LORENZO, in love with Jessica SHYLOCK, a Jew. TUBAL, a Jew, his friend. LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelot. SALERIO, a messenger from Venice. LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio. } PORTIA, a rich heiress. NERISSA, her waiting-maid. JESSICA, daughter to Shylock. Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the court of justice, Jailer. Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia, on the continent. MERCHANT OF VENICE ACT I. SCENE I. Venice. A street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. Ant. In sooth, I know not why I am so sad: And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; Do overpeer the petty traffickers, That curtsy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings. Ships of large burden. Salan. Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks; And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought Is sad to think upon his merchandise. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, 1 Lowering. My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad. Ant. Salan. Not in love neither? are sad, Fie, fie! Then let's say, yon Because you are not merry; and 'twere as easy Janus, Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some, that will evermore peep through their eyes, And laugh, like parrots, at a bagpiper; And other of such vinegar aspect, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and GRATIANO. Salan. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare you well: We leave you now with better company. merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. Salar. Good morrow, my good lords. Bas. Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? Say, when? You grow exceeding strange. Must it be so? Salar. We'll make our leisures to attend on [Exeunt Salarino and Salanio. Lor. My lord Bassanio, since you have found An yours. tonio, We two will leave you; but, at dinner-time pray you, have in mind where we must meet. Bas. I will not fail you. Gra. 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 changed. Ant. I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage, where every man must play a part, Gra. Let me play the fool: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come: |