no;

[to his followers.

More guarded than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father in: I cannot get a service, I have ne'er a tongue in my head. Well; [looking on his palm.] if any man in Italy have a fairer table, which doth offer to swear upon a book. I shall have good for tune; Go to, here's a simple line of life! here's a small trifle of wives: Alas, fifteen wives, is nothing; eleven widows, and nine maids, is a simple coming in for one man: and then, to 'scape drowning thrice; and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather- będ here are simple 'scapes! Well, if fortune, be a woman, she's a good wench for this geer. Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old. GOBBO, Bass. I pray thee, good Leopardo, think on this;

These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for 1 do feast to-night

My best esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein.

Gra. I have a suit to you.

Bass. Gratiano!

*

Bass. You have obtain'd it.

Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with

you to Belmont.

Bass.

Bass. Why, then you must; - But hear thee Gratiano;

Thou art too wild, too rude, and hold 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

Something too liberal;

show

pray thee, take pain To allay with some cold drops of modesty

Thy skipping spirit; lest, through

behaviour,

I be misconstrued in the place I go to,

And lose my hopes.

Gra. Siguior Bassanio, hear me:

If I do not put on a sober habit,

thy wild

Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demu. rely;

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.
Bass. Well, we shall see your bearing.
Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not
gage me

By what we do to-night.

Bass. No, that were pity;

I would entreat you rather to put on

Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment: But fare you well,
I have some business.

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. [Exeunt. VOL. IV.

SCENE III.

The same. A Room in Shylock's House.

Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT.

Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father

50;

Our house is hell, and thou á merry devil,

Didst rob it of some taste of tediuosness:

But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee. soon at supper shalt thou And, Launcelot,

see

Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest;
Give him this letter; do it secretly,

And so farewel; I would not have my father
See me talk with thee.

Laun. Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagàn, most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the kuave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But, adieu these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu!

[Exit.

Jes. Farewel, 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: 0 Lorenzo,
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife;
Bécome a Christian, and thy loving wife.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

The same.. A Street.

Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO,

SALANIO.

SALARINO, and

Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper- time; Disguise us at my lodging, and return

All in an hour,

Gra. We have not made good preparation. Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torch

Salan. 'Tis vile,

bearers.

unless it may be quaintly order'd;

And better, in my mind, not undertook.

Lor. 'Tis now but four a-clock; we have two

To furnish us:

hours

Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter.

Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

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

Lor. I know the hand in faith, 'tis a fair hand;

And whiter than the paper it writ on.

is the fair hand that writ.

Gra. Love-news, in faith.
Laun. By your leave, Sir.
Lor. Whither goest thou?

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

Lor. Hold here, take this:

tell gentle Jessica,

I will not fail her;
Gentlemen.

speak it privately; go; -
[Exit LAUNCELOT.

Will you prepare for this masque tonight?
I am provided of a torchbearer.

Salar.

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

Salan. And so will I.

Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano,

At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

Salar. 'Tis good we do so.

[Exeunt SALAR. and SALAN.

Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath di-

rected,

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.

SCENE V.

[Exeunt.

The same. Before Shylock's House.

Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT.

Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,

The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio: