In sooth , I know not why I am so sad :
It wearies me ; you say it wearies you ;
But how I caught it , found it , or came by it ,
What stuff 'tis made of , whereof it is born ,
I am to learn ;
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me ,
That I have much ado to know myself .

Your mind is tossing on the ocean ;
There , where your argosies with portly sail ,
Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood ,
Or , as it were , the pageants of the sea ,
Do overpeer the petty traffickers ,
That curtsy to them , do them reverence ,
As they fly by them with their woven wings .

Believe me , sir , had I such venture forth ,
The better part of my affections would 
Be with my hopes abroad . I should be still 
Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind ;
Peering in maps for ports , and piers , and roads ;
And every object that might make me fear 
Misfortune to my ventures , out of doubt 
Would make me sad .

My wind , cooling my broth ,
Would blow me to an ague , when I thought 
What harm a wind too great might do at sea .
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run 
But I should think of shallows and of flats ,
And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand 
Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs 
To kiss her burial . Should I go to church 
And see the holy edifice of stone ,
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks ,
Which touching but my gentle vessel's side 
Would scatter all her spices on the stream ,
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks ;
And , in a word , but even now worth this ,
And now worth nothing ? Shall I have the thought 
To think on this , and shall I lack the thought 
That such a thing bechanc'd would make me sad ?
But tell not me : I know Antonio 
Is sad to think upon his merchandise .

Believe me , no : I thank my fortune for it ,
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted ,
Nor to one place ; nor is my whole estate 
Upon the fortune of this present year :
Therefore , my merchandise makes me not sad .

Why , then you are in love .

Fie , fie !

Not in love neither ? Then let's say you are sad ,
Because you are not merry : and 'twere as easy 
For you to laugh and leap , and say you are merry ,
Because you are not sad . Now , by two-headed Janus ,
Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time :
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes 
And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper ,
And other of such vinegar aspect 
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile ,
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable .


Here comes Bassanio , your most noble kinsman ,
Gratiano , and Lorenzo . Fare ye well :
We leave you now with better company .

I would have stay'd till I had made you merry ,
If worthier friends had not prevented me .

Your worth is very dear in my regard .
I take it , your own business calls on you ,
And you embrace the occasion to depart .

Good morrow , my good lords .

Good signiors both , when shall we laugh ? say when ?
You grow exceeding strange : must it be so ?

We'll make our leisures to attend on yours .


My Lord Bassanio , since you have found Antonio ,
We too will leave you ; but , at dinner-time ,
I pray you , have in mind where we must meet .

I will not fail you .

You look not well , Signior Antonio ;
You have too much respect upon the world :
They lose it that do buy it with much care :
Believe me , you are marvellously chang'd .

I hold the world but as the world , Gratiano ;
A stage where every man must play a part ,
And mine a sad one .

Let me play the fool :
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come ,
And let my liver rather heat with wine 
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans .
Why should a man , whose blood is warm within ,
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster ?
Sleep when he wakes , and creep into the jaundice 
By being peevish ? I tell thee what , Antonio 
I love thee , and it is my love that speaks 
There are a sort of men whose visages 
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond ,
And do a wilful stillness entertain ,
With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion 
Of wisdom , gravity , profound conceit ;
As who should say , 'I am Sir Oracle ,
And when I ope my lips let no dog bark !' 
O , my Antonio , I do know of these ,
That therefore only are reputed wise 
For saying nothing ; when , I am very sure ,
If they should speak , would almost damn those ears 
Which , hearing them , would call their brothers fools .
I'll tell thee more of this another time :
But fish not , with this melancholy bait ,
For this fool-gudgeon , this opinion .
Come , good Lorenzo . Fare ye well awhile :
I'll end my exhortation after dinner .

Well , we will leave you then till dinner-time .
I must be one of these same dumb-wise men ,
For Gratiano never lets me speak .

Well , keep me company but two years moe ,
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue .

Farewell : I'll grow a talker for this gear .

Thanks , i' faith ; for silence is only commendable 
In a neat's tongue dried and a maid not vendible .


Is that anything now ?

Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing , more than any man in all Venice . His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff : you shall seek all day ere you find them , and , when you have them , they are not worth the search .

Well , tell me now , what lady is the same 
To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage ,
That you to-day promis'd to tell me of ?

'Tis not unknown to you , Antonio ,
How much I have disabled mine estate ,
By something showing a more swelling port 
Than my faint means would grant continuance :
Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd 
From such a noble rate ; but my chief care 
Is , to come fairly off from the great debts 
Wherein my time , something too prodigal ,
Hath left me gag'd . To you , Antonio ,
I owe the most , in money and in love ;
And from your love I have a warranty 
To unburthen all my plots and purposes 
How to get clear of all the debts I owe .

I pray you , good Bassanio , let me know it ;
And if it stand , as you yourself still do ,
Within the eye of honour , be assur'd ,
My purse , my person , my extremest means ,
Lie all unlock'd to your occasions .

In my school-days , when I had lost one shaft ,
I shot his fellow of the self-same flight 
The self-same way with more advised watch ,
To find the other forth , and by adventuring both ,
I oft found both . I urge this childhood proof ,
Because what follows is pure innocence .
I owe you much , and , like a wilful youth ,
That which I owe is lost ; but if you please 
To shoot another arrow that self way 
Which you did shoot the first , I do not doubt ,
As I will watch the aim , or to find both ,
Or bring your latter hazard back again ,
And thankfully rest debtor for the first .

You know me well , and herein spend but time 
To wind about my love with circumstance ;
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong 
In making question of my uttermost 
Than if you had made waste of all I have :
Then do but say to me what I should do 
That in your knowledge may by me be done ,
And I am prest unto it : therefore speak .

In Belmont is a lady richly left ,
And she is fair , and , fairer than that word ,
Of wondrous virtues : sometimes from her eyes 
I did receive fair speechless messages :
Her name is Portia ; nothing undervalu'd 
To Cato's daughter , Brutus' Portia :
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth ,
For the four winds blow in from every coast 
Renowned suitors ; and her sunny locks 
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece ;
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strond ,
And many Jasons come in quest of her .
O my Antonio ! had I but the means 
To hold a rival place with one of them ,
I have a mind presages me such thrift ,
That I should questionless be fortunate .

Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea ;
Neither have I money , nor commodity 
To raise a present sum : therefore go forth ;
Try what my credit can in Venice do :
That shall be rack'd , even to the uttermost ,
To furnish thee to Belmont , to fair Portia .
Go , presently inquire , and so will I ,
Where money is , and I no question make 
To have it of my trust or for my sake .


By my troth , Nerissa , my little body is aweary of this great world .

You would be , sweet madam , if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are : and yet , for aught I see , they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing . It is no mean happiness therefore , to be seated in the mean : superfluity comes sooner by white hairs , but competency lives longer .

Good sentences and well pronounced .

They would be better if well followed .

If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do , chapels had been churches , and poor men's cottages princes' palaces . It is a good divine that follows his own instructions : I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done , than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching . The brain may devise laws for the blood , but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree : such a hare is madness the youth , to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple . But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband . O me , the word 'choose !' I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike ; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father . Is it not hard , Nerissa , that I cannot choose one nor refuse none ?

Your father was ever virtuous , and holy men at their death have good inspirations ; therefore , the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of gold , silver , and lead , whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you , will , no doubt , never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love . But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come ?

I pray thee , over-name them , and as thou namest them , I will describe them ; and , according to my description , level at my affection .

First , there is the Neapolitan prince .

Ay , that's a colt indeed , for he doth nothing but talk of his horse ; and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself . I am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith .

Then is there the County Palatine .

He doth nothing but frown , as who should say , 'An you will not have me , choose .' He hears merry tales , and smiles not : I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old , being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth . I had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone in his mouth than to either of these . God defend me from these two !

How say you by the French lord , Monsieur Le Bon ?

God made him , and therefore let him pass for a man . In truth , I know it is a sin to be a mocker ; but , he ! why , he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's , a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine ; he is every man in no man ; if a throstle sing , he falls straight a-capering ; he will fence with his own shadow : if I should marry him , I should marry twenty husbands . If he would despise me , I would forgive him , for if he love me to madness , I shall never requite him .

What say you , then , to Falconbridge , the young baron of England ?

You know I say nothing to him , for he understands not me , nor I him : he hath neither Latin , French , nor Italian ; and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English . He is a proper man's picture , but , alas ! who can converse with a dumb-show ? How oddly he is suited ! I think he bought his doublet in Italy , his round hose in France , his bonnet in Germany , and his behaviour every where .

What think you of the Scottish lord , his neighbour ?

That he hath a neighbourly charity in him , for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman , and swore he would pay him again when he was able : I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another .

How like you the young German , the Duke of Saxony's nephew ?

Very vilely in the morning , when he is sober , and most vilely in the afternoon , when he is drunk : when he is best , he is a little worse than a man , and when he is worst , he is little better than a beast . An the worst fall that ever fell , I hope I shall make shift to go without him .

If he should offer to choose , and choose the right casket , you should refuse to perform your father's will , if you should refuse to accept him .

Therefore , for fear of the worst , I pray thee , set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket , for , if the devil be within and that temptation without , I know he will choose it . I will do anything , Nerissa , ere I will be married to a sponge .

You need not fear , lady , the having any of these lords : they have acquainted me with their determinations ; which is , indeed , to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit , unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition depending on the caskets .

If I live to be as old as Sibylla , I will die as chaste as Diana , unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will . I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable , for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence , and I pray God grant them a fair departure .

Do you not remember , lady , in your father's time , a Venetian , a scholar and a soldier , that came hither in the company of the Marquis of Montferrat ?

Yes , yes : it was Bassanio ; as I think , he was so called .

True , madam : he , of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon , was the best deserving a fair lady .

I remember him well , and I remember him worthy of thy praise .

How now ! what news ?

The four strangers seek for you , madam , to take their leave ; and there is a forerunner come from a fifth , the Prince of Morocco , who brings word the prince his master will be here to-night .

If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell , I should be glad of his approach : if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil , I had rather he should shrive me than wive me . Come , Nerissa . Sirrah , go before .
Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer , another knocks at the door .


Three thousand ducats ; well ?

Ay , sir , for three months .

For three months ; well ?

For the which , as I told you , Antonio shall be bound .

Antonio shall become bound ; well ?

May you stead me ? Will you pleasure me ? Shall I know your answer ?

Three thousand ducats , for three months , and Antonio bound .

Your answer to that .

Antonio is a good man .

Have you heard any imputation to the contrary ?

Ho , no , no , no , no : my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient . Yet his means are in supposition : he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis , another to the Indies ; I understand moreover upon the Rialto , he hath a third at Mexico , a fourth for England , and other ventures he hath , squandered abroad . But ships are but boards , sailors but men : there be land-rats and water-rats , land-thieves , and water-thieves ,I mean pirates ,and then there is the peril of waters , winds , and rocks . The man is , notwithstanding , sufficient . Three thousand ducats ; I think , I may take his bond .

Be assured you may .

I will be assured I may ; and , that I may be assured , I will bethink me . May I speak with Antonio ?

If it please you to dine with us .

Yes , to smell pork : to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into . I will buy with you , sell with you , talk with you , walk with you , and so following ; but I will not eat with you , drink with you , nor pray with you . What news on the Rialto ? Who is he comes here ?


This is Signior Antonio .

How like a fawning publican he looks !
I hate him for he is a Christian ;
But more for that in low simplicity 
He lends out money gratis , and brings down 
The rate of usance here with us in Venice .
If I can catch him once upon the hip ,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him .
He hates our sacred nation , and he rails ,
Even there where merchants most do congregate ,
On me , my bargains , and my well-won thrift ,
Which he calls interest . Cursed be my tribe ,
If I forgive him !

Shylock , do you hear ?

I am debating of my present store ,
And , by the near guess of my memory ,
I cannot instantly raise up the gross 
Of full three thousand ducats . What of that ?
Tubal , a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe ,
Will furnish me . But soft ! how many months 
Do you desire ?

Rest you fair , good signior ;
Your worship was the last man in our mouths .

Shylock , albeit I neither lend nor borrow 
By taking nor by giving of excess ,
Yet , to supply the ripe wants of my friend ,
I'll break a custom .

Is he yet possess'd 
How much ye would ?

Ay , ay , three thousand ducats .

And for three months .

I had forgot ; three months ; you told me so .
Well then , your bond ; and let me see . But hear you ;
Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow 
Upon advantage .

I do never use it .

When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep ,
This Jacob from our holy Abram was ,
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf ,
The third possessor : ay , he was the third ,

And what of him ? did he take interest ?

No ; not take interest ; not , as you would say ,
Directly interest : mark what Jacob did .
When Laban and himself were compromis'd ,
That all the eanlings that were streak'd and pied 
Should fall as Jacob's hire , the ewes , being rank ,
In end of autumn turned to the rams ;
And , when the work of generation was 
Between these woolly breeders in the act ,
The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands ,
And , in the doing of the deed of kind ,
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes ,
Who , then conceiving , did in eaning time 
Fall parti-colour'd lambs , and those were Jacob's .
This was a way to thrive , and he was blest :
And thrift is blessing , if men steal it not .

This was a venture , sir , that Jacob serv'd for ;
A thing not in his power to bring to pass ,
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven .
Was this inserted to make interest good ?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams ?

I cannot tell ; I make it breed as fast : But note me , signior .

Mark you this , Bassanio ,
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose .
An evil soul , producing holy witness ,
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek ,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart .
O , what a goodly outside falsehood hath !

Three thousand ducats ; 'tis a good round sum .
Three months from twelve , then let me see the rate .

Well , Shylock , shall we be beholding to you ?

Signior Antonio , many a time and oft 
In the Rialto you have rated me 
About my moneys and my usances :
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug ,
For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe .
You call me misbeliever , cut-throat dog ,
And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine ,
And all for use of that which is mine own .
Well then , it now appears you need my help :
Go to then ; you come to me , and you say ,
'Shylock , we would have moneys :' you say so ;
You , that did void your rheum upon my beard ,
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur 
Over your threshold : moneys is your suit .
What should I say to you ? Should I not say ,
'Hath a dog money ? Is it possible 
A cur can lend three thousand ducats ?' or 
Shall I bend low , and in a bondman's key ,
With bated breath , and whispering humbleness ,
Say this :
'Fair sir , you spet on me on Wednesday last ;
You spurn'd me such a day ; another time 
You call'd me dog ; and for these courtesies 
I'll lend you thus much moneys ?' 

I am as like to call thee so again ,
To spet on thee again , to spurn thee too .
If thou wilt lend this money , lend it not 
As to thy friends ,for when did friendship take 
A breed for barren metal of his friend ?
But lend it rather to thine enemy ;
Who if he break , thou mayst with better face 
Exact the penalty .

Why , look you , how you storm !
I would be friends with you , and have your love ,
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with ,
Supply your present wants , and take no doit 
Of usance for my moneys , and you'll not hear me :
This is kind I offer .

This were kindness .

This kindness will I show .
Go with me to a notary , seal me there 
Your single bond ; and , in a merry sport ,
If you repay me not on such a day ,
In such a place , such sum or sums as are 
Express'd in the condition , let the forfeit 
Be nominated for an equal pound 
Of your fair flesh , to be cut off and taken 
In what part of your body pleaseth me .

Content , i' faith : I'll seal to such a bond ,
And say there is much kindness in the Jew .

You shall not seal to such a bond for me :
I'll rather dwell in my necessity .

Why , fear not , man ; I will not forfeit it :
Within these two months , that's a month before 
This bond expires , I do expect return 
Of thrice three times the value of this bond .

O father Abram ! what these Christians are ,
Whose own hard dealing teaches them suspect 
The thoughts of others . Pray you , tell me this ;
If he should break his day , what should I gain 
By the exaction of the forfeiture ?
A pound of man's flesh , taken from a man ,
Is not so estimable , profitable neither ,
As flesh of muttons , beefs , or goats . I say ,
To buy his favour , I extend this friendship :
If he will take it , so ; if not , adieu ;
And , for my love , I pray you wrong me not .

Yes , Shylock , I will seal unto this bond .

Then meet me forthwith at the notary's ;
Give him direction for this merry bond ,
And I will go and purse the ducats straight ,
See to my house , left in the fearful guard 
Of an unthrifty knave , and presently 
I will be with you .

Hie thee , gentle Jew .

This Hebrew will turn Christian : he grows kind .

I like not fair terms and a villain's mind .

Come on : in this there can be no dismay ;
My ships come home a month before the day .


Mislike me not for my complexion ,
The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun ,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred .
Bring me the fairest creature northward born ,
Where Ph bus' fire scarce thaws the icicles ,
And let us make incision for your love ,
To prove whose blood is reddest , his or mine .
I tell thee , lady , this aspect of mine 
Hath fear'd the valiant : by my love , I swear 
The best regarded virgins of our clime 
Have lov'd it too : I would not change this hue ,
Except to steal your thoughts , my gentle queen .

In terms of choice I am not solely led 
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes ;
Besides , the lottery of my destiny 
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing :
But if my father had not scanted me 
And hedg'd me by his wit , to yield myself 
His wife who wins me by that means I told you ,
Yourself , renowned prince , then stood as fair 
As any comer I have look'd on yet 
For my affection .

Even for that I thank you :
Therefore , I pray you , lead me to the caskets 
To try my fortune . By this scimitar ,
That slew the Sophy , and a Persian prince 
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman ,
I would outstare the sternest eyes that look ,
Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth ,
Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear ,
Yea , mock the lion when he roars for prey ,
To win thee , lady . But , alas the while !
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice 
Which is the better man , the greater throw 
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand :
So is Alcides beaten by his page ;
And so may I , blind fortune leading me ,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain ,
And die with grieving .

You must take your chance ;
And either not attempt to choose at all ,
Or swear before you choose , if you choose wrong ,
Never to speak to lady afterward 
In way of marriage : therefore be advis'd .

Nor will not : come , bring me unto my chance .

First , forward to the temple : after dinner 
Your hazard shall be made .

Good fortune then !
To make me blest or cursed'st among men !


Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master . The fiend is at mine elbow , and tempts me , saying to me , 'Gobbo , Launcelot Gobbo , good Launcelot ,' or 'good Gobbo ,' or 'good Launcelot Gobbo , use your legs , take the start , run away .' My conscience says , 'No ; take heed , honest Launcelot ; take heed , honest Gobbo ;' or , as aforesaid , 'honest Launcelot Gobbo ; do not run ; scorn running with thy heels .' Well , the most courageous fiend bids me pack : 'Via !' says the fiend ; 'away !' says the fiend ; 'for the heavens , rouse up a brave mind ,' says the fiend , 'and run .' Well , my conscience , hanging about the neck of my heart , says very wisely to me , 'My honest friend Launcelot , being an honest man's son ,' or rather an honest woman's son ;for , indeed , my father did something smack , something grow to , he had a kind of taste ;well , my conscience says , 'Launcelot , budge not .' 'Budge ,' says the fiend . 'Budge not ,' says my conscience . 'Conscience ,' say I , 'you counsel well ;' 'fiend ,' say I , 'you counsel well :' to be ruled by my conscience , I should stay with the Jew my master , who , God bless the mark ! is a kind of devil ; and , to run away from the Jew , I should be ruled by the fiend , who , saving your reverence , is the devil himself . Certainly , the Jew is the very devil incarnal ; and , in my conscience , my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience , to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew . The fiend gives the more friendly counsel : I will run , fiend ; my heels are at your commandment ; I will run .


Master young man , you ; I pray you , which is the way to Master Jew's ?

O heavens ! this is my truebegotten father , who , being more than sandblind , high-gravel blind , knows me not : I will try confusions with him .

Master young gentleman , I pray you , which is the way to Master Jew's ?

Turn up on your right hand at the next turning , but , at the next turning of all , on your left ; marry , at the very next turning , turn of no hand , but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house .

By God's sonties , 'twill be a hard way to hit . Can you tell me whether one Launcelot , that dwells with him , dwell with him or no ?

Talk you of young Master Launcelot ?

Mark me now ; now will I raise the waters . Talk you of young Master Launcelot ?

No master , sir , but a poor man's son : his father , though I say it , is an honest , exceeding poor man , and , God be thanked , well to live .

Well , let his father be what a' will , we talk of young Master Launcelot .

Your worship's friend , and Launcelot , sir .

But I pray you , ergo , old man , ergo , I beseech you , talk you of young Master Launcelot ?

Of Launcelot , an't please your mastership .

Ergo , Master Launcelot . Talk not of Master Launcelot , father ; for the young gentleman ,according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings , the Sisters Three and such branches of learning ,is , indeed , deceased ; or , as you would say in plain terms , gone to heaven .

Marry , God forbid ! the boy was the very staff of my age , my very prop .

Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post , a staff or a prop ? Do you know me , father ?

Alack the day ! I know you not , young gentleman : but I pray you , tell me , is my boy ,God rest his soul !alive or dead ?

Do you not know me , father ?

Alack , sir , I am sand-blind ; I know you not .

Nay , indeed , if you had your eyes , you might fail of the knowing me : it is a wise father that knows his own child . Well , old man , I will tell you news of your son . Give me your blessing ; truth will come to light ; murder cannot be hid long ; a man's son may , but , in the end , truth will out .

Pray you , sir , stand up . I am sure you are not Launcelot , my boy .

Pray you , let's have no more fooling about it , but give me your blessing : I am Launcelot , your boy that was , your son that is , your child that shall be .

I cannot think you are my son .

I know not what I shall think of that ; but I am Launcelot , the Jew's man , and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother .

Her name is Margery , indeed : I'll be sworn , if thou be Launcelot , thou art mine own flesh and blood . Lord worshipped might he be ! what a beard hast thou got ! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my thill-horse has on his tail .

It should seem then that Dobbin's tail grows backward : I am sure he had more hair on his tail than I have on my face , when I last saw him .

Lord ! how art thou changed . How dost thou and thy master agree ? I have brought him a present . How 'gree you now ?

Well , well : but , for mine own part , as I have set up my rest to run away , so I will not rest till I have run some ground . My master's a very Jew : give him a present ! give him a halter : I am farnished in his service ; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs . Father , I am glad you are come : give me your present to one Master Bassanio , who , indeed , gives rare new liveries . If I serve not him , I will run as far as God has any ground . O rare fortune ! here comes the man : to him , father ; for I am a Jew , if I serve the Jew any longer .


You may do so ; but let it be so hasted that supper be ready at the very furthest by five of the clock . See these letters delivered ; put the liveries to making ; and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging .


To him , father .

God bless your worship !

Gramercy ! wouldst thou aught with me ?

Here's my son , sir , a poor boy ,

Not a poor boy , sir , but the rich Jew's man ; that would , sir ,as my father shall specify ,

He hath a great infection , sir , as one would say , to serve 

Indeed , the short and the long is , I serve the Jew , and have a desire , as my father shall specify ,

His master and he , saving your worship's reverence , are scarce cater-cousins ,

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 ,

I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship , and my suit is ,

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 .

One speak for both . What would you ?

Serve you , sir .

That is the very defect of the matter , sir .

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 .

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 .

Thou speak'st it well . Go , father , with thy son .
Take leave of thy old master , and inquire 
My lodging out .

Give him a livery 
More guarded than his fellows' : see it done .

Father , in . I cannot get a service , no ; I have ne'er a tongue in my head . Well ,

if any man in Italy have a fairer table 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 : a 'leven 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 .


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 .

My best endeavours shall be done herein .


Where is your master ?

Yonder , sir , he walks .


Signior Bassanio !

Gratiano !

I have a suit to you .

You have obtain'd it .

You must not deny me : I must go with you to Belmont .

Why , then you must . But hear thee , Gratiano ;
Thou art too wild , too rude and bold of voice ;
Parts that become thee happily enough ,
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults ;
But where thou art not known , why , there they show 
Something too liberal . Pray thee , take pain 
To allay with some cold drops of modesty 
Thy skipping spirit , lest , through thy wild behaviour ,
I be misconstru'd in the place I go to ,
And lose my hopes .

Signior Bassanio , hear me :
If I do not put on a sober habit ,
Talk with respect , and swear but now and then ,
Wear prayer-books in my pocket , look demurely ,
Nay more , while grace is saying , hood mine eyes 
Thus with my hat , and sigh , and say 'amen ;' 
Use all the observance of civility ,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent 
To please his grandam , never trust me more .

Well , we shall see your bearing .

Nay , but I bar to-night ; you shall not gauge me 
By what we do to-night .

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 .

And I must to Lorenzo and the rest ;
But we will visit you at supper-time .


I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so :
Our house is hell , and thou , a merry devil ,
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness .
But fare thee well ; there is a ducat for thee :
And , Launcelot , soon at supper shalt thou see 
Lorenzo , who is thy new master's guest :
Give him this letter ; do it secretly ;
And so farewell : I would not have my father 
See me in talk with thee .

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 !

Farewell , good Launcelot .

Alack , what heinous sin is it in me 
To be asham'd to be my father's child !
But though I am a daughter to his blood ,
I am not to his manners . O Lorenzo !
If thou keep promise , I shall end this strife ,
Become a Christian , and thy loving wife .


Nay , we will slink away in supper-time ,
Disguise us at my lodging , and return 
All in an hour .

We have not made good preparation .

We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers .

'Tis vile , unless it may be quaintly order'd ,
And better , in my mind , not undertook .

'Tis now but four o'clock : we have two hours 
To furnish us .

Friend Launcelot , what's the news ?

An it shall please you to break up this , it shall seem to signify .

I know the hand : in faith , 'tis a fair hand ;
And whiter than the paper it writ on 
Is the fair hand that writ .

Love news , in faith .

By your leave , sir .

Whither goest thou ?

Marry , sir , to bid my old master , the Jew , to sup to-night with my new master , the Christian .

Hold here , take this : tell gentle Jessica 
I will not fail her ; speak it privately .
Go , gentlemen ,

Will you prepare you for this masque to-night ?
I am provided of a torch-bearer .

Ay , marry , I'll be gone about it straight .

And so will I .

Meet me and Gratiano 
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence .

'Tis good we do so .


Was not that letter from fair Jessica ?

I must needs tell thee all . She hath directed 
How I shall take her from her father's house ;
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with ;
What page's suit she hath in readiness .
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven ,
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake ;
And never dare misfortune cross her foot ,
Unless she do it under this excuse ,
That she is issue to a faithless Jew .
Come , go with me : peruse this as thou goest .
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer .


Well , thou shalt see , thy eyes shall be thy judge ,
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio :
What , Jessical thou shalt not gormandize ,
As thou hast done with me ;What , Jessical 
And sleep and snore , and rend apparel out 
Why , Jessica , I say !

Why , Jessica !

Who bids thee call ? I do not bid thee call .

Your worship was wont to tell me that 
I could do nothing without bidding .


Call you ? What is your will ?

I am bid forth to supper , Jessica :
There are my keys . But wherefore should I go ?
I am not bid for love ; they flatter me :
But yet I'll go in hate , to feed upon 
The prodigal Christian . Jessica , my girl ,
Look to my house . I am right loath to go :
There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest ,
For I did dream of money-bags to-night .

I beseech you , sir , go : my young master doth expect your reproach .

So do I his .

And they have conspired together : I will not say you shall see a masque ; but if you do , then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black-Monday last , at six o'clock i' the morning , falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the afternoon .

What ! are there masques ? Hear you me , Jessica :
Lock up my doors ; and when you hear the drum ,
And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife ,
Clamber not you up to the casements then ,
Nor thrust your head into the public street 
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces ,
But stop my house's ears , I mean my casements ;
Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter 
My sober house . By Jacob's staff I swear 
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night ;
But I will go . Go you before me , sirrah ;
Say I will come .

I will go before , air . Mistress , look out at window , for all this ;

There will come a Christian by ,
Will be worth a Jewess' eye .

What says that fool of Hagar's offspring , ha ?

His words were , 'Farewell , mistress ;' nothing else .

The patch is kind enough , but a huge feeder ;
Snail-slow in profit , and he sleeps by day 
More than the wild cat : drones hive not with me ;
Therefore I part with him , and part with him 
To one that I would have him help to waste 
His borrow'd purse . Well , Jessica , go in :
Perhaps I will return immediately :
Do as I bid you ; shut doors after you :
'Fast bind , fast find ,' 
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind .


Farewell ; and if my fortune be not crost ,
I have a father , you a daughter , lost .


This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo 
Desir'd us to make stand .

His hour is almost past .

And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour ,
For lovers ever run before the clock .

O ! ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly 
To seal love's bonds new-made , than they are wont 
To keep obliged faith unforfeited !

That ever holds : who riseth from a feast 
With that keen appetite that he sits down ?
Where is the horse that doth untread again 
His tedious measures with the unbated fire 
That he did pace them first ? All things that are ,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd .
How like a younker or a prodigal 
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay ,
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind !
How like the prodigal doth she return ,
With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails ,
Lean , rent , and beggar'd by the strumpet wind !

Here comes Lorenzo : more of this hereafter .


Sweet friends , your patience for my long abode ;
Not I , but my affairs , have made you wait :
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives ,
I'll watch as long for you then . Approach ;
Here dwells my father Jew . Ho ! who's within ?


Who are you ? Tell me , for more certainty ,
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue .

Lorenzo , and thy love .

Lorenzo , certain ; and my love indeed ,
For whom love I so much ? And now who knows 
But you , Lorenzo , whether I am yours ?

Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art .

Here , catch this casket ; it is worth the pains .
I am glad 'tis night , you do not look on me ,
For I am much asham'd of my exchange ;
But love is blind , and lovers cannot see 
The pretty follies that themselves commit ;
For if they could , Cupid himself would blush 
To see me thus transformed to a boy .

Descend , for you must be my torch-bearer .

What ! must I hold a candle to my shames ?
They in themselves , good sooth , are too-too light .
Why , 'tis an office of discovery , love ,
And I should be obscur'd .

So are you , sweet ,
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy .
But come at once ;
For the close night doth play the runaway ,
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast .

I will make fast the doors , and gild myself 
With some more ducats , and be with you straight .


Now , by my hood , a Gentile , and no Jew .

Beshrew me , but I love her heartily ;
For she is wise , if I can judge of her ,
And fair she is , if that mine eyes be true ,
And true she is , as she hath prov'd herself ;
And therefore , like herself , wise , fair , and true ,
Shall she be placed in my constant soul .


What , art thou come ? On , gentlemen ; away !
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay .


Who's there ?

Signior Antonio !

Fie , fie , Gratiano ! where are all the rest ?
'Tis nine o'clock ; our friends all stay for you .
No masque to-night : the wind is come about ;
Bassanio presently will go aboard :
I have sent twenty out to seek for you .

I am glad on't : I desire no more delight 
Than to be under sail and gone to-night .


Go , draw aside the curtains , and discover 
The several caskets to this noble prince .
Now make your choice .

The first , of gold , which this inscription bears :
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire .
The second , silver , which this promise carries :
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
This third , dull lead , with warning all as blunt :
Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath .
How shall I know if I do choose the right ?

The one of them contains my picture , prince :
If you choose that , then I am yours withal .

Some god direct my judgment ! Let me see :
I will survey the inscriptions back again :
What says this leaden casket ?
Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath .
Must give : For what ? for lead ? hazard for lead ?
This casket threatens . Men that hazard all 
Do it in hope of fair advantages :
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross ;
I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead .
What says the silver with her virgin hue ?
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
As much as he deserves ! Pause there , Morocco ,
And weigh thy value with an even hand .
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation ,
Thou dost deserve enough ; and yet enough 
May not extend so far as to the lady :
And yet to be afeard of my deserving 
Were but a weak disabling of myself .
As much as I deserve ! Why , that's the lady :
I do in birth deserve her , and in fortunes ,
In graces , and in qualities of breeding ;
But more than these , in love I do deserve .
What if I stray'd no further , but chose here ?
Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold :
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire .
Why , that's the lady : all the world desires her ;
From the four corners of the earth they come ,
To kiss this shrine , this mortal-breathing saint :
The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds 
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now 
For princes to come view fair Portia :
The watery kingdom , whose ambitious head 
Spits in the face of heaven , is no bar 
To stop the foreign spirits , but they come ,
As o'er a brook , to see fair Portia .
One of these three contains her heavenly picture .
Is't like that lead contains her ? 'Twere damnation 
To think so base a thought : it were too gross 
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave .
Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd ,
Being ten times undervalu'd to tried gold ?
O sinful thought ! Never so rich a gem 
Was set in worse than gold . They have in England 
A coin that bears the figure of an angel 
Stamped in gold , but that's insculp'd upon ;
But here an angel in a golden bed 
Lies all within . Deliver me the key :
Here do I choose , and thrive I as I may !

There , take it , prince ; and if my form lie there ,
Then I am yours .


O hell ! what have we here ?
A carrion Death , within whose empty eye 
There is a written scroll . I'll read the writing .

All that glisters is not gold ;
Often have you heard that told :
Many a man his life hath sold 
But my outside to behold :
Gilded tombs do worms infold .
Had you been as wise as bold ,
Young in limbs , in judgment old ,
Your answer had not been inscroll'd :
Fare you well ; your suit is cold .

Cold , indeed ; and labour lost :
Then , farewell , heat , and welcome , frost !
Portia , adieu . I have too griev'd a heart 
To take a tedious leave : thus losers part .


A gentle riddance . Draw the curtains : go .
Let all of his complexion choose me so .


Why , man , I saw Bassanio under sail :
With him is Gratiano gone along ;
And in their ship I'm sure Lorenzo is not .

The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke ,
Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship .

He came too late , the ship was under sail :
But there the duke was given to understand 
That in a gondola were seen together 
Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica .
Besides , Antonio certified the duke 
They were not with Bassanio in his ship .

I never heard a passion so confus'd ,
So strange , outrageous , and so variable ,
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets :
'My daughter ! O my ducats ! O my daughter !
Fled with a Christian ! O my Christian ducats !
Justice ! the law ! my ducats , and my daughter !
A sealed bag , two sealed bags of ducats ,
Of double ducats , stol'n from me by my daughter !
And jewels ! two stones , two rich and precious stones ,
Stol'n by my daughter ! Justice ! find the girl !
She hath the stones upon her , and the ducats .' 

Why , all the boys in Venice follow him ,
Crying , his stones , his daughter , and his ducats .

Let good Antonio look he keep his day ,
Or he shall pay for this .

Marry , well remember'd .
I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday ,
Who told me ,in the narrow seas that part 
The French and English ,there miscarried 
A vessel of our country richly fraught .
I thought upon Antonio when he told me ,
And wish'd in silence that it were not his .

You were best to tell Antonio what you hear ;
Yet do not suddenly , for it may grieve him .

A kinder gentleman treads not the earth .
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part :
Bassanio told him he would make some speed 
Of his return : he answer'd 'Do not so ;
Slubber not business for my sake , Bassanio ,
But stay the very riping of the time ;
And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me ,
Let it not enter in your mind of love :
Be merry , and employ your chiefest thoughts 
To courtship and such fair ostents of love 
As shall conveniently become you there :' 
And even there , his eye being big with tears ,
Turning his face , he put his hand behind him ,
And with affection wondrous sensible 
He wrung Bassanio's hand ; and so they parted .

I think he only loves the world for him .
I pray thee , let us go and find him out ,
And quicken his embraced heaviness 
With some delight or other .

Do we so .


Quick , quick , I pray thee ; draw the curtain straight :
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath ,
And comes to his election presently .


Behold , there stands the caskets , noble prince :
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd ,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd ;
But if you fail , without more speech , my lord ,
You must be gone from hence immediately .

I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things :
First , never to unfold to any one 
Which casket 'twas I chose ; next , if I fail 
Of the right casket , never in my life 
To woo a maid in way of marriage ;
Lastly ,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice ,
Immediately to leave you and be gone .

To these injunctions every one doth swear 
That comes to hazard for my worthless self .

And so have I address'd me . Fortune now 
To my heart's hope ! Gold , silver , and base lead .
Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath :
You shall look fairer , ere I give or hazard .
What says the golden chest ? ha ! let me see :
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire .
What many men desire ! that 'many' may be meant 
By the fool multitude , that choose by show ,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach ;
Which pries not to the interior , but , like the martlet ,
Builds in the weather on the outward wall ,
Even in the force and road of casualty .
I will not choose what many men desire ,
Because I will not jump with common spirits 
And rank me with the barbarous multitude .
Why , then to thee , thou silver treasure-house ;
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear :
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
And well said too ; for who shall go about 
To cozen fortune and be honourable 
Without the stamp of merit ? Let none presume 
To wear an undeserved dignity .
O ! that estates , degrees , and offices 
Were not deriv'd corruptly , and that clear honour 
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer .
How many then should cover that stand bare ;
How many be commanded that command ;
How much low peasantry would then be glean'd 
From the true seed of honour ; and how much honour 
Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times 
To be new varnish'd ! Well , but to my choice :
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
I will assume desert . Give me a key for this ,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here .


Too long a pause for that which you find there .

What's here ? the portrait of a blinking idiot ,
Presenting me a schedule ! I will read it .
How much unlike art thou to Portia !
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings !
Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves .
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head ?
Is that my prize ? are my deserts no better ?

To offend , and judge , are distinct offices ,
And of opposed natures .

What is here ?

The fire seven times tried this :
Seven times tried that judgment is 
That did never choose amiss .
Some there be that shadows kiss ;
Such have but a shadow's bliss :
There be fools alive , I wis ,
Silver'd o'er ; and so was this .
Take what wife you will to bed ,
I will ever be your head :
So be gone , sir : you are sped .


Still more fool I shall appear 
By the time I linger here :
With one fool's head I came to woo ,
But I go away with two .
Sweet , adieu . I'll keep my oath ,
Patiently to bear my wroth .

Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth .
O , these deliberate fools ! when they do choose ,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose .

The ancient saying is no heresy :
'Hanging and wiving goes by destiny .' 

Come , draw the curtain , Nerissa .


Where is my lady ?

Here ; what would my lord ?

Madam , there is alighted at your gate 
A young Venetian , one that comes before 
To signify the approaching of his lord ;
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets ,
To wit ,   besides commends and courteous breath ,
Gifts of rich value . Yet I have not seen 
So likely an embassador of love .
A day in April never came so sweet ,
To show how costly summer was at hand ,
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord .

No more , I pray thee : I am half afeard 
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee ,
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him .
Come , come , Nerissa ; for I long to see 
Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly .

Bassanio , lord Love , if thy will it be !

Now , what news on the Rialto ?

Why , yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wracked on the narrow seas ; the Goodwins , I think they call the place ; a very dangerous flat , and fatal , where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried , as they say , if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word .

I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger , or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband . But it is true ,without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk ,that the good Antonio , the honest Antonio ,O , that I had a title good enough to keep his name company !

Come , the full stop .

Ha ! what sayst thou ? Why , the end is , he hath lost a ship .

I would it might prove the end of his losses .

Let me say 'amen' betimes , lest the devil cross my prayer , for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew .

How now , Shylock ! what news among the merchants ?

You knew , none so well , none so well as you , of my daughter's flight .

That's certain : I , for my part , knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal .

And Shylock , for his own part , knew the bird was fledged ; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam .

She is damned for it .

That's certain , if the devil may be her judge .

My own flesh and blood to rebel !

Out upon it , old carrion ! rebels it at these years ?

I say my daughter is my flesh and blood .

There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory ; more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish . But tell us , do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no ?

There I have another bad match : a bankrupt , a prodigal , who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto ; a beggar , that used to come so smug upon the mart ; let him look to his bond : he was wont to call me usurer ; let him look to his bond : he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy ; let him look to his bond .

Why , I am sure , if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh : what's that good for ?

To bait fish withal : if it will feed nothing else , it will feed my revenge . He hath disgraced me , and hindered me half a million , laughed at my losses , mocked at my gains , scorned my nation , thwarted my bargains , cooled my friends , heated mine enemies ; and what's his reason ? I am a Jew . Hath not a Jew eyes ? hath not a Jew hands , organs , dimensions , senses , affections , passions ? fed with the same food , hurt with the same weapons , subject to the same diseases , healed by the same means , warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer , as a Christian is ? If you prick us , do we not bleed ? if you tickle us , do we not laugh ? if you poison us , do we not die ? and if you wrong us , shall we not revenge ? If we are like you in the rest , we will resemble you in that . If a Jew wrong a Christian , what is his humility ? Revenge . If a Christian wrong a Jew , what should his sufferance be by Christian example ? Why , revenge . The villany you teach me I will execute , and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction .


Gentlemen , my master Antonio is at his house , and desires to speak with you both .

We have been up and down to seek him .


Here comes another of the tribe : a third cannot be matched , unless the devil himself turn Jew .


How now , Tubal ! what news from Genoa ? Hast thou found my daughter ?

I often came where I did hear of her , but cannot find her .

Why there , there , there ! a diamond gone , cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort ! The curse never fell upon our nation till now ; I never felt it till now : two thousand ducats in that ; and other precious , precious jewels . I would my daughter were dead at my foot , and the jewels in her ear ! would she were hearsed at my foot , and the ducats in her coffin ! No news of them ? Why , so : and I know not what's spent in the search : Why thou loss upon loss ! the thief gone with so much , and so much to find the thief ; and no satisfaction , no revenge : nor no ill luck stirring but what lights on my shoulders ; no sighs but of my breathing ; no tears but of my shedding .

Yes , other men have ill luck too . Antonio , as I heard in Genoa ,

What , what , what ? ill luck , ill luck ?

hath an argosy cast away , coming from Tripolis .

I thank God ! I thank God ! Is it true ? is it true ?

I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack .

I thank thee , good Tubal . Good news , good news ! ha , ha ! Where ? in Genoa ?

Your daughter spent in Genoa , as I heard , one night , fourscore ducats .

Thou stick'st a dagger in me : I shall never see my gold again : fourscore ducats at a sitting ! fourscore ducats !

There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice , that swear he cannot choose but break .

I am very glad of it : I'll plague him ; I'll torture him : I am glad of it .

One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey .

Out upon her ! Thou torturest me , Tubal : it was my turquoise ; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor : I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys .

But Antonio is certainly undone .

Nay , that's true , that's very true . Go , Tubal , fee me an officer ; bespeak him a fortnight before . I will have the heart of him , if he forfeit ; for , were he out of Venice , I can make what merchandise I will . Go , go , Tubal , and meet me at our synagogue ; go , good Tubal ; at our synagogue , Tubal .


I pray you , tarry : pause a day or two 
Before you hazard ; for , in choosing wrong .
I lose your company : therefore , forbear awhile .
There's something tells me , but it is not love ,
I would not lose you ; and you know yourself ,
Hate counsels not in such a quality .
But lest you should not understand me well ,
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought ,
I would detain you here some month or two 
Before you venture for me . I could teach you 
How to choose right , but then I am forsworn ;
So will I never be : so may you miss me ;
But if you do , you'll make me wish a sin ,
That I had been forsworn . Beshrew your eyes ,
They have o'erlook'd me and divided me :
One half of me is yours , the other half yours ,
Mine own , I would say ; but if mine , then yours ,
And so all yours . O ! these naughty times 
Put bars between the owners and their rights ;
And so , though yours , not yours . Prove it so ,
Let fortune go to hell for it , not I .
I speak too long ; but 'tis to peise the time ,
To eke it and to draw it out in length ,
To stay you from election .

Let me choose ;
For as I am , I live upon the rack .

Upon the rack , Bassanio ! then confess 
What treason there is mingled with your love .

None but that ugly treason of mistrust ,
Which makes me fear th' enjoying of my love :
There may as well be amity and life 
'Tween snow and fire , as treason and my love .

Ay , but I fear you speak upon the rack ,
Where men enforced do speak anything .

Promise me life , and I'll confess the truth .

Well then , confess , and live .

'Confess' and 'love' 
Had been the very sum of my confession :
O happy torment , when my torturer 
Doth teach me answers for deliverance !
But let me to my fortune and the caskets .

Away then ! I am lock'd in one of them :
If you do love me , you will find me out .
Nerissa and the rest , stand all aloof .
Let music sound while he doth make his choice ;
Then , if he lose , he makes a swan-like end ,
Fading in music : that the comparison 
May stand more proper , my eye shall be the stream 
And watery death-bed for him . He may win ;
And what is music then ? then music is 
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow 
To a new-crowned monarch : such it is 
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day 
That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear ,
And summon him to marriage . Now he goes ,
With no less presence , but with much more love ,
Than young Alcides , when he did redeem 
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy 
To the sea-monster : I stand for sacrifice ;
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives ,
With bleared visages , come forth to view 
The issue of the exploit . Go , Hercules !
Live thou , I live : with much , much more dismay 
I view the fight than thou that mak'st the fray .


Tell me where is fancy bred ,
Or in the heart or in the head ?
How begot , how nourished ?
Reply , reply .
It is engender'd in the eyes ,
With gazing fed ; and fancy dies 
In the cradle where it lies 
Let us all ring fancy's knell ;
I'll begin it ,Ding , dong , bell .


Ding , dong , bell .

So may the outward shows be least themselves :
The world is still deceiv'd with ornament .
In law , what plea so tainted and corrupt 
But , being season'd with a gracious voice ,
Obscures the show of evil ? In religion ,
What damned error , but some sober brow 
Will bless it and approve it with a text ,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament ?
There is no vice so simple but assumes 
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts .
How many cowards , whose hearts are all as false 
As stairs of sand , wear yet upon their chins 
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars ,
Who , inward search'd , have livers white as milk ;
And these assume but valour's excrement 
To render them redoubted ! Look on beauty ,
And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight ;
Which therein works a miracle in nature ,
Making them lightest that wear most of it :
So are those crisped snaky golden locks 
Which make such wanton gambols with the wind ,
Upon supposed fairness , often known 
To be the dowry of a second head ,
The skull that bred them , in the sepulchre .
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore 
To a most dangerous sea ; the beauteous scarf 
Veiling an Indian beauty ; in a word ,
The seeming truth which cunning times put on 
To entrap the wisest . Therefore , thou gaudy gold ,
Hard food for Midas , I will none of thee ;
Nor none of thee , thou pale and common drudge 
'Tween man and man : but thou , thou meagre lead ,
Which rather threat'nest than dost promise aught ,
Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence ,
And here choose I : joy be the consequence !

How all the other passions fleet to air ,
As doubtful thoughts , and rash-embrac'd despair ,
And shuddering fear , and green-ey'd jealousy .
O love ! be moderate ; allay thy ecstasy ;
In measure rain thy joy ; scant this excess ;
I feel too much thy blessing ; make it less ,
For fear I surfeit !

What find I here ?

Fair Portia's counterfeit ! What demi-god 
Hath come so near creation ? Move these eyes ?
Or whether , riding on the balls of mine ,
Seem they in motion ? Here are sever'd lips ,
Parted with sugar breath ; so sweet a bar 
Should sunder such sweet friends . Here , in her hairs 
The painter plays the spider , and hath woven 
A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men 
Faster than gnats in cobwebs : but her eyes !
How could he see to do them ? having made one ,
Methinks it should have power to steal both his 
And leave itself unfurnish'd : yet look , how far 
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow 
In underprizing it , so far this shadow 
Doth limp behind the substance . Here's the scroll ,
The continent and summary of my fortune .

You that choose not by the view ,
Chance as fair and choose as true !
Since this fortune falls to you ,
Be content and seek no new .
If you be well pleas'd with this 
And hold your fortune for your bliss ,
Turn you where your lady is 
And claim her with a loving kiss .

A gentle scroll . Fair lady , by your leave ;

I come by note , to give and to receive .
Like one of two contending in a prize ,
That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes ,
Hearing applause and universal shout ,
Giddy in spirit , still gazing in a doubt 
Whether those peals of praise be his or no ;
So , thrice-fair lady , stand I , even so ,
As doubtful whether what I see be true ,
Until confirm'd , sign'd , ratified by you .

You see me , Lord Bassanio , where I stand ,
Such as I am : though for myself alone 
I would not be ambitious in my wish ,
To wish myself much better ; yet , for you 
I would be trebled twenty times myself ;
A thousand times more fair , ten thousand times 
More rich ;
That only to stand high in your account ,
I might in virtues , beauties , livings , friends ,
Exceed account : but the full sum of me 
Is sum of nothing ; which , to term in gross ,
Is an unlesson'd girl , unschool'd , unpractis'd ;
Happy in this , she is not yet so old 
But she may learn ; happier than this ,
She is not bred so dull but she can learn ;
Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit 
Commits itself to yours to be directed ,
As from her lord , her governor , her king .
Myself and what is mine to you and yours 
Is now converted : but now I was the lord 
Of this fair mansion , master of my servants ,
Queen o'er myself ; and even now , but now ,
This house , these servants , and this same myself 
Are yours , my lord . I give them with this ring ;
Which when you part from , lose , or give away ,
Let it presage the ruin of your love ,
And be my vantage to exclaim on you .

Madam , you have bereft me of all words ,
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins ;
And there is such confusion in my powers ,
As , after some oration fairly spoke 
By a beloved prince , there doth appear 
Among the buzzing pleased multitude ;
Where every something , being blent together ,
Turns to a wild of nothing , save of joy ,
Express'd and not express'd . But when this ring 
Parts from this finger , then parts life from hence :
O ! then be bold to say Bassanio's dead .

My lord and lady , it is now our time ,
That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper ,
To cry , good joy . Good joy , my lord and lady !

My Lord Bassanio and my gentle lady ,
I wish you all the joy that you can wish ;
For I am sure you can wish none from me :
And when your honours mean to solemnize 
The bargain of your faith , I do beseech you ,
Even at that time I may be married too .

With all my heart , so thou canst get a wife .

I thank your lordship , you have got me one .
My eyes , my lord , can look as swift as yours :
You saw the mistress , I beheld the maid ;
You lov'd , I lov'd for intermission .
No more pertains to me , my lord , than you .
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there ,
And so did mine too , as the matter falls ;
For wooing here until I sweat again ,
And swearing till my very roof was dry 
With oaths of love , at last , if promise last ,
I got a promise of this fair one here 
To have her love , provided that your fortune 
Achiev'd her mistress .

Is this true , Nerissa ?

Madam , it is , so you stand pleas'd withal .

And do you , Gratiano , mean good faith ?

Yes , faith , my lord .

Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage .

We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats .

What ! and stake down ?

No ; we shall ne'er win at that sport , and stake down .
But who comes here ? Lorenzo and his infidel ?
What ! and my old Venetian friend , Salanio ?


Lorenzo , and Salanio , welcome hither ,
If that the youth of my new interest here 
Have power to bid you welcome . By your leave ,
I bid my very friends and countrymen ,
Sweet Portia , welcome .

So do I , my lord :
They are entirely welcome .

I thank your honour . For my part , my lord ,
My purpose was not to have seen you here ;
But meeting with Salanio by the way ,
He did entreat me , past all saying nay ,
To come with him along .

I did , my lord ,
And I have reason for it . Signior Antonio 
Commends him to you .


Ere I ope his letter ,
I pray you , tell me how my good friend doth .

Not sick , my lord , unless it be in mind ;
Nor well , unless in mind : his letter there 
Will show you his estate .

Nerissa , cheer yon stranger ; bid her welcome .
Your hand , Salanio . What's the news from Venice ?
How doth that royal merchant , good Antonio ?
I know he will be glad of our success ;
We are the Jasons , we have won the fleece .

I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost .

There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper ,
That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek :
Some dear friend dead , else nothing in the world 
Could turn so much the constitution 
Of any constant man . What , worse and worse !
With leave , Bassanio ; I am half yourself ,
And I must freely have the half of anything 
That this same paper brings you .

O sweet Portia !
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words 
That ever blotted paper . Gentle lady ,
When I did first impart my love to you ,
I freely told you all the wealth I had 
Ran in my veins , I was a gentleman :
And then I told you true ; and yet , dear lady ,
Rating myself at nothing , you shall see 
How much I was a braggart . When I told you 
My state was nothing , I should then have told you 
That I was worse than nothing ; for , indeed ,
I have engag'd myself to a dear friend ,
Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy ,
To feed my means . Here is a letter , lady ;
The paper as the body of my friend ,
And every word in it a gaping wound ,
Issuing life-blood . But is it true , Salanio ?
Hath all his ventures fail'd ? What , not one hit ?
From Tripolis , from Mexico , and England ,
From Lisbon , Barbary , and India ?
And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch 
Of merchant-marring rocks ?

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 .

When I was with him , I have heard him swear 
To Tubal and to Chus , his countrymen ,
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh 
Than twenty times the value of the sum 
That he did owe him ; and I know , my lord ,
If law , authority , and power deny not ,
It will go hard with poor Antonio .

Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble ?

The dearest friend to me , the kindest man ,
The best-condition'd and unwearied spirit 
In doing courtesies , and one in whom 
The ancient Roman honour more appears 
Than any that draws breath in Italy .

What sum owes he the Jew ?

For me , three thousand ducats .

What , no more ?
Pay him six thousand , and deface the bond ;
Double six thousand , and then treble that ,
Before a friend of this description 
Shall lose a hair thorough Bassanio's fault .
First go with me to church and call me wife ,
And then away to Venice to your friend ;
For never shall you lie by Portia's side 
With an unquiet soul . You shall have gold 
To pay the petty debt twenty times over :
When it is paid , bring your true friend along .
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime ,
Will live as maids and widows . Come , away !
For you shall hence upon your wedding-day .
Bid your friends welcome , show a merry cheer ;
Since you are dear bought , I will love you dear .
But let me hear the letter of your friend .

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 .

O love , dispatch all business , and be gone !

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 ,
Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain .


Gaoler , look to him : tell not me of mercy ;
This is the fool that lent out money gratis :
Gaoler , look to him .

Hear me yet , good Shylock .

I'll have my bond ; speak not against my bond :
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond .
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause ,
But , since I am a dog , beware my fangs :
The duke shall grant me justice . I do wonder ,
Thou naughty gaoler , that thou art so fond 
To come abroad with him at his request .

I pray thee , hear me speak .

I'll have my bond ; I will not hear thee speak :
I'll have my bond , and therefore speak no more .
I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool ,
To shake the head , relent , and sigh , and yield 
To Christian intercessors . Follow not ;
I'll have no speaking ; I will have my bond .


It is the most impenetrable cur 
That ever kept with men .

Let him alone :
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers .
He seeks my life ; his reason well I know .
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures 
Many that have at times made moan to me ;
Therefore he hates me .

I am sure the duke 
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold .

The duke cannot deny the course of law :
For the commodity that strangers have 
With us in Venice , if it be denied ,
'Twill much impeach the justice of the state ;
Since that the trade and profit of the city 
Consisteth of all nations . Therefore , go :
These griefs and losses have so bated me ,
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh 
To-morrow to my bloody creditor .
Well , gaoler , on . Pray God , Bassanio come 
To see me pay his debt , and then I care not !


Madam , although I speak it in your presence ,
You have a noble and a true conceit 
Of god-like amity ; which appears most strongly 
In bearing thus the absence of your lord .
But if you knew to whom you show this honour ,
How true a gentleman you send relief ,
How dear a lover of my lord your husband ,
I know you would be prouder of the work 
Than customary bounty can enforce you .

I never did repent for doing good ,
Nor shall not now : for in companions 
That do converse and waste the time together ,
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love ,
There must be needs a like proportion 
Of lineaments , of manners , and of spirit ;
Which makes me think that this Antonio ,
Being the bosom lover of my lord ,
Must needs be like my lord . If it be so ,
How little is the cost I have bestow'd 
In purchasing the semblance of my soul 
From out the state of hellish cruelty !
This comes too near the praising of myself ;
Therefore , no more of it : hear other things .
Lorenzo , I commit into your hands 
The husbandry and manage of my house 
Until my lord's return : for mine own part ,
I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow 
To live in prayer and contemplation ,
Only attended by Nerissa here ,
Until her husband and my lord's return .
There is a monastery two miles off ,
And there will we abide . I do desire you 
Not to deny this imposition ,
The which my love and some necessity 
Now lays upon you .

Madam , with all my heart :
I shall obey you in all fair commands .

My people do already know my mind ,
And will acknowledge you and Jessica 
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself .
So fare you well till we shall meet again .

Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you !

I wish your ladyship all heart's content .

I thank you for your wish , and am well pleas'd 
To wish it back on you : fare you well , Jessica .

Now , Balthazar ,
As I have ever found thee honest-true ,
So let me find thee still . Take this same letter ,
And use thou all the endeavour of a man 
In speed to Padua : see thou render this 
Into my cousin's hand , Doctor Bellario ;
And , look , what notes and garments he doth give thee ,
Bring them , I pray thee , with imagin'd speed 
Unto the traject , to the common ferry 
Which trades to Venice . Waste no time in words ,
But get thee gone : I shall be there before thee .

Madam , I go with all convenient speed .


Come on , Nerissa : I have work in hand 
That you yet know not of : we'll see our husbands 
Before they think of us .

Shall they see us ?

They shall , Nerissa ; but in such a habit 
That they shall think we are accomplished 
With that we lack . I'll hold thee any wager ,
When we are both accoutred like young men ,
I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two ,
And wear my dagger with the braver grace ,
And speak between the change of man and boy 
With a reed voice , and turn two mincing steps 
Into a manly stride , and speak of frays 
Like a fine bragging youth , and tell quaint lies ,
How honourable ladies sought my love ,
Which I denying , they fell sick and died :
I could not do withal ; then I'll repent ,
And wish , for all that , that I had not kill'd them :
And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell ,
That men shall swear I have discontinu'd school 
Above a twelvemonth . I have within my mind 
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks ,
Which I will practise .

Why , shall we turn to men ?

Fie , what a question's that ,
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter !
But come : I'll tell thee all my whole device 
When I am in my coach , which stays for us 
At the park gate ; and therefore haste away ,
For we must measure twenty miles to-day .


Yes , truly ; for , look you , the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children ; therefore , I promise you , I fear you . I was always plain with you , and so now I speak my agitation of the matter : therefore be of good cheer ; for , truly , I think you are damned . There is but one hope in it that can do you any good , and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither .

And what hope is that , I pray thee ?

Marry , you may partly hope that your father got you not , that you are not the Jew's daughter .

That were a kind of bastard hope , indeed : so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me .

Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and mother : thus when I shun Scylla , your father , I fall into Charybdis , your mother : well , you are gone both ways .

I shall be saved by my husband ; he hath made me a Christian .

Truly the more to blame he : we were Christians enow before ; e'en as many as could well live one by another . This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs : if we grow all to be pork-eaters , we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money .

I'll tell my husband , Launcelot , what you say : here he comes .


I shall grow jealous of you shortly , Launcelot , if you thus get my wife into corners .

Nay , you need not fear us , Lorenzo : Launcelot and I are out . He tells me flatly , there is no mercy for me in heaven , because I am a Jew's daughter : and he says you are no good member of the commonwealth , for , in converting Jews to Christians , you raise the price of pork .

I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the negro's belly : the Moor is with child by you , Launcelot .

It is much that the Moor should be more than reason ; but if she be less than an honest woman , she is indeed more than I took her for .

How every fool can play upon the word ! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence , and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots . Go in , sirrah : bid them prepare for dinner .

That is done , sir ; they have all stomachs .

Goodly Lord , what a wit-snapper are you ! then bid them prepare dinner .

That is done too , sir ; only , 'cover' is the word .

Will you cover , then , sir ?

Not so , sir , neither ; I know my duty .

Yet more quarrelling with occasion ! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant ? I pray thee , understand a plain man in his plain meaning : go to thy fellows ; bid them cover the table , serve in the meat , and we will come in to dinner .

For the table , sir , it shall be served in ; for the meat , sir , it shall be covered ; for your coming in to dinner , sir , why , let it be as humours and conceits shall govern .


O dear discretion , how his words are suited !
The fool hath planted in his memory 
An army of good words : and I do know 
A many fools , that stand in better place ,
Garnish'd like him , that for a tricksy word 
Defy the matter . How cheer'st thou , Jessica ?
And now , good sweet , say thy opinion ;
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife ?

Past all expressing . It is very meet ,
The Lord Bassanio live an upright life ,
For , having such a blessing in his lady ,
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth ;
And if on earth he do not mean it , then 
In reason he should never come to heaven .
Why , if two gods should play some heavenly match ,
And on the wager lay two earthly women ,
And Portia one , there must be something else 
Pawn'd with the other , for the poor rude world 
Hath not her fellow .

Even such a husband 
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife .

Nay , but ask my opinion too of that .

I will anon ; first , let us go to dinner .

Nay , let me praise you while I have a stomach .

No , pray thee , let it serve for table-talk ; Then howsoe'er thou speak'st , 'mong other things I shall digest it .

Well , I'll set you forth .

What , is Antonio here ?

Ready , so please your Grace .

I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer 
A stony adversary , an inhuman wretch 
Uncapable of pity , void and empty 
From any dram of mercy .

I have heard 
Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify 
His rigorous course ; but since he stands obdurate ,
And that no lawful means can carry me 
Out of his envy's reach , I do oppose 
My patience to his fury , and am arm'd 
To suffer with a quietness of spirit 
The very tyranny and rage of his .

Go one , and call the Jew into the court .

He's ready at the door : he comes , my lord .


Make room , and let him stand before our face .
Shylock , the world thinks , and I think so too ,
That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice 
To the last hour of act ; and then 'tis thought 
Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange 
Than is thy strange-apparent cruelty ;
And where thou now exact'st the penalty ,
Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh ,
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture ,
But , touch'd with human gentleness and love ,
Forgive a moiety of the principal ;
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses ,
That have of late so huddled on his back ,
Enow to press a royal merchant down ,
And pluck commiseration of his state 
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint ,
From stubborn Turks and Tartars , never train'd 
To offices of tender courtesy .
We all expect a gentle answer , Jew .

I have possess'd your Grace of what I purpose ;
And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn 
To have the due and forfeit of my bond :
If you deny it , let the danger light 
Upon your charter and your city's freedom .
You'll ask me , why I rather choose to have 
A weight of carrion flesh than to receive 
Three thousand ducats : I'll not answer that :
But say it is my humour : is it answer'd ?
What if my house be troubled with a rat ,
And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats 
To have it ban'd ? What , are you answer'd yet ?
Some men there are love not a gaping pig ;
Some , that are mad if they behold a cat ;
And others , when the bagpipe sings i' the nose ,
Cannot contain their urine : for affection ,
Mistress of passion , sways it to the mood 
Of what it likes , or loathes . Now , for your answer :
As there is no firm reason to be render'd ,
Why he cannot abide a gaping pig ;
Why he , a harmless necessary cat ;
Why he , a wauling bagpipe ; but of force 
Must yield to such inevitable shame 
As to offend , himself being offended ;
So can I give no reason , nor I will not ,
More than a lodg'd hate and a certain loathing 
I bear Antonio , that I follow thus 
A losing suit against him . Are you answer'd ?

This is no answer , thou unfeeling man ,
To excuse the current of thy cruelty .

I am not bound to please thee with my answer .

Do all men kill the things they do not love ?

Hates any man the thing he would not kill ?

Every offence is not a hate at first .

What ! wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice ?

I pray you , think you question with the Jew :
You may as well go stand upon the beach ,
And bid the main flood bate his usual height ;
You may as well use question with the wolf ,
Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb ;
You may as well forbid the mountain pines 
To wag their high tops , and to make no noise 
When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven ;
You may as well do anything most hard ,
As seek to soften that than which what's harder ?
His Jewish heart : therefore , I do beseech you ,
Make no more offers , use no further means ;
But with all brief and plain conveniency ,
Let me have judgment , and the Jew his will .

For thy three thousand ducats here is six .

If every ducat in six thousand ducats 
Were in six parts and every part a ducat ,
I would not draw them ; I would have my bond .

How shalt thou hope for mercy , rendering none ?

What judgment shall I dread , doing no wrong ?
You have among you many a purchas'd slave ,
Which , like your asses and your dogs and mules ,
You use in abject and in slavish parts ,
Because you bought them : shall I say to you ,
Let them be free , marry them to your heirs ?
Why sweat they under burdens ? let their beds 
Be made as soft as yours , and let their palates 
Be season'd with such viands ? You will answer :
'The slaves are ours :' so do I answer you :
The pound of flesh which I demand of him ,
Is dearly bought ; 'tis mine and I will have it .
If you deny me , fie upon your law !
There is no force in the decrees of Venice .
I stand for judgment : answer ; shall I have it ?

Upon my power I may dismiss this court ,
Unless Bellario , a learned doctor ,
Whom I have sent for to determine this ,
Come here to-day .

My lord , here stays without 
A messenger with letters from the doctor ,
New come from Padua .

Bring us the letters : call the messenger .

Good cheer , Antonio ! What , man , courage yet !
The Jew shall have my flesh , blood , bones , and all ,
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood .

I am a tainted wether of the flock ,
Meetest for death : the weakest kind of fruit 
Drops earliest to the ground ; and so let me :
You cannot better be employ'd , Bassanio ,
Than to live still , and write mine epitaph .


Came you from Padua , from Bellario ?

From both , my lord . Bellario greets your Grace .


Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly ?

To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there .

Not on thy sole , but on thy soul , harsh Jew ,
Thou mak'st thy knife keen ; but no metal can ,
No , not the hangman's axe , bear half the keenness 
Of thy sharp envy . Can no prayers pierce thee ?

No , none that thou hast wit enough to make .

O , be thou damn'd , inexecrable dog !
And for thy life let justice be accus'd .
Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith 
To hold opinion with Pythagoras ,
That souls of animals infuse themselves 
Into the trunks of men : thy currish spirit 
Govern'd a wolf , who , hang'd for human slaughter ,
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet ,
And whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam ,
Infus'd itself in thee ; for thy desires 
Are wolfish , bloody , starv'd , and ravenous .

Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond ,
Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud :
Repair thy wit , good youth , or it will fall 
To cureless ruin . I stand here for law .

This letter from Bellario doth commend 
A young and learned doctor to our court .
Where is he ?

He attendeth here hard by ,
To know your answer , whether you'll admit him .

With all my heart : some three or four of you 
Go give him courteous conduct to this place .
Meantime , the court shall hear Bellario's letter .

Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick ; but in the instant that your messenger came , in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome ; his name is Balthazar . I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant : we turned o'er many books together : he is furnished with my opinion ; which , bettered with his own learning ,the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend ,comes with him , at my importunity , to fill up your Grace's request in my stead I beseech you , let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation , for I never knew so young a body with so old a head . I leave him to your gracious acceptance , whose trial shall better publish his commendation .

You hear the learn'd Bellario , what he writes :
And here , I take it , is the doctor come .

Give me your hand . Came you from old Bellario ?

I did , my lord .

You are welcome : take your place .
Are you acquainted with the difference 
That holds this present question in the court ?

I am informed throughly of the cause .
Which is the merchant here , and which the Jew ?

Antonio and old Shylock , both stand forth .

Is your name Shylock ?

Shylock is my name .

Of a strange nature is the suit you follow ;
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law 
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed .


You stand within his danger , do you not ?

Ay , so he says .

Do you confess the bond ?

I do .

Then must the Jew be merciful .

On what compulsion must I ? tell me that .

The quality of mercy is not strain'd ,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven 
Upon the place beneath : it is twice bless'd ;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes :
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest ; it becomes 
The throned monarch better than his crown ;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power ,
The attribute to awe and majesty ,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings ;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway ,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings ,
It is an attribute to God himself ,
And earthly power doth then show likest God's 
When mercy seasons justice . Therefore , Jew ,
Though justice be thy plea , consider this ,
That in the course of justice none of us 
Should see salvation : we do pray for mercy ,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render 
The deeds of mercy . I have spoke thus much 
To mitigate the justice of thy plea ,
Which if thou follow , this strict court of Venice 
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there .

My deeds upon my head ! I crave the law ,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond .

Is he not able to discharge the money ?

Yes , here I tender it for him in the court ;
Yea , twice the sum : if that will not suffice ,
I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er ,
On forfeit of my hands , my head , my heart .
If this will not suffice , it must appear 
That malice bears down truth . And , I beseech you ,
Wrest once the law to your authority :
To do a great right , do a little wrong ,
And curb this cruel devil of his will .

It must not be . There is no power in Venice 
Can alter a decree established :
'Twill be recorded for a precedent ,
And many an error by the same example 
Will rush into the state . It cannot be .

A Daniel come to judgment ! yea , a Daniel !
O wise young judge , how I do honour thee !

I pray you , let me look upon the bond .

Here 'tis , most reverend doctor ; here it is .

Shylock , there's thrice thy money offer'd thee .

An oath , an oath , I have an oath in heaven :
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul ?
No , not for Venice .

Why , this bond is forfeit ;
And lawfully by this the Jew may claim 
A pound of flesh , to be by him cut off 
Nearest the merchant's heart . Be merciful :
Take thrice thy money ; bid me tear the bond .

When it is paid according to the tenour .
It doth appear you are a worthy judge ;
You know the law , your exposition 
Hath been most sound : I charge you by the law ,
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar ,
Proceed to judgment : by my soul I swear 
There is no power in the tongue of man 
To alter me . I stay here on my bond .

Most heartily I do beseech the court 
To give the judgment .

Why then , thus it is :
You must prepare your bosom for his knife .

O noble judge ! O excellent young man !

For , the intent and purpose of the law 
Hath full relation to the penalty ,
Which here appeareth due upon the bond .

'Tis very true ! O wise and upright judge !
How much more elder art thou than thy looks !

Therefore lay bare your bosom .

Ay , 'his breast :' 
So says the bond :doth it not , noble judge ?
'Nearest his heart :' those are the very words .

It is so . Are there balance here to weigh 
The flesh ?

I have them ready .

Have by some surgeon , Shylock , on your charge ,
To stop his wounds , lest he do bleed to death .

Is it so nominated in the bond ?

It is not so express'd ; but what of that ?
'Twere good you do so much for charity .

I cannot find it : 'tis not in the bond .

You , merchant , have you anything to say ?

But little : I am arm'd and well prepar'd .
Give me your hand , Bassanio : fare you well !
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you ;
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind 
Than is her custom : it is still her use 
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth ,
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow 
An age of poverty ; from which lingering penance 
Of such a misery doth she cut me off .
Commend me to your honourable wife :
Tell her the process of Antonio's end ;
Say how I lov'd you , speak me fair in death ;
And , when the tale is told , bid her be judge 
Whether Bassanio had not once a love .
Repent not you that you shall lose your friend ,
And he repents not that he pays your debt ;
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough ,
I'll pay it instantly with all my heart .

Antonio , I am married to a wife 
Which is as dear to me as life itself ;
But life itself , my wife , and all the world ,
Are not with me esteem'd above thy life :
I would lose all , ay , sacrifice them all ,
Here to this devil , to deliver you .

Your wife would give you little thanks for that ,
If she were by to hear you make the offer .

I have a wife , whom , I protest , I love :
I would she were in heaven , so she could 
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew .

'Tis well you offer it behind her back ;
The wish would make else an unquiet house .

These be the Christian husbands ! I have a daughter ;
Would any of the stock of Barabbas 
Had been her husband rather than a Christian !
We trifle time ; I pray thee , pursue sentence .

A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine :
The court awards it , and the law doth give it .

Most rightful judge !

And you must cut this flesh from off his breast :
The law allows it , and the court awards it .

Most learned judge ! A sentence ! come , prepare !

Tarry a little : there is something else .
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood ;
The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh :' 
Then take thy bond , take thou thy pound of flesh ;
But , in the cutting it , if thou dost shed 
One drop of Christian blood , thy lands and goods 
Are , by the laws of Venice , confiscate 
Unto the state of Venice .

O upright judge ! Mark , Jew : O learned judge !

Is that the law ?

Thyself shalt see the act ;
For , as thou urgest justice , be assur'd 
Thou shalt have justice , more than thou desir'st .

O learned judge ! Mark , Jew : a learned judge !

I take this offer then : pay the bond thrice ,
And let the Christian go .

Here is the money .

Soft !
The Jew shall have all justice ; soft ! no haste :
He shall have nothing but the penalty .

O Jew ! an upright judge , a learned judge !

Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh .
Shed thou no blood ; nor cut thou less , nor more ,
But just a pound of flesh : if thou tak'st more ,
Or less , than a just pound , be it but so much 
As makes it light or heavy in the substance ,
Or the division of the twentieth part 
Of one poor scruple , nay , if the scale do turn 
But in the estimation of a hair ,
Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate .

A second Daniel , a Daniel , Jew !
Now , infidel , I have thee on the hip .

Why doth the Jew pause ? take thy forfeiture .

Give me my principal , and let me go .

I have it ready for thee ; here it is .

He hath refus'd it in the open court :
He shall have merely justice , and his bond .

A Daniel , still say I ; a second Daniel !
I thank thee , Jew , for teaching me that word .

Shall I not have barely my principal ?

Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture ,
To be so taken at thy peril , Jew .

Why , then the devil give him good of it !
I'll stay no longer question .

Tarry , Jew :
The law hath yet another hold on you .
It is enacted in the laws of Venice ,
If it be prov'd against an alien 
That by direct or indirect attempts 
He seek the life of any citizen ,
The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive 
Shall seize one half his goods ; the other half 
Comes to the privy coffer of the state ;
And the offender's life lies in the mercy 
Of the duke only , 'gainst all other voice .
In which predicament , I say , thou stand'st ;
For it appears by manifest proceeding ,
That indirectly and directly too 
Thou hast contriv'd against the very life 
Of the defendant ; and thou hast incurr'd 
The danger formerly by me rehears'd .
Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke .

Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself :
And yet , thy wealth being forfeit to the state ,
Thou hast not left the value of a cord ;
Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge .

That thou shalt see the difference of our spirits ,
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it .
For half thy wealth , it is Antonio's ;
The other half comes to the general state ,
Which humbleness may drive into a fine .

Ay , for the state ; not for Antonio .

Nay , take my life and all ; pardon not that :
You take my house when you do take the prop 
That doth sustain my house ; you take my life 
When you do take the means whereby I live .

What mercy can you render him , Antonio ?

A halter gratis ; nothing else , for God's sake !

So please my lord the duke , and all the court ,
To quit the fine for one half of his goods ,
I am content ; so he will let me have 
The other half in use , to render it ,
Upon his death , unto the gentleman 
That lately stole his daughter :
Two things provided more , that , for this favour ,
He presently become a Christian ;
The other , that he do record a gift ,
Here in the court , of all he dies possess'd ,
Unto his son Lorenzo , and his daughter .

He shall do this , or else I do recant 
The pardon that I late pronounced here .

Art thou contented , Jew ? what dost thou say ?

I am content .

Clerk , draw a deed of gift .

I pray you give me leave to go from hence :
I am not well . Send the deed after me ,
And I will sign it .

Get thee gone , but do it .

In christening thou shalt have two godfathers ;
Had I been judge , thou shouldst have had ten more ,
To bring thee to the gallows , not the font .


Sir , I entreat you home with me to dinner .

I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon :
I must away this night toward Padua ,
And it is meet I presently set forth .

I am sorry that your leisure serves you not .
Antonio , gratify this gentleman ,
For , in my mind , you are much bound to him .


Most worthy gentleman , I and my friend 
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted 
Of grievous penalties ; in lieu whereof ,
Three thousand ducats , due unto the Jew ,
We freely cope your courteous pains withal .

And stand indebted , over and above ,
In love and service to you evermore .

He is well paid that is well satisfied ;
And I , delivering you , am satisfied ,
And therein do account myself well paid :
My mind was never yet more mercenary .
I pray you , know me when we meet again :
I wish you well , and so I take my leave .

Dear sir , of force I must attempt you further :
Take some remembrance of us , as a tribute ,
Not as a fee . Grant me two things , I pray you ,
Not to deny me , and to pardon me .

You press me far , and therefore I will yield .


Give me your gloves , I'll wear them for your sake ;


And , for your love , I'll take this ring from you .
Do not draw back your hand ; I'll take no more ;
And you in love shall not deny me this .

This ring , good sir ? alas ! it is a trifle ;
I will not shame myself to give you this .

I will have nothing else but only this ;
And now methinks I have a mind to it .

There's more depends on this than on the value .
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you ,
And find it out by proclamation :
Only for this , I pray you , pardon me .

I see , sir , you are liberal in offers :
You taught me first to beg , and now methinks 
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd .

Good sir , this ring was given me by my wife ;
And , when she put it on , she made me vow 
That I should never sell nor give nor lose it .

That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts .
An if your wife be not a mad-woman ,
And know how well I have deserv'd the ring ,
She would not hold out enemy for ever ,
For giving it to me . Well , peace be with you .


My Lord Bassanio , let him have the ring :
Let his deservings and my love withal 
Be valu'd 'gainst your wife's commandment .

Go , Gratiano ; run and overtake him ;
Give him the ring , and bring him , if thou canst ,
Unto Antonio's house . Away ! make haste .

Come , you and I will thither presently ,
And in the morning early will we both 
Fly toward Belmont . Come , Antonio .


Inquire the Jew's house out , give him this deed ,
And let him sign it . We'll away to-night ,
And be a day before our husbands home :
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo .


Fair sir , you are well o'erta'en .
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice 
Hath sent you here this ring , and doth entreat 
Your company at dinner .

That cannot be :
His ring I do accept most thankfully ;
And so , I pray you , tell him : furthermore ,
I pray you , show my youth old Shylock's house .

That will I do .

Sir , I would speak with you .


I'll see if I can get my husband's ring ,
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever .

Thou mayst , I warrant . We shall have old swearing 
That they did give the rings away to men ;
But we'll outface them , and outswear them too .
Away ! make haste : thou know'st where I will tarry .

Come , good sir , will you show me to this house ?

The moon shines bright : in such a night as this ,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees 
And they did make no noise , in such a night 
Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls ,
And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents ,
Where Cressid lay that night .

In such a night 
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew ,
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself ,
And ran dismay'd away .

In such a night 
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand 
Upon the wild sea-banks , and waft her love 
To come again to Carthage .

In such a night 
Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs 
That did renew old  son .

In such a night 
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew ,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice ,
As far as Belmont .

In such a night 
Did young Lorenzo swear he lov'd her well ,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith ,
And ne'er a true one .

In such a night 
Did pretty Jessica , like a little shrew ,
Slander her love , and he forgave it her .

I would out-night you , did no body come ;
But , hark ! I hear the footing of a man .


Who comes so fast in silence of the night ?

A friend .

A friend ! what friend ? your name , I pray you , friend .

Stephano is my name ; and I bring word 
My mistress will before the break of day 
Be here at Belmont : she doth stray about 
By holy crosses , where she kneels and prays 
For happy wedlock hours .

Who comes with her ?

None , but a holy hermit and her maid .
I pray you , is my master yet return'd ?

He is not , nor we have not heard from him .
But go we in , I pray thee , Jessica ,
And ceremoniously let us prepare 
Some welcome for the mistress of the house .


Sola , sola ! wo ha , ho ! sola , sola !

Who calls ?

Sola ! did you see Master Lorenzo ?
Master Lorenzo ! sola , sola !

Leave hollaing , man ; here .

Sola ! where ? where ?

Here .

Tell him there's a post come from my master , with his horn full of good news : my master will be here ere morning .


Sweet soul , let's in , and there expect their coming .
And yet no matter ; why should we go in ?
My friend Stephano , signify , I pray you ,
Within the house , your mistress is at hand ;
And bring your music forth into the air .

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank !
Here will we sit , and let the sounds of music 
Creep in our ears : soft stillness and the night 
Become the touches of sweet harmony .
Sit , Jessica : look , how the floor of heaven 
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold :
There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st 
But in his motion like an angel sings ,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins ;
Such harmony is in immortal souls ;
But , whilst this muddy vesture of decay 
Doth grossly close it in , we cannot hear it .

Come , ho ! and wake Diana with a hymn :
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear ,
And draw her home with music .


I am never merry when I hear sweet music .

The reason is , your spirits are attentive :
For do but note a wild and wanton herd ,
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts ,
Fetching mad bounds , bellowing and neighing loud ,
Which is the hot condition of their blood ;
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound ,
Or any air of music touch their ears ,
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand ,
Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze 
By the sweet power of music : therefore the poet 
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees , stones , and floods ;
Since nought so stockish , hard , and full of rage ,
But music for the time doth change his nature .
The man that hath no music in himself ,
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds ,
Is fit for treasons , stratagems , and spoils ;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night ,
And his affections dark as Erebus :
Let no such man be trusted . Mark the music .


That light we see is burning in my hall .
How far that little candle throws his beams !
So shines a good deed in a naughty world .

When the moon shone , we did not see the candle .

So doth the greater glory dim the less :
A substitute shines brightly as a king 
Until a king be by , and then his state 
Empties itself , as doth an inland brook 
Into the main of waters . Music ! hark !

It is your music , madam , of the house .

Nothing is good , I see , without respect :
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day .

Silence bestows that virtue on it , madam .

The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark 
When neither is attended , and I think 
The nightingale , if she should sing by day ,
When every goose is cackling , would be thought 
No better a musician than the wren .
How many things by season season'd are 
To their right praise and true perfection !
Peace , ho ! the moon sleeps with Endymion ,
And would not be awak'd !


That is the voice ,
Or I am much deceiv'd , of Portia .

He knows me , as the blind man knows the cuckoo ,
By the bad voice .

Dear lady , welcome home .

We have been praying for our husbands' welfare ,
Which speed , we hope , the better for our words .
Are they return'd ?

Madam , they are not yet ;
But there is come a messenger before ,
To signify their coming .

Go in , Nerissa :
Give order to my servants that they take 
No note at all of our being absent hence ;
Nor you , Lorenzo ; Jessica , nor you .


Your husband is at hand ; I hear his trumpet :
We are no tell-tales , madam ; fear you not .

This night methinks is but the daylight sick ;
It looks a little paler : 'tis a day ,
Such as the day is when the sun is hid .


We should hold day with the Antipodes ,
If you would walk in absence of the sun .

Let me give light , but let me not be light ;
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband ,
And never be Bassanio so for me :
But God sort all ! You are welcome home , my lord .

I thank you , madam . Give welcome to my friend :
This is the man , this is Antonio ,
To whom I am so infinitely bound .

You should in all sense be much bound to him ,
For , as I hear , he was much bound for you .

No more than I am well acquitted of .

Sir , you are very welcome to our house :
It must appear in other ways than words ,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy .

By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong ;
In faith , I gave it to the judge's clerk :
Would he were gelt that had it , for my part ,
Since you do take it , love , so much at heart .

A quarrel , ho , already ! what's the matter ?

About a hoop of gold , a paltry ring 
That she did give me , whose poesy was 
For all the world like cutlers' poetry 
Upon a knife , 'Love me , and leave me not .' 

What talk you of the posy , or the value ?
You swore to me , when I did give it you ,
That you would wear it till your hour of death ,
And that it should lie with you in your grave :
Though not for me , yet for your vehement oaths ,
You should have been respective and have kept it .
Gave it a judge's clerk ! no , God's my judge ,
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it .

He will , an if he live to be a man .

Ay , if a woman live to be a man .

Now , by this hand , I gave it to a youth ,
A kind of boy , a little scrubbed boy ,
No higher than thyself , the judge's clerk .
A prating boy , that begg'd it as a fee :
I could not for my heart deny it him .

You were to blame ,I must be plain with you ,
To part so slightly with your wife's first gift ;
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger ,
And riveted so with faith unto your flesh .
I gave my love a ring and made him swear 
Never to part with it ; and here he stands ,
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it 
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth 
That the world masters . Now , in faith , Gratiano ,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief :
An 'twere to me , I should be mad at it .

Why , I were best to cut my left hand off ,
And swear I lost the ring defending it .

My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away 
Unto the judge that begg'd it , and indeed 
Deserv'd it too ; and then the boy , his clerk ,
That took some pains in writing , he begg'd mine ;
And neither man nor master would take aught 
But the two rings .

What ring gave you , my lord ?
Not that , I hope , that you receiv'd of me .

If I could add a lie unto a fault ,
I would deny it ; but you see my finger 
Hath not the ring upon it ; it is gone .

Even so void is your false heart of truth .
By heaven , I will ne'er come in your bed 
Until I see the ring .

Nor I in yours ,
Till I again see mine .

Sweet Portia ,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring ,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring ,
And would conceive for what I gave the ring ,
And how unwillingly I left the ring ,
When naught would be accepted but the ring ,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure .

If you had known the virtue of the ring ,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring ,
Or your own honour to contain the ring ,
You would not then have parted with the ring .
What man is there so much unreasonable ,
If you had pleas'd to have defended it 
With any terms of zeal , wanted the modesty 
To urge the thing held as a ceremony ?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe :
I'll die for't but some woman had the ring .

No , by my honour , madam , by my soul ,
No woman had it ; but a civil doctor ,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me ,
And begg'd the ring , the which I did deny him ,
And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away ;
Even he that did uphold the very life 
Of my dear friend . What should I say , sweet lady ?
I was enforc'd to send it after him ;
I was beset with shame and courtesy ;
My honour would not let ingratitude 
So much besmear it . Pardon me , good lady ,
For , by these blessed candles of the night ,
Had you been there , I think you would have begg'd 
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor .

Let not that doctor e'er come near my house .
Since he hath got the jewel that I lov'd ,
And that which you did swear to keep for me ,
I will become as liberal as you ;
I'll not deny him anything I have ;
No , not my body , nor my husband's bed .
Know him I shall , I am well sure of it :
Lie not a night from home ; watch me like Argus :
If you do not , if I be left alone ,
Now by mine honour , which is yet mine own ,
I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow .

And I his clerk ; therefore be well advis'd 
How you do leave me to mine own protection .

Well , do you so : let me not take him , then ;
For if I do , I'll mar the young clerk's pen .

I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels .

Sir , grieve not you ; you are welcome notwithstanding .

Portia , forgive me this enforced wrong ;
And in the hearing of these many friends ,
I swear to thee , even by thine own fair eyes ,
Wherein I see myself ,

Mark you but that !
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself ;
In each eye , one : swear by your double self ,
And there's an oath of credit .

Nay , but hear me :
Pardon this fault , and by my soul I swear 
I never more will break an oath with thee .

I once did lend my body for his wealth ,
Which , but for him that had your husband's ring ,
Had quite miscarried : I dare be bound again ,
My soul upon the forfeit , that your lord 
Will never more break faith advisedly .

Then you shall be his surety . Give him this ,
And bid him keep it better than the other .

Here , Lord Bassanio ; swear to keep this ring .

By heaven ! it is the same I gave the doctor !

I had it of him : pardon me , Bassanio ,
For , by this ring , the doctor lay with me .

And pardon me , my gentle Gratiano ;
For that same scrubbed boy , the doctor's clerk ,
In lieu of this last night did lie with me .

Why , this is like the mending of highways 
In summer , where the ways are fair enough .
What ! are we cuckolds ere we have deserv'd it ?

Speak not so grossly . You are all amaz'd :
Here is a letter ; read it at your leisure ;
It comes from Padus , from Bellario :
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor ,
Nerissa , there , her clerk : Lorenzo here 
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you 
And even but now return'd ; I have not yet 
Enter'd my house . Antonio , you are welcome ;
And I have better news in store for you 
Than you expect : unseal this letter soon ;
There you shall find three of your argosies 
Are richly come to harbour suddenly .
You shall not know by what strange accident 
I chanced on this letter .

I am dumb .

Were you the doctor and I knew you not ?

Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold ?

Ay ; but the clerk that never means to do it ,
Unless he live until he be a man .

Sweet doctor , you shall be my bedfellow :
When I am absent , then , lie with my wife .

Sweet lady , you have given me life and living ;
For here I read for certain that my ships 
Are safely come to road .

How now , Lorenzo !
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you .

Ay , and I'll give them him without a fee .
There do I give to you and Jessica ,
From the rich Jew , a special deed of gift ,
After his death , of all he dies possess'd of .

Fair ladies , you drop manna in the way 
Of starved people .

It is almost morning ,
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied 
Of these events at full . Let us go in ;
And charge us there upon inter'gatories ,
And we will answer all things faithfully .

Let it be so : the first inter'gatory 
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is ,
Whe'r till the next night she had rather stay ,
Or go to bed now , being two hours to day :
But were the day come , I should wish it dark ,
That I were couching with the doctor's clerk .
Well , while I live I'll fear no other thing 
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring .