FOOTNOTES:

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 monies

;' You say so;

You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,

And foot me, as you spurn a stranger cur

Over your threshhold; monies is your suit,

What should I say to you? Should I not say

Hath a dog money? is it possibleA 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 timeYou call'd me dog; and for these courtesiesI'll lend you thus much monies?

Ant

. 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 of barren metal of his friend?)

[36]

But lend it rather to thine enemy;

Who, if he break, thou may'st with better face

Exact the penalties.

Shy

. 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 monies, and you'll not hear me:

This is kind I offer.

Ant

. This were kindness.

Shy

. 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.

Ant

. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond,

And say, there is much kindness in the Jew.

Bas

. You shall not seal to such a bond for me

I'll rather dwell

[37]

in my necessity.

Ant

. 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.

Shy

. O father Abraham, what these Christians are.

Whose own hard dealings 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.

Ant

. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

Shy

. 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

[38]

Of an unthrifty knave; and presently

I will be with you.

[

Exit

Ant

. Hie thee, gentle Jew.

This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.

Bas

. I like not fair terms

[39]

and a villain's mind.

Ant

. Come, on; in this there can be no dismay,

My ships come home a month before the day.

[

Exeunt

[22]

—squander'd abroad.; Scattered.

[23]

to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the devil into!; See 8th. c. St. Matthew, v. 30.

[24]

catch him once upon the hip,; Dr. Johnson says the expression is taken from the practice of wrestling.

[25]

—ripe wants of my friend,; Wants come to the height—wants that can have no longer delay.

[26]

—Is he yet possess'd; Id est, acquainted—informed.

[27]

—eanlings; Lambs just dropt.

[28]

—certain wands,; Awandin Shakespeare's time was the usual term for what we now call aswitch.—MALONE.

[29]

—deed of kind,; Id est,of nature.

[30]

—the fulsome ewes; Lascivious—rank, obscene ewes.

[31]

—Fall; To let fall.

[32]

—and those were Jacob's.; See Genesis xxx. 37.

[33]

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.; See St. Matthew iv. 6.

[34]

O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!;Falsehood, which, astruthmeanshonesty, is taken here fortreacheryandknavery, does not stand forfalsehoodin general, but for the dishonesty now operating.—JOHNSON.

[35]

—and my usances:;Usancein our author's time signifiedinterest of money.

[36]

A breed of barren metal of his friend?; Abreed, that is, interest money bred from the principal. The epithetbarrenimplies that money is abarrenthing, and cannot, like corn and cattle, multiply itself.

[37]

Dwell; Continue.

[38]

—fearful guard; A guard not to be trusted, but gives cause of fear.

[39]

I like not fair terms; Kind words—good language.

Flourish of Cornets. Enter thePRINCE OF MOROCCO,and his Train; PORTIA, NERISSA,and other of her Attendants.

Mor

. Mislike me not for my complexion,

The shadow'd livery of the burning sun,

To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.

Bring me the fairest creature northward born,

Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,

And let us make incision for your love,

To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.

[40]

By love, I swear, I would not change this hue,

Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

I'll try my fortune;

E'en though I may (blind fortune leading me)

Miss that which one unworthier may attain,

And die with grieving.

Por

. 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.

[41]

Mor

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

How shall I know if I do choose the right?

Por

. The one of them contains my picture, prince;

If you choose that, then I am yours withal.

Mor

. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see.

The first, of gold, who 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."

The third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt:[42]

"Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath."

One of these three contains her heavenly picture.

Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere perdition

To think so base a thought;

Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd,

Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?

O sinful thought. Never so rich a gem

Was set in worse than gold.

Deliver me the key;

Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may!

Por

. There, take it prince, and if my form lie there,

Then I am yours.

[

He unlocks the golden casket

Mor

. What have we here?

A carrion death, within whose empty eye

There is a written scroll. I'll read the writing.

"All that glitters is not gold,Often have you heard that told:"Had you been as wise as bold,Young in limbs, in judgment old,Your answer had not been inscrol'd:Fare you well; your suit is cold."

"All that glitters is not gold,Often have you heard that told:

"Had you been as wise as bold,Young in limbs, in judgment old,Your answer had not been inscrol'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.

[

Exit

Por

. A gentle riddance:—go:—

Let all of his complexion choose me so.

END OF ACT FIRST.

[40]

—whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.;Redblood is a traditionary sign of courage, as cowards are said to have livers as white as milk. It is customary in the East for lovers to testify the violence of their passion by cutting themselves in the sight of their mistresses.—PICART'S RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.

[41]

—therefore be advis'd.; Therefore be not precipitant; consider well what you are about to do.

[42]

—with warning all as blunt:; That is, as gross as the dull metal.

(A) The foundation of Venice is attributed to the inhabitants of the surrounding districts, who fled from the cruelty of Attila, King of the Huns, and took refuge among the islets at the mouth of the Brenta. Here, about the middle of the fifth century, they founded two small towns, called Rivoalto and Malmocco, and, being in a manner shut out from all other modes of employment, naturally devoted themselves to commerce. In this way they soon became prosperous, and their numbers increased so rapidly, that in the year 697 they made application to the Emperor to be elected into a body politic, and obtained authority to elect a chief, to whom they gave the name of Duke or Doge. The town, continuing to increase, gradually extended its buildings to the adjacent islands, and, at the same time, acquired considerable tracts of territory on the mainland, then inhabited by the Veneti, from whence the rising city is supposed to have borrowed its name of Venetia or Venice.

(B) This is the heart of Venice, and is one of the most imposing architectural objects in Europe. Three of the sides are occupied by ranges of lofty buildings, which are connected by a succession of covered walk; or arcades. The church of St Mark, founded in the year 828, closes up the square on the east. The lofty Campanile, or Bell-tower, over 300 feet in height, was begun A.D. 902, and finished in 1155.

In the reign of Justiniani Participazio, A.D. 827, the son and Successor of Angelo, undistinguished by events of more important character, the Venetians became possessed of the relics of that saint to whom they ever afterwards appealed as the great patron of their state and city. These remains were obtained from Alexandria by a pious stratagem, at a time when the church wherein they were originally deposited was about to be destroyed, in order that its rich marbles might be applied to the decoration of a palace. At that fortunate season, some Venetian ships (it is said no less than ten, a fact proving the prosperous extent of their early commerce) happened to be trading in that port; and their captains, though not without much difficulty, succeeded in obtaining from the priests, who had the custody of the holy treasure, its deliverance into their hands, in order that it might escape profanation. It was necessary, however, that this transfer should be made in secrecy; for we are assured by Sabellico, who relates the occurrence minutely, that the miracles which had been daily wrought at the saint's shrine had strongly attached the populace to his memory. The priests carefully opened the cerements in which the body was enveloped; and considering, doubtless, that one dead saint possessed no less intrinsic virtue and value than another, they very adroitly substituted the corpse of a female, Sta. Claudia, in the folds which had been occupied by that of St. Mark. But they had widely erred in their graduation of the scale of beatitude. So great was the odour of superior sanctity, that a rich perfume diffused itself through the church at the moment at which the grave-clothes of the evangelist were disturbed; and the holy robbery was well nigh betrayed to the eager crowd of worshippers, who, attracted by the sweet smell, thronged to inspect the relics, and to ascertain their safety. After examination, they retired, satisfied that their favourite saint was inviolate; for the slit which the priests had made in his cerements was behind and out of sight. But the Venetians still had to protect the embarkation of their prize. For this purpose, effectually to prevent all chance of search, they placed the body in a large basket stuffed with herbs and covered with joints of pork. The porters who bore it were instructed to cry loudly 'Khanzri Khanzir![43]and every true Mussulman whom they met, carefully avoided the uncleanness with which he was threatened by contact with this forbidden flesh. Even when once on board, the body was not yet quite safe; for accident might reveal the contents of the basket; it was therefore wrapt in one of the sails, and hoisted to a yard-arm of the main-mast, till the moment of departure. Nor was this precaution unnecessary; for the unbelievers instituted a strict search for contraband goods before the vessel sailed. During the voyage, the ship was in danger from a violent storm; and but for the timely appearance of the saint, who warned the captain to furl his sails, she would inevitably have been lost. The joy of the Venetians, on the arrival of this precious cargo, was manifested by feasting, music, processions, and prayers. An ancient tradition was called to mind, that St. Mark, in his travels, had visited Aquileia; and having touched also at the Hundred Isles, at that time uninhabited, had been informed, in a prophetic vision, that his bones should one day repose upon their shores. Venice was solemnly consigned to his protection. The saint himself, or his lion, was blazoned on her standards and impressed on her coinage; and the shout of the populace, whether on occasions of sedition or of joy, and the gathering cry of the armies of the republic in battle was, henceforward, 'Viva San Marco!'—Sketches of Venetian History.

(C) This ancient Exchange "where merchants most do congregate," is situated on the Rialto Island, its name being derived from "riva alta," "high shore." It is a square in the immediate vicinity of the Rialto Bridge, and contains the Church of San Jacopo, the first sacred edifice built in Venice. The original church was erected in the year 421, and the present building in 1194, and was restored in 1531. This island, being the largest and most elevated, became the first inhabited, and is, therefore, the most ancient part of Venice. The Exchange was held under the arcades, facing the church, and was daily crowded with those connected with trade and commerce. It is now occupied as a vegetable market.

(D) Vecellio informs us that the Jews of Venice differed in nothing, as far as regarded dress, from Venetians of the same occupation, with the exception of a yellow, or orange tawney coloured bonnet, which they were compelled to wear by order of government.

The women were distinguished from the Christian ladies by Wearing yellow veils.

Shakespeare is supposed to have taken the name of his Jew from an old pamphlet, entitled "Caleb Shillocke, his prophesie; or the Jewes Prediction."

(E)

"He lends out money gratis, and brings downThe rate of usance here with us in Venice."

About the time that Shakespeare lived, Venice had commercial dealings with all the civilized nations of the world; and Cyprus, Candia, and the Morea were subject to her government. Merchants from all countries congregated in Venice, and received every possible encouragement from the authorities.

The Jews, under the sanction of government, were the money lenders, and were, consequently, much disliked, as well as feared, by their mercantile creditors. They indulged in usury to an enormous extent, and were immensely rich.

EnterLAUNCELOT GOBBO.

Lau. 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;[44]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 (Heaven 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 incarnation; and in my conscience, my conscience is 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.

[As he is going out in haste

EnterOLD GOBBO,with a basket.

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

Lau. (aside.)O heavens, this is my true-begotten father! who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind,[45]knows me not: I will try conclusions[46]with him.

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

Lau. Turn upon 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.[47]

Gob. 'Twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot that dwells with him, dwell with him, or no?

Lau, Talk you of young master Launcelot?—mark me, now—(aside.)—now will I raise the waters.[48]Talk you of young master Launcelot?

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

Lau, Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young master Launcelot.

Gob. Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership.[49]

Lau. 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.

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

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

Gob. Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman; but, I pray you tell me, is my boy (rest his soul!) alive or dead?

Lau. Do you not know me, father?

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

Lau. 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:(kneels.)Truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will out.

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

Lau. 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.

Gob. I cannot think you are my son.

Lau. 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.

Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. What a beard hast thou got: thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin, my phill-horse,[50]has on his tail.

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

Gob. Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present.

Lau. (rises.)Give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished 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 Heaven 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.

EnterBASSANIO,withLEONARDO,andSTEPHANO.

Bas. See these letters deliver'd; put the liveries to making; and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.

[Exit aSERVANT.

Lau. To him, father.

Gob. Heaven bless your worship!

Bas. Gramercy! Would'st thou aught with me?

Gob. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy—

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

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

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

Gob. His master and he (saving your worship's reverence) are scarce cater-cousins.

Lau. To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being I hope an old man, shall frutify unto you.

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

Lau. In very brief, the suit is impertinent[51]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.

Bas. One speak for both. What would you?

Lau. Serve you, sir.

Gob. That is the very defect of the matter, sir.

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