bid my very friends and country-men, weet Portia) welcome. Por. So do I, my Lord; they are intirely welcome. Lor. 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 intreat me, past all faying nay, Sal. I did, my lord, And I have reafon for't; Signior Anthonio Ba. Ere I ope his letter, [Gives Baffanio a Letter. I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. [Baffanio opens the letter. come. Your hand, Salanio; what's the news from Venice? We are the Jafons, we have won the fleece. Sal. Would you had won the fleece, that he hath loft! That fteal the colour from Baffanio's cheek: Of any conftant man. What, worfe and worse! Here are a few of the unpleasant'ft words, How How much I was a braggart: when I told you, And not one veffel 'fcap'd the dreadful touch. Sal. Not one, my lord.. Befides, it fhould appear, that if he had Jef. When I was with him, I have heard him fwear, To Tubal and to Chus his country-men, That he would rather have Anthonio's flesh, Than twenty times the value of the fum. That he did owe him; and I know, my lord, It will go hard with poor Anthonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Baff. The dearest friend to me, the kindeft Man, The beft condition'd and unweary'd fpirit In doing courtefies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. Por. What Sum owes he the Jew? Baff. For me, three thousand ducats. Por. What, no more? Pay him fix thoufand and deface the bond; Shall lofe a hair through my Baffanio's fault. Bid your Friends welcome, fhew a merry cheer; Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. But let me hear the letter of your friend. Swee Bal. reads. Weet Baffanio, my ships have all mif carry'd, my creditors grow cruel, my eftate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and fince, in paying it, it is impoffible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and me, if I might but See you at my death; notwithstanding, ufe your pleasure: if your love do not perfuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love! difpatch all Bufinefs, and be gone. No bed fhall e'er be guilty of my stay; No reft be interpofer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a Street in Venice. Enter Shylock, Solarino, Anthonio, and the Goaler. Sky. GOaler, look to him: tell not me of mercy: This is the fool, that lent out mony gratis. Goaler, look to him. Ant. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond: I've fworn an oath, that I will have my bond. Thou call'dit me dog, before thou hadst a caufe ; Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore fpeak no more; I'll not be made a foft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and figh and yield To christian interceffors. Follow not; I'll have no fpeaking; I will have my bond. Exit Shylock. Sola It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone, I'll follow him no more with bootless pray'rs : I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many, that have at times made moan to me; Sola. I am fure, the Duke Will never grant this Forfeiture to hold. Ant. The Duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that ftrangers have With us in Venice, if it be deny'd, Will much impeach the juftice of the state; Well SCENE changes to BEL MONT. Enter Portia, Neriffa, Lorenzo, Jeffica, and Balthazar. Lor. M Adam, although I fpeak it in your presence, But if you knew to whom you fhew this honour, This comes too near the praifing of my self; (13) (13) This comes too near the praising of my self ; Lorenzo, I commit, &c.] Thus has this Paffage been writ and pointed, but abfurdly, thro' all the Editions. Portia finding the reflections fhe had made came too near Self-praise, begins to chide herself for it: fays, She'll fay no more of but call a new Subject. The Regulation I have made in the Text was likewife preferib'd by Dr. Thirlby. that Sort; Το |