You’llaskme,whyIratherchoosetohaveAweightofcarrionfleshthantoreceiveThreethousandducats:I’llnotanswerthat:
But,say,itismyhumour:isitanswer’d?
WhatifmyhousebetroubledwitharatAndIbepleasedtogivetenthousandducatsTohaveitbaned?What,areyouanswer’dyet?
Somementherearelovenotagapingpig;
Some,thataremadiftheybeholdacat;
Andothers,whenthebagpipesingsi’thenose,Cannotcontaintheirurine:foraffection,Mistressofpassion,swaysittothemoodOfwhatitlikesorloathes。Now,foryouranswer:
Asthereisnofirmreasontoberender’d,Whyhecannotabideagapingpig;
Whyhe,aharmlessnecessarycat;
Whyhe,awoollenbagpipe;butofforceMustyieldtosuchinevitableshameAstooffend,himselfbeingoffended;
SocanIgivenoreason,norIwillnot,MorethanalodgedhateandacertainloathingIbearAntonio,thatIfollowthusAlosingsuitagainsthim。Areyouanswer’d?BASSANIOThisisnoanswer,thouunfeelingman,Toexcusethecurrentofthycruelty。SHYLOCKIamnotboundtopleasetheewithmyanswers。BASSANIODoallmenkillthethingstheydonotlove?SHYLOCKHatesanymanthethinghewouldnotkill?BASSANIOEveryoffenceisnotahateatfirst。SHYLOCKWhat,wouldstthouhaveaserpentstingtheetwice?ANTONIOIprayyou,thinkyouquestionwiththeJew:
YoumayaswellgostanduponthebeachAndbidthemainfloodbatehisusualheight;
YoumayaswellusequestionwiththewolfWhyhehathmadetheewebleatforthelamb;
YoumayaswellforbidthemountainpinesTowagtheirhightopsandtomakenonoise,Whentheyarefrettenwiththegustsofheaven;
Youmayaswelldoanythingmosthard,Asseektosoftenthat——thanwhichwhat’sharder?——
HisJewishheart:therefore,Idobeseechyou,Makenomoreoffers,usenofarthermeans,ButwithallbriefandplainconveniencyLetmehavejudgmentandtheJewhiswill。BASSANIOForthythreethousandducatshereissix。SHYLOCKWhatjudgmentshallIdread,doingWereinsixpartsandeverypartaducat,Iwouldnotdrawthem;Iwouldhavemybond。DUKEHowshaltthouhopeformercy,renderingnone?SHYLOCKWhatjudgmentshallIdread,doingnowrong?
Youhaveamongyoumanyapurchasedslave,Which,likeyourassesandyourdogsandmules,Youuseinabjectandinslavishparts,Becauseyouboughtthem:shallIsaytoyou,Letthembefree,marrythemtoyourheirs?
Whysweattheyunderburthens?lettheirbedsBemadeassoftasyoursandlettheirpalatesBeseason’dwithsuchviands?Youwillanswer’Theslavesareours:’sodoIansweryou:
Thepoundofflesh,whichIdemandofhim,Isdearlybought;’tismineandIwillhaveit。
Ifyoudenyme,fieuponyourlaw!
ThereisnoforceinthedecreesofVenice。
Istandforjudgment:answer;shallIhaveit?DUKEUponmypowerImaydismissthiscourt,UnlessBellario,alearneddoctor,WhomIhavesentfortodeterminethis,Comehereto-day。SALERIOMylord,herestayswithoutAmessengerwithlettersfromthedoctor,NewcomefromPadua。DUKEBringustheletter;callthemessenger。BASSANIOGoodcheer,Antonio!What,man,courageyet!
TheJewshallhavemyflesh,blood,bonesandall,Erethoushaltloseformeonedropofblood。ANTONIOIamataintedwetheroftheflock,Meetestfordeath:theweakestkindoffruitDropsearliesttotheground;andsoletmeYoucannotbetterbeemploy’d,Bassanio,Thantolivestillandwritemineepitaph。
EnterNERISSA,dressedlikealawyer’sclerkDUKECameyoufromPadua,fromBellario?NERISSAFromboth,mylord。Bellariogreetsyourgrace。
PresentingaletterBASSANIOWhydostthouwhetthyknifesoearnestly?SHYLOCKTocuttheforfeiturefromthatbankruptthere。GRATIANONotonthysole,butonthysoul,harshJew,Thoumakestthyknifekeen;butnometalcan,No,notthehangman’saxe,bearhalfthekeennessOfthysharpenvy。Cannoprayerspiercethee?SHYLOCKNo,nonethatthouhastwitenoughtomake。GRATIANOO,bethoudamn’d,inexecrabledog!
Andforthylifeletjusticebeaccused。
ThoualmostmakestmewaverinmyfaithToholdopinionwithPythagoras,ThatsoulsofanimalsinfusethemselvesIntothetrunksofmen:thycurrishspiritGovern’dawolf,who,hang’dforhumanslaughter,Evenfromthegallowsdidhisfellsoulfleet,And,whilstthoulay’stinthyunhallow’ddam,Infuseditselfinthee;forthydesiresArewolvish,bloody,starvedandravenous。SHYLOCKTillthoucanstrailthesealfromoffmybond,Thoubutoffend’stthylungstospeaksoloud:
Repairthywit,goodyouth,oritwillfallTocurelessruin。Istandhereforlaw。DUKEThisletterfromBellariodothcommendAyoungandlearneddoctortoourcourt。
Whereishe?NERISSAHeattendethherehardby,Toknowyouranswer,whetheryou’lladmithim。DUKEWithallmyheart。SomethreeorfourofyouGogivehimcourteousconducttothisplace。
MeantimethecourtshallhearBellario’sletter。Clerk[Reads]
YourgraceshallunderstandthatatthereceiptofyourletterIamverysick:butintheinstantthatyourmessengercame,inlovingvisitationwaswithmeayoungdoctorofRome;hisnameisBalthasar。
I
acquaintedhimwiththecauseincontroversybetweentheJewandAntoniothemerchant:weturnedo’ermanybookstogether:heisfurnishedwithmyopinion;which,betteredwithhisownlearning,thegreatnesswhereofIcannotenoughcommend,comeswithhim,atmyimportunity,tofillupyourgrace’srequestinmystead。Ibeseechyou,lethislackofyearsbenoimpedimenttolethimlackareverendestimation;forIneverknewsoyoungabodywithsooldahead。Ileavehimtoyourgraciousacceptance,whosetrialshallbetterpublishhiscommendation。DUKEYouhearthelearn’dBellario,whathewrites:
Andhere,Itakeit,isthedoctorcome。
EnterPORTIA,dressedlikeadoctoroflawsGivemeyourhand。ComeyoufromoldBellario?PORTIAIdid,mylord。DUKEYouarewelcome:takeyourplace。
AreyouacquaintedwiththedifferenceThatholdsthispresentquestioninthecourt?PORTIAIaminformedthoroughlyofthecause。
Whichisthemerchanthere,andwhichtheJew?DUKEAntonioandoldShylock,bothstandforth。PORTIAIsyournameShylock?SHYLOCKShylockismyname。PORTIAOfastrangenatureisthesuityoufollow;
YetinsuchrulethattheVenetianlawCannotimpugnyouasyoudoproceed。
Youstandwithinhisdanger,doyounot?ANTONIOAy,sohesays。PORTIADoyouconfessthebond?ANTONIOIdo。PORTIAThenmusttheJewbemerciful。SHYLOCKOnwhatcompulsionmustI?tellmethat。PORTIAThequalityofmercyisnotstrain’d,ItdroppethasthegentlerainfromheavenUpontheplacebeneath:itistwiceblest;
Itblessethhimthatgivesandhimthattakes:
’Tismightiestinthemightiest:itbecomesThethronedmonarchbetterthanhiscrown;
Hissceptreshowstheforceoftemporalpower,Theattributetoaweandmajesty,Whereindothsitthedreadandfearofkings;
Butmercyisabovethissceptredsway;
Itisenthronedintheheartsofkings,ItisanattributetoGodhimself;
AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod’sWhenmercyseasonsjustice。Therefore,Jew,Thoughjusticebethyplea,considerthis,That,inthecourseofjustice,noneofusShouldseesalvation:wedoprayformercy;
AndthatsameprayerdothteachusalltorenderThedeedsofmercy。IhavespokethusmuchTomitigatethejusticeofthyplea;
Whichifthoufollow,thisstrictcourtofVeniceMustneedsgivesentence’gainstthemerchantthere。SHYLOCKMydeedsuponmyhead!Icravethelaw,Thepenaltyandforfeitofmybond。PORTIAIshenotabletodischargethemoney?BASSANIOYes,hereItenderitforhiminthecourt;
Yea,twicethesum:ifthatwillnotsuffice,Iwillbeboundtopayittentimeso’er,Onforfeitofmyhands,myhead,myheart:
Ifthiswillnotsuffice,itmustappearThatmalicebearsdowntruth。AndIbeseechyou,Wrestoncethelawtoyourauthority:
Todoagreatright,doalittlewrong,Andcurbthiscrueldevilofhiswill。PORTIAItmustnotbe;thereisnopowerinVeniceCanalteradecreeestablished:
’Twillberecordedforaprecedent,AndmanyanerrorbythesameexampleWillrushintothestate:itcannotbe。SHYLOCKADanielcometojudgment!yea,aDaniel!
Owiseyoungjudge,howIdohonourthee!PORTIAIprayyou,letmelookuponthebond。SHYLOCKHere’tis,mostreverenddoctor,hereitis。PORTIAShylock,there’sthricethymoneyoffer’dthee。SHYLOCKAnoath,anoath,Ihaveanoathinheaven:
ShallIlayperjuryuponmysoul?
No,notforVenice。PORTIAWhy,thisbondisforfeit;
AndlawfullybythistheJewmayclaimApoundofflesh,tobebyhimcutoffNearestthemerchant’sheart。Bemerciful:
Takethricethymoney;bidmetearthebond。SHYLOCKWhenitispaidaccordingtothetenor。
Itdothappearyouareaworthyjudge;
Youknowthelaw,yourexpositionHathbeenmostsound:Ichargeyoubythelaw,Whereofyouareawell-deservingpillar,Proceedtojudgment:bymysoulIswearThereisnopowerinthetongueofmanToalterme:Istayhereonmybond。ANTONIOMostheartilyIdobeseechthecourtTogivethejudgment。PORTIAWhythen,thusitis:
Youmustprepareyourbosomforhisknife。SHYLOCKOnoblejudge!Oexcellentyoungman!PORTIAFortheintentandpurposeofthelawHathfullrelationtothepenalty,Whichhereappearethdueuponthebond。SHYLOCK’Tisverytrue:Owiseanduprightjudge!
Howmuchmoreelderartthouthanthylooks!PORTIAThereforelaybareyourbosom。SHYLOCKAy,hisbreast:
Sosaysthebond:dothitnot,noblejudge?
’Nearesthisheart:’thosearetheverywords。PORTIAItisso。AretherebalanceheretoweighTheflesh?SHYLOCKIhavethemready。PORTIAHavebysomesurgeon,Shylock,onyourcharge,Tostophiswounds,lesthedobleedtodeath。SHYLOCKIsitsonominatedinthebond?PORTIAItisnotsoexpress’d:butwhatofthat?
’Tweregoodyoudosomuchforcharity。SHYLOCKIcannotfindit;’tisnotinthebond。PORTIAYou,merchant,haveyouanythingtosay?ANTONIOButlittle:Iamarm’dandwellprepared。
Givemeyourhand,Bassanio:fareyouwell!
GrievenotthatIamfallentothisforyou;
ForhereinFortuneshowsherselfmorekindThanishercustom:itisstillheruseToletthewretchedmanoutlivehiswealth,ToviewwithholloweyeandwrinkledbrowAnageofpoverty;fromwhichlingeringpenanceOfsuchmiserydothshecutmeoff。
Commendmetoyourhonourablewife:
TellhertheprocessofAntonio’send;
SayhowIlovedyou,speakmefairindeath;
And,whenthetaleistold,bidherbejudgeWhetherBassaniohadnotoncealove。
Repentbutyouthatyoushallloseyourfriend,Andherepentsnotthathepaysyourdebt;
ForiftheJewdocutbutdeepenough,I’llpayitpresentlywithallmyheart。BASSANIOAntonio,IammarriedtoawifeWhichisasdeartomeaslifeitself;
Butlifeitself,mywife,andalltheworld,Arenotwithmeesteem’dabovethylife:
Iwouldloseall,ay,sacrificethemallHeretothisdevil,todeliveryou。PORTIAYourwifewouldgiveyoulittlethanksforthat,Ifshewereby,tohearyoumaketheoffer。GRATIANOIhaveawife,whom,Iprotest,Ilove:
Iwouldshewereinheaven,soshecouldEntreatsomepowertochangethiscurrishJew。NERISSA’Tiswellyouofferitbehindherback;
Thewishwouldmakeelseanunquiethouse。SHYLOCKThesebetheChristianhusbands。Ihaveadaughter;
WouldanyofthestockofBarrabasHadbeenherhusbandratherthanaChristian!
AsideWetrifletime:Ipraythee,pursuesentence。PORTIAApoundofthatsamemerchant’sfleshisthine:
Thecourtawardsit,andthelawdothgiveit。SHYLOCKMostrightfuljudge!PORTIAAndyoumustcutthisfleshfromoffhisbreast:
Thelawallowsit,andthecourtawardsit。SHYLOCKMostlearnedjudge!Asentence!Come,prepare!PORTIATarryalittle;thereissomethingelse。
Thisbonddothgivetheeherenojotofblood;
Thewordsexpresslyare’apoundofflesh:’
Takethenthybond,takethouthypoundofflesh;
But,inthecuttingit,ifthoudostshedOnedropofChristianblood,thylandsandgoodsAre,bythelawsofVenice,confiscateUntothestateofVenice。GRATIANOOuprightjudge!Mark,Jew:Olearnedjudge!SHYLOCKIsthatthelaw?PORTIAThyselfshaltseetheact:
For,asthouurgestjustice,beassuredThoushalthavejustice,morethanthoudesirest。GRATIANOOlearnedjudge!Mark,Jew:alearnedjudge!SHYLOCKItakethisoffer,then;paythebondthriceAndlettheChristiango。BASSANIOHereisthemoney。PORTIASoft!
TheJewshallhavealljustice;soft!nohaste:
Heshallhavenothingbutthepenalty。GRATIANOOJew!anuprightjudge,alearnedjudge!PORTIAThereforepreparetheetocutofftheflesh。
Shedthounoblood,norcutthoulessnormoreButjustapoundofflesh:ifthoucut’stmoreOrlessthanajustpound,beitbutsomuchAsmakesitlightorheavyinthesubstance,OrthedivisionofthetwentiethpartOfonepoorscruple,nay,ifthescaledoturnButintheestimationofahair,Thoudiestandallthygoodsareconfiscate。GRATIANOAsecondDaniel,aDaniel,Jew!
Now,infidel,Ihaveyouonthehip。PORTIAWhydoththeJewpause?takethyforfeiture。SHYLOCKGivememyprincipal,andletmego。BASSANIOIhaveitreadyforthee;hereitis。PORTIAHehathrefuseditintheopencourt:
Heshallhavemerelyjusticeandhisbond。GRATIANOADaniel,stillsayI,asecondDaniel!
Ithankthee,Jew,forteachingmethatword。SHYLOCKShallInothavebarelymyprincipal?PORTIAThoushalthavenothingbuttheforfeiture,Tobesotakenatthyperil,Jew。SHYLOCKWhy,thenthedevilgivehimgoodofit!
I’llstaynolongerquestion。PORTIATarry,Jew:
Thelawhathyetanotherholdonyou。
ItisenactedinthelawsofVenice,IfitbeprovedagainstanalienThatbydirectorindirectattemptsHeseekthelifeofanycitizen,Theparty’gainstthewhichhedothcontriveShallseizeonehalfhisgoods;theotherhalfComestotheprivycofferofthestate;
Andtheoffender’slifeliesinthemercyOfthedukeonly,’gainstallothervoice。
Inwhichpredicament,Isay,thoustand’st;
Foritappears,bymanifestproceeding,ThatindirectlyanddirectlytooThouhastcontrivedagainsttheverylifeOfthedefendant;andthouhastincurr’dThedangerformerlybymerehearsed。
Downthereforeandbegmercyoftheduke。GRATIANOBegthatthoumaysthaveleavetohangthyself:
Andyet,thywealthbeingforfeittothestate,Thouhastnotleftthevalueofacord;
Thereforethoumustbehang’datthestate’scharge。DUKEThatthoushaltseethedifferenceofourspirits,Ipardontheethylifebeforethouaskit:
Forhalfthywealth,itisAntonio’s;
Theotherhalfcomestothegeneralstate,Whichhumblenessmaydriveuntoafine。PORTIAAy,forthestate,notforAntonio。SHYLOCKNay,takemylifeandall;pardonnotthat:
YoutakemyhousewhenyoudotakethepropThatdothsustainmyhouse;youtakemylifeWhenyoudotakethemeanswherebyIlive。PORTIAWhatmercycanyourenderhim,Antonio?GRATIANOAhaltergratis;nothingelse,forGod’ssake。ANTONIOSopleasemylordthedukeandallthecourtToquitthefineforonehalfofhisgoods,Iamcontent;sohewillletmehaveTheotherhalfinuse,torenderit,Uponhisdeath,untothegentlemanThatlatelystolehisdaughter:
Twothingsprovidedmore,that,forthisfavour,HepresentlybecomeaChristian;
Theother,thathedorecordagift,Hereinthecourt,ofallhediespossess’d,UntohissonLorenzoandhisdaughter。DUKEHeshalldothis,orelseIdorecantThepardonthatIlatepronouncedhere。PORTIAArtthoucontented,Jew?whatdostthousay?SHYLOCKIamcontent。PORTIAClerk,drawadeedofgift。SHYLOCKIprayyou,givemeleavetogofromhence;
Iamnotwell:sendthedeedafterme,AndIwillsignit。DUKEGettheegone,butdoit。GRATIANOInchristeningshaltthouhavetwogod-fathers:
HadIbeenjudge,thoushouldsthavehadtenmore,Tobringtheetothegallows,notthefont。
ExitSHYLOCKDUKESir,Ientreatyouhomewithmetodinner。PORTIAIhumblydodesireyourgraceofpardon:
ImustawaythisnighttowardPadua,AnditismeetIpresentlysetforth。DUKEIamsorrythatyourleisureservesyounot。
Antonio,gratifythisgentleman,For,inmymind,youaremuchboundtohim。
ExeuntDukeandhistrainBASSANIOMostworthygentleman,IandmyfriendHavebyyourwisdombeenthisdayacquittedOfgrievouspenalties;inlieuwhereof,Threethousandducats,dueuntotheJew,Wefreelycopeyourcourteouspainswithal。ANTONIOAndstandindebted,overandabove,Inloveandservicetoyouevermore。PORTIAHeiswellpaidthatiswellsatisfied;
AndI,deliveringyou,amsatisfiedAndthereindoaccountmyselfwellpaid:
Mymindwasneveryetmoremercenary。
Iprayyou,knowmewhenwemeetagain:
Iwishyouwell,andsoItakemyleave。BASSANIODearsir,offorceImustattemptyoufurther:
Takesomeremembranceofus,asatribute,Notasafee:grantmetwothings,Iprayyou,Nottodenyme,andtopardonme。PORTIAYoupressmefar,andthereforeIwillyield。
ToANTONIO
Givemeyourgloves,I’llwearthemforyoursake;
ToBASSANIO
And,foryourlove,I’lltakethisringfromyou:
Donotdrawbackyourhand;I’lltakenomore;
Andyouinloveshallnotdenymethis。BASSANIOThisring,goodsir,alas,itisatrifle!
Iwillnotshamemyselftogiveyouthis。PORTIAIwillhavenothingelsebutonlythis;
AndnowmethinksIhaveamindtoit。BASSANIOThere’smoredependsonthisthanonthevalue。
ThedearestringinVenicewillIgiveyou,Andfinditoutbyproclamation:
Onlyforthis,Iprayyou,pardonme。PORTIAIsee,sir,youareliberalinoffersYoutaughtmefirsttobeg;andnowmethinksYouteachmehowabeggarshouldbeanswer’d。BASSANIOGoodsir,thisringwasgivenmebymywife;
Andwhensheputiton,shemademevowThatIshouldneithersellnorgivenorloseit。PORTIAThat’scuseservesmanymentosavetheirgifts。
Anifyourwifebenotamad-woman,AndknowhowwellIhavedeservedthering,Shewouldnotholdoutenemyforever,Forgivingittome。Well,peacebewithyou!
ExeuntPortiaandNerissaANTONIOMyLordBassanio,lethimhavethering:
LethisdeservingsandmylovewithalBevaluedagainstyourwife’scommandment。BASSANIOGo,Gratiano,runandovertakehim;
Givehimthering,andbringhim,ifthoucanst,UntoAntonio’shouse:away!makehaste。
ExitGratianoCome,youandIwillthitherpresently;
AndinthemorningearlywillwebothFlytowardBelmont:come,Antonio。
ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。Astreet。EnterPORTIAandNERISSAPORTIAInquiretheJew’shouseout,givehimthisdeedAndlethimsignit:we’llawayto-nightAndbeadaybeforeourhusbandshome:
ThisdeedwillbewellwelcometoLorenzo。
EnterGRATIANOGRATIANOFairsir,youarewello’erta’enMyLordBassaniouponmoreadviceHathsentyouherethisring,anddothentreatYourcompanyatdinner。PORTIAThatcannotbe:
HisringIdoacceptmostthankfully:
Andso,Iprayyou,tellhim:furthermore,Iprayyou,showmyyoutholdShylock’shouse。GRATIANOThatwillIdo。NERISSASir,Iwouldspeakwithyou。
AsidetoPORTIA
I’llseeifIcangetmyhusband’sring,WhichIdidmakehimsweartokeepforever。PORTIA[AsidetoNERISSA]Thoumayst,Iwarrant。
WeshallhaveoldswearingThattheydidgivetheringsawaytomen;
Butwe’lloutfacethem,andoutswearthemtoo。
AloudAway!makehaste:thouknowistwhereIwilltarry。NERISSACome,goodsir,willyoushowmetothishouse?
ExeuntACTVSCENEI。Belmont。AvenuetoPORTIA’Shouse。EnterLORENZOandJESSICALORENZOThemoonshinesbright:insuchanightasthis,WhenthesweetwinddidgentlykissthetreesAndtheydidmakenonoise,insuchanightTroilusmethinksmountedtheTroyanwallsAndsigh’dhissoultowardtheGreciantents,WhereCressidlaythatnight。JESSICAInsuchanightDidThisbefearfullyo’ertripthedewAndsawthelion’sshadowerehimselfAndrandismay’daway。LORENZOInsuchanightStoodDidowithawillowinherhandUponthewildseabanksandwaftherloveTocomeagaintoCarthage。JESSICAInsuchanightMedeagather’dtheenchantedherbsThatdidrenewoldAEson。LORENZOInsuchanightDidJessicastealfromthewealthyJewAndwithanunthriftlovedidrunfromVeniceAsfarasBelmont。JESSICAInsuchanightDidyoungLorenzoswearhelovedherwell,StealinghersoulwithmanyvowsoffaithAndne’eratrueone。LORENZOInsuchanightDidprettyJessica,likealittleshrew,Slanderherlove,andheforgaveither。JESSICAIwouldout-nightyou,didnobodycome;
But,hark,Ihearthefootingofaman。
EnterSTEPHANOLORENZOWhocomessofastinsilenceofthenight?STEPHANOAfriend。LORENZOAfriend!whatfriend?yourname,Iprayyou,friend?STEPHANOStephanoismyname;andIbringwordMymistresswillbeforethebreakofdayBehereatBelmont;shedothstrayaboutByholycrosses,whereshekneelsandpraysForhappywedlockhours。LORENZOWhocomeswithher?STEPHANONonebutaholyhermitandhermaid。
Iprayyou,ismymasteryetreturn’d?LORENZOHeisnot,norwehavenotheardfromhim。
Butgowein,Ipraythee,Jessica,AndceremoniouslyletusprepareSomewelcomeforthemistressofthehouse。
EnterLAUNCELOTLAUNCELOTSola,sola!woha,ho!sola,sola!LORENZOWhocalls?LAUNCELOTSola!didyouseeMasterLorenzo?
MasterLorenzo,sola,sola!LORENZOLeavehollaing,man:here。LAUNCELOTSola!where?where?LORENZOHere。LAUNCELOTTellhimthere’sapostcomefrommymaster,withhishornfullofgoodnews:mymasterwillbehereeremorning。
ExitLORENZOSweetsoul,let’sin,andthereexpecttheircoming。
Andyetnomatter:whyshouldwegoin?
MyfriendStephano,signify,Iprayyou,Withinthehouse,yourmistressisathand;
Andbringyourmusicforthintotheair。
ExitStephanoHowsweetthemoonlightsleepsuponthisbank!
HerewillwesitandletthesoundsofmusicCreepinourears:softstillnessandthenightBecomethetouchesofsweetharmony。
Sit,Jessica。LookhowthefloorofheavenIsthickinlaidwithpatinesofbrightgold:
There’snotthesmallestorbwhichthoubehold’stButinhismotionlikeanangelsings,Stillquiringtotheyoung-eyedcherubins;
Suchharmonyisinimmortalsouls;
ButwhilstthismuddyvestureofdecayDothgrosslycloseitin,wecannothearit。
EnterMusiciansCome,ho!andwakeDianawithahymn!
Withsweetesttouchespierceyourmistress’ear,Anddrawherhomewithmusic。
MusicJESSICAIamnevermerrywhenIhearsweetmusic。LORENZOThereasonis,yourspiritsareattentive:
Fordobutnoteawildandwantonherd,Orraceofyouthfulandunhandledcolts,Fetchingmadbounds,bellowingandneighingloud,Whichisthehotconditionoftheirblood;
Iftheybuthearperchanceatrumpetsound,Oranyairofmusictouchtheirears,Youshallperceivethemmakeamutualstand,Theirsavageeyesturn’dtoamodestgazeBythesweetpowerofmusic:thereforethepoetDidfeignthatOrpheusdrewtrees,stonesandfloods;
Sincenoughtsostockish,hardandfullofrage,Butmusicforthetimedothchangehisnature。
Themanthathathnomusicinhimself,Norisnotmovedwithconcordofsweetsounds,Isfitfortreasons,stratagemsandspoils;
ThemotionsofhisspiritaredullasnightAndhisaffectionsdarkasErebus:
Letnosuchmanbetrusted。Markthemusic。
EnterPORTIAandNERISSAPORTIAThatlightweseeisburninginmyhall。
Howfarthatlittlecandlethrowshisbeams!
Soshinesagooddeedinanaughtyworld。NERISSAWhenthemoonshone,wedidnotseethecandle。PORTIASodoththegreaterglorydimtheless:
AsubstituteshinesbrightlyasakingUntothekingbeby,andthenhisstateEmptiesitself,asdothaninlandbrookIntothemainofwaters。Music!hark!NERISSAItisyourmusic,madam,ofthehouse。PORTIANothingisgood,Isee,withoutrespect:
Methinksitsoundsmuchsweeterthanbyday。NERISSASilencebestowsthatvirtueonit,madam。PORTIAThecrowdothsingassweetlyasthelark,Whenneitherisattended,andIthinkThenightingale,ifsheshouldsingbyday,Wheneverygooseiscackling,wouldbethoughtNobetteramusicianthanthewren。
Howmanythingsbyseasonseason’dareTotheirrightpraiseandtrueperfection!
Peace,ho!themoonsleepswithEndymionAndwouldnotbeawaked。
MusicceasesLORENZOThatisthevoice,OrIammuchdeceived,ofPortia。PORTIAHeknowsmeastheblindmanknowsthecuckoo,Bythebadvoice。LORENZODearlady,welcomehome。PORTIAWehavebeenprayingforourhusbands’
healths,Whichspeed,wehope,thebetterforourwords。
Aretheyreturn’d?LORENZOMadam,theyarenotyet;
Butthereiscomeamessengerbefore,Tosignifytheircoming。PORTIAGoin,Nerissa;
GiveordertomyservantsthattheytakeNonoteatallofourbeingabsenthence;
Noryou,Lorenzo;Jessica,noryou。
AtucketsoundsLORENZOYourhusbandisathand;Ihearhistrumpet:
Wearenotell-tales,madam;fearyounot。PORTIAThisnightmethinksisbutthedaylightsick;
Itlooksalittlepaler:’tisaday,Suchasthedayiswhenthesunishid。
EnterBASSANIO,ANTONIO,GRATIANO,andtheirfollowersBASSANIOWeshouldholddaywiththeAntipodes,Ifyouwouldwalkinabsenceofthesun。PORTIALetmegivelight,butletmenotbelight;
Foralightwifedothmakeaheavyhusband,AndneverbeBassaniosoforme:
ButGodsortall!Youarewelcomehome,mylord。BASSANIOIthankyou,madam。Givewelcometomyfriend。
Thisistheman,thisisAntonio,TowhomIamsoinfinitelybound。PORTIAYoushouldinallsensebemuchboundtohim。
For,asIhear,hewasmuchboundforyou。ANTONIONomorethanIamwellacquittedof。PORTIASir,youareverywelcometoourhouse:
Itmustappearinotherwaysthanwords,ThereforeIscantthisbreathingcourtesy。GRATIANO[ToNERISSA]ByyondermoonIswearyoudomewrong;
Infaith,Igaveittothejudge’sclerk:
Wouldheweregeltthathadit,formypart,Sinceyoudotakeit,love,somuchatheart。PORTIAAquarrel,ho,already!what’sthematter?GRATIANOAboutahoopofgold,apaltryringThatshedidgiveme,whoseposywasForalltheworldlikecutler’spoetryUponaknife,’Loveme,andleavemenot。’NERISSAWhattalkyouoftheposyorthevalue?
Yousworetome,whenIdidgiveityou,ThatyouwouldwearittillyourhourofdeathAndthatitshouldliewithyouinyourgrave:
Thoughnotforme,yetforyourvehementoaths,Youshouldhavebeenrespectiveandhavekeptit。
Gaveitajudge’sclerk!no,God’smyjudge,Theclerkwillne’erwearhairon’sfacethathadit。GRATIANOHewill,anifhelivetobeaman。NERISSAAy,ifawomanlivetobeaman。GRATIANONow,bythishand,Igaveittoayouth,Akindofboy,alittlescrubbedboy,Nohigherthanthyself;thejudge’sclerk,Apratingboy,thatbegg’ditasafee:
Icouldnotformyheartdenyithim。PORTIAYouweretoblame,Imustbeplainwithyou,Topartsoslightlywithyourwife’sfirstgift:
AthingstuckonwithoathsuponyourfingerAndsorivetedwithfaithuntoyourflesh。
IgavemylovearingandmadehimswearNevertopartwithit;andherehestands;
IdarebeswornforhimhewouldnotleaveitNorpluckitfromhisfinger,forthewealthThattheworldmasters。Now,infaith,Gratiano,Yougiveyourwifetoounkindacauseofgrief:
An’tweretome,Ishouldbemadatit。BASSANIO[Aside]Why,IwerebesttocutmylefthandoffAndswearIlosttheringdefendingit。GRATIANOMyLordBassaniogavehisringawayUntothejudgethatbegg’ditandindeedDeservedittoo;andthentheboy,hisclerk,Thattooksomepainsinwriting,hebegg’dmine;
AndneithermannormasterwouldtakeaughtButthetworings。PORTIAWhatringgaveyoumylord?
Notthat,Ihope,whichyoureceivedofme。BASSANIOIfIcouldaddalieuntoafault,Iwoulddenyit;butyouseemyfingerHathnottheringuponit;itisgone。PORTIAEvensovoidisyourfalseheartoftruth。
Byheaven,Iwillne’ercomeinyourbedUntilIseethering。NERISSANorIinyoursTillIagainseemine。BASSANIOSweetPortia,IfyoudidknowtowhomIgavethering,IfyoudidknowforwhomIgavetheringAndwouldconceiveforwhatIgavetheringAndhowunwillinglyIleftthering,Whennoughtwouldbeacceptedbutthering,Youwouldabatethestrengthofyourdispleasure。PORTIAIfyouhadknownthevirtueofthering,Orhalfherworthinessthatgavethering,Oryourownhonourtocontainthering,Youwouldnotthenhavepartedwiththering。
Whatmanistheresomuchunreasonable,IfyouhadpleasedtohavedefendeditWithanytermsofzeal,wantedthemodestyTourgethethingheldasaceremony?
Nerissateachesmewhattobelieve:
I’lldiefor’tbutsomewomanhadthering。BASSANIONo,bymyhonour,madam,bymysoul,Nowomanhadit,butacivildoctor,WhichdidrefusethreethousandducatsofmeAndbegg’dthering;thewhichIdiddenyhimAndsuffer’dhimtogodispleasedaway;
EvenhethatdidupholdtheverylifeOfmydearfriend。WhatshouldIsay,sweetlady?
Iwasenforcedtosenditafterhim;
Iwasbesetwithshameandcourtesy;
MyhonourwouldnotletingratitudeSomuchbesmearit。Pardonme,goodlady;
For,bytheseblessedcandlesofthenight,Hadyoubeenthere,Ithinkyouwouldhavebegg’dTheringofmetogivetheworthydoctor。PORTIALetnotthatdoctore’ercomenearmyhouse:
SincehehathgotthejewelthatIloved,Andthatwhichyoudidsweartokeepforme,Iwillbecomeasliberalasyou;
I’llnotdenyhimanythingIhave,No,notmybodynormyhusband’sbed:
KnowhimIshall,Iamwellsureofit:
Lienotanightfromhome;watchmelikeArgus:
Ifyoudonot,ifIbeleftalone,Now,byminehonour,whichisyetmineown,I’llhavethatdoctorformybedfellow。NERISSAAndIhisclerk;thereforebewelladvisedHowyoudoleavemetomineownprotection。GRATIANOWell,doyouso;letnotmetakehim,then;
ForifIdo,I’llmartheyoungclerk’spen。ANTONIOIamtheunhappysubjectofthesequarrels。PORTIASir,grievenotyou;youarewelcomenotwithstanding。BASSANIOPortia,forgivemethisenforcedwrong;
And,inthehearingofthesemanyfriends,Isweartothee,evenbythineownfaireyes,WhereinIseemyself——PORTIAMarkyoubutthat!
Inbothmyeyeshedoublyseeshimself;
Ineacheye,one:swearbyyourdoubleself,Andthere’sanoathofcredit。BASSANIONay,buthearme:
Pardonthisfault,andbymysoulIswearInevermorewillbreakanoathwiththee。ANTONIOIoncedidlendmybodyforhiswealth;
Which,butforhimthathadyourhusband’sring,Hadquitemiscarried:Idarebeboundagain,Mysoulupontheforfeit,thatyourlordWillnevermorebreakfaithadvisedly。PORTIAThenyoushallbehissurety。GivehimthisAndbidhimkeepitbetterthantheother。ANTONIOHere,LordBassanio;sweartokeepthisring。BASSANIOByheaven,itisthesameIgavethedoctor!PORTIAIhaditofhim:pardonme,Bassanio;
For,bythisring,thedoctorlaywithme。NERISSAAndpardonme,mygentleGratiano;
Forthatsamescrubbedboy,thedoctor’sclerk,Inlieuofthislastnightdidliewithme。GRATIANOWhy,thisislikethemendingofhighwaysInsummer,wherethewaysarefairenough:
What,arewecuckoldserewehavedeservedit?PORTIASpeaknotsogrossly。Youareallamazed:
Hereisaletter;readitatyourleisure;
ItcomesfromPadua,fromBellario:
ThereyoushallfindthatPortiawasthedoctor,Nerissathereherclerk:LorenzohereShallwitnessIsetforthassoonasyouAndevenbutnowreturn’d;IhavenotyetEnter’dmyhouse。Antonio,youarewelcome;
AndIhavebetternewsinstoreforyouThanyouexpect:unsealthislettersoon;
ThereyoushallfindthreeofyourargosiesArerichlycometoharboursuddenly:
YoushallnotknowbywhatstrangeaccidentIchancedonthisletter。ANTONIOIamdumb。BASSANIOWereyouthedoctorandIknewyounot?GRATIANOWereyoutheclerkthatistomakemecuckold?NERISSAAy,buttheclerkthatnevermeanstodoit,Unlessheliveuntilhebeaman。BASSANIOSweetdoctor,youshallbemybed-fellow:
WhenIamabsent,thenliewithmywife。ANTONIOSweetlady,youhavegivenmelifeandliving;
ForhereIreadforcertainthatmyshipsAresafelycometoroad。PORTIAHownow,Lorenzo!
Myclerkhathsomegoodcomfortstooforyou。NERISSAAy,andI’llgivethemhimwithoutafee。
TheredoIgivetoyouandJessica,FromtherichJew,aspecialdeedofgift,Afterhisdeath,ofallhediespossess’dof。LORENZOFairladies,youdropmannainthewayOfstarvedpeople。PORTIAItisalmostmorning,AndyetIamsureyouarenotsatisfiedOftheseeventsatfull。Letusgoin;
Andchargeusthereuponinter’gatories,Andwewillanswerallthingsfaithfully。GRATIANOLetitbeso:thefirstinter’gatoryThatmyNerissashallbeswornonis,Whethertillthenextnightshehadratherstay,Orgotobednow,beingtwohourstoday:
Butwerethedaycome,Ishouldwishitdark,ThatIwerecouchingwiththedoctor’sclerk。
Well,whileIliveI’llfearnootherthingSosoreaskeepingsafeNerissa’sring。