2153 When it is paid according to the tenor.
FTLN 2154 245 It doth appear you are a worthy judge;
FTLN 2155 You know the law; your exposition
FTLN 2156 Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law,
FTLN 2157 Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,

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FTLN 2158 Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear
FTLN 2159 250 There is no power in the tongue of man
FTLN 2160 To alter me. I stay here on my bond.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2161 Most heartily I do beseech the court
FTLN 2162 To give the judgment.
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2163 Why, then, thus it is:
FTLN 2164 255 You must prepare your bosom for his knife—
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2165 O noble judge! O excellent young man!
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2166 For the intent and purpose of the law
FTLN 2167 Hath full relation to the penalty,
FTLN 2168 Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2169 260 ’Tis very true. O wise and upright judge,
FTLN 2170 How much more elder art thou than thy looks!
PORTIA , as Balthazar, to Antonio
FTLN 2171 Therefore lay bare your bosom—
SHYLOCK FTLN 2172 Ay, his breast!
FTLN 2173 So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?
FTLN 2174 265 “Nearest his heart.” Those are the very words.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2175 It is so.
FTLN 2176 Are there balance here to weigh the flesh?
SHYLOCK FTLN 2177 I have them ready.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2178 Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,
FTLN 2179 270 To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2180 Is it so nominated in the bond?
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2181 It is not so expressed, but what of that?
FTLN 2182 ’Twere good you do so much for charity.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2183 I cannot find it. ’Tis not in the bond.

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PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2184 275 You, merchant, have you anything to say?
ANTONIO
FTLN 2185 But little. I am armed and well prepared.—
FTLN 2186 Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well.
FTLN 2187 Grieve not that I am fall’n to this for you,
FTLN 2188 For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
FTLN 2189 280 Than is her custom: it is still her use
FTLN 2190 To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,
FTLN 2191 To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow
FTLN 2192 An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance
FTLN 2193 Of such misery doth she cut me off.
FTLN 2194 285 Commend me to your honorable wife,
FTLN 2195 Tell her the process of Antonio’s end,
FTLN 2196 Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death,
FTLN 2197 And when the tale is told, bid her be judge
FTLN 2198 Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
FTLN 2199 290 Repent but you that you shall lose your friend
FTLN 2200 And he repents not that he pays your debt.
FTLN 2201 For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,
FTLN 2202 I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2203 Antonio, I am married to a wife
FTLN 2204 295 Which is as dear to me as life itself,
FTLN 2205 But life itself, my wife, and all the world
FTLN 2206 Are not with me esteemed above thy life.
FTLN 2207 I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
FTLN 2208 Here to this devil, to deliver you.
PORTIA , aside
FTLN 2209 300 Your wife would give you little thanks for that
FTLN 2210 If she were by to hear you make the offer.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2211 I have a wife who I protest I love.
FTLN 2212 I would she were in heaven, so she could
FTLN 2213 Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.

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NERISSA , aside
FTLN 2214 305 ’Tis well you offer it behind her back.
FTLN 2215 The wish would make else an unquiet house.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2216 These be the Christian husbands! I have a
FTLN 2217 daughter—
FTLN 2218 Would any of the stock of Barabbas
FTLN 2219 310 Had been her husband, rather than a Christian!
FTLN 2220 We trifle time. I pray thee, pursue sentence.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2221 A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine:
FTLN 2222 The court awards it, and the law doth give it.
SHYLOCK FTLN 2223 Most rightful judge!
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2224 315 And you must cut this flesh from off his breast:
FTLN 2225 The law allows it, and the court awards it.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2226 Most learnèd judge! A sentence!—Come, prepare.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2227 Tarry a little. There is something else.
FTLN 2228 This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.
FTLN 2229 320 The words expressly are “a pound of flesh.”
FTLN 2230 Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,
FTLN 2231 But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
FTLN 2232 One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods
FTLN 2233 Are by the laws of Venice confiscate
FTLN 2234 325 Unto the state of Venice.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2235 O upright judge!—Mark, Jew.—O learnèd judge!
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2236 Is that the law?
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2237 Thyself shalt see the act.
FTLN 2238 For, as thou urgest justice, be assured
FTLN 2239 330 Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir’st.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2240 O learnèd judge!—Mark, Jew, a learnèd judge!

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SHYLOCK
FTLN 2241 I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice
FTLN 2242 And let the Christian go.
BASSANIO FTLN 2243 Here is the money.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2244 335 Soft! The Jew shall have all justice. Soft, no haste!
FTLN 2245 He shall have nothing but the penalty.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2246 O Jew, an upright judge, a learnèd judge!
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2247 Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
FTLN 2248 Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more
FTLN 2249 340 But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak’st more
FTLN 2250 Or less than a just pound, be it but so much
FTLN 2251 As makes it light or heavy in the substance
FTLN 2252 Or the division of the twentieth part
FTLN 2253 Of one poor scruple—nay, if the scale do turn
FTLN 2254 345 But in the estimation of a hair,
FTLN 2255 Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2256 A second Daniel! A Daniel, Jew!
FTLN 2257 Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2258 Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2259 350 Give me my principal and let me go.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2260 I have it ready for thee. Here it is.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2261 He hath refused it in the open court.
FTLN 2262 He shall have merely justice and his bond.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2263 A Daniel still, say I! A second Daniel!—
FTLN 2264 355 I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2265 Shall I not have barely my principal?

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PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2266 Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture
FTLN 2267 To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2268 Why, then, the devil give him good of it!
FTLN 2269 360 I’ll stay no longer question. He begins to exit.
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2270 Tarry, Jew.
FTLN 2271 The law hath yet another hold on you.
FTLN 2272 It is enacted in the laws of Venice,
FTLN 2273 If it be proved against an alien
FTLN 2274 365 That by direct or indirect attempts
FTLN 2275 He seek the life of any citizen,
FTLN 2276 The party ’gainst the which he doth contrive
FTLN 2277 Shall seize one half his goods; the other half
FTLN 2278 Comes to the privy coffer of the state,
FTLN 2279 370 And the offender’s life lies in the mercy
FTLN 2280 Of the Duke only, ’gainst all other voice.
FTLN 2281 In which predicament I say thou stand’st,
FTLN 2282 For it appears by manifest proceeding
FTLN 2283 That indirectly, and directly too,
FTLN 2284 375 Thou hast contrived against the very life
FTLN 2285 Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred
FTLN 2286 The danger formerly by me rehearsed.
FTLN 2287 Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2288 Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself!
FTLN 2289 380 And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,
FTLN 2290 Thou hast not left the value of a cord;
FTLN 2291 Therefore thou must be hanged at the state’s
FTLN 2292 charge.
DUKE
FTLN 2293 That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,
FTLN 2294 385 I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.
FTLN 2295 For half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s;
FTLN 2296 The other half comes to the general state,
FTLN 2297 Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

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PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2298 Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2299 390 Nay, take my life and all. Pardon not that.
FTLN 2300 You take my house when you do take the prop
FTLN 2301 That doth sustain my house; you take my life
FTLN 2302 When you do take the means whereby I live.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2303 What mercy can you render him, Antonio?
GRATIANO
FTLN 2304 395 A halter gratis, nothing else, for God’s sake!
ANTONIO
FTLN 2305 So please my lord the Duke and all the court
FTLN 2306 To quit the fine for one half of his goods,
FTLN 2307 I am content, so he will let me have
FTLN 2308 The other half in use, to render it
FTLN 2309 400 Upon his death unto the gentleman
FTLN 2310 That lately stole his daughter.
FTLN 2311 Two things provided more: that for this favor
FTLN 2312 He presently become a Christian;
FTLN 2313 The other, that he do record a gift,
FTLN 2314 405 Here in the court, of all he dies possessed
FTLN 2315 Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.
DUKE
FTLN 2316 He shall do this, or else I do recant
FTLN 2317 The pardon that I late pronouncèd here.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2318 Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2319 410 I am content.
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2320 Clerk, draw a deed of gift.
SHYLOCK
FTLN 2321 I pray you give me leave to go from hence.
FTLN 2322 I am not well. Send the deed after me
FTLN 2323 And I will sign it.
DUKE FTLN 2324 415 Get thee gone, but do it.

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GRATIANO
FTLN 2325 In christ’ning shalt thou have two godfathers.
FTLN 2326 Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,
FTLN 2327 To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.
Shylock exits.
DUKE , to Portia as Balthazar
FTLN 2328 Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2329 420 I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon.
FTLN 2330 I must away this night toward Padua,
FTLN 2331 And it is meet I presently set forth.
DUKE
FTLN 2332 I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.—
FTLN 2333 Antonio, gratify this gentleman,
FTLN 2334 425 For in my mind you are much bound to him.
The Duke and his train exit.
BASSANIO , to Portia as Balthazar
FTLN 2335 Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend
FTLN 2336 Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
FTLN 2337 Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof
FTLN 2338 Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew
FTLN 2339 430 We freely cope your courteous pains withal.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2340 And stand indebted, over and above,
FTLN 2341 In love and service to you evermore.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2342 He is well paid that is well satisfied,
FTLN 2343 And I, delivering you, am satisfied,
FTLN 2344 435 And therein do account myself well paid.
FTLN 2345 My mind was never yet more mercenary.
FTLN 2346 I pray you know me when we meet again.
FTLN 2347 I wish you well, and so I take my leave.
She begins to exit.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2348 Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.
FTLN 2349 440 Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,

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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 2350 Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you:
FTLN 2351 Not to deny me, and to pardon me.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2352 You press me far, and therefore I will yield.
FTLN 2353 Give me your gloves; I’ll wear them for your sake—
FTLN 2354 445 And for your love I’ll take this ring from you.
FTLN 2355 Do not draw back your hand; I’ll take no more,
FTLN 2356 And you in love shall not deny me this.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2357 This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle.
FTLN 2358 I will not shame myself to give you this.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2359 450 I will have nothing else but only this.
FTLN 2360 And now methinks I have a mind to it.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2361 There’s more depends on this than on the value.
FTLN 2362 The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,
FTLN 2363 And find it out by proclamation.
FTLN 2364 455 Only for this, I pray you pardon me.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2365 I see, sir, you are liberal in offers.
FTLN 2366 You taught me first to beg, and now methinks
FTLN 2367 You teach me how a beggar should be answered.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2368 Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,
FTLN 2369 460 And when she put it on, she made me vow
FTLN 2370 That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it.
PORTIA , as Balthazar
FTLN 2371 That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts.
FTLN 2372 And if your wife be not a madwoman,
FTLN 2373 And know how well I have deserved this ring,
FTLN 2374 465 She would not hold out enemy forever
FTLN 2375 For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you.
Portia and Nerissa exit.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2376 My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.

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ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2377 Let his deservings and my love withal
FTLN 2378 Be valued ’gainst your wife’s commandment.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2379 470 Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him.
FTLN 2380 Give him the ring, and bring him if thou canst
FTLN 2381 Unto Antonio’s house. Away, make haste.
Gratiano exits.
FTLN 2382 Come, you and I will thither presently,
FTLN 2383 And in the morning early will we both
FTLN 2384 475 Fly toward Belmont.—Come, Antonio.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Portia and Nerissa, still in disguise.
PORTIA
FTLN 2385 Inquire the Jew’s house out; give him this deed
FTLN 2386 And let him sign it. She gives Nerissa a paper. We’ll
FTLN 2387 away tonight,
FTLN 2388 And be a day before our husbands home.
FTLN 2389 5 This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
Enter Gratiano.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2390 Fair sir, you are well o’erta’en.
FTLN 2391 My Lord Bassanio, upon more advice,
FTLN 2392 Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat
FTLN 2393 Your company at dinner. He gives her a ring.
PORTIA , as Balthazar FTLN 2394 10 That cannot be.
FTLN 2395 His ring I do accept most thankfully,
FTLN 2396 And so I pray you tell him. Furthermore,
FTLN 2397 I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2398 That will I do.

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ACT 4. SC. 2
NERISSA , as Clerk FTLN 2399 15 Sir, I would speak with you.
FTLN 2400 Aside to Portia. I’ll see if I can get my husband’s
FTLN 2401 ring,
FTLN 2402 Which I did make him swear to keep forever.
PORTIA , aside to Nerissa
FTLN 2403 Thou mayst, I warrant! We shall have old swearing
FTLN 2404 20 That they did give the rings away to men;
FTLN 2405 But we’ll outface them, and outswear them, too.—
FTLN 2406 Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry.
She exits.
NERISSA , as Clerk
FTLN 2407 Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Lorenzo and Jessica.
LORENZO
FTLN 2408 The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
FTLN 2409 When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
FTLN 2410 And they did make no noise, in such a night
FTLN 2411 Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls
FTLN 2412 5 And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents
FTLN 2413 Where Cressid lay that night.
JESSICA FTLN 2414 In such a night
FTLN 2415 Did Thisbe fearfully o’ertrip the dew
FTLN 2416 And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself
FTLN 2417 10 And ran dismayed away.
LORENZO FTLN 2418 In such a night
FTLN 2419 Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
FTLN 2420 Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love
FTLN 2421 To come again to Carthage.
JESSICA FTLN 2422 15 In such a night
FTLN 2423 Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
FTLN 2424 That did renew old Aeson.
LORENZO FTLN 2425 In such a night
FTLN 2426 Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
FTLN 2427 20 And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
FTLN 2428 As far as Belmont.
JESSICA FTLN 2429 In such a night
FTLN 2430 Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
181

183
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ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2431 Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
FTLN 2432 25 And ne’er a true one.
LORENZO FTLN 2433 In such a night
FTLN 2434 Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
FTLN 2435 Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
JESSICA
FTLN 2436 I would out-night you did nobody come,
FTLN 2437 30 But hark, I hear the footing of a man.
Enter Stephano, a Messenger.
LORENZO
FTLN 2438 Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
STEPHANO FTLN 2439 A friend.
LORENZO
FTLN 2440 A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you,
FTLN 2441 friend.
STEPHANO
FTLN 2442 35 Stephano is my name, and I bring word
FTLN 2443 My mistress will before the break of day
FTLN 2444 Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
FTLN 2445 By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays
FTLN 2446 For happy wedlock hours.
LORENZO FTLN 2447 40 Who comes with her?
STEPHANO
FTLN 2448 None but a holy hermit and her maid.
FTLN 2449 I pray you, is my master yet returned?
LORENZO
FTLN 2450 He is not, nor we have not heard from him.—
FTLN 2451 But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
FTLN 2452 45 And ceremoniously let us prepare
FTLN 2453 Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
Enter Lancelet, the Clown.
LANCELET FTLN 2454 Sola, sola! Wo ha, ho! Sola, sola!
LORENZO FTLN 2455 Who calls?
LANCELET FTLN 2456 Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master
FTLN 2457 50 Lorenzo, sola, sola!

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ACT 5. SC. 1
LORENZO FTLN 2458 Leave holloaing, man! Here.
LANCELET FTLN 2459 Sola! Where, where?
LORENZO FTLN 2460 Here!
LANCELET FTLN 2461 Tell him there’s a post come from my master
FTLN 2462 55 with his horn full of good news. My master will
FTLN 2463 be here ere morning, sweet soul. Lancelet exits.
LORENZO , to Jessica
FTLN 2464 Let’s in, and there expect their coming.
FTLN 2465 And yet no matter; why should we go in?—
FTLN 2466 My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
FTLN 2467 60 Within the house, your mistress is at hand,
FTLN 2468 And bring your music forth into the air.
Stephano exits.
FTLN 2469 How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.
FTLN 2470 Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
FTLN 2471 Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night
FTLN 2472 65 Become the touches of sweet harmony.
FTLN 2473 Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
FTLN 2474 Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
FTLN 2475 There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
FTLN 2476 But in his motion like an angel sings,
FTLN 2477 70 Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins.
FTLN 2478 Such harmony is in immortal souls,
FTLN 2479 But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
FTLN 2480 Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
Enter Stephano and musicians.
FTLN 2481 Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn.
FTLN 2482 75 With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear,
FTLN 2483 And draw her home with music.
Music plays.
JESSICA
FTLN 2484 I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
LORENZO
FTLN 2485 The reason is, your spirits are attentive.
FTLN 2486 For do but note a wild and wanton herd

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ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2487 80 Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
FTLN 2488 Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
FTLN 2489 Which is the hot condition of their blood,
FTLN 2490 If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
FTLN 2491 Or any air of music touch their ears,
FTLN 2492 85 You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
FTLN 2493 Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze
FTLN 2494 By the sweet power of music. Therefore the poet
FTLN 2495 Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and
FTLN 2496 floods,
FTLN 2497 90 Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
FTLN 2498 But music for the time doth change his nature.
FTLN 2499 The man that hath no music in himself,
FTLN 2500 Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
FTLN 2501 Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
FTLN 2502 95 The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
FTLN 2503 And his affections dark as Erebus.
FTLN 2504 Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
Enter Portia and Nerissa.
PORTIA
FTLN 2505 That light we see is burning in my hall.
FTLN 2506 How far that little candle throws his beams!
FTLN 2507 100 So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
NERISSA
FTLN 2508 When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
PORTIA
FTLN 2509 So doth the greater glory dim the less.
FTLN 2510 A substitute shines brightly as a king
FTLN 2511 Until a king be by, and then his state
FTLN 2512 105 Empties itself as doth an inland brook
FTLN 2513 Into the main of waters. Music, hark!
NERISSA
FTLN 2514 It is your music, madam, of the house.
PORTIA
FTLN 2515 Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
FTLN 2516 Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

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ACT 5. SC. 1
NERISSA
FTLN 2517 110 Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
PORTIA
FTLN 2518 The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
FTLN 2519 When neither is attended, and I think
FTLN 2520 The nightingale, if she should sing by day
FTLN 2521 When every goose is cackling, would be thought
FTLN 2522 115 No better a musician than the wren.
FTLN 2523 How many things by season seasoned are
FTLN 2524 To their right praise and true perfection!
FTLN 2525 Peace—how the moon sleeps with Endymion
FTLN 2526 And would not be awaked!
Music ceases.
LORENZO FTLN 2527 120 That is the voice,
FTLN 2528 Or I am much deceived, of Portia.
PORTIA
FTLN 2529 He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,
FTLN 2530 By the bad voice.
LORENZO FTLN 2531 Dear lady, welcome home.
PORTIA
FTLN 2532 125 We have been praying for our husbands’ welfare,
FTLN 2533 Which speed we hope the better for our words.
FTLN 2534 Are they returned?
LORENZO FTLN 2535 Madam, they are not yet,
FTLN 2536 But there is come a messenger before
FTLN 2537 130 To signify their coming.
PORTIA FTLN 2538 Go in, Nerissa.
FTLN 2539 Give order to my servants that they take
FTLN 2540 No note at all of our being absent hence—
FTLN 2541 Nor you, Lorenzo—Jessica, nor you.
A trumpet sounds.
LORENZO
FTLN 2542 135 Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.
FTLN 2543 We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not.
PORTIA
FTLN 2544 This night methinks is but the daylight sick;

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ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2545 It looks a little paler. ’Tis a day
FTLN 2546 Such as the day is when the sun is hid.
Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano, and their followers.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2547 140 We should hold day with the Antipodes
FTLN 2548 If you would walk in absence of the sun.
PORTIA
FTLN 2549 Let me give light, but let me not be light,
FTLN 2550 For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,
FTLN 2551 And never be Bassanio so for me.
FTLN 2552 145 But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.
Gratiano and Nerissa talk aside.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2553 I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
FTLN 2554 This is the man, this is Antonio,
FTLN 2555 To whom I am so infinitely bound.
PORTIA
FTLN 2556 You should in all sense be much bound to him,
FTLN 2557 150 For as I hear he was much bound for you.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2558 No more than I am well acquitted of.
PORTIA
FTLN 2559 Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
FTLN 2560 It must appear in other ways than words;
FTLN 2561 Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
GRATIANO , to Nerissa
FTLN 2562 155 By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong!
FTLN 2563 In faith, I gave it to the judge’s clerk.
FTLN 2564 Would he were gelt that had it, for my part,
FTLN 2565 Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
PORTIA
FTLN 2566 A quarrel ho, already! What’s the matter?
GRATIANO
FTLN 2567 160 About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
FTLN 2568 That she did give me, whose posy was

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FTLN 2569 For all the world like cutler’s poetry
FTLN 2570 Upon a knife, “Love me, and leave me not.”
NERISSA
FTLN 2571 What talk you of the posy or the value?
FTLN 2572 165 You swore to me when I did give it you
FTLN 2573 That you would wear it till your hour of death,
FTLN 2574 And that it should lie with you in your grave.
FTLN 2575 Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
FTLN 2576 You should have been respective and have kept it.
FTLN 2577 170 Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge,
FTLN 2578 The clerk will ne’er wear hair on ’s face that had it.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2579 He will, an if he live to be a man.
NERISSA
FTLN 2580 Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2581 Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
FTLN 2582 175 A kind of boy, a little scrubbèd boy,
FTLN 2583 No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,
FTLN 2584 A prating boy that begged it as a fee.
FTLN 2585 I could not for my heart deny it him.
PORTIA
FTLN 2586 You were to blame, I must be plain with you,
FTLN 2587 180 To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift,
FTLN 2588 A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger,
FTLN 2589 And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
FTLN 2590 I gave my love a ring and made him swear
FTLN 2591 Never to part with it, and here he stands.
FTLN 2592 185 I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
FTLN 2593 Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
FTLN 2594 That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano,
FTLN 2595 You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief.
FTLN 2596 An ’twere to me I should be mad at it.
BASSANIO , aside
FTLN 2597 190 Why, I were best to cut my left hand off
FTLN 2598 And swear I lost the ring defending it.

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GRATIANO
FTLN 2599 My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
FTLN 2600 Unto the judge that begged it, and indeed
FTLN 2601 Deserved it, too. And then the boy, his clerk,
FTLN 2602 195 That took some pains in writing, he begged mine,
FTLN 2603 And neither man nor master would take aught
FTLN 2604 But the two rings.
PORTIA FTLN 2605 What ring gave you, my lord?
FTLN 2606 Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2607 200 If I could add a lie unto a fault,
FTLN 2608 I would deny it, but you see my finger
FTLN 2609 Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.
PORTIA
FTLN 2610 Even so void is your false heart of truth.
FTLN 2611 By heaven, I will ne’er come in your bed
FTLN 2612 205 Until I see the ring!
NERISSA , to Gratiano FTLN 2613 Nor I in yours
FTLN 2614 Till I again see mine!
BASSANIO FTLN 2615 Sweet Portia,
FTLN 2616 If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
FTLN 2617 210 If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
FTLN 2618 And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
FTLN 2619 And how unwillingly I left the ring,
FTLN 2620 When naught would be accepted but the ring,
FTLN 2621 You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
PORTIA
FTLN 2622 215 If you had known the virtue of the ring,
FTLN 2623 Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
FTLN 2624 Or your own honor to contain the ring,
FTLN 2625 You would not then have parted with the ring.
FTLN 2626 What man is there so much unreasonable,
FTLN 2627 220 If you had pleased to have defended it
FTLN 2628 With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
FTLN 2629 To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
FTLN 2630 Nerissa teaches me what to believe:
FTLN 2631 I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring!

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BASSANIO
FTLN 2632 225 No, by my honor, madam, by my soul,
FTLN 2633 No woman had it, but a civil doctor,
FTLN 2634 Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
FTLN 2635 And begged the ring, the which I did deny him
FTLN 2636 And suffered him to go displeased away,
FTLN 2637 230 Even he that had held up the very life
FTLN 2638 Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
FTLN 2639 I was enforced to send it after him.
FTLN 2640 I was beset with shame and courtesy.
FTLN 2641 My honor would not let ingratitude
FTLN 2642 235 So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady,
FTLN 2643 For by these blessèd candles of the night,
FTLN 2644 Had you been there, I think you would have begged
FTLN 2645 The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
PORTIA
FTLN 2646 Let not that doctor e’er come near my house!
FTLN 2647 240 Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
FTLN 2648 And that which you did swear to keep for me,
FTLN 2649 I will become as liberal as you:
FTLN 2650 I’ll not deny him anything I have,
FTLN 2651 No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.
FTLN 2652 245 Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
FTLN 2653 Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.
FTLN 2654 If you do not, if I be left alone,
FTLN 2655 Now by mine honor, which is yet mine own,
FTLN 2656 I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.
NERISSA
FTLN 2657 250 And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised
FTLN 2658 How you do leave me to mine own protection.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2659 Well, do you so. Let not me take him, then,
FTLN 2660 For if I do, I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2661 I am th’ unhappy subject of these quarrels.

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PORTIA
FTLN 2662 255 Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome
FTLN 2663 notwithstanding.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2664 Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong,
FTLN 2665 And in the hearing of these many friends
FTLN 2666 I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,
FTLN 2667 260 Wherein I see myself—
PORTIA FTLN 2668 Mark you but that!
FTLN 2669 In both my eyes he doubly sees himself,
FTLN 2670 In each eye one. Swear by your double self,
FTLN 2671 And there’s an oath of credit.
BASSANIO FTLN 2672 265 Nay, but hear me.
FTLN 2673 Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
FTLN 2674 I never more will break an oath with thee.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2675 I once did lend my body for his wealth,
FTLN 2676 Which but for him that had your husband’s ring
FTLN 2677 270 Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
FTLN 2678 My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
FTLN 2679 Will never more break faith advisedly.
PORTIA
FTLN 2680 Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
Giving Antonio a ring.
FTLN 2681 And bid him keep it better than the other.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2682 275 Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2683 By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
PORTIA
FTLN 2684 I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio,
FTLN 2685 For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
NERISSA
FTLN 2686 And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
FTLN 2687 280 For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk,
FTLN 2688 In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
She shows a ring.

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ACT 5. SC. 1
GRATIANO
FTLN 2689 Why, this is like the mending of highways
FTLN 2690 In summer, where the ways are fair enough!
FTLN 2691 What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
PORTIA
FTLN 2692 285 Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed.
She hands a paper to Bassanio.
FTLN 2693 Here is a letter; read it at your leisure.
FTLN 2694 It comes from Padua from Bellario.
FTLN 2695 There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
FTLN 2696 Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here
FTLN 2697 290 Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
FTLN 2698 And even but now returned. I have not yet
FTLN 2699 Entered my house.—Antonio, you are welcome,
FTLN 2700 And I have better news in store for you
FTLN 2701 Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon.
Handing him a paper.
FTLN 2702 295 There you shall find three of your argosies
FTLN 2703 Are richly come to harbor suddenly.
FTLN 2704 You shall not know by what strange accident
FTLN 2705 I chancèd on this letter.
ANTONIO FTLN 2706 I am dumb.
BASSANIO
FTLN 2707 300 Were you the doctor and I knew you not?
GRATIANO
FTLN 2708 Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
NERISSA
FTLN 2709 Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,
FTLN 2710 Unless he live until he be a man.
BASSANIO , to Portia
FTLN 2711 Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
FTLN 2712 305 When I am absent, then lie with my wife.
ANTONIO
FTLN 2713 Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;
FTLN 2714 For here I read for certain that my ships
FTLN 2715 Are safely come to road.

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PORTIA FTLN 2716 How now, Lorenzo?
FTLN 2717 310 My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
NERISSA
FTLN 2718 Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.
Handing him a paper.
FTLN 2719 There do I give to you and Jessica,
FTLN 2720 From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
FTLN 2721 After his death, of all he dies possessed of.
LORENZO
FTLN 2722 315 Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
FTLN 2723 Of starvèd people.
PORTIA FTLN 2724 It is almost morning,
FTLN 2725 And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
FTLN 2726 Of these events at full. Let us go in,
FTLN 2727 320 And charge us there upon inter’gatories,
FTLN 2728 And we will answer all things faithfully.
GRATIANO
FTLN 2729 Let it be so. The first inter’gatory
FTLN 2730 That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is
FTLN 2731 Whether till the next night she had rather stay
FTLN 2732 325 Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
FTLN 2733 But were the day come, I should wish it dark
FTLN 2734 Till I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.
FTLN 2735 Well, while I live, I’ll fear no other thing
FTLN 2736 So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
They exit.