I bid my very friends and countrymen, Por. So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour :-For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; Sale. And I have reason for it. I I did, my lord, Signior Antonio [Gives BASSANIO a letter. Ere I ope his letter, pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Sale. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her wel come. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice? We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Sale. 'Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon' That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?- And I must freely have the half of any thing O sweet Portia, Bass. That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady, How much I was a braggart: When I told you And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had The present money to discharge the Jew, He would not take it: Never did I know A creature, that did bear the shape of man, So keen and greedy to confound a man: He plies the duke at morning, and at night; And doth impeach the freedom of the state, If they deny him justice: twenty merchants, The duke himself, and the magnificoes Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; But none can drive him from the envious plea Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond. Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, The paper as the body-] The expression is somewhat elliptical: "The paper as the body," means-the paper resembles the body, is as the body. To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? What, no more? Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Bass. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste: but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler. Shy. Gaoler, look to him ;-Tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis ;- Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond: Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. 7 ➖➖so fond-] i. e. so foolish. To Christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit SHYLOCK. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the duke Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law Will much impeach the justice of the state; SCENE IV. Belmont. A Room in Portia's House. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly |