Laun. Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man; that would, sir, as my father shall specify,Gob. He hath a great infection, sir, as one would to serve say, Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and I have a desire, as my father shall specify, Gob. His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins: Laun. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being I hope an old man, shall frutify unto you, Gob. I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship; and my suit is, Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father. Bass. One speak for both;-What would you? Laun. Serve you, sir. Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, sir. Bass. I know thee well, thou hast obtain'd thy suit; Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day, And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment, To leave a rich Jew's service, to become The follower of so poor a gentleman. Laun. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir; you have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough. Bass. Thou speakest it well: Go, father, with thy son: Take leave of thy old master, and inquire [To his Followers. More guarded10 than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father, in:-I cannot get a service, no; 10 i. e. ornamented. Guards were trimmings, facings, or other ornaments, such as gold and silver lace, applied upon a dress. I have ne'er a tongue in my head.-Well-Looking on his palm.] if any man in Italy have a fairer table;11 which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune. Go to, here's a simple line of life! here's a small trifle of wives: Alas, fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows, and nine maids, is a simple coming-in for one man: and then, to 'scape drowning thrice; and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed:-here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear.-Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old GOBBO. Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this; These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Gra. Where is your master? Leon. Gra. Signior Bassanio, Bass. Gratiano! Gra. I have a suit to you. Yonder, sir, he walks. [Exit LEONARDO. Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with you to Belmont. Bass. Why, then you must;-But hear thee, Gratiano; 11 Mr. Tyrwhitt's explanation of this passage (which has much puzzled the commentators) seems the most plausible: Launcelot applauding himself for his success with Bassanio, and looking into the palm of his hand, which by fortune-tellers is called the table, breaks out into the following reflection-Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table; which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune-i. e. a table which doth not only promise but. offer to swear upon a book that I shall have good fortune. He omits the conclusion of the sentence. Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice;- And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; To allay with some cold drops of modesty13 Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild behaviour, I be misconstrued in the place I go to, Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me: If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Like one well studied in a sad ostent15 Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity; I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends That purpose merriment: But fare you well, I have some business. Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. [Exeunt. 12 Gross, licentions. 13 So in Hamlet: Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper Sprinkle cool patience." 14 It was anciently the custom to wear the hat on during the time of dinner. 15 i. e. grave appearance; show of staid and serious behaviour. Ostent is a word very commonly used for show among old dramatic writers. So in the VIIIth Scene of this Act: 'Be merry and employ your chiefest thoughts, 16 Carriage, deportment. SCENE III. The same. A Room in Shylock's House. Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. Jess. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father so; And so farewell; I would not have my father Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.-Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu! Jess. Farewell, good Launcelot.- [Exit. If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; SCENE IV. The same. A Street. [Exit. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. Gra. We have not made good preparation. Lor. "Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours To furnish us: Enter LAUNCELOT, with a Letter. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Laun. An it shall please you to break up1 this, it shall seem to signify. Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And n the paper it writ on fair hand that writ. Is Whiter than Gra. Laun. By your leave, sir. Lor. Whither goest thou? Love-news, in faith. Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor, Hold here, take this:-tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her; speak it privately; goGentlemen, [Exit LAUNCELOT. Will you prepare you for this masque to-night? I am provided of a torch-bearer. Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight. Salan. And so will I. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence. [Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN. Come, go with me; peruse this, as thou goest: Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer. [Exeunt. 1 To break up was a term in carving. This term, is, used again metaphorically for breaking the seal of a letter or opening it in Love's Labour's Lost: 'Boyet, you can carve; Vol. III, |