Merchant Of Venice

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ICSE REVISION SERIES ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Merchant of Venice

Translation in Modern English

Edited by Girish Srivastava

SOURCES William Shakespeare. (2015, August 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:34, August 4, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Shakespeare&oldid= 674332365 "Synopsis" MAXnotes to The Merchant of Venice Ed. Dr. M. Fogiel. Research and Education Association, Inc. 2000eNotes.com 4 Aug, 2015 http://www.enotes.com/topics/merchant-of-venice#summary-summary "eText" The Merchant of Venice: Literary Touchstone ClassicPrestwick House 2005 eNotes.com 4 Aug, 2015 http://www.enotes.com/topics/merchant-of-venice/etext/act-i#etext-act-i-act-iscene-i "Themes" eNotes Publishing Ed. Scott Locklear. eNotes.com, Inc. eNotes.com 4 Aug, 2015 http://www.enotes.com/topics/merchant-ofvenice/themes#themes-themes "A Quick Introduction to William Shakespeare" Critical Edition of Dramatic Literature Ed. Carl Rollyson. eNotes.com, Inc. 2003eNotes.com 4 Aug, 2015 http://www.enotes.com/topics/william-shakespeare#biography-introduction

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY

ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Merchant of Venice- Translation eText Dramatis Personae • ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice • SALERIO, SALANIO friends, to Antonio and Bassanio • BASSANIO, his friend, suitor to Portia • LORENZO, in love with Jessica • GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio • PORTIA, a rich heiress • NERISSA, her waiting-maid • SHYLOCK, a rich Jew • THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia • LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock • GOBBO, father to Launcelot • LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio • JESSICA, daughter to Shylock • THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia • TUBAL, a Jew, his friend • BALTHASAR, servant to Portia • THE DUKE OF VENICE • STEPHANO, servant to Portia Nobles of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, jailer, servants, and other Attendants, messenger.

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Act I Scene I Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter Antonio, Salerio, and Solanio. ANTONIO: In sooth, I know not why I am so sad; It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn;(5) And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself.

ANTONIO: Really, I don’t know why I’m so sad; It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What it’s made of, where it started, I must find out; And sadness makes me so crazy That I don’t know who I am.

SALERIO: Your mind is tossing on the ocean; There, where your argosies, with portly sail,— Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood,(10) Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea,— Do overpeer the petty traffickers, That curt'sy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings.

SALERIO: Your mind is tossing on the ocean, Where your ships, with full sails — Like gentlemen and rich citizens on the water, Or as if they were in a procession of the sea— Look over the minor merchants, That bow to them, pay them respect, As they fly by them with their woven wings.

SOLANIO: Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,(15) The better part of my affections would Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Plucking the grass, to know where sits the wind; Peering in maps, for ports, and piers, and roads: And every object that might make me fear(20) Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt Would make me sad.

SOLANIO: Believe me, sir, if I had such venture out there, The better part of my thoughts would Be with my hope of their safe arrival. I’d be Still plucking the grass to know where the wind blows, Looking over maps for ports and piers and roads; And every object that would make me afraid of Misfortune to my ships, Would make me sad without a doubt.

SALERIO: My wind, cooling my broth, Would blow me to an ague, when I thought What harm a wind too great might do at sea.(25)

SALERIO: My breath, cooling my soup, Would make me ill, when I thought about

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY I should not see the sandy hour-glass run, But I should think of shallows and of flats; And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand, Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs, To kiss her burial. Should I go to church,(30) And see the holy edifice of stone, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, Which, touching but my gentle vessel's side, Would scatter all her spices on the stream, Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks,(35) And, in a word, but even now worth this, And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought To think on this; and shall I lack the thought That such a thing, bechanc'd, would make me sad? But tell not me; I know, Antonio(40) Is sad to think upon his merchandise.

The damage a mighty wind might do at sea. I shouldn’t see the time pass in the sands of an hour-glass But I’d be thinking about shallows and sandbars, And seeing my wealthy ship of war run aground, Lowering her high top sails lower than her hull To sink. Even if I went to church And saw the holy building of stone, I’d be thinking right away about dangerous rocks, Which, touching only my gentle vessel's side, Would scatter all her spices across the water, Spreading my silk cargo across the roaring waters, And, in a word, one minute worth this amount of money, And now worth nothing. If I had the mind To think about all this, and if I lacked the mind to see That such a thing could happen, wouldn’t it make me sad? But don’t tell me; I know Antonio Is sad to think about his shipments.

ANTONIO: Believe me, no; I thank my fortune for it, My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate Upon the fortune of this present year:(45) Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.

ANTONIO: Believe me, no; I thank my fortune for it, My cargos are not all loaded on one ship, Or going to one place, and my whole estate is not Based on the fortune of this present year; So, my shipments don’t make me sad.

SALANIO: Why, then you are in love.

SALANIO: Then why are you in love.

ANTONIO: Fie, fie!

ANTONIO: Nonsense, nonsense!

SALANIO:

SALANIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Not in love neither? Then let us say, you are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy(50) For you to laugh, and leap, and say you are merry, Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes, And laugh, like parrots, at a bag-piper;(55) And other of such vinegar aspect, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

Not in love either? Then let’s say you are sad Because you are not happy; and it’s easy to say that Because you laugh and leap and say you are happy, Because you are not sad. Now, looking at both sides, Nature has made strange fellows in her time: Some that will peep through their eyes forever, And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper, And the others of such sour disposition That they'll never smile Although a wise old man swears that the joke is funny.

Enter Bassanio, Lorenzo, and Gratiano. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano, and Lorenzo: Fare you well;(60) We leave you now with better company.

Here comes Bassanio, your most noble relative, Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Goodbye, We leave you now in better company. SALERIO: I would have stay'd till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me.

SALERIO: I’d have stayed until I had made you happy, If worthier friends hadn’t stopped me.

ANTONIO: Your worth is very dear in my regard. I take it, your own business calls on you,(65) And you embrace the occasion to depart.

ANTONIO: I appreciate your concern. I see your own business needs you, And you take this opportunity to leave.

SALERIO: Good morrow, my good lords.

SALERIO: Good morning, my good lords.

BASSANIO: Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when? You grow exceeding strange: must it be so?(70)

BASSANIO: Good gentlemen, when are we getting together? Say when. You’re turning into strangers; has it come to that?

SALERIO: We'll make our leisures to attend on yours. Exeunt Salerio, and Solanio.

SALERIO: We'll wait until you’re free.

LORENZO: LORENZO: My Lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio, My Lord Bassanio, since you have We two will leave you; but at dinner-time, found Antonio, Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY I pray you have in mind where we must meet.

We’ll leave you; but, at dinnertime, Please remember where we’re meeting.

BASSANIO: I will not fail you.(75)

BASSANIO: I won’t forget.

GRATIANO: 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 chang'd.

GRATIANO: You don’t look well, Mr. Antonio; You’re thinking too much about the world; They lose it that buy it with a lot of worry. Believe me, you’ve changed drastically.

ANTONIO: I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano;(80) A stage, where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.

ANTONIO: I only think of the world as the world, Gratiano; A stage, where every man must play a part, And my part is a sad one.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Let me play the fool; Let me play the fool! Let old wrinkles come with happiness With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come; and laughter; And let my liver rather heat with wine,(85) And let my liver get hot with wine Than my heart cool with mortifying groans. rather Why should a man whose blood is warm within Than my heart turns cold with Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster? depressing groans. Sleep when he wakes? and creep into the jaundice Why should a man who’s hot-blooded By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio,—(90) Sit like a statue of his grandfather, I love thee, and it is my love that speaks;— Sleeping when he’s awake, and There are a sort of men, whose visages creeping into jaundice Do cream and mantle like a standing pond; By being spiteful? I tell you what, And do a wilful stillness entertain, Antonio— With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion(95) You are my friend, and it’s my Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit; friendship that speaks— As who should say, I am Sir Oracle, There is a kind of men whose faces And, when I ope my lips, let no dog bark! Look foamy and covered like a standing O, my Antonio, I do know of these, pond, That therefore only are reputed wise,(100) And who maintain a stubborn silence, For saying nothing; who, I am very sure, So that people will think they have If they should speak, would almost damn those ears Wisdom, seriousness, profound ideas, Which, hearing them, would call their brothers, Such as saying “I am Sir Fortune Teller, fools. And when I open my lips, don’t let any I'll tell thee more of this another time: dog bark.” But fish not with this melancholy bait,(105) Oh, my Antonio, I know about these For this fool-gudgeon, this opinion. men Come, good Lorenzo:— Fare ye well, awhile: That are only considered wise I'll end my exhortation after dinner. Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Because they say nothing; when, I am very sure, If they should speak, they would almost damn those ears Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools. I'll tell you more about this another time. But don’t fish for this foolish worthless guppy, This opinion of mine, with this depressing bait. Come, good Lorenzo. Goodbye until later; I'll end my speech after dinner.

LORENZO: Well, we will leave you then till dinner-time.(110) I must be one of these same dumb wise men, For Gratiano never lets me speak.

LORENZO: OK, we’ll leave you then until dinnertime. I must be one of these same dumb wise men, Because Gratiano never lets me speak.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Well, keep me company but two years more, Well, keep me company for only two Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue. more years, and You’ll never know the sound of your own voice. ANTONIO: Farewell: I'll grow a talker for this gear.(115)

ANTONIO: Goodbye, I'll be a better talker by dinner.

GRATIANO: Thanks, i' faith; for silence is only commendable In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendible.

GRATIANO: Thanks, really, because silence is only commendable In a cow’s dried tongue, and in a girl who’s not for sale.

[Gratiano and Lorenzo exit.] ANTONIO: Is that any thing now?

ANTONIO: Is that anything to think about now?

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: Gratiano speaks an infinite deal about Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more nothing, more than than any man in all Venice: his reasons are as two any man in all Venice. His reasons are grains(120) of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff; you shall seek like two grains of wheat hidden all In two bushels of cornhusks: you can

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY day ere you find them; and when you have them they are not worth the search.

ANTONIO: Well; tell me now, what lady is the same To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage,(125) That you to-day promis'd to tell me of?

look all day before you find them, and when you have them, they aren’t worth the search. ANTONIO: Well, tell me now about the lady, The one you swore to make a secret trip to, The one you promised to tell me about today?

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: You know, Antonio, 'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, How much I have wasted my money How much I have disabled mine estate, By putting on a fancier appearance By something showing a more swelling port Than my small funds could support; Than my faint means would grant continuance:(130) I don’t come to you now to ask that you Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd Forgive my debts, because my chief From such a noble rate; but my chief care concern Is to come fairly off from the great debts Is to make good on these great debts Wherein my time, something too prodigal, Which my behavior, sometimes reckless Hath left me gag'd. To you, Antonio,(135) And wasteful, has left me broke. To I owe the most in money and in love; you, Antonio, And from your love I have a warranty I owe the most, in money and in To unburthen all my plots and purposes, friendship, How to get clear of all the debts I owe. And, from your friendship, I have a guarantee To get rid of all my plots and intentions as to How to get clear all the debts I owe. ANTONIO: I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;(140) And, if it stand, as you yourself still do, Within the eye of honour, be assur'd, My purse, my person, my extremest means, Lie all unlock'd to your occasions.

ANTONIO: Please, good Bassanio, tell me; And if it is, honorable, as you yourself still are, Be assured that my purse, my person, My utmost ability can be used for your benefit.

BASSANIO: In my schooldays, when I had lost one shaft,(145) I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The self-same way, with more advised watch, To find the other forth; and by adventuring both I oft found both: I urge this childhood proof, Because what follows is pure innocence.(150) I owe you much; and, like a wilful youth, That which I owe is lost: but if you please To shoot another arrow that self way

BASSANIO: When I was in school, when I had lost one arrow, I shot another one of identical length In an identical way, with more thoughtful care, To find the one I lost, and by risking both, I often Found both. I’m telling you about this childhood event,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt, As I will watch the aim, or to find both,(155) Or bring your latter hazard back again, And thankfully rest debtor for the first.

Because I say next is as pure and innocent. I owe you a lot, and, like a willful youth, I have lost what I owe you, but if you will please Lend me money in the identical way That you lent me the first money, I don’t doubt, As I’ll be more careful, to find both sums, Or I’ll bring your second loan back again And just owe you thankfully for the first.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: You know me well, and waste time here You know me well, and herein spend but time, To twist a story about my friendship To wind about my love with circumstance; with examples; And, out of doubt, you do me now more wrong(160) And, no doubt, you insult me In making question of my uttermost, By questioning the limits of my Than if you had made waste of all I have. friendship Then do but say to me what I should do, As if you had wasted everything I have. That in your knowledge may by me be done, You only have say to me what I should And I am prest unto it: therefore speak.(165) do That you think I can do, And I am committed to it; so, ask me. BASSANIO: BASSANIO: In Belmont, there is a rich heiress In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is beautiful and, more beautiful And she is fair, and, fairer than that word, than that word, Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes She has wonderful virtues. Sometimes, I I did receive fair speechless messages: receive Her name is Portia; nothing undervalued(170) To Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia. Beautiful, silent messages from her eyes. Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth; Her name is Portia—the poet’s daughter For the four winds blow in from every coast and Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece;(175) The assassin’s Portia fall short by comparison. Which makes her seat of Belmont, Colchos' strand, The wide world is not ignorant of her And many Jasons come in quest of her. worth, O, my Antonio! had I but the means Because the four winds blow in famous To hold a rival place with one of them, I have a mind presages me such thrift,(180) men who Want to marry her from every coast, and That I should questionless be fortunate. her golden curls Hang on her head like a golden fleece, Which makes Belmont, her home, a rich island in a lake,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY And many sailors and heroes come to find her. Oh, my Antonio! If I only had the means To compete with one of them, I have a mind that predicts such good luck for me That I will undoubtedly be a very lucky one.

ANTONIO: Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea; Neither have I money, nor commodity To raise a present sum: therefore go forth, Try what my credit can in Venice do;(185) That shall be rack'd, even to the uttermost, To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia. Go, presently inquire, and so will I, Where money is; and I no question make, To have it of my trust, or for my sake.(190)

ANTONIO: You know that all my funds are invested in ships At sea; I don’t have the money or goods To raise such a large sum; So, go out, See what my credit in Venice can do for you, Credit that shall be stretched, even to the outer limits, To supply you for your trip to Belmont to beautiful Portia. Go now and ask where money can be found, And I will too, and I will not object To borrowing it on my account or in my name.

Exeunt. Scene II Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Portia with her waiting woman Nerissa. PORTIA: By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is a-weary of this great world.

PORTIA: Honestly, Nerissa, my little body is weary of this great world.

NERISSA: NERISSA: You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were You would be, sweet madam, if your as abundant miseries were as your good fortunes are; and yet, for all I see, they in the same abundance as your good that are sick fortunes are; and yet, from over-eating are as sick as those that starve for aught I see, they are as sick that with nothing. surfeit with too much,(5) as they that starve with nothing. It is no It’s not an insignificant happiness, therefore, to be mean happiness, well situated in therefore, to be seated in the mean; regard to financial resources: having more than

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer.

enough comes at some time or other to old men, but having a sufficient income lasts longer.

PORTIA: Good sentences, and well pronounced.

PORTIA: Good sentences, and well said.

NERISSA: They would be better, if well followed.(10)

NERISSA: They would be better sentences, if you followed them well.

PORTIA: PORTIA: If knowing what to do were as easy as knowing If to do were as easy as to know what what was good to do, were good to chapels would have been churches, and poor men's do, chapels had been churches, and poor cottages would have men's cottages been princes' palaces. It is a good prophet that princes' palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions; follows his own It’s easier for me to teach twenty people what was instructions: I can easier teach twenty good to do than to be one what were good to of that twenty and follow my own teaching. The be done, than be one of the twenty to brain may come up with follow mine own(15) laws to control society, but one hot temper jumps teaching. The brain may devise laws for over a cold law; the blood; but a Madness the Youth is just such a jumper, skipping hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree: such over the nets of Good a hare is madness Advice the Cripple. But thinking this way is not the the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of way to good counsel choose a husband for me. Oh, me, the word the cripple. But this reasoning is not in “choose!” I cannot the fashion to choose someone I like or refuse someone I dislike; choose me a husband:—O me, the word so is the behavior of a living daughter curbed by the choose! I may(20) will of a dead father. neither choose whom I would, nor Isn’t it hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one or refuse whom I dislike; refuse none? so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father:—Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none? NERISSA: NERISSA: Your father was ever virtuous; and holy Your father was always a holy man, and holy men men at their(25) have good death have good inspirations; therefore, ideas when they die; so the lottery that he has the lottery that thought up in these he hath devised in these three chests, of three chests, made of gold, of silver, and of lead, by gold, silver, and means of which lead, (whereof who chooses his whoever chooses the right chest chooses you, will, meaning chooses you,) no doubt, never be will, no doubt, never be chosen by any chosen by the right man except the one you shall Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY rightly, but one who you shall rightly love. But what warmth is there in(30) your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come?

rightly love. But what warmth is there in your affections towards any of these princes that have already come to try?

PORTIA: I pray thee, over-name them; and as thou namest them I will describe them; and according to my description level at my affection.(35)

PORTIA: Please say their names again, and, as you name them, I’ll describe them; and, according to my description, you can figure out how I feel about them..

NERISSA: First, there is the Neapolitan prince.

NERISSA: First, there is the Neapolitan prince.

PORTIA: Ay, that's a colt, indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse; and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself: I am much afraid my lady his mother played false with a smith.(40)

PORTIA: Yes, he’s a cunning fellow indeed, because he doesn’t do a thing but talk about his horse; and he makes it a great attribute to his own good qualities that he can shoe him himself; I am very afraid, my lady, his mother had an affair with a blacksmith.

NERISSA: Then, is there the county Palatine.

NERISSA: Then there is the Count Palatine.

PORITA: PORITA: He doesn’t do a thing but frown, as someone would He doth nothing but frown; as who say, “If you will should say, An you not have me, choose.” He hears happy tales and will not have me, choose; he hears merry tales, and smiles doesn’t smile: I’m afraid he will probably be the weeping not: I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, philosopher when he being so full of rude sadness in his youth. I would grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth.(45) rather be married to a skull with a bone in his mouth than to either of I had rather be married to a death's head these princes. God defend me from these two! with a bone in his mouth, than to either of these. God defend me from these two! NERISSA: How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?

NERISSA: What do you have to say about the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?

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PORTIA: PORTIA: God made him, and therefore let him God made him, and so let him pass for a man. In pass for a man.(50) truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but him! In truth, I know it is a sin to be a Why, he has a mocker; but, he! why, he horse better than the Neapolitan's, a better bad habit hath a horse better than the of Neapolitan's; a better bad habit frowning than the Count Palatine; he is every man of frowning than the count Palatine: he in no man. If a is every man in no thrush sings, he starts dancing right away; he will man: if a throstle sing he falls straight a fence with capering; he will his own shadow; if I should refuse him, I would be fence with his own shadow: if I should refusing twenty marry him I should(55) husbands. If he would only despise me, I would marry twenty husbands: If he would forgive him, because if he despise me I would forgive loves me like crazy, I’ll never be able to return him; for if he love me to madness I shall such love. never requite him. NERISSA: NERISSA: What do you say then about Falconbridge, the What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of young baron England? of England?(60) PORTIA: PORTIA: You know I say nothing to him, because he doesn’t You know I say nothing to him; for he understand me, understands not and I don’t understand him: He doesn’t know me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, Latin, French, or Italian, and you French, nor Italian; will come into the court and swear that I only know and you will come into the court, and a penny’s worth swear that I have a of English. He’s the picture of a proper man, but poor pennyworth in the English. He is a alas, who can proper man's picture; talk with someone who can’t talk? How oddly he is but, alas! who can converse with a dressed! I think he dumb show? How(65) bought his shirt in Italy, his hose in France, his hat oddly he is suited! I think he bought his in Germany, and his behavior everywhere. doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany and his behaviour everywhere. NERISSA: NERISSA: What think you of the Scottish lord, his What do you think about the Scottish lord, his neighbour? neighbor? PORTIA: PORTIA: That he hath a neighbourly charity in I think that he has neighborly charity in him, him; for he borrowed(70) because he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, and a moneybox from the Englishman, and swore he

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY swore he would pay him again when he was able: I think the Frenchman became his surety, and sealed under for another.

would pay him again when he was able; I think the Frenchman became his guarantor and it was sealed by another.

NERISSA: How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?(75)

NERISSA: How do you like the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?

PORTIA: Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: and the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him.(80)

PORTIA: Very disgusting in the morning when he is sober, and most disgusting in the afternoon when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast. If the worst that could happen happens, I hope I’ll be able to go on without him.

NERISSA: NERISSA: If he offers to choose, and chooses the right chest, If he should offer to choose, and choose you would be refusing to perform your father's will, the right if you casket, you should refuse to perform refused to accept him. your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him. PORTIA: Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee, set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket; for, if the(85) devil be within and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge.

PORTIA: So, for fear of the worst, please set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the wrong chest; because if the devil were within the chest and that temptation on top of it, I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, before I’ll be married to a sponge.

NERISSA: NERISSA: You need not fear, lady, the having any You don’t need to be afraid, lady, of having any of of these these lords; lords: they have acquainted me with they have told me their intentions, which is their determinations:(90) indeed to go back to their homes, and to trouble you which is, indeed, to return to their with no more home, and to suits, unless you may be won by some other way trouble you with no more suit; unless than your father's

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.

command, that getting you depends on the chests.

PORTIA: PORTIA: If I live to be as old as Sibylla I will die If I live to be as old as Sibylla the witch, I’ll die as as chaste as(95) pure as Diana, unless I be obtained by the Diana the goddess of purity, unless I am obtained manner of my father's by the letter of my father's will. will. I am glad this parcel of wooers are I am glad this batch of would-be husbands are so so reasonable; reasonable; because there isn’t for there is not one among them but I one of them that I am not foolishly in love with his dote on his very very absence, and I pray God absence, and I pray God grant them a grant them a fair departure. fair departure. NERISSA: NERISSA: Don’t you not remember, lady, in your father's Do you not remember, lady, in your time, a Venetian, a father's time,(100) scholar and a soldier, that came here in the a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier that company of the Marquis came hither in of Montserrat? company of the Marquis of Montferrat? PORTIA: PORTIA: Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, I think, or so he was Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think, so called. was he called. NERISSA: True, madam; he, of all the men that ever my foolish(105) eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.

NERISSA: True, madam; he, that, of all the men that I have ever seen with my foolish eyes, was the most deserving of a beautiful lady.

PORTIA: I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.

PORTIA: I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of your praise. How is it now! What’s the news?

Enter a Servingman. How now! what news? SERVINGMAN: SERVINGMAN: The four strangers seek for you, madam, The four strangers are looking for you, madam, to to take(110) say their goodbyes, their leave: and there is a forerunner and there is a messenger come from a fifth, the come from a fifth, Prince of

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY the Prince of Morocco; who brings word, the prince, his master, will be here to-night.

Morocco, who brings word the Prince, his master, will be here tonight.

PORTIA: PORTIA: If I could bid the fifth welcome with so If I could welcome the fifth with as good a heart as good a heart I as I can bid the other four farewell, I can bid the other four goodbye, I would be happy of should be glad of(115) his his approach: if he have the condition of arrival; if he has the condition of a saint and the a saint and the complexion complexion of a devil, I had rather he of a devil, I would rather he heard my confession should shrive me than marry me. than wive me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go Come, Nerissa. Servant, go ahead of me. before; whiles While we shut the gate on one would-be husband, we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the another knocks at the door. door.(120) Exeunt. Scene III Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew. SHYLOCK: Three thousand ducats,—well.

SHYLOCK: Three thousand dollars; right?

BASSANIO: Ay, sir, for three months.

BASSANIO: Yes, sir, for three months.

SHYLOCK: For three months,—well.

SHYLOCK: For three months; right?

BASSANIO: For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.(5)

BASSANIO: For which, as I told you, Antonio shall be obligated.

SHYLOCK: Antonio shall become bound,—well.

SHYLOCK: Antonio shall be obligated; right?

BASSANIO: May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?

BASSANIO: Will you help me? Will you make me happy? Can I know your answer?

SHYLOCK:

SHYLOCK:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound.(10)

Three thousand dollars, for three months, and Antonio obligated.

BASSANIO: Your answer to that.

BASSANIO: Your answer to that.

SHYLOCK: Antonio is a good man.

SHYLOCK: Antonio is a good man.

BASSANIO: Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

BASSANIO: Have you heard any suggestion to the contrary?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Hey, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a Ho! no, no, no, no;—my meaning in good man saying he is a is to have you understand me, that he is good man, is, to have you understand me sufficiently credit-worthy, that he is sufficient:(15) yet his money is all tied up: he has a large Yet his means are in supposition: he hath merchant ship going to an argosy Tripoli, another to the Indies; I understand, bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I moreover, in the Marketplace, understand moreover he has a third to Mexico, a fourth to England, and upon the Rialto, he hath a third at other ventures he Mexico, a fourth for has wasted abroad. But ships are only boards of England; and other ventures he hath, wood, sailors only squander'd abroad. But men; there are land-rats and water rats, ships are but boards, sailors but men: land-thieves and there be land-rats and(20) water-thieves,—I mean pirates,—and then there is water-rats, land-thieves and the peril of water-thieves; I mean, pirates; waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, in spite of and then, there is the peril of waters, all this, sufficiently winds, and rocks. The credit worthy. Three thousand dollars - I think I man is, notwithstanding, sufficient;—three may take his promise to pay. thousand ducats; —I think I may take his bond. BASSANIO: Be assured you may.(25)

BASSANIO: Be assured you may.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I will be assured I may; and that I may be I’ll be assured that I may; and, that I may be assured, I assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with will think it over. May I speak with Antonio? Antonio? BASSANIO: If it please you to dine with us.

BASSANIO: If it pleases you to dine with us.

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SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation Yes, to smell pork; to eat in the temple that your which your prophet, the Nazarene, conjured the devil into. prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the devil I’ll buy with into! I will buy(30) you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, with you, sell with you, talk with you, and so walk with you, and following; but I’ll not eat with you, drink with so following; but I will not eat with you, you, nor pray drink with you, with you. What’s the news in the Marketplace? nor pray with you.—What news on the Who’s coming here? Rialto?—Who is he comes here? Enter Antonio. BASSANIO: This is Signior Antonio.(35)

BASSANIO: This is Mr. Antonio.

SHYLOCK: How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian: But more, for that, in low simplicity, He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice.(40) If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation; and he rails, Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,(45) Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe If I forgive him!

SHYLOCK: He looks like a flattering tax collector! I hate him because he is a Christian; But more, because, in his low simplicity, He lends out money free, and brings down The rate of interest with us here in Venice. If I can catch him once at a disadvantage, I’ll feed the ancient grudge I bear him until it’s fat. He hates our sacred nation; and he abuses me, Even there where merchants congregate most of the time, Insulting me, my bargains, and my well-won success, Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe of Israel If I forgive him!

BASSANIO: Shylock, do you hear?

BASSANIO: Shylock, do you hear me?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I am debating of my present store: I am debating about my present monies, And, by the near guess of my memory,(50) And, by the nearest guess, I remember that I cannot instantly raise up the gross I cannot instantly raise up the whole sum Of full three thousand ducats. What of Of three thousand dollars. What about that? that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will supply me. But wait! How many months Will furnish me. But soft: how many Do you want? months

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Do you desire?—Rest you fair, good signior:(55) Your worship was the last man in our mouths.

Relax, good sir; We were just talking about you.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow, Shylock, although I don’t lend or borrow By taking, nor by giving of excess, By taking or by giving excess money, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my Still, to supply the urgent wants of my friend, friend, I'll break a custom. I'll break a custom:—Is he yet possess'd(60) How much you would? Does he know How much you want? SHYLOCK: Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

SHYLOCK: Yes, yes, three thousand dollars.

ANTONIO: And for three months.

ANTONIO: And for three months.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I had forgotten; three months; you told me so. I had forgot;—three months. You told me Well then, your promise to pay; and, let me see. so. But listen, Well then, your bond; and, let me see. but I thought you said you don’t lend or borrow hear you:(65) By charging interest. Methought you said, you neither lend nor borrow, Upon advantage. ANTONIO: I do never use it.

ANTONIO: I never charge interest.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep,— When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep, This Jacob was the son of our holy Abraham, This Jacob from our holy Abram was(70) As his wise mother said he was, The third possessor; yes, he was the third,— (As his wise mother wrought in his behalf) The third possessor; ay, he was the third. ANTONIO: And what of him? did he take interest?

ANTONIO: And what about him? Did he charge interest?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: No, not take interest; not, as you would No, not charge interest; not, as you would say, say, Directly charge interest; listen to what Jacob did. Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.(75) When Laban and he agreed When Laban and himself were That all the lambs which were streaked and compromis'd multicolored Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied Should fall, as Jacob's hire; the ewes, being rank, In the end of autumn turned to the rams: And when the work of generation was,(80) Between these woolly breeders, in the act, The skilful shepherd pill'd me certain wands, And, in the doing of the deed of kind, He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes; Who, then conceiving, did in eaning-time(85) Fall party-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.

Should be given to Jacob, the ewes, being divided, Were bred with the rams at the end of autumn; And just when the rams and the ewes Were in the act of procreation, The skilful shepherd peeled certain sticks, And, at the moment of mating, He stuck them up before the fat ewes, Who, then conceiving, did in lambing time Gave birth to multicolored lambs, and those were Jacob's. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; And good luck is blessing, if men don’t steal it.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: This was an enterprise, sir, that Jacob worked for; This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd A thing that was not in his power to bring to pass, for; But swayed and fashioned by the hand of heaven. A thing not in his power to bring to Are you telling me this to make interest good? pass,(90) Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of Heaven. Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? SHYLOCK: I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast: But note me, signior.(95)

SHYLOCK: I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast as ewes and rams. But listen to me, sir.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: Mark you this, Bassanio, Pay attention, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness purpose. Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; A good apple rotten at the heart. A goodly apple rotten at the heart;(100) Oh,, what a good outside lying has! O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Three thousand ducats;—'tis a good round Three thousand dollars; it’s a good round sum. sum. Three months from twelve; then let me see the Three months from twelve, then let me rate. see; the rate.

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ANTONIO: Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden to you?

ANTONIO: Well, Shylock, shall we be indebted to you?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Mr. Antonio, many times and often Signior Antonio, many a time and oft,(105) In the Marketplace you have abused me In the Rialto you have rated me About my monies and my interest rates; About my moneys, and my usances: I still have taken it with a patient shrug, Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, Because suffering is the badge of all our tribe; For sufferance is the badge of all our You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, tribe: And spat on my Jewish clothes, You call me,—misbeliever, cut-throat And all because of using of that which is my own. dog,(110) Well then, it now appears you need my help; And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine, Come on, then; you come to me, and you say And all for use of that which is mine own. “'Shylock, we would have money.” You say so: Well then, it now appears you need my You that spit on my beard, help: And kick me as you spurn a strange dog Go to then: you come to me, and you say, On your doorstep; money is what you ask for. Shylock, we would have monies; you say What should I say to you? Shouldn’t I say so;(115) You, that did void your rheum upon my “Has a dog got money? Is it possible beard, A dog can lend you three thousand dollars?” Or And foot me, as you spurn a stranger cur Shall I bend low and, in a bondman's voice, Over your threshold; monies is your suit. With soft breathing and whispering humbleness, What should I say to you? Should I not Say this:— say, “Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; Hath a dog money? is it possible(120) You spurned me such a day; another time A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or You called me dog; and for these courtesies Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key, I'll lend you thus much money?” With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness, Say this,— 'Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last;(125) You spurn'd me such a day; another time You call'd me—dog; and for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much moneys?' ANTONIO: ANTONIO: I am as like to call thee so again, I am likely to call you so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee To spit on you again, to spurn you too. too.(130) If you will lend this money, don’t lend it If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not As if to your friends,— because when did As to thy friends; (for when did friendship take friendship take Race as pure proof of his friend’s worthiness?— A breed for barren metal of his friend?) But lend it rather to your enemy, But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who, if he defaults may face Who, if he break, thou mayst with better Exact the penalty better. face(135) Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Exact the penalty.

SHYLOCK: 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(140) Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me: This is kind I offer.

SHYLOCK: Why, look, how you get angry! I wish to be friends with you, and have your friendship, Forget the shames that you have stained me with, Supply you need right now, and don’t pay a jot Of interest for my money, and you'll not hear me complain: I offer you kindness.

BASSANIO: This were kindness.

BASSANIO: This was kindness?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I will show you this kindness. This kindness will I show: Go with me to a notary, seal your single promise Go with me to a notary, seal me there(145) to pay me there; and, in a happy sport, Your single bond; and, in a merry sport, If you don’t repay me on such a day, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are In such a place, such sum, or sums, as are Expressed in the conditions, let the penalty Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit Be an equal pound Be nominated for an equal pound(150) Of your beautiful flesh, to be cut off and taken Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken In whatever part of your body that pleases me. In what part of your body pleaseth me. ANTONIO: ANTONIO: Happily, in faith; I'll put my seal to such a Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond, promise to pay, And say there is much kindness in the And say there is much kindness in the Jew. Jew. BASSANIO: You shall not seal to such a bond for me;(155) I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

BASSANIO: You shall not put your seal to such a promise to pay For me; I’d rather live in my poverty.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: Why, don’t be afraid, man; I won’t default in Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it; Within these two months,—that's a month payment; before Within the next two months, that's a month before This promise to pay expires, I expect to get a This bond expires,—I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this return Of three times three of the value of this promise to bond.(160) pay. SHYLOCK:

SHYLOCK:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY O father Abram, 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?(165) 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;(170) And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.

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

Oh, father Abraham, what are these Christians, Whose own hard dealings teach them to suspect The thoughts of others. Please, tell me this; If he should break his promise, what should I gain By taking his forfeit? A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, Is not so valuable, or profitable either, As flesh of mutton, beef, or goat. I say, To buy his good will, I extend this friendship; If he will take it, okay; if not, goodbye; And, for my friendship, please don’t insult me.

ANTONIO: Yes, Shylock, I’ll put my seal to this promise to pay.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Then meet me immediately at the notary's; Then meet me forthwith at the notary's; Give him directions for confirming this happy Give him direction for this merry bond, promise to pay, And I will go and purse the ducats And I’ll go and get the dollars right away, straight;(175) Check on my house, left in the care See to my house, left in the fearful guard Of an unlucky rogue, and I’ll be with you Of an unthrifty knave; and presently Soon. I will be with you. Exit. ANTONIO: Hie thee, gentle Jew. This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.(180)

ANTONIO: Hurry, gentle Jew.

BASSANIO: I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

BASSANIO: I don’t like fair terms and a villain's mind.

This Hebrew will become a Christian: he’s getting kind.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: Come on; in this there can be no dismay, Come on; in this transaction, there can be no fear; My ships come home a month before the My ships come home a month before the due date. day. Exeunt.

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Act II Scene I Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Morocco a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa, and their traine. Flour[ish] cornets. MOROCCO: Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadowed livery of the burnish'd sun, To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born, Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,(5) And let us make incision for your love, To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love, I swear, The best-regarded virgins of our clime(10) Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

MOROCCO: Don’t dislike me for my complexion, The dark clothing of the polished sun, To whom I am a neighbor, and born near it. Bring me the fairest creature born in the north, Where the sun’s fire hardly thaws the icicles, And let’s make a cut for your love To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell you, lady, this face of mine Has feared the valiant; by my love, I swear The best-regarded virgins of my country Have loved it too. I would not change this color, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

PORTIA: In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden's eyes: Besides, the lottery of my destiny(15) Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: But, if my father had not scanted me, And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself His wife, who wins me by that means I told you, Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair(20) As any comer I have look'd on yet, For my affection.

PORTIA: In terms of choice, I am not only led By the nice direction of a maiden's eyes; Besides, the lottery of my destiny Doesn’t give me the right to choose voluntarily; But, if my father had not restricted me And controlled me by his wit, to give myself As his wife to the one who

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY wins me by that means I told you, you yourself, renowned Prince, would then Stand as fair as any other man I have looked on yet For my affection.

MOROCCO: Even for that I thank you; Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets, To try my fortune. By this scimitar,—(25) That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince, That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,— I would o'erstare the sternest eyes that look, Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,(30) Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady. But, alas the while! If Hercules and Lichas play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:(35) So is Alcides beaten by his page; And so may I, blind fortune leading me, Miss that which one unworthier may attain, And die with grieving.

MOROCCO: I thank you, even for that: So, please, lead me to the chests so I may Try my luck. By this sword,— That killed the Shah, a Persian prince, That won three battles with Sultan Solomon,— I would out stare the angriest eyes that look, Outbrave the most daring heart on the earth, Pluck the young, sucking cubs from their mother, Yes, taunt the lion when he roars for prey, To win you, lady. But, pity the time! If Hercules and Lichas threw dice to decide Who was the better man, the best throw May be turned by luck to come from the weaker hand: So Alcides was beaten by his boy servant; And I might too, with blind Fortune leading me, Miss that treasure which a more unworthy man may get, And I’ll die from grieving.

PORTIA: You must take your chance;(40) 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.

PORTIA: You must take your chance, And either don’t attempt to choose at all, Or swear before you choose that, if you choose wrong, You will never to speak to me afterward

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY About marriage; so be advised.

MOROCCO: Nor will not; come, bring me unto my chance.(45)

MOROCCO: I will not. Come, bring me to my chance.

PORTIA: First, forward to the temple; after dinner Your hazard shall be made.

PORTIA: First, forward to the temple: after dinner Your choice shall be made.

MOROCCO: Good fortune, then! Cornets. To make me bless'd, or cursed'st among men.

MOROCCO: Good fortune then! To make me blessed or cursed among men!

Exeunt. Scene II Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter the clown [Launcelot] alone. [LAUNCELOT:] [LAUNCELOT:] Certainly, my conscience will allow me to run Certainly, my conscience will serve me to from this run Jew my master. The devil is at my elbow and from this Jew, my master. The fiend is at tempts me, saying mine elbow, and to me, “Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good tempts me; saying to me,—Gobbo, Launcelot” or “good Gobbo” or Launcelot Gobbo, “good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, get going, good Launcelot, or good Gobbo, or good run away.” Launcelot My conscience says, “No; be careful, honest Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run Launcelot, be careful, away.—My(5) honest Gobbo” or, as I said before, “honest conscience says, no; take heed, honest Launcelot Gobbo, don’t Launcelot; take run; scorn running with your heels.” Well, the heed, honest Gobbo; or, (as aforesaid) most courageous honest Launcelot devil tells me to pack. “Go!” says the devil; Gobbo; do not run: scorn running with thy “Away!” says the heels: well, devil. “For heaven’s sake, wake up a brave the most courageous fiend bids me pack; mind,” says the devil Via! says the “and run.” Well, my conscience, hanging about fiend; away! says the fiend, for the the neck of my heavens rouse up a(10) heart, says very wisely to me, “My honest friend brave mind, says the fiend, and run. Well, Launcelot, being my conscience, an honest man's son”—or rather “an honest hanging about the neck of my heart, says woman's son;”—because very wisely to indeed my father experienced some things, earned me,—my honest friend Launcelot, being

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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(15) 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, (God bless the mark!) is a kind of(20) 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 but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew: the fiend gives(25) the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at your command, I will run. Enter old Gobbo with a Basket.

some things, he had a kind of taste;—well, my conscience says, “Launcelot, don’t budge.” “ Budge,” says the devil. “Don’t budge,” says my conscience. “ Conscience,” I say, you advise me well.” “Devil,” I say, “you advise me well.” To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who, God save us all! is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should listen to the devil, who, deliver us from evil! is the devil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnate; and, in my conscience, my conscience is only a kind of hard conscience, to offer to advise me to stay with the Jew. The devil gives the more friendly advice: I’ll run, devil; my heels are at your commandment; I will run.

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

GOBBO: Master young man, you, please; which is the way to Master Jew's?

LAUNCELOT: O heavens, this is my true-begotten father! who,(30) being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not: I will try confusions with him.

LAUNCELOT: Oh, heavens! This is my biological father, who, being more than half-blind, nearly stone blind, doesn’t know me: I’ll try to confuse him.

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

GOBBO: Master young gentleman, please, which is the way to Master Jew's?

LAUNCELOT: Turn up on your right hand at the next

LAUNCELOT: Turn up on your right hand at the next turning,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY turning,(35) 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.

GOBBO: By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell(40) with him, or no?

but, at the next turning of all, on your left; damn it, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house. GOBBO: Be God's sonties, it will be a hard way to go. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, who lives with him, lives with him or not?

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Talk you of young Master Are you taking about young Master Launcelot? Launcelot?—Mark me now—now will I raise the waters.—Talk Listen to me you of young master now; now I will really get him. Are you talking Launcelot? about young Master Launcelot? GOBBO: GOBBO: No master, sir, only a poor man's son; his father, No master, sir, but a poor man's son: his although I father, though(45) say it, is an honest, exceedingly poor man, and, I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man, thank God, well and, God be enough to live. thanked, well to live. LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Well, let his father be what he will be, we’re Well, let his father be what a will, we talk talking about young of young Master Launcelot. master Launcelot. GOBBO: Your worship's friend and Launcelot, sir.(50)

GOBBO: Your worship's friend, and Launcelot, sir.

LAUNCELOT: But I pray you ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you, talk you of young master Launcelot.

LAUNCELOT: But please, therefore, old man, therefore, I beg you, are you talking about young Master Launcelot?

GOBBO: GOBBO: Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership. Of Launcelot, if it pleases you, sir. LAUNCELOT: Ergo, master Launcelot; talk not of Master

LAUNCELOT: Therefore, Master Launcelot. Don’t talk about Master Launcelot,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman (according(55) to fates and destinies, and such odd sayings, the sister three, and such branches of learning) is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

father; for the young gentleman,—according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning,—is indeed dead; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

GOBBO: GOBBO: Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very Damn it, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my(60) support of my age, my age, my very prop. very prop. LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Do I look like a cudgel, or a hovel-post, a Do I look like a club or a beating stick, a staff or a staff, prop? Don’t or a prop? Do you know me, father? you know me, father? GOBBO: Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman: but, I pray you tell me, is my boy (God rest his soul!)(65) alive or dead?

GOBBO: Unhappy the day! I don’t know you, young gentleman; but please tell me, is my boy—God rest his soul!—alive or dead?

LAUNCELOT: Do you not know me, father?

LAUNCELOT: Don’t you know me, father?

GOBBO: Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not.

GOBBO: Sorry, sir, I am half-blind; I don’t know you.

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes you No, indeed, even if you had your eyes, you might might fail not of the knowing me: it is a wise father that know me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well, knows his own(70) child. Well, old man, I will tell you news old man, I’ll tell you news of your son. Give me of your son: give your blessing; truth will come to light; murder cannot be hidden me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot long; a man's son be hid long; a man's son may; but, in the may, but, in the end, truth will come out. end, truth will out. GOBBO:

GOBBO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Pray you, sir, stand up; I am sure you are not(75) Launcelot, my boy.

Please, sir, stand up; I am sure you are not Launcelot, my boy.

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Pray you, let's have no more fooling about Please, let's have no more fooling about it, but it, but give give me your blessing; I am Launcelot, me your blessing; I am Launcelot, your boy that your boy that was, was, your son your son that is, your child that shall be. that is, your child that shall be. GOBBO: I cannot think you are my son.(80)

GOBBO: I cannot think you are my son.

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: I know not what I shall think of that: but I I don’t know what I shall think of that; but I am am Launcelot, the Launcelot, the Jew's man; and I am sure Jew's man, and I am sure Margery your wife is Margery, your my mother. wife, is my mother. GOBBO: GOBBO: Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll swear, if you are Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be Launcelot, you are my own flesh and blood. Lord sworn, if thou of us all, be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and what a beard you’ve got! You have got more hair blood. Lord(85) on your chin than Dobbin my thrill-horse has on worshipped might he be! what a beard his tail. hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my phill-horse has on his tail. LAUNCELOT: It should seem then, that Dobbin's tail grows backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail, than I(90) have of my face, when I last saw him.

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

GOBBO: Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How 'gree you now?

GOBBO: Lord! how you have changed! How do you and your master get along? I have brought him a present. How do you get along now?

LAUNCELOT: Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up(95)

LAUNCELOT: Well, well; but, as for me, as I have made up my mind

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my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground. My master's a very Jew. 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(100) rare new liveries; if I serve not him, I will run as far as God 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. Enter Bassanio with a follower or two [one of them Leonardo.]

to run away, so I’ll not rest until I have run some ground. My master's a very Jew. Give him a present! Give him a halter. I am starving in his service; you can count my ribs with your fingers. Father, I’m glad you’ve come; give your present to one Master Bassanio, who indeed is giving rare new clothing to new servants. If I don’t serve him, I’ll run as far as God has any ground. Oh, rare fortune! Here comes the man: give the present to him, father; because I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: You may do so; but let it be quickly so that supper You may do so:—but let it be so hasted, is that supper ready by five of the clock at the latest. See these be ready at the farthest by five of the letters are clock. See these letters(105) delivered, get the servants’ clothes made, and ask delivered; put the liveries to making; and Gratiano to desire Gratiano to come now to my house. come anon to my lodging. LAUNCELOT: To him, father.

LAUNCELOT: To him, father.

GOBBO: God bless your worship!

GOBBO: God bless you, sir!

BASSANIO: Gramercy! wouldst thou aught with me?(110)

BASSANIO: God have mercy, what do you want with me?

GOBBO: Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,—

GOBBO: Here is my son, sir, a poor boy—

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

LAUNCELOT: Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man, that would, sir,—as my father shall specify—

GOBBO: He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to

GOBBO: He has a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve—

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY serve,—(115)

LAUNCELOT: Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify,—

LAUNCELOT: Indeed the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify—

GOBBO: GOBBO: His master and he (saving your worship's His master and he, God save you, sir, are reverence) are almost like cousins— scarce cater-cousins:— LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: To be brief, the very truth is, that the Jew To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having having(120) done done me wrong, doth cause me, as my me wrong, causes me,—as my father, being I hope father, being I hope an old man, an old man, shall frutify unto you, — shall frutify to you— GOBBO: I have here a dish of doves, that I would bestow upon your worship; and my suit is,—

GOBBO: I have here a dish of doves that I wish to give you, sir; and what I want is—

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: In very brief, what he asks is impertinent to In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as myself,(125) you, sir, shall know from this honest old man; as your worship shall know by this honest and, though I say old man; and, it, though old man, yet poor man, my father. though I say it, though old man, yet, poor man, my father. BASSANIO: One speak for both:—what would you?

BASSANIO: One of you speak for both of you. What do you want?

LAUNCELOT: Serve you, sir.

LAUNCELOT: To serve you, sir.

GOBBO: That is the very defect of the matter, sir.(130)

GOBBO: That is the very defect of the matter, sir.

BASSANIO: I know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit: Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day,

BASSANIO: I know you well; you have gotten what you ask for. Shylock your master spoke with me today, And has recommended you, if it is a

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment To leave a rich Jew's service, to become The follower of so poor a gentleman.(135)

recommendation To leave a rich Jew's service to become The follower of so poor a gentleman.

[LAUNCELOT:] [LAUNCELOT:] The old proverb is very well parted The old proverb is very well parted between my between master my master Shylock and you, sir; you have Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of God, the grace of sir, and he has God, sir, and he hath enough. enough. BASSANIO: BASSANIO: Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy You speak well. Go, father, with your son. son:— Say goodbye to your old master, and find out Take leave of thy old master, and Where I live. inquire(140) My lodging out:—Give him a livery Give him clothes More guarded than his fellows: see it That are less showy than that of his fellows; see it done. gets done. [LAUNCELOT:] [LAUNCELOT:] Father, go in. I cannot get a service, no! I have Father, in:—I cannot get a service, no!—I never had a have tongue in my head! ne'er a tongue in my head!—well! If any man in Italy Well; if any man in Italy has a better table that have a fairer table, which doth offer to offers to swear on a book, swear upon a(145) I shall have good luck. Come on; here's a simple book, I shall have good fortune! Go to, line of life; here's a simple here's a small number of wives; sadly, fifteen line of life! here's a small trifle of wives: wives is nothing; alas, fifteen wives eleven widows and nine maids is a simple is nothing; aleven widows and nine coming-in for one man. maids, is a simple And then to escape drowning three times, and to coming-in for one man: and then, to be in fear for my life 'scape drowning with the edge of a feather bed; here are simple thrice; and to be in peril of my life with escapes. Well, if the edge of a(150) Fortune is a woman, she's a good woman for this feather bed; here are simple 'scapes! Well, guy. Father, if fortune be a come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the woman, she's a good wench for this twinkling of an eye. gear.—Father, come. I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. Exit Clown. BASSANIO: BASSANIO: I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this. Please, good Leonardo, think about this: These things being bought, and orderly Once these things have been bought and orderly

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY bestow'd,(155) Return in haste, for I do feast to-night My best-esteem'd acquaintance: hie thee Go.

put away Come back quickly, because I feast tonight with My best-esteemed acquaintance; hurry up, go.

LEONARDO: LEONARDO: My best endeavours shall be done herein. You have my best efforts to get everything done as you ask. Exit Leonardo. Enter Gratiano. GRATIANO: Where's your master?

GRATIANO: Where's your master?

LEONARDO: Yonder, sir, he walks.(160)

LEONARDO: Over there, sir, he’s walking.

GRATIANO: Signior Bassanio,—

GRATIANO: Mr. Bassanio!—

BASSANIO: Gratiano!

BASSANIO: Gratiano!

GRATIANO: I have a suit to you.

GRATIANO: I have to ask you something.

BASSANIO: You have obtain'd it.

BASSANIO: You’ve got it.

GRATIANO: You must not deny me. I must go with you to(165) Belmont.

GRATIANO: You mustn’t say no: I must go with you to Belmont.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: Why, then you must go. But listen, Gratiano; Why, then you must.—But hear thee, Gratiano; You are too wild, too rude, and loud, Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of Qualities that become you happily enough, voice; And, in such eyes as ours, don’t appear to be faults; Parts, that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appear not But where no one knows you, why there, these faults;(170) qualities But where thou art not known, why, there Show something that’s too liberal. Please, take they show pains Something too liberal: pray thee, take To behave yourself and to control pain Your wild spirit, so that I won’t be To allay with some cold drops of misunderstood modesty, As to why I came, because of your wild behavior,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild behavior, I be misconster'd in the place I go to,(175) And lose my hopes.

And lose my hopes of marriage.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Mr. Bassanio, listen to me: Signior Bassanio, hear me: If I don’t put on a sober habit, If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear only now and then, Talk with respect, and swear but now and Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely, then, No more, while grace is saying, hood my eyes Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look Like this with my hat, and sigh, and say “amen;” demurely;(180) Use all the observances of manners, Nay more, while grace is saying, hood As one well studied in a sad display in order mine eyes To please his grandmother, never trust me Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say anymore. Amen; Use all the observance of civility, Like one well studied in a sad ostent To please his grandam,—never trust me more.(185) BASSANIO: Well, we shall see your bearing.

BASSANIO: Well, we’ll see your behavior.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: No, but tonight is an exception; you shall not Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage judge me me By what we do tonight. By what we do to-night. BASSANIO: No, that were pity; I would entreat you rather to put on(190) Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends That purpose merriment. But fare you well, I have some business.

BASSANIO: No, that would be a pity; I would beg you rather to put on Your boldest face of happiness, because we have friends That offer merriment. But goodbye; I have some business to see to.

GRATIANO: And I must to Lorenzo and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time.(195) Exeunt.

GRATIANO: And I must go to Lorenzo and the rest; But we’ll visit you at suppertime.

Scene III Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter Jessica and [Launcelot] the Clown. JESSICA:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so; Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness: But fare thee well: there is a ducat for thee. And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see(5) Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest: Give him this letter; do it secretly, And so farewell; I would not have my father See me in talk with thee.

I am sorry that you will leave my father like this: Our house is hell, and you, a happy devil, Robbed it of some taste of boredom. But goodbye; there is a dollar for you; And, Launcelot, you will soon see Lorenzo at supper, who is your new master's guest: Give him this letter; do it secretly. And so, goodbye. I wouldn’t have my father See me talking with you.

[LAUNCELOT:] [LAUNCELOT:] Adieu!—tears exhibit my tongue. Most(10) Goodbye! Tears exhibit my voice. Most beautiful pagan,—most sweet Jew! If a beautiful pagan, Christian did not most sweet Jew! If a Christian doesn’t play the play the knave and get thee, I am much rogue and get deceived. But, you, I am much deceived. But, goodbye! these adieu! these foolish drops do something foolish drops drown my manly drown my manly spirit somewhat; goodbye! spirit: adieu! Exit. JESSICA: Farewell, good Launcelot.(15) 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: O Lorenzo! If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife;(20) Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. Exit. Scene IV Original Text

JESSICA: Goodbye, good Launcelot. It’s a pity, what hateful sin it is in me To be ashamed to be my father's child! But, although I am a daughter from his blood, I am not from his manners. Oh, Lorenzo! If you keep your promise, I shall end this strife, Become a Christian and your loving wife.

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio, and Solanio. LORENZO: Nay, we will slink away in supper-time, Disguise us at my lodging, and return, All in an hour.

LORENZO: No, we’ll slink away at suppertime, Disguise ourselves at my house, and return All in an hour.

GRATIANO: We have not made good preparation.

GRATIANO: We haven’t made a good preparation.

SALERIO: We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.(5)

SALERIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY We haven’t spoken about the torchbearers yet.

SOLANIO: 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered, And better, in my mind, not undertook.

SOLANIO: It’s nasty, unless they may be skillfully ordered, And I think it’s better not to be undertaken.

LORENZO: LORENZO: 'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours, It’s only four o'clock now; we have two To furnish us.— hours Friend Launcelot, what's the news?(10) To get them. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Enter Launcelot, with a letter. LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: An it shall please you to break up this, it shall If you will please break this up, it will seem to signify. become clear. LORENZO: I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on, Is the fair hand that writ.(15)

LORENZO: I know the hand; in faith, it’s a beautiful hand, And the beautiful hand that wrote it Is whiter than the paper it’s written on.

GRATIANO: Love-news, in faith.

GRATIANO: Love news, in faith.

LAUNCELOT: By your leave, sir.

LAUNCELOT: Excuse me, sir.

LORENZO: Whither goest thou?

LORENZO: Where are you going?

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Damn it, sir, to bid my old master, the Jew, to Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to come sup to supper tonight with my new master, the to-night with my new master the Christian.(20) Christian. LORENZO: LORENZO: Hold here, take this.—Tell gentle Jessica, Hang on! Here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica I will not fail her.—Speak it privately. that Go. Gentlemen, will you prepare you for this I will not fail her; speak it in private. masque Go, gentlemen, to-night? I am provided of a torch-bearer.(25)

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Will you get yourself ready for this party tonight? I have a torchbearer.

Exit Clown. SALERIO: Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

SALERIO: Yes, damn it, I'll be taking care of it right away.

SOLANIO: And so will I.

SOLANIO: And so will I.

LORENZO: Meet me and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

LORENZO: Meet me and Gratiano At Gratiano's house in about an hour.

SALERIO: 'Tis good we do so.(30) Exit [Salerio and Solanio]

SALERIO: Okay.

GRATIANO: Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

GRATIANO: Wasn’t that letter from beautiful Jessica?

LORENZO: LORENZO: I must tell you everything. She has made a I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed plan of How I shall take her from her father's house; How I shall take her from her father's house; What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with; What gold and jewels she has; What page's suit she hath in readiness.(35) What boy's suit she has ready. If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, If the Jew her father ever comes to heaven, It will be for his gentle daughter's sake: It will be for his gentle daughter's sake; And never dare misfortune cross her foot, And never should misfortune dare to cross her Unless she do it under this excuse,— foot, That she is issue to a faithless Jew.(40) Unless she does it under this excuse, Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: That she is daughter to a faithless Jew. Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer. Come, go with me, read this over as you go; Beautiful Jessica shall be my torchbearer. Exit. Scene V Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter [Shylock, ] Jew, his man that was the Clown [Launcelot]. [SHYLOCK:] Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:—

[SHYLOCK:] Well, you shall see; your eyes shall be your judge,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY What, Jessica!—thou shalt not gormandise, As thou hast done with me;—What, Jessica!— And sleep, and snore, and rend apparel out;—(5) Why, Jessica, I say!

The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:— What, Jessica!—You won’t eat like a glutton, As you have done with me;—What, Jessica!— And sleep and snore, and tear clothes apart— Why, Jessica, I say!

[LAUNCELOT:] Why, Jessica!

[LAUNCELOT:] Why, Jessica!

[SHYLOCK:] Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.

[SHYLOCK:] Who called for you? I didn’t call for you.

[LAUNCELOT:] Your worship was wont to tell me, I could do nothing without bidding.(10)

[LAUNCELOT:] You, sir, always told me I couldn’t do anything without bidding.

Enter Jessica. JESSICA: Call you? What is your will?

JESSICA: Did you call? What is it?

[SHYLOCK:] I am bid forth to supper, Jessica: There are my keys.—But wherefore should I go? I am not bid for love; they flatter me: But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon(15) The prodigal Christian.—Jessica, my girl, Look to my house.—I am right loath to go; There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money-bags to-night.

[SHYLOCK:] I am asked to go out to supper, Jessica: There are my keys. But why should I go? I am not asked for friendship; they flatter me; But yet I'll go in hate, to feed on The prodigal Christian. Jessica, my girl, Take care of my house. I am very reluctant to go; There is some ill disturbing my rest, Because I dreamt of moneybags tonight.

[LAUNCELOT:] I beseech you, sir, go; my young master doth(20) expect your reproach.

[LAUNCELOT:] Please, sir, go: my young master expects your insult.

[SHYLOCK:] So do I, his.

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[LAUNCELOT:] [LAUNCELOT:] And they have conspired together,—I will not And they have conspired together; say, you shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was I’ll not say you not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on shall see a party, but if you do, then it Black-(25) was not for nothing Monday last, at six o'clock i' the morning, falling out that my nose started bleeding on last that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the Black Monday at six o'clock afternoon. in the morning, falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four years in the afternoon. [SHYLOCK:] What! are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica: Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum,(30) And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife, Clamber not you up to the casements then, Nor thrust your head into the public street, To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces: But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements;(35) Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter My sober house.—By Jacob's staff I swear, I have no mind of feasting forth to-night: But I will go.—Go you before me, sirrah; Say, I will come.(40)

[SHYLOCK:] What! are there parties? Listen to me, Jessica: Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum, And the vile squealing of the long-necked pipe, Don’t run up to the windows then, Or thrust your head into the public street To gaze on Christian fools with varnished masks; But stop my house's ears- I mean my windows; Don’t let the sound of shallow foolishness enter My sober house. By Jacob's staff, I swear I don’t want to go feasting outside tonight; But I’ll go. You go ahead of me, servant; Say I’ll come.

[LAUNCELOT:] I will go before, sir.— Mistress, look out at window for all this; There will come a Christian by, Will be worth a Jewess' eye.

[LAUNCELOT:] I’ll go ahead of you, sir. Mistress, look out at window for all this; There will come a Christian by That will be worth a Jewess' eye.

[SHYLOCK:] What says that fool of Hagar's offspring; ha?(45)

[SHYLOCK:] What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, huh?

JESSICA: His words were, Farewell mistress; nothing else.

JESSICA: His words were, “Goodbye, mistress,” nothing else.

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[SHYLOCK:] The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder, Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day More than the wild cat: drones hive not with me, Therefore I part with him; and part with him(50) To one, that I would have him help to waste His borrow'd purse.—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find;(55) A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

[SHYLOCK:] The man is kind enough, but a huge eater; Snail-slow in worth, and he sleeps by day More than the wild-cat does; drones don’t live with me, So I’m parting with him; and send with him To one that I want him help to waste His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps I’ll return immediately: Do as I tell you, shut doors after you: “Fast bind, fast find,” A proverb that’s never forgotten in a successful mind.

Exit. JESSICA: Farewell; and if my fortune be not cross'd, I have a father, you a daughter, lost.

JESSICA: Goodbye; and, if my fortune is not crossed, I have lost a father, and you a daughter.

Exit. Scene VI Original Text

Modern Translation

Enter the maskers, Gratiano and Salerio. GRATIANO: This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo Desir'd us to make stand.

GRATIANO: This is the house where Lorenzo Wanted us to wait.

SALERIO: His hour is almost past.

SALERIO: He’s almost late.

GRATIANO: And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock.(5)

GRATIANO: And it’s a wonder that he’s late, Because lovers always keep ahead of the clock.

SALERIO: O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

SALERIO: Oh! Love’s pigeons fly ten times faster To seal newly made promises of love than they are Accustomed to keeping love’s old vows from being broken!

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GRATIANO: That ever holds: who riseth from a feast With that keen appetite that he sits down?(10) Where is the horse that doth untread again, His tedious measures with the unbated fire, That he did pace them first? All things that are, Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd. How like a younger, or a prodigal,(15) The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind! Enter Lorenzo. How like a prodigal doth she return; With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails, Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!(20)

SALERIO: Here comes Lorenzo;—more of this hereafter.

GRATIANO: That’s true: who gets up from a feast With the same hunger that he had when he sat down? Where is the horse that retraces his boring steps again With the same fire That he walked them in the first place? All things that exist Are sought for with more spirit than the spirit to enjoy them. How the sailing ship leaves her native port Like a youngster or a spendthrift Hugged and embraced by the prostitute wind! How she returns like the spendthrift, With weather-beaten sides and ragged sails, Thin, torn, and destitute by the prostitute wind! SALERIO: Here comes Lorenzo; more about this later.

LORENZO: LORENZO: Sweet friends, I’m sorry I’m late; Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode: Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait: Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait: When you are ready to do anything to get When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, wives, I'll watch as long for you then. Come on; I'll watch as long for you then.—Approach;(25) My father-n-law Jew lives here. Hey! Here dwells my father Jew.—Ho! who's within? Who's in there? [Enter] Jessica above. JESSICA: Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.

JESSICA: Who are you? Tell me, just to be sure, Even though I'll swear that I know your voice.

LORENZO: Lorenzo, and thy love.

LORENZO: Lorenzo, and your love.

JESSICA: Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed;(30) For who love I so much? And now, who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

JESSICA: Lorenzo, to be sure and my love indeed, Because who do love I so much? And now, who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

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LORENZO: Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art.

LORENZO: Heaven and your thoughts are witnesses that you are.

JESSICA: JESSICA: Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.(35) Here, catch this chest; it is worth the I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, trouble. For I am much asham'd of my exchange: I am glad it’s night so that you can’t see But love is blind, and lovers cannot see me, The pretty follies that themselves commit; Because I am very ashamed of my For if they could, Cupid himself would blush,(40) costume; To see me thus transformed to a boy. But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty mischief that they themselves commit, Because, if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me transformed to a boy like this. LORENZO: Descend, for you must be my torchbearer.

LORENZO: Go down, because you must be carry my torch.

JESSICA: JESSICA: What! Do I have to hold a light on my What, must I hold a candle to my shames? shame? They in themselves, good-sooth, are too-too light. They in themselves, to tell the truth, are as Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love;(45) light as a flute. And I should be obscur'd. Why, light is a function of discovering things, love, And I should be hidden. LORENZO: So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the run-away,(50) And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.

LORENZO: And you are hidden, sweetheart, Even in the lovely garments of a boy. But come at once, Because the night is running away, And we are waited for at Bassanio's feast.

JESSICA: JESSICA: I will make fast the doors, and gild myself I’ll secure the doors, and cover myself With some more dollars, and I’ll be with With some more ducats, and be with you straight. you right away. [Exit above] GRATIANO: Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew.

GRATIANO: Now, I swear, she is a Gentile and no Jew.

LORENZO:

LORENZO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Beshrew me, but I love her heartily:(55) For she is wise, if I can judge of her; And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true; And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself; And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true, Shall she be placed in my constant soul.(60)

Curse me, but I love her heartily; Because she is wise, if I can judge her, And she is beautiful, if my eyes can really see, And she is true, as she has proved herself; And so, like herself, wise, beautiful, and true, She shall be placed in my faithful soul.

Enter Jessica, [below]. What, art thou come?—On, gentlemen, away; Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.

What, are you here? On, gentlemen, let’s go! Our partying friends wait for us already.

Exit [with Jessica and Salerio] Enter Antonio ANTONIO: Who's there?

ANTONIO: Who's there?

GRATIANO: Signior Antonio!

GRATIANO: Mr. Antonio!

ANTONIO: Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?(65) 'Tis nine o'clock, our friends all stay for you: No masque to-night, the wind is come about; Bassanio presently will go aboard: I have sent twenty out to seek for you.

ANTONIO: Nonsense, nonsense, Gratiano! where are all the rest? It’s nine o'clock; our friends all wait for you. No party tonight: the wind has changed direction; Bassanio will go aboard soon: I have sent out twenty men to look for you.

GRATIANO: I am glad on't; I desire no more delight,(70) Than to be under sail and gone to-night.

GRATIANO: I am glad about it: I don’t want anything more Than to get sailing and be gone tonight.

Exeunt. Scene VII Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Portia with [the Prince of] Morocco, and both their trains. PORTIA: Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince:— Now make your choice.

PORTIA: Go, draw the curtains aside, and show The three chests to this noble prince. Now, make your choice.

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MOROCCO: MOROCCO: The first, of gold, who this inscription bears: The first, of gold, bears this inscription: Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men “Who chooses me shall gain what many desire.(5) men desire.” The second, silver, which this promise carries: The second, silver, carries this promise: Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he “Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves. deserves.” This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt: This third, dull lead, has a warning just as Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he blunt: hath. “Who chooses me must give and gamble all How shall I know if I do choose the right?(10) he has.” How shall I know if I chose the right one? PORTIA: The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal.

PORTIA: One of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours as well.

MOROCCO: MOROCCO: Some god direct my judgment! Let me see; Some god direct my judgment! Let me see. I’ll look over the inscriptions again. I will survey the inscriptions back again: What does this leaden chest say? What says this leaden casket:(15) 'Who chooses me must give and gamble all Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he he has.” hath. “ Must give”: give what? For lead? Gamble Must give—For what? for lead? hazard for for lead! lead? This chest threatens; men that gamble This casket threatens: Men that hazard all everything Do it in hope of fair advantages: Do it in hope of a better advantage: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross;(20) A golden mind doesn’t stoop to shows of I'll then nor give, nor hazard, aught for lead. scum; What says the silver, with her virgin hue? Then I won’t give or gamble anything for Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he lead. deserves. What does the silver say, with her virgin As much as he deserves?—Pause there, color? Morocco, 'Who chooses me shall get as much as he And weigh thy value with an even hand:(25) deserves.” If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, As much as he deserves! Stop there, Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough Morocco, May not extend so far as to the lady: And consider your value with a balanced And yet to be afeard of my deserving, hand. Were but a weak disabling of myself.(30) If you are rated by your own opinion, As much as I deserve!—Why, that's the lady: You do deserve enough, and yet enough I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes, May not extend so far as to include the lady; In graces, and in qualities of breeding; And yet to be afraid of my what I think I But more than these, in love I do deserve. deserve What if I strayed no further, but chose Is only a weak opinion of myself. here?—(35) As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady: Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold: I was born to deserve her, and also in Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men fortunes, desire. In graces, and in qualities of breeding; Why, that's the lady: all the world desires her:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY From the four corners of the earth they come, To kiss this shrine, this mortal, breathing, saint.(40) The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds Of wide Arabia, are as through-fares now, For princes to come view fair Portia: The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head Spets in the face of heaven, is no bar(45) To stop the foreign spirits; but they come, As o'er a brook, to see fair Portia. One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation To think so base a thought: it were too gross(50) To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. 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. They have in England,(55) A coin that bears the figure of an angel, Stamped in gold; but that's insculp'd upon; But here an angel in a golden bed Lies all within.—Deliver me the key; Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may!(60)

But more than these, I do deserve love. What if I didn’t go any farther, and chose right here? Let's see this saying engraved in gold once more: 'Who chooses me shall gain what many men desire.” Why, that's the lady: all the world desires her; They come from the four corners of the earth, To kiss this shrine, this mortal-breathing saint: The ancient deserts and the vast wilds Of wide Arabia are like long highways now Because princes come to see beautiful Portia: The ocean, whose ambitious waves Spit in the face of heaven, is no barrier To stop the foreign spirits; they only come To see beautiful Portia as though the ocean was a brook. One of these three chests contains her heavenly picture. Is it likely that the lead one holds her picture? It’s damnation To think such a low thought; it’s too gross Even to be used as her shroud in the obscure grave. Or shall I think she's enclosed in the walls of this silver one, Being worth ten times less than traditional gold? Oh, sinful thought! There never was so rich a gem Set in something worse than gold. In England, they have A coin that bears the figure of an angel Stamped in gold; but that's engraved on it, But here, an angel in a golden bed Lies inside this chest. Give me the key; I choose here, and be as lucky I as I may!

PORTIA: PORTIA: There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there, There, take it, prince, and if my picture lies Then I am yours. [He unlocks the golden there, casket] Then I am yours. MOROCCO:

MOROCCO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY O hell! what have we here? A carrion Death, within whose empty eye There is a written scroll? I'll read the writing.(65)

Oh, hell! what have we here? A skull, whose empty eye has A written scroll in it! I'll read the writing. “Everything that glitters is not gold, Often have you heard that told; Many a man has sold his life Just to look at my outside: Gilded tombs wrap around worms. If you had been as wise as you are bold, Young in arms and legs, and old in judgment, Your answer would not have been a scroll: Goodbye, your search is cold.” Cold indeed; and waste of work : Then, goodbye, heat, and welcome, frost! Portia, goodbye! I have such a very grieving heart That I won’t leave slowly; losers leave like this.

[Reads] All that glisters is not gold, Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold, But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms enfold.(70) Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been inscroll'd: Fare you well; your suit is cold. Cold, indeed; and labour lost:(75) Then, farewell heat; and welcome frost.— Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part. Exit. PORTIA: A gentle riddance:—Draw the curtains, go;— Let all of his complexion choose me so.(80)

PORTIA: A gentle clearance. Close the curtains: go. Let every man like him choose me in the same way.

Exeunt. Scene VIII Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter Salerio and Solanio. SALERIO: SALERIO: Why, man, I saw Bassanio sailing away; Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail; With him is Gratiano gone along; Gratiano has gone along with him; And in their ship, I am sure, Lorenzo is not. And I am sure Lorenzo is not on their ship. SOLANIO: The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.(5)

SOLANIO: The villain Jew woke up the Duke with outcries. The Duke went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

SALERIO: SALERIO: He came too late, the ship was under sail: He came too late, the ship was sailing away; But there the duke was given to understand, But there, the Duke was given to understand That in a gondola were seen together That Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica; Were seen together in a gondola.

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Besides, Antonio certified the duke,(10) They were not with Bassanio in his ship.

SOLANIO: I never heard a passion so confus'd, So strange, outrageous, and so variable, As the dog Jew did utter in the streets: My daughter!—O my ducats!—O my daughter!(15) Fled with a Christian?—O my Christian ducats!— Justice! the law! my ducats, and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter! And jewels; two stones, two rich and precious stones,(20) Stol'n by my daughter!—Justice! find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats!

Besides, Antonio assured the Duke that They were not with Bassanio in his ship. SOLANIO: I never heard such confused anger, So strange, outrageous, and so changeable, The Jew barked like the dog in the streets. “ My daughter! Oh, my dollars! Oh, my daughter! Fled with a Christian! Oh, my Christian dollars! Justice! The law! My dollars and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of dollars, Of double dollars, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels! Two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stolen by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She has the stones on her and the dollars.”

SALERIO: SALERIO: Why, all the boys in Venice followed him, Why, all the boys in Venice follow him Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his dollars. Crying,—‘His stones, his daughter, and his ducats.’ SOLANIO: SOLANIO: Let good Antonio look he keep his day,(25) Let good Antonio be careful about making his Or he shall pay for this. Payment on time, or he shall pay for this. SALERIO: SALERIO: Damn it, thanks for reminding me. Marry, well remember'd: I was talking yesterday with a Frenchman, I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday, Who told me,—in the narrow seas that part Who told me that, in the narrow seas that part The French and English, a vessel of our The French and English, there Country, sank, loaded full with rich cargo. miscarried(30) I thought about Antonio when he told me, A vessel of our country, richly fraught: I thought upon Antonio when he told me, And wished in silence that the ship wasn’t his. And wish'd in silence that it were not his. SOLANIO: You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.(35)

SOLANIO: You’d better tell Antonio what you heard; still, don’t tell Him without warning because it may be too painful.

SALERIO:

SALERIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: Bassanio told him, he would make some speed Of his return; he answer'd—Do not so, Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,(40) But stay the very riping of the time; And for the Jew's bond, which he hath of me, Let it not enter in your mind of love: Be merry; and employ your chiefest thoughts To courtship, and such fair ostents of love,(45) As shall conveniently become you there: And even there, his eye being big with tears, Turning his face, he put his hand behind him, And, with affection wondrous sensible, He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.(50)

A kinder gentleman does not walk on the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio say goodbye: Bassanio told him he would hurry back. He answered 'Don’t hurry back; Don’t be careless with business for my sake, Bassanio, But wait until your plans are realized; And for the Jew's promise to pay which he has from me, Don’t let it enter your mind, thinking about love: Be happy, and use your main thoughts For courtship, and such beautiful shows of love That may agree with you there.” And even there, his eyes being big with tears, Turning his face away, he put his hands behind him, And with affection that was amazingly easy to feel, He shook and shook Bassanio's hand, and they parted like that.

SOLANIO: I think he only loves the world for him. I pray thee, let us go and find him out, And quicken his embraced heaviness, With some delight or other.

SOLANIO: I think Antonio only loves the world for him. Please, let’s go and find out where he is, And help burn up his tangled depression With some delight or other.

SALERIO: Do we so.(55) Exeunt.

SALERIO: Let’s do it.

Scene IX Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Nerissa and a servitor. NERISSA: NERISSA: Quickly, quickly, please, draw the Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight; The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, curtain right away; And comes to his election presently. The Prince of Aragon has taken his oath, And comes to make his choice now. Enter [the Prince of] Arragon, his train, and Portia. Flourish of cornets. PORTIA:

PORTIA:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince; If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,(5) Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd; But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately.

Behold, the chests stand there, noble Prince: If you choose the one that I am contained in, Our marriage vows will be solemnized right away; But if you fail, my lord, you must be gone from here Immediately without any more talking.

ARRAGON: I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to any one,(10) Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; Lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you, and be gone.(15)

ARRAGON: I am required by oath to observe three things: First, never to tell anyone Which chest I chose; next, if I fail To choose the right chest, I will never Court a maid to marry for my whole life; Lastly, if I do fail in choosing the right chest, I will leave you immediately and be gone.

PORTIA: To these injunctions every one doth swear, That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

PORTIA: Everyone swears to these conditions Who come to take a chance for my worthless self.

ARRAGON: ARRAGON: And I have prepared myself like that. And so have I address'd me: Fortune now Fortune now To my heart's hope!—Gold; silver; and base lead. Lead me to my heart's hope! Gold, Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he silver, and base lead. hath.(20) “Who chooses me must give and gamble You shall look fairer, ere I give, or hazard. all he has.” What says the golden chest? ha! let me see: You shall look more beautiful before I Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. give or gamble. What says the golden chest? Ha! Let me What many men desire.—that many may be meant see: By the fool multitude, that choose by show,(25) “Who chooses me shall gain what many Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to th' interior, but, like the martlet, men desire.” What many men desire! that “many” Builds in the weather on the outward wall, may mean Even in the force and road of casualty. The foolish multitudes, that choose by I will not choose what many men desire,(30) outward appearance, Because I will not jump with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Not learning any more than their loving eyes teach, Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house; Which doesn’t go to the inside but, like Tell me once more what title thou dost bear: the marten, Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he Builds on the outside wall in any deserves.(35) And well said too. for who shall go about weather, Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY To cozen fortune, and be honourable Without the stamp of merit! Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity: O, that estates, degrees, and offices,(40) Were not deriv'd corruptly! and that clear honour Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare! How many be commanded that command! How much low peasantry would then be glean'd(45) From the true seed of honour! and how much honour Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times, To be new varnish'd! Well, but to my choice: Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves. I will assume desert:—Give me a key for this,(50) And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

Even in the force of wind and on the road to ruin. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank myself with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then to you, you silver treasure-house; Tell me once more what title you bear: “Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves.” And it is said well too, because who shall go about To steal a fortune, and still be honorable Without the stamp of deserving it? Let no one pretend To wear an undeserved dignity. Oh! that fortunes, degrees, and offices Were not earned by corruption, and that clear honors Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then would be covered that stand naked; How many would be commanded that command; How much low peasantry would then be taken from From the true seed of honor; and how much honor Picked from the garbage and ruin of the times To be newly painted! Well, to my choice: “Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves.” I will assume I am deserving. Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

[He opens the silver casket] PORTIA: Too long a pause for that which you find there.

PORTIA: That’s too long a pause over what you find there.

ARRAGON: What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot, Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How much unlike art thou to Portia!(55)

ARRAGON: What's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot, Presenting me a piece of paper! I will

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! Who chooseth me, shall have as much as he deserves. Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?

read it. This doesn’t look very much like Portia! This doesn’t look very much like what I deserve! “Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves.” Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? Is that my prize? Is my deserving no better than that?

PORTIA: To offend, and judge, are distinct offices,(60) And of opposed natures.

PORTIA: To insult and judge are different things, And of opposite natures.

ARRAGON: What is here? The fire seven times tried this; Seven times tried that judgment is, That did never choose amiss:(65) Some there be that shadows kiss, Such have but a shadow's bliss: There be fools alive, iwis, Silver'd o'er; and so was this. Take what wife you will to bed,(70) I will ever be your head: So be gone: you are sped. Still more fool I shall appear, By the time I linger here: With one fool's head I came to woo,(75) But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu! I'll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth.

ARRAGON: What is this here? “The fire tried this seven times. The judgment that never chose wrong Is tried seven times. There are some men that shadows kiss; Men like this have only a shadow's bliss; There are fools alive, I know, That are silvered over, and so was this chest. Take whatever wife you want to bed, I will be your head forever: So be gone; you are finished.” I shall appear to be more foolish By the time I stay here; I came to court with one fool's head, But I go away with two. Sweetheart, goodbye! I'll keep my oath, Patiently to deal with my anger.

PORTIA: PORTIA: In this way, the candle has burned the Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth. O these deliberate fools! when they do choose,(80) moth. They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. Oh, these deliberate fools! When they choose, They have the wisdom to lose by their senses. NERISSA: The ancient saying is no heresy;— Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.

NERISSA: The ancient saying is no lie: “Hanging and getting a wife are up to Fate.”

PORTIA:

PORTIA:

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Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. Enter Messenger.

Come, close the curtain, Nerissa.

MESSENGER: Where is my lady?(85)

MESSENGER: Where is my lady?

PORTIA: Here; what would my lord?

PORTIA: I’m here; what do you want?

MESSENGER: MESSENGER: Madam, at your gate, a young Venetian Madam, there is alighted at your gate Has just arrived, one that comes ahead A young Venetian, one that comes before Of his lord to tell us he is coming; To signify the approaching of his lord; He brings sensible apologies from him; From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;(90) As noted,—besides greetings and To wit, (besides commends and courteous breath), courteous sayings,— Gifts of rich value; Yet I have not seen Gifts of rich value. Yet I haven’t seen So likely an ambassador of love: Such an ambassador of love. A day in April never came so sweet, A day in April never came so sweetly To show how costly summer was at hand,(95) As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. To show how expensive summer was coming, As this forerunner comes so urgently before his lord. PORTIA: No more, I pray thee; I am half afeard, Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see(100) Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.

PORTIA: No more, please; I am half afraid You will now say he is related to you, You spend such so many words in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa, because I long to see Quick Cupid's messenger that comes so politely.

NERISSA: Bassanio, lord Love, if thy will it be. Exeunts.

NERISSA: Bassanio, lord Love, if it is your will!

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY

Act III Scene I Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] [Enter Solanio and Salerio] SOLANIO: Now, what news on the Rialto?

SOLANIO: Now, what’s the news in the Marketplace?

SALERIO: SALERIO: Why, yet it lives there unchecked Why, the rumors are all saying that Antonio has a ship that Antonio hath of rich cargo wrecked on the narrow seas; I think they a ship of rich lading wrack'd on the call narrow seas,—the the place the Goodwins, a very dangerous, flat, and Goodwins, I think they call the fatal place, place; a very dangerous flat, where the dead bodies of many tall ships are buried, as and fatal, where the carcasses of they say, if my many a tall ship lie buried,(5) gossip reporter is an honest woman of her word. as they say, if my gossip report, be an honest woman of her word. SOLANIO: SOLANIO: I wish she were as lying a gossip in that as ever I would she were as lying a gossip knapped in that, as ever ginger or made her neighbors believe she wept for the knapped ginger, or made her death of a neighbours believe she wept third husband. But it is true,—without any slips of for the death of a third husband. But prolixity or it is true,—without(10) crossing the plain highway of talk,—that the good any slips of prolixity, or crossing the Antonio, the plain highway of talk,—that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio,—Oh, that I had a title good enough to keep his honest Antonio,—O that name company!— I had a title good enough to keep his name company!— SALERIO: Come, the full stop.

SALERIO: Come, the whole story.

SOLANIO: Ha,—what sayest thou?—Why the end is, he hath lost(15) a ship.

SOLANIO: Huh? What do you say? Why, the end is, he has lost a ship.

SALERIO: SALERIO: I would it might prove the end of his I wish it might prove the end of his losses. losses!

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SOLANIO: SOLANIO: Let me say, amen, betimes, lest the Let me say 'amen' before it’s too late, in case the devil devil cross my crosses my prayer, prayer: for here he comes in the because here he comes, in the likeness of a Jew. likeness of a Jew.— How now, Shylock? what news How now, Shylock! What’s the news among the among the merchants?(20) merchants? [Enter Shylock] SHYLOCK: You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight.

SHYLOCK: You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight.

SALERIO: That's certain. I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal.

SALERIO: That's true; I, for my part, knew the tailor who made the wings she flew with.

SOLANIO: And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was(25) fledged; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam.

SOLANIO: And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was ready to fly; and then it is the nature of them all to leave the nest.

SHYLOCK: She is damn'd for it.

SHYLOCK: She is damned for it.

SALERIO: That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.

SALERIO: That’s true, if the devil may be her judge.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: My own flesh and blood to rebel! My own flesh and blood to rebel!(30) SOLANIO: SOLANIO: Out upon it, old carrion! rebels it at Damn it, old dead man! It rebels at this age? these years? SHYLOCK: I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.

SHYLOCK: I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood.

SALERIO: There is more difference between thy flesh and hers, than between jet and ivory; more

SALERIO: There is more difference between your flesh and hers than between coal and ivory; more between your bloods than

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY between your bloods, than there is between red wine and rhenish:—but tell(35) us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?

there is between red wine and white Rhine wine. But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio has had any losses at sea or not?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: There I have another bad match: a There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a prodigal, bankrupt, a who scarcely dares to show his face in the Marketplace; prodigal, who dare scarce show his a beggar, that used head on the Rialto; a to come on the market so smugly; let him look to his beggar, that was used to come so promise to pay: he smug upon the mart. Let(40) was in the habit of calling me a usurer; let him look to him look to his bond: he was wont his promise to pay: to call me usurer;—let he was in the habit of lending money for Christian him look to his bond: he was wont courtesy; let him look to his promise to pay. to lend money for a Christian courtesy;—let him look to his bond. SALERIO: Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh? What's that good for?(45)

SALERIO: Why, I am sure, if he defaults, you won’t take his flesh; what's that good for?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: To bait fish with: if it feeds nothing else, it will To bait fish withal: if it will feed feed my revenge. He has disgraced me and insulted me nothing else, it half a will feed my revenge. He hath million times; laughed at my losses, joked about my disgraced me, and gains, insulted my hindered me half a million; laughed religion, crossed my deals, cooled my friends, heated at my losses, mocked my at my gains, scorned my nation, enemies. And what's his reason? I am a Jew. Doesn’t a thwarted my bargains, Jew have eyes? cooled my friends, heated mine Doesn’t a Jew have hands, organs, dimensions, senses, enemies; and what's his(50) affections, reason? I am a Jew: hath not a Jew passions, fed with the same food, hurt with the same eyes? hath not a Jew weapons, hands, organs, dimensions, senses, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, affections, passions? warmed fed with the same food, hurt with and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a the same weapons, Christian is? If subject to the same diseases, healed you stick us, don’t we bleed? If you tickle us, don’t by the same means, we laugh? warmed and cooled by the same If you poison us, don’t we die? And if you wrong us, winter and summer, as(55) shouldn’t we a Christian is? If you prick us, do seek revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we’ll we not bleed? if you resemble you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? revenge. If a(60) Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? why, revenge. The villany you teach me I will execute; and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

in that. If a Jew wrongs a Christian, what is his option? Revenge. If a Christian wrongs a Jew, what should his choice be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I’ll use; and it shall be hard but I’ll make the lesson better.

Enter a man from Antonio [SERVANT:] [SERVANT:] Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house, and Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at wants to his house,(65) speak with both of you. and desires to speak with you both. SALERIO: SALERIO: We have been up and down to seek We have been up and down looking for him. him. Enter Tubal SALERIO: Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew. Exeunt Gentleman.

SALERIO: Here comes another Jew: we cannot Match them, unless the devil himself turn Jew.

SHYLOCK: How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa? hast thou(70) found my daughter?

SHYLOCK: How now, Tubal! What’s the news from Genoa? Have you found my daughter?

TUBAL: TUBAL: I often came where I did hear of her, I often came to places where I heard of her, but I cannot but cannot find find her. her. SHYLOCK: Why, there, there, there, there! a diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort! The curse never fell(75)

SHYLOCK: Why there, there, there, there! A diamond gone, cost me two thousand dollars in Frankfort! The curse never fell on our

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY upon our nation till now; I never felt it till now:—two thousand ducats in that; and other precious, precious jewels.—I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! 'would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin! No news of them?—Why, so:—and I know(80) not what's spent in the search. Why, thou loss upon loss! the thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge: nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my shoulders; no sighs but o' my breathing: no tears but o' my shedding.(85)

TUBAL: Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa,—

nation until now; I never felt it until now. Two thousand dollars in that, and other precious, precious jewels. I wish my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; I wish she were trained at my feet, and the dollars in her coffin! No news of them? Why, okay: and I don’t know what's been spent in the search. Why, you—loss on loss! The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge; or only bad luck stirring and sits on my shoulders; no sighs except the ones I’m breathing; no tears except the ones I’m shedding.

TUBAL: Yes, other men have bad luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa,—

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: What, what, what? ill luck, ill luck? What, what, what? Bad luck, bad luck? TUBAL: Hath an argosy cast away, coming from Tripolis.

TUBAL: —has his largest ship lost, coming from Tripolis.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I thank God! I thank God! Is it true, is it true? I thank God, I thank God:—Is it true? is it true?(90) TUBAL: TUBAL: I spoke with some of the sailors that I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck. escaped the wrack. SHYLOCK: I thank thee, good Tubal;—Good news, good news: ha! ha!—Where? in Genoa?

SHYLOCK: I thank you, good Tubal. Good news, good news! ha, ha! Where? in Genoa?

TUBAL: Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night,(95)

TUBAL: Your daughter spent, as I heard, one night, in Genoa eighty dollars.

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY fourscore ducats!

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Thou stick'st a dagger in me:—I shall You stick a dagger in me: I shall never see my gold never see my again: eighty dollars all at once! Eighty dollars! gold again. Fourscore ducats at a sitting! fourscore ducats! TUBAL: There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice, that swear he cannot choose but break.(100)

TUBAL: Many of Antonio's creditors came with me to Venice, swearing he can only go broke.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I am very glad of it: I'll plague him; I am very glad of it; I'll plague him, I'll torture him; I I'll torture am glad of it. Him; I am glad of it. TUBAL: TUBAL: One of them showed me a ring that he accepted from One of them showed me a ring, that your daughter he had of your as payment for a monkey. daughter for a monkey. SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Damn her! You torture me, Tubal: It was my Out upon her! Thou torturest me, turquoise ring; I got from Leah, my wife, when I was Tubal: it was(105) still single; I wouldn’t my turquoise: I had it of Leah, when have traded it for a wilderness of monkeys. I was a bachelor: I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. TUBAL: But Antonio is certainly undone.

TUBAL: But Antonio is certainly bankrupt.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: No, that's true; that's very true. Go, Tubal, hire me an Nay, that's true, that's very true. Go, officer; accuse Antonio as of two weeks ago. I’ll have Tubal, fee me his heart, an officer, bespeak him a fortnight if he defaults; because, if he were out of business in before: I will have the(110) Venice, heart of him, if he forfeit; forwere I can make whatever deals I want to. Go, Tubal, and he out of Venice, I can meet me make what merchandise I will. Go, Tubal, and meet me at at our synagogue; go, good Tubal; at our synagogue, our synagogue; go, good Tubal; at Tubal. our synagogue, Tubal. Exeunt. Scene II

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Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, and all their train. PORTIA: I pray you, tarry; pause a day or two, Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong, I lose your company; therefore, forbear awhile: There's something tells me, (but it is not love,) I would not lose you; and you know yourself,(5) Hate counsels not in such a quality: But lest you should not understand me well, (And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,) I would detain you here some month or two, Before you venture for me. I could teach you(10) How to choose right, but then I am forsworn; So will I never be: so may you miss me; But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin, That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes, They have o'erlook'd me, and divided me;(15) One half of me is yours, the other half yours,— Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, And so, all yours: O! these naughty times Put bars between the owners and their rights; And so, though yours, not yours.—Prove it so,(20) Let fortune go to hell for it,—not I. I speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time; To eke it, and to draw it out in length, To stay you from election.

PORTIA: Please wait; wait a day or two Before you choose; because, in choosing wrong, I lose your company; so wait a while. I have a feeling, but it is not love, that I would not lose you; and you yourself Don’t hate premonitions like that. But for fear that you don’t understand me well,— And still a maiden only has thought for a voice,— I would keep you here for a month or two Before you gamble for me. I could teach you How to choose right, but then I’m breaking my oath; I’ll never do that; you may not win me; And if you don’t, you'll make me wish I had sinned, That I had broken my oath. Curse your eyes, They have looked me over and divided me: One half of me is yours, the other half is also yours, My own love, I would say; but if my love, then yours, And so everything yours. Oh! these wicked times Put up bars between the owners and their rights; And so, though I am yours, I am not yours. Prove it like that, Let fortune come on hell for it, not me. I’m talking too long, but it’s to balance the time, To lengthen it, and to draw it out in length, To keep you from choosing.

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BASSANIO: Let me choose;(25) For, as I am, I live upon the rack.

BASSANIO: Let me choose; Because as I am, I live in torture.

PORTIA: Upon the rack, Bassanio? then confess What treason there is mingled with your love.

PORTIA: In torture, Bassanio! Then confess What evil is there mingled with your love.

BASSANIO: None, but that ugly treason of mistrust, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love:(30) There may as well be amity and life 'Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.

BASSANIO: None but that ugly evil of mistrust, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love: There may as well be friendship and life Between snow and fire as evil and my love.

PORTIA: Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, Where men enforced do speak anything.

PORTIA: Yes, but I’m afraid you speak out of torture, Where men will say anything.

BASSANIO: Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.(35)

BASSANIO:

PORTIA: Well, then, confess, and live.

PORTIA: Well then, confess and live.

BASSANIO: Confess, and love, Had been the very sum of my confession: O happy torment, when my torturer Doth teach me answers for deliverance!(40) But let me to my fortune and the caskets.

BASSANIO: “Confess” and “love” Have been the very sum of my confession: Oh, happy torment, when my torturer Teaches me answers for escape from evil! But let me go to my fortune and the chests.

PORTIA: Away then: I am lock'd in one of them; If you do love me, you will find me out. Nerissa, and the rest, stand all aloof. Let music sound, while he doth make his choice;(45) Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, Fading in music: that the comparison May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream, And watery death-bed for him. He may win;

PORTIA: Away, then! I am locked in one of them: If you do love me, you will find me out. Nerissa and the rest, stand away; Let music sound while he makes his choice; Then, if he loses, he will die as a

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY And what is music then? Then music is(50) Even as the flourish, when true subjects bow To a new-crowned monarch: such it is, As are those dulcet sounds in break of day, That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear, And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,(55) With no less presence, but with much more love, Than young Alcides, when he did redeem The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice, The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,(60) With bleared visages, come forth to view The issue of the exploit. Go, Hercules! Live thou, I live:—with much-much more dismay I view the fight, than thou that mak'st the fray.

swan, Fading in music: so that the comparison May be extended, my eyes shall be the stream And watery deathbed for him. He may win; And what is music then? Then music is Sounds as the trumpets when true subjects bow To a new-crowned king; music is Those sweet sounds at sunrise That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear And summon him to marriage. Now he goes, With no less confidence, but with much more love, Than young Alcides went to redeem The sacrifice of young women made by howling Troy To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice; The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, With tear-stained faces coming out to view The outcome of the event. Go, Hercules! If you live, I live. I view the fight with much, much more sadness than you that are fighting.

Here music. A song whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself. Tell me where is fancy bred,(65) Or in the heart, or in the head? How begot, how nourished? Reply, Reply. It is engender'd in the eyes, With gazing fed; and fancy dies(70) In the cradle where it lies; Let us all ring fancy's knell; I'll begin it,— Ding, dong, bell.

Tell me where is fancy bred, In the heart or in the head, How begot, how nourished? Answer; answer. It is born in the eyes, Fed with gazing; and fancy dies In the cradle where it lies. Let’s all ring fancy's knell: I'll begin it.—Ding, dong, bell. ALL:

ALL: Ding, dong, bell.(75)

BASSANIO:

Ding, dong, bell. BASSANIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY So may the outward shows be least themselves; The world is still deceiv'd with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But, being season'd with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil? In religion,(80) What damned error, but some sober brow Will bless it, and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? There is no vice so simple, but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.(85) How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars, Who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk; And these assume but valour's excrement(90) To render them redoubted! Look on beauty, And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight; Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it: So are those crisped snaky golden locks,(95) Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, Upon supposed fairness, often known To be the dowry of a second head, The skull, that bred them, in the sepulchre. Thus ornament is but the guiled shore(100) To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, The seeming truth which cunning times put on To entrap the wisest. Therefore, thou gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee:(105) Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 'Tween man and man. But thou, thou meagre lead, Which rather threat'nest than dost promise aught, Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence, And here choose I. Joy be the consequence!(110)

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These chests may not be what they seem outside: The world is still tricked by ornament. In law, what plea is so tainted and corrupt That, being delivered with a gracious voice, Obscures the evil underneath? In religion, What damned error is there that some sober face Will bless it, and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with a beautiful ornament? There is no vice so simple that it takes on Some mark of virtue on outside. How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, still wear the beards of Hercules and frowning Mars on their chins, Who, if searched inside, would have livers as white as milk; And the only thing these men do to look fearful Is to put on velvet clothes Look on beauty And you shall see it’s bought by the pound: Which works a miracle in nature, Making them who wear most of it look the lightest: So are those crisp, snaky, golden locks Which are playing games with the wind, On made-up beauty, often known Actually to be wigs of human hair, The head that bred them is in the tomb. Thus decoration is only the deceived shore To a most dangerous sea; the beautiful scarf Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, The seeming truth which skillful times dress in

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY To fool the wisest men. So, you gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas, I don’t anything from you; And not from you either, you pale and common exchange Between man and man: but you, you lowly lead, Which threatens rather than promises anything, Your plainness moves me more than any speech, And I choose you: joy be the result!

PORTIA: How all the other passions fleet to air, As, doubtful thoughts, and rash-embrac'd despair, And shudd'ring fear, and green-eyed jealousy. O Love, be moderate. Allay thy ecstasy. In measure rein thy joy, scant this excess;(115) I feel too much thy blessing, make it less, For fear I surfeit!

PORTIA: How all the other passions fly to the air, As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embraced despair, And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! Oh, love! behave; hold back your thrills; Be happy slowly; limit this excess; I feel your blessing too much; make it less, Because I’m afraid of having too much joy!

BASSANIO: What find I here? Fair Portia's counterfeit? What demi-god Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?(120) Or whether, riding on the balls of mine, Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips, Parted with sugar breath; so sweet a bar Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs, The painter plays the spider; and hath woven(125) A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men, Faster than gnats in cobwebs: but her eyes,— How could he see to do them? having made one, Methinks it should have power to steal both his, And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look, how far,(130) The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow In underprizing it, so far this shadow Doth limp behind the substance.—Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune. You that choose not by the view,(135) Chance as fair, and choose as true! Since this fortune falls to you,

BASSANIO: What do I find here?

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Beautiful Portia's picture! What minor god Has come so near to making a woman? Do these eyes move? Or do they seem to be moving Because they are riding on my eyeballs?, Here are parted lips, Parted with sugar breath; so sweet a bar Should tear such sweet friends apart. Here The painter plays the spider in her hair, and has woven A golden mesh to capture the hearts of men Faster than gnats are caught in cobwebs: but her eyes!— 63

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Be content, and seek no new. If you be well pleas'd with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss,(140) Turn you where your lady is, And claim her with a loving kiss. A gentle scroll.—Fair lady, by your leave: I come by note, to give and to receive. Like one of two contending in a prize,(145) That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt Whether those peals of praise be his or no; So, thrice fair lady, stand I, even so;(150) As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.

How could he see to do them? Having made one eye, I think it should have power to steal both his, And leave itself poor: yet look, how far The body of my praise insults this shadow By valuing it less, so far this shadow Limps behind the substance. Here's the scroll, The world and summary of my luck. “'You that choose not by looks, Gamble as fair and choose as true! Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no other new one. If you are well pleased with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn to where your lady is And claim her with a loving kiss.” A gentle scroll. Beautiful lady, excuse me; I come off to the side, to give and to receive. Like one of two contenders for a prize, That thinks he has done well in people's eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt Whether those peals of praise are his or not; So, three times beautiful lady, I stand I, even like this, As doubtful of whether what I see is true, Until it is confirmed, signed, and ratified by you.

PORTIA: You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am: though, for myself alone, I would not be ambitious in my wish,(155) To wish myself much better; yet, for you,

PORTIA: You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am: though for myself alone

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY I would be trebled twenty times myself: A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times More rich that only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,(160) Exceed account: but the full sum of me Is sum of nothing; which, to term in gross, Is, an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd: Happy in this, she is not yet so old But she may learn; happier than this,(165) She is not bred so dull but she can learn; Happiest of all, is, that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed, As from her lord, her governor, her king. Myself and what is mine, to you and yours(170) Is now converted: but now, I was the lord Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now, This house, these servants, and this same myself, Are yours, my lord,—I give them with this ring;(175) Which when you part from, lose, or give away, Let it presage the ruin of your love, And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

BASSANIO: Madam, you have bereft me of all words; Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,(180) And there is such confusion in my powers, As, after some oration fairly spoke By a beloved prince, there doth appear

I would not be ambitious in my wish To wish myself much better luck. Still, for you, I would be three times twenty times myself, A thousand times more beautiful, ten thousand times More rich; If only to stand high in your account, I might exceed making a count of virtues, beauties, Livings, friends. But the full sum of me Is the sum of something which, in general, Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpracticed; Happy in this state, she is not too old To learn; happier than this state, She is not born so dull that she cannot learn; Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit Commits itself to you to be directed, As by her lord, her governor, her king. I and what is mine is now converted to you and yours. However, now I was the lord Of this beautiful mansion, master of my servants, Queen over myself; and even now, but now, This house, these servants, and I, Are yours- my lord's. I give them with this ring, Which, if you part from it, lose it, or give it away, Let it predict the ruin of your love, And be my opportunity to cry out against you. BASSANIO: Madam, you have made me speechless, Only my blood in my veins speaks to you, And I am so confused

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Among the buzzing pleased multitude; Where every something, being blent together,(185) Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence; O, then be bold to say, Bassanio's dead.

Just as there appears buzzing among a happy crowd After a well given speech By a beloved prince; Where every piece, blended together, Turns to something wild, expressed and not expressed, Except for joy. But when this ring Parts from this finger, then life parts from my body: Oh! Then you can be strong and say, “Bassanio's dead.”

NERISSA: My lord and lady, it is now our time,(190) That have stood by, and seen our wishes prosper, To cry, good joy; Good joy, my lord and lady!

NERISSA: My lord and lady, now it’s our turn, o cry, “Good joy,” We who have stood by and seen our wishes for you come true, Good joy, my lord and lady!

GRATIANO: My lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish; For I am sure you can wish none from me:(195) And, when your honours mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, Even at that time I may be married too.

GRATIANO: My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish for yourselves; Because I am sure you can’t wish any from me; And when you two mean to make The bargain of your vows solemn, please, Even then, let me be married too.

BASSANIO: With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.

BASSANIO: With all my heart, if you can get a wife.

GRATIANO: I thank your lordship, you have got me one.(200) My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid; You lov'd, I lov'd for intermission. No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. Your fortune stood upon the caskets there,(205) And so did mine too, as the matter falls: For wooing here, until I sweat again, And swearing until my very roof was dry With oaths of love, at last,—if promise last,— I got a promise of this fair one here,(210) To have her love, provided that your fortune

GRATIANO: I thank you sir, you have gotten me one. My eyes, my lord, can look as quickly as yours: You saw the mistress, I saw the maid; You loved, I loved, because a rest Doesn’t pertain any more to me, my lord, than to you. Your fortune stood on the chests there, And so did mine, as it works out;

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Achiev'd her mistress.

Because courting here until I worked up a sweat, And swearing promises until my mouth was dry With oaths of love, at last, if her promise lasts, I got a promise of this beautiful one here To have her love, provided that you were Lucky enough to get her mistress.

PORTIA: Is this true, Nerissa?

PORTIA: Is this true, Nerissa?

NERISSA: Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal.

NERISSA: Madam, it is, as long as you are pleased with the rest of it.

BASSANIO: And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?(215)

BASSANIO: And you, Gratiano, are you sincere?

GRATIANO: Yes faith, my lord.

GRATIANO: Yes, in faith, my lord.

BASSANIO: Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage.

BASSANIO: Our feast shall be very honored by your marriage.

GRATIANO: We'll play with them, the first boy for a thousand ducats.

GRATIANO: We'll bet them who has the first boy for a thousand dollars.

NERISSA: What, and stake down?(220)

NERISSA: What! Bet?

GRATIANO: No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? What, and my old Venetian friend, Salerio?

GRATIANO: No; we shall never win a bet at that sport. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? What, and my old Venetian friend, Salanio!

Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salerio. BASSANIO:

BASSANIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither; If that the youth of my new interest here(225) Have power to bid you welcome:—By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome.

Lorenzo and Salanio, welcome here, If my engagement just now gives me The power to bid you welcome. Excuse me, I bid my very friends and countrymen, Welcome, sweet Portia.

PORTIA: So do I, my lord. They are entirely welcome.

PORTIA: So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome.

LORENZO: I thank your honour.—For my part, my lord,(230) My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along.

LORENZO: I thank you, sir. For my part, my lord, I didn’t intend to see you here; But, meeting with Salanio by the way, He begged me, past all saying no, To come along with him.

SALERIO: I did, my lord,(235) And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio Commends him to you.

SALERIO: I did, my lord, And I have reason for it. Mr. Antonio Send you his regards.

BASSANIO: Ere I ope his letter, I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.

BASSANIO: Before I open his letter, Please tell me how my good friend is doing.

BASSANIO: Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind;(240) Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate.

BASSANIO: He’s not sick, my lord, unless it’s in his mind; But he’s not well, unless in his mind; his letter there Will show you his state of affairs.

Opens the letter. GRATIANO: Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. Your hand, Salerio. What's the news from Venice? How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?(245) I know he will be glad of our success; We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

GRATIANO: Nerissa, cheer the stranger; say hello to her. Let me shake your hand, Salanio. What's the news from Venice? How is that royal merchant, good Antonio? I know he will be happy at our

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY success: We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

SALERIO: I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost!

SALERIO: I wish you had won the fleece that he has lost.

PORTIA: There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper, That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek;(250) Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Could turn so much the constitution Of any constant man. What, worse and worse?— With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, And I must freely have the half of anything(255) That this same paper brings you.

PORTIA: There are some harsh contents in that letter That steal the color from Bassanio's cheeks: Some dear friend is dead, or nothing else in the world Could change the constitution so much Of any constant man. What, worse and worse! Please, Bassanio: I am your other half, And I must freely have the half of anything That this letter brings to you.

BASSANIO: O sweet Portia, Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady, When I did first impart my love to you,(260) I freely told you, all the wealth I had Ran in my veins,—I was a gentleman; And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, Rating myself at nothing, you shall see, How much I was a braggart. When I told you(265) My state was nothing, I should then have told you That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed, I have engag'd myself to a dear friend, Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy, To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady;(270) The paper as the body of my friend, And every word in it a gaping wound, Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio? Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit? From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England,(275) From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Of merchant-marring rocks?

BASSANIO: Oh, sweet Portia! Here are a few of the most unpleasant words That were ever written on paper. Gentle lady, When I first gave my love to you, I freely told you that all the wealth that I had Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman; And then I told you the truth. And yet, dear lady, Even rating myself as zero, you shall see How much I was bragging. When I told you That I had nothing, I should have told you then That I had less than nothing, because indeed I have indebted myself to a dear friend, Indebted my friend to his notorious enemy, To feed my needs. Here is a letter,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY lady, The paper is like the body of my friend, And every word in it, a gaping wound Bleeding heavily. But is it true, Salanio? Have all his ventures failed? What, not one came in? From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel escaped the dreadful touch Of the rocks that can break a merchant?

SALERIO: Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had(280) The present money to discharge the Jew, He would not take it. Never did I know A creature that did bear the shape of man, So keen and greedy to confound a man: He plies the duke at morning, and at night,(285) And doth impeach the freedom of the state If they deny him justice: twenty merchants, The duke himself, and the magnificoes Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; But none can drive him from the envious plea(290) Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.

SALERIO: Not one, my lord. Besides, it seems that, even if he had The money right now to pay the Jew, He wouldn’t take it. Never did I know A creature that was shaped like a man, So eager and greedy to destroy a man completely. He petitions the Duke morning and night, And challenges the freedom of the courts, If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants, The Duke himself, and the noblemen Of greatest reputation, have all tried to persuade him; But no one can drive him from the envious plea Of default, of justice, and his promise to pay.

JESSICA: When I was with him, I have heard him swear To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, Than twenty times the value of the sum(295) That he did owe him; and I know, my lord,

JESSICA: When I was with him, I heard him swear To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY If law, authority, and power deny not, It will go hard with poor Antonio.

flesh Than twenty times the value of the sum That he owed him; and I know, my lord, If law, authority, and power, don’t deny him, It will go hard with poor Antonio.

PORTIA: Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?

PORTIA: Is it your dear friend that is in trouble like this?

BASSANIO: The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,(300) The best-condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy.

BASSANIO: The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best conditioned and unwearied spirit In manners, and one in whom The ancient Roman honor appears more Than any man alive in Italy.

PORTIA: What sum owes he the Jew?(305)

PORTIA: How much does he owe the Jew?

BASSANIO: For me, three thousand ducats.

BASSANIO: For me, three thousand dollars.

PORTIA: What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Double six thousand, and then treble that, Before a friend of this description(310) Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. First go with me to church, and call me wife, And then away to Venice to your friend; For never shall you lie by Portia's side With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold(315) To pay the petty debt twenty times over; When it is paid, bring your true friend along: My maid Nerissa and myself, meantime, Will live as maids and widows. Come, away, For you shall hence upon your wedding-day:(320) Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer: Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. But let me hear the letter of your friend.

PORTIA: What! Is that all? Pay him six thousand, and destroy the promise to pay; Double six thousand, and then treble that, Before a friend of this description Loses a hair because of Bassanio. First go with me to church and marry me, And then go away to Venice to your friend; Because you shall never lie by Portia's side With an uneasy soul. You shall have gold To pay the little debt twenty times over: When it is paid, bring your true friend back with you.

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY My maid Nerissa and I will live as maids and widows In the meantime. Come, let’s go! Because you shall go away on your wedding day, Bid your friends welcome, show a happy face; Since you are bought so dearly, I’ll love you dearly. But let me hear the letter of your friend.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: “Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all [Reads] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all sunk, miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very my creditors grow cruel, my funds low, my bond(325) very low, my promise to pay to the to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is Jew is in default; and since, in impossible I paying it, it is impossible for should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I me to live, all debts between you might and me are canceled if I might but see you at my death; Notwithstanding, use your only see you at my death. Anyway, pleasure: enjoy yourself; if if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my your friendship doesn’t persuade letter. you to come, don’t let my letter.” PORTIA: O love, despatch all business, and be gone.(330)

PORTIA: Oh, love, finish all business and get going!

BASSANIO: Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste: but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.(335)

BASSANIO: Since I have your permission to go, I’ll hurry; but, until I come back again, I will not sleep, And rest will not keep us two apart.

Exeunt. Scene III Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter the Jew, and Solanio, and Antonio, and the Jailor. SHYLOCK: Gaoler, look to him. tell not me of mercy;— This is the fool that lent out money gratis;—

SHYLOCK: Jailer, look to him. Don’t tell me about mercy; This is the fool that lent out money for free: Jailer, look to him.

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Gaoler, look to him.

ANTONIO: Hear me yet, good Shylock.

ANTONIO: But, listen to me, good Shylock.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I'll have my bond; speak not against my I'll have my promise to pay; don’t speak against bond;(5) my promise to pay. I have sworn an oath that I will have my I have sworn an oath that I’ll have my promise to bond; pay. Thou call'dst me dog, before thou hadst a You called me dog before you had a cause, cause; But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs; But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs: The Duke shall grant me justice. I am curious, The duke shall grant me justice.—I do You naughty jailer, that you are so eager wonder, To come out with him at his request. Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond(10) To come abroad with him at his request. ANTONIO: I pray thee, hear me speak.

ANTONIO: Please listen to me speak.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I'll have my promise to pay. I won’t listen to you I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak; speak; I'll have my promise to pay; so speak no more. I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no I won’t be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, more. To shake my head, give in, and sigh, and surrender I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd To Christian intercessors. Don’t follow; fool,(15) I won’t put up with your speaking; I’ll have my To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and promise to pay. yield To Christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. Exit Jew. SOLANIO: It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men.(20)

SOLANIO: It is the most difficult to understand dog That ever stayed with men.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: Let him alone; Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless I won’t follow him any more with useless prayers. prayers. He wants my life; I know his reasons well: He seeks my life; his reason well I know: Often I saved many who have, at times, I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures, complained to me, Many that have at times made moan to From defaulting on his loans. So he hates me. me;(25) Therefore he hates me.

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SOLANIO: I am sure, the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

SOLANIO: I am sure the Duke Will never enforce this default.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: The Duke cannot deny the course of law, The Duke cannot deny the course of law, For the commodity that strangers Because of the benefits that strangers have have(30) With us in Venice, if it is denied, With us in Venice; if it be denied, it will reflect very badly on the justice of the state, 'Twill much impeach the justice of the Because the trade and profit of the city state; Is from all nations. So, go; Since that the trade and profit of the city These griefs and losses have so upset me Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go That I shall hardly have a pound of flesh These griefs and losses have so 'bated Tomorrow give to my bloody creditor. me,(35) Well, jailer, let’s go on; I pray good Bassanio That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh comes To-morrow, to my bloody creditor. To see me pay his debt, and then I won’t care. Well, gaoler, on:—Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! Exeunt. Scene IV Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and a man of Portia [Balthasar]. LORENZO: Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But, if you knew to whom you show this honour,(5) How true a gentleman you send relief, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, I know you would be prouder of the work, Than customary bounty can enforce you.

LORENZO: Madam, although I’m saying it in front of you, You have a noble and a true understanding Of godlike friendship, which appears most strongly In your behaving like this in the absence of your lord. But if you knew to whom you give this friendship, How true a gentleman you send in relief, How dear a friend of my lord is your husband, I know you show more pride in the work Than accustomed behavior can make you show.

PORTIA:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY I never did repent for doing good,(10) Nor shall not now; for in companions That do converse and waste the time together, Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love, There must be needs a like proportion Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;(15) Which makes me think, that this Antonio, Being the bosom lover of my lord, Must needs be like my lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I have bestow'd, In purchasing the semblance of my soul(20) From out the state of hellish cruelty! This comes too near the praising of myself, Therefore, no more of it: hear other things. Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage of my house,(25) Until my lord's return; for mine own part, I have toward heaven breathed a secr't vow, To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return:(30) There is a monastery two miles off, And there will we abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition, The which my love, and some necessity, Now lays upon you.(35)

LORENZO:

I never did regret doing good, And I won’t now; because in companions That talk and waste the time together, Whose souls bear an equal burden of love, There must be a sharing of things like proportion Of limbs, manners, and spirit, Which makes me think that this Antonio, Being the closest friend of my lord, Must be like my lord. If it’s true, How little is the cost I have paid In purchasing the image of my soul From out of the state of hellish cruelty! This sounds as if I am praising of myself; So, no more about it; listen to other things. Lorenzo, I am putting the farming And management of my house into your hands Until my lord's return; as for me, I have taken a secret vow to heaven To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return. There is a monastery two miles off, And we’ll stay there. I don’t want you To deny this imposition, Which my love and some necessity Now lays on you. LORENZO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Madam, with all my heart, I shall obey you in all fair commands.

Madam, I shall obey you in all fair commands. With all my heart

PORTIA: My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica, In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.(40) So fare you well, till we shall meet again.

PORTIA: My staff already know my mind, And will report to you and Jessica In place of Lord Bassanio and myself. So goodbye until we shall meet again.

LORENZO: Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!

LORENZO: Beautiful thoughts and happy hours attend on you!

JESSICA: I wish your ladyship all heart's content.

JESSICA: I wish your ladyship all my heart's content.

PORTIA: I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica.(45)

PORTIA: I thank you for your wish, and I’m happy To wish it back on you. Goodbye, Jessica.

Exeunt [Jessica and Lorenzo] Now, Balthasar, As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still: Take this same letter, And use thou all the endeavour of a man In speed to Padua; see thou render this(50) Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario; And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed Unto the Tranect, to the common ferry Which trades to Venice:—Waste no time in words,(55) But get thee gone; I shall be there before thee.

Edited By: Girish Srivastava

Now, Balthasar, As I have always found you to be honest and true, So let me find you the same! Take this letter, And use all the power of a man To speed to Padua; see that you put this Into my cousin's hands, Doctor Bellario; And look what notes and garments he gives you, Bring them, please, with imagined speed To the bridge, to the common ferry Which sails to Venice. Don’t waste time in words, But get going; I’ll be there before you.

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BALTHASAR: Madam, I go with all convenient speed.

BALTHASAR: Madam, I go with all convenient speed.

PORTIA: Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand, That you yet know not of; we'll see our husbands Before they think of us.(60)

PORTIA: Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand That you don’t know about yet; we'll see our husbands Before they think about us.

NERISSA: Shall they see us?

NERISSA: Shall they see us?

PORTIA: They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, That they shall think we are accomplished With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager, When we are both accoutred like young men,(65) I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace; And speak, between the change of man and boy, With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps Into a manly stride; and speak of frays,(70) Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lies, How honourable ladies sought my love, Which I denying, they fell sick and died; I could not do withal; then I'll repent, And wish, for all that, that I had not kill'd them:(75) And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell, That men shall swear I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth:—I have within my mind A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks, Which I will practise.(80)

PORTIA: They shall, Nerissa; but in such a costume That they’ll think we are finished With that we don’t have. I'll bet you any amount, When we are both dressed like young men, I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace, And speak with a reed voice, That’s between the change of man and boy; And turn two delicate steps Into a manly stride; and speak about fights Like a fine bragging youth; and tell quaint lies, How honorable ladies have looked for my love, Who fell sick and died when I told them, “No”; I couldn’t do everything. Then I'll be sorry, And wish that, for all of that, I had not killed them. And I’ll tell twenty of these flimsy lies so well, That men shall swear I have been out of school About a year. I have thousand raw tricks for These bragging Jacks within

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY my mind, Which I’ll practice.

NERISSA: Why, shall we turn to men?

NERISSA: Why, shall we turn into men?

PORTIA: Fie! what a question's that, If thou wert near a lewd interpreter! But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays for us(85) At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles to-day.

PORTIA: Nonsense, what kind of a question is that, If you were near a nasty interpreter! But come, I'll tell you all about my whole plan When I am in my coach, which waits for us At the park gate; and so hurry, Because we must travel twenty miles today.

Exeunt. Scene V Original Text

Modern Translation

[the same] Enter Clown [Launcelot] and Jessica. LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Yes, honestly; because, look, the sins of the Yes, truly;—for, look you, the sins of the father are to father be laid on the children; so, I promise you, I’m are to be laid upon the children; therefore, I afraid you. promise you I was always honest with you, and so now, I I fear you. I was always plain with you, and speak my annoyance over so now I the matter; so be cheerful, because I honestly speak my agitation of the matter: therefore, think you are be of good chee; for, truly, I think you are damned. dammed. There is only one hope in it that can do you any good, and There is but one(5) that is only a kind of bastard hope. hope in it that can do you any good; and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither. JESSICA: And what hope is that, I pray thee?

JESSICA: And what hope is that, please?

LAUNCELOT: Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the Jew's daughter.(10)

LAUNCELOT: Damn it, you may partly hope that your father had not fathered you, that you are not the Jew's daughter.

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JESSICA: That were a kind of bastard hope, indeed; so, the sins of my mother should be visited upon me.

JESSICA: That’s a kind of bastard hope indeed; so the sins of my mother should be laid on me.

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Truly then I fear you are damned both by Honestly, then I’m afraid you are dammed both father by father and and mother: thus when I shun Scylla, your mother; when I keep away from the Sea father, I fall Monster, your father, I fall into into Charybdis, your mother: well, you are an equal evil, your mother; well, you are gone gone both(15) both ways. ways. JESSICA: I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian.

JESSICA: I shall be saved by my husband; he has made me a Christian.

LAUNCELOT: Truly, the more to blame he: we were Christians enow before; e'en as many as could well live, one by(20) another: This making Christians will raise the price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-eaters we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money. [Enter Lorenzo.]

LAUNCELOT: Honestly, he’s all the more to blame; we were Christians enough before, even as many as could well live one by another. This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we won’t shortly have a slice of bacon on the coals for money.

JESSICA: I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you say; here he comes.(25)

JESSICA: I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you say; here he comes.

LORENZO: I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot, if you thus get my wife into corners.

LORENZO: I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot, if you thus get my wife into corners.

JESSICA: JESSICA: Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. No, you don’t need to fear us, Lorenzo; Launcelot and I Launcelot and I are are out: He tells me flatly, there is no mercy arguing; he tells me flatly there's no mercy for for me in heaven, me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter: and he says, because I am a Jew's daughter; and he says you you are no good(30) are no good member member of the commonwealth; for in of the community, because in converting Jews to

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork.

Christians, you raise the price of pork.

LORENZO: LORENZO: I shall answer that better to the I shall answer that better to the community than commonwealth, than you you can the getting up of the negro's belly; can explain the swelling of the negro's belly; the the Moor is with Moor is pregnant child by you, Launcelot.(35) by you, Launcelot. LAUNCELOT: It is much, that the Moor should be more than reason: but if she be less than an honest woman, she is, indeed more than I took her for.

LAUNCELOT: It is important that the Moor should be more than reason; but if she is less than an honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.

LORENZO: How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence; and discourse(40) grow commendable in none only but parrots.—Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner.

LORENZO: How every fool can play on the word! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence, and conversation grow commendable in no one except parrots. Go in, servant; bid them prepare for dinner.

LAUNCELOT: That is done, sir; they have all stomachs.

LAUNCELOT: That is done, sir; they have all stomachs.

LORENZO: Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner.(45)

LORENZO: Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! Then bid them prepare dinner.

LAUNCELOT: That is done too, sir: only, cover is the word.

LAUNCELOT: That is done too, sir, only 'cover' is the word.

LORENZO: Will you cover, then, sir?

LORENZO: Will you cover, then, sir?

LAUNCELOT: Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty.

LAUNCELOT: Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty.

LORENZO: LORENZO: Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt Yet more quarrelling with purpose! Will you thou show show the the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I whole wealth of your wit al at once? Please pray thee,(50) understand a Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY understand a plain man in his plain meaning; go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.

plain man in his plain meaning: let your fellows come on, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we’ll come in to dinner.

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the the meat, meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming into sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why,(55) dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall let it be as sense and meaning shall determine. govern. Exit Clown. LORENZO: LORENZO: Oh, dear judgment, how his words are suited! O dear discretion, how his words are The fool has planted in his memory suited! An army of good words; and I know The fool hath planted in his memory Many fools that stand in a better place, An army of good words; and I do know Dressed like him, except that a tricky word A many fools, that stand in better place,(60) Defies definition. How are you, Jessica? Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word And now, good sweetheart, tell me your Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, opinion, Jessica? How do you like Lord Bassanio's wife? And now, good sweet, say thy opinion;— How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife? JESSICA: Past all expressing. It is very meet,(65) The Lord Bassanio live an upright life; For, having such a blessing in his lady, He finds the joys of heaven here on earth; And, if on earth he do not mean it, then In reason he should never come to heaven.(70) Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match, And on the wager lay two earthly women, And Portia one, there must be something else Pawn'd with the other; for the poor rude world Hath not her fellow.(75)

JESSICA: So much I can’t express it. It is very proper The Lord Bassanio live an upright life, Because, having such a blessing in his lady, He finds the joys of heaven here on earth; And if he doesn’t merit it on earth, It stands to reason he should never enter heaven. Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match, And place a bet on two earthly women, And Portia is one of them, there must be something else To bet on with the other, because the poor rude world Does not have her equal.

LORENZO: Even such a husband Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife.

LORENZO: You have such a husband in me As she is for a wife.

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JESSICA: Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.

JESSICA: No, but ask my opinion too about that.

LORENZO: I will anon; first, let us go to dinner.

LORENZO: I’ll ask later; first let’s go in to dinner.

JESSICA: Nay, let me praise you, while I have a stomach.(80)

JESSICA: No, let me praise you while I want to.

LORENZO: No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; Then, howso'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it.

LORENZO: No, please, let it serve for dinner conversation; Then, no matter what you say, I shall digest it with the other things I’m eating up.

JESSICA: Well, I'll set you forth. Exeunt.

JESSICA: Well, I'll point you in the right direction.

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Act IV Scene I Original Text

Modern Translation

[Venice] Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, and Gratiano, [Salerio, and others] DUKE:

DUKE: What, is Antonio here?

What, is Antonio here?

ANTONIO: Ready, so please your grace.

ANTONIO: Ready, if it pleases your Grace.

DUKE:

DUKE: I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty(5) From any dram of mercy.

I am sorry for you; you are here to answer A rock-like opponent, an inhuman wretch, Incapable of pity, void and empty Of any ounce of mercy.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: I have heard I have heard Your Grace has taken great pains to Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify modify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, His stubborn course; but since he stands And that no lawful means can carry me(10) solid, Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose And that no lawful means can carry me My patience to his fury; and am arm'd Out of his envy's reach, I confront To suffer, with a quietness of spirit, His fury with my patience, and I am The very tyranny and rage of his. ready To suffer the very tyranny and rage of his With a quiet spirit. DUKE:

DUKE: Go one, and call the Jew into the court.(15)

SALERIO: He is ready at the door: he comes, my lord.

Go, one of you, and call the Jew into the court. SALERIO: He is ready at the door; he comes, my lord.

Enter Shylock DUKE:

DUKE: Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought(20) Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse, more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty: And where thou now exact'st the penalty, (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,) Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,(25) But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principal; Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, Enough to press a royal merchant down,(30) And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd To offices of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.(35)

That you only carry this kind of malice To the very last hour of action; and then, it’s thought, You'll show your mercy and remorse, more strangely Than your strange apparent cruelty is; And where you now exact the penalty,— Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,— You will not only loose the default, But, touched with human gentleness and love, Forgive half of the borrowed amount, Glancing with an eye of pity on his losses, That have been so heaped on his back lately, Enough to press a royal merchant down, And get sympathy for his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of stone, From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never trained To uses of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: I have told your Grace of what I purpose, I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; And, by our holy Sabbath, I have sworn And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and penalty of my To have the due and forfeit of my bond: promise to pay. If you deny it, let the danger light If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter, and your city's freedom.(40) On your city charter and your city's You'll ask me, why I rather choose to have freedom. A weight of carrion flesh, than to receive You ask me why I would rather choose to Three thousand ducats: I'll not answer that: have But, say, it is my humour. is it answer'd? A weight of dead flesh than to receive What, if my house be troubled with a rat(45) Three thousand dollars. I won’t answer And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats that, To have it ban'd? What, are you answer'd yet? Only to say I feel like it: have I answered Some men there are love not a gaping pig; you? Some, that are mad if they behold a cat; What if a rat troubles my house, And others, when the bagpipe sings i' the nose,(50) And I am happy to give ten thousand Cannot contain their urine: for affection, dollars Master of passion, sways it to the mood To have it captured? What, aren’t you Of what it likes, or loathes. Now, for your answer. answered yet? As there is no firm reason to be render'd, There are some men that don’t love a Why he, cannot abide a gaping pig;(55) dead pig; Why he, a harmless necessary cat; Some that are crazy if they see a cat; Why he, a woollen bagpipe,—but of force And others, when they hear the song of Must yield to such inevitable shame,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY As to offend himself, being offended; So can I give no reason, nor I will not,(60) More than a lodged hate, and a certain loathing, I bear Antonio, that I follow thus A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd?

the bagpipe, Cannot hold their urine, because sympathy, Mistress of passion, persuades passion to the mood Of what it likes or hates. Now, for your answer: As there is no firm reason to be given, Why he can’t stand a dead pig; Why he is afraid of a harmless, necessary cat; Why he wets himself when he hears a wailing bagpipe, Only that he must yield by force to such inevitable shame As to offend, himself being offended; So I can give no reason, nor will I, More than I bear Antonio a deep-rooted hate And a certain intense dislike, that I follow A losing suit against him like this. Are you answered?

BASSANIO: This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty.(65)

BASSANIO: This is no answer, you unfeeling man, To excuse the flowing of your cruelty.

SHYLOCK: I am not bound to please thee with my answers.

SHYLOCK: I am not required to please you with my answer.

BASSANIO: Do all men kill the things they do not love?

BASSANIO: Do all men kill the things they don’t love?

SHYLOCK: Hates any man the thing he would not kill?

SHYLOCK: Does any man hate the thing he wouldn’t kill?

BASSANIO: Every offence is not a hate at first.

BASSANIO: Every wrong is not a hate at first.

SHYLOCK: What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?(70)

SHYLOCK: What! Would you have a serpent sting you twice?

ANTONIO:

ANTONIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY I pray you, think you question with the Jew, You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;(75) You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops, and to make no noise When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?)(80) His Jewish heart.—therefore, I do beseech you, Make no more offers, use no farther means, But, with all brief and plain conveniency, Let me have judgment and the Jew his will.

Please, if you think you question the Jew: You may as well go stand on the beach, And ask the main ocean to decrease his usual height; You may as well use questions with the wolf, Why he has made the mother sheep cry for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops and to make no noise When they are blown by the gusts of wind from the sky; You may as well do anything almost as hard As to seek to soften that—than what's harder?— His Jewish heart: so, I beg you, Make no more offers, use no farther means, But with all brief and plain convenience. Let me have judgment, and let the Jew have his default.

BASSANIO: For thy three thousand ducats here is six.(85)

BASSANIO: For your three thousand dollars, here are six.

SHYLOCK: If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them,—I would have my bond.

SHYLOCK: If every dollar in six thousand dollars Were in six parts, and every part a dollar, I would not take them; I want my promise to pay.

DUKE:

DUKE: How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?

How shall you hope for mercy, giving none?

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?(90) What judgment shall I dread, if I have You have among you many a purchas'd slave, done no wrong? Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, You have many purchased slaves among You use in abject and in slavish parts, you, Because you bought them.—shall I say to you Which, like your asses and your dogs and Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?(95) mules, Why sweat they under burthens? let their beds You use in low and in slavish ways, Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Because you bought them; shall I say to Be season'd with such viands? You will answer, you The slaves are ours:—so do I answer you. “Let them be free, damn them to your Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY The pound of flesh, which I demand of him,(100) Is dearly bought; 'tis mine, and I will have it: If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice: I stand for judgment: answer, shall I have it?

heirs?” Why do they sweat under burdens? Let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Be seasoned with such rich meats? You will answer “The slaves are ours.” So I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is dearly bought; it’s mine, and I will have it. If you deny me, damn your law! There is no backbone in the laws of Venice. I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? DUKE:

DUKE:

I may dismiss this court by my power, Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Comes here today.

Upon my power, I may dismiss this court,(105) Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. SALERIO: My lord, here stays without, A messenger with letters from the doctor,(110) New come from Padua.

SALERIO: My lord, There is a messenger waiting outside With letters from the doctor, Just now arrived from Padua.

DUKE:

DUKE: Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.

Bring us the letters; call the messenger.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: Good cheer, Antonio! What, man! courage yet! Cheer up, Antonio! What, man, have The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, courage still! Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.(115) The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and everything, Before you shall lose one drop of blood for me. ANTONIO: I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death; the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me: You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.(120)

ANTONIO: I am a poisoned, castrated ram of the flock, Most ready for death; the weakest kind of fruit Drops first to the ground, and so let me. You cannot be better employed, Bassanio,

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Than to live on, and write my epitaph.

Enter Nerissa [disguised]. DUKE:

DUKE: Came you, from Padua, from Bellario?

Did you come from Padua, from Bellario?

NERISSA: From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace.

NERISSA: From both, my lord. Bellario send greetings to your Grace.

BASSANIO: Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

BASSANIO: Why do you sharpen your knife so earnestly?

SHYLOCK: To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.

SHYLOCK: To cut the default from that bankrupt there.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: You make your knife sharp, not on the Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew,(125) sole of your shoe, Thou mak'st thy knife keen; but no metal can, But on your soul, harsh Jew, but no metal No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness can, Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? No, not the hangman's axe, be sharpened to half the sharpness Of your sharp hate. Can any prayers get through to you? SHYLOCK: No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.

SHYLOCK: No, none that you have sense enough to make.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Oh, damn you, stubborn dog! O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog!(130) And, for your life, let justice be blamed. And for thy life let justice be accus'd. You almost make me change my mind, Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, About agreeing with Pythagoras That the souls of animals send That souls of animals infuse themselves themselves Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit(135) Into the bodies of men. Your dog-like Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, spirit And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, That must have been ruled by a wolf Hanged for killing a human, his evil soul Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires Are wolvish, bloody, sterved, and ravenous.(140) Falling quickly even from the gallows, And, while you lay in your unholy mother, Sent itself into you, because your desires Are wolfish, bloody, starved, and hungry. Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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SHYLOCK: Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth; or it will fall To cureless ruin.—I stand here for law.

SHYLOCK: Until you can scream the seal from off my promise to pay, You only insult your lungs to speak so loud; Fix your brain, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.

DUKE:

DUKE: This letter from Bellario doth commend(145) A young and learned doctor to our court:— Where is he?

This letter from Bellario recommends A young and learned doctor to our court. Where is he?

NERISSA: He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.

NERISSA: He waits very nearby, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.

DUKE:

DUKE: With all my heart:—Some three or four of you(150) Go give him courteous conduct to this place.— Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.

With all my heart: some three or four of you Go, give him courteous conduct to this place. In the meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.

CLERK: CLERK: “Your Grace shall understand that, at the Your grace shall understand, that at the receipt of receipt your letter, of your letter, I am very sick; but, just as I am very sick: but in the instant that your your messenger came, in messenger came, a young doctor from loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome was visiting with Rome; his name(155) me; his name is Balthazar. I acquainted is Balthasar: I acquainted him with the cause in him with the cause controversy of the controversy between the Jew and between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we Antonio the merchant; we turned o'er many looked over many books together; he is books together: he is furnished with my opinion; furnished with my opinion which, bettered which, made better with his own with his own learning (the greatness whereof I learning,—the greatness of which I cannot enough cannot recommend enough,—comes to commend), comes with him, at my importunity, to fulfill your Grace's request fill up your(160) in my place because of my illness. Please grace's request in my stead. I beseech you, let his don’t let his youth be an lack of years impediment to giving him the utmost be no impediment to let him lack a reverend respect, estimation; for I because I never knew so young a body never knew so young a body with so old a head. I with so old a head. I leave him leave him to to your gracious acceptance, whose your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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publish his commendation.(165) Enter Portia, [disguised] Balthasar. DUKE:

testing shall better prove his abilities.”

DUKE: You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes: And here, I take it, is the doctor come.— Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?

You hear what the learned Bellario has written; And here, I take it, is the doctor coming. Give me your hand; do you come from old Bellario?

PORTIA: I did, my lord.

PORTIA: I did, my lord.

DUKE:

DUKE: You are welcome: take your place.(170) Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court?

You are welcome; take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference of opinion That is the present question before the court?

PORTIA: I am informed thoroughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?

PORTIA: I am thoroughly informed about the case. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?

DUKE:

DUKE: Antonio and old Shylock, both come forward.

Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.(175)

PORTIA: Is your name Shylock?

PORTIA: Is your name Shylock?

SHYLOCK: Shylock is my name.

SHYLOCK: Shylock is my name.

PORTIA: Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.—(180) You stand within his danger, do you not?

PORTIA: You pursue a suit of a strange nature, Still, in such rule of law, that the Venetian law Cannot fight against you as you proceed. You stand in his danger, don’t you?

ANTONIO: Ay, so he says.

ANTONIO: Yes, so he says.

PORTIA:

PORTIA:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Do you confess the bond?

Do you confess the promise to pay?

ANTONIO: I do.

ANTONIO: I do.

PORTIA: Then must the Jew be merciful.(185)

PORTIA: Then must the Jew be merciful.

SHYLOCK: On what compulsion must I? tell me that.

SHYLOCK: On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

PORTIA: The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:(190) 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;(195) But mercy is above this sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,(200) Though justice be thy plea, consider this— That in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; And that same prayer, doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much,(205) To mitigate the justice of thy plea, Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.

PORTIA: The quality of mercy is not restricted; It drops as the gentle rain from heaven On the place beneath the clouds. It is twice blessed: It blesses him that gives mercy and him that takes mercy. It’s most powerful in the most powerful people; it suits The throned king better than his crown; His royal wand shows the force of earthly power, The quality to amaze and rule, Where the dread and fear of kings sits; But mercy is above the wave of this wand, It sits on a throne in the hearts of kings, It is a quality of God himself; And earthly power then shows itself like God's When mercy goes with justice. So, Jew, Though justice is your plea, consider this, That if we all got justice, none of us Would see salvation; we pray for mercy, And that same prayer teaches us all to do The deeds of mercy. I have spoken this much To soften the justice of your plea, Which if you follow, this strict court of Venice Must give a ruling against the merchant there.

SHYLOCK: My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond.(210)

SHYLOCK: My deeds on my head! I want the law, The penalty, and penalty of my promise to pay.

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PORTIA: Is he not able to discharge the money?

PORTIA: Is he unable to repay the money?

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: Yes, here I tender it for him in the court; Yes; here I brought it for him into the Yea, twice the sum: if that will not suffice, court; I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er, Yes, twice the sum; if that is not enough, On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart:(215) I’ll swear to pay it ten times over If this will not suffice, it must appear On penalty of the loss of my hands, my That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, head, my heart; Wrest once the law to your authority: If this is not enough, it must seem To do a great right, do a little wrong; That evil wins over truth. And, I beg you, And curb this cruel devil of his will.(220) Twist the law once to your authority; To do a great right, do a little wrong, And deprive this cruel devil of his will. PORTIA: It must not be; there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established: 'Twill be recorded for a precedent, And many an error, by the same example Will rush into the state: it cannot be.(225)

PORTIA: It must not be; there is no power in Venice that Can change an established law; It will set a precedent, And many errors by the same example Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

SHYLOCK: A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!

SHYLOCK: A prophet from the Bible come to judgment! Yes, a prophet! Oh, wise young judge, how I honor you!

PORTIA: I pray you, let me look upon the bond.

PORTIA: Please, let me look on the promise to pay.

SHYLOCK: Here, 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.

SHYLOCK: Here it’s, most reverend doctor; here it is.

PORTIA: PORTIA: Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee.(230) Shylock, there's three times your money offered to you. SHYLOCK: An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven: Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice.

SHYLOCK: An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury on my soul? No, not for Venice.

PORTIA: Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim(235)

PORTIA: Why, this promise to pay is penalty; And lawfully the Jew may claim

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart.—Be merciful; Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.

A pound of flesh by this, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful. Take three times your money; ask me to tear up the promise to pay.

SHYLOCK: When it is paid according to the tenor. It doth appear you are a worthy judge;(240) You know the law, your exposition Hath been most sound; I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment: by my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man(245) To alter me: I stay here on my bond.

SHYLOCK: When it is paid according to the terms. It appears you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your explanation Has been most sound; I charge you by the law, Of which you are a well-deserving upholder, Proceed to judgment. By my soul, I swear There is no power in the voice of man To change my mind. I wait here on my promise to pay.

ANTONIO: Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment.

ANTONIO: Most heartily I beg the court To give the judgment.

PORTIA: Why then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife.(250)

PORTIA: Why then, it is like this: You must prepare your chest for his knife.

SHYLOCK: O noble judge! O excellent young man!

SHYLOCK: Oh, noble judge! Oh, excellent young man!

PORTIA: For the intent and purpose of the law, Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond;—

PORTIA: Because the intent and purpose of the law Has full relation to the penalty, Which appeared here due on the promise to pay.

SHYLOCK: 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge!(255) How much more elder art thou than thy looks!

SHYLOCK: It’s very true. Oh, wise and upright judge, How much more older are you than your looks!

PORTIA: Therefore lay bare your bosom.

PORTIA: So, bare your chest.

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SHYLOCK: Ay, his breast: So says the bond;—doth it not, noble judge? Nearest his heart, those are the very words.(260)

SHYLOCK: Yes, “his breast:” So says the promise to pay:—does it not, noble judge?— “Nearest his heart:” those are the very words.

PORTIA: It is so. Are there balance here to weigh The flesh?

PORTIA: It is true. Are there scales here to weigh The flesh?

SHYLOCK: I have them ready.

SHYLOCK: I have them ready.

PORTIA: PORTIA: Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, Have some surgeon nearby, Shylock, on To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.(265) your responsibility, To stop his wounds, so that he won’t bleed to death. SHYLOCK: Is it so nominated in the bond?

SHYLOCK: Is it so stated in the promise to pay?

PORTIA: It is not so express'd, but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity.

PORTIA: It is not expressly stated; but so what? It would be good for you to do so much for charity.

SHYLOCK: I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.

SHYLOCK: I cannot find it; it’s not in the promise to pay.

PORTIA: Come, merchant, have you any thing to say?(270)

PORTIA: You, merchant, have you anything to say?

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: But little; I am arm'd, and well prepar'd.— Only little: I am ready and well prepared. Give me your hand, Bassannio: fare you well! Give me your hand, Bassanio: goodbye! Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you; Don’t grieve that I am doing this for you, For herein Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom: it is still her use,(275) Because here Fortune shows herself more To let the wretched man out-live his wealth, kind To view with hollow eye, and wrinkled brow, Than is her habit: it is still her habit An age of poverty; from which lingering penance To let the wretched man outlive his Of such misery doth she cut me off. wealth, Commend me to your honourable wife:(280) To view an age of poverty with hollow Tell her the process of Antonio's end, eye and wrinkled brow; Say, how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death; She cuts me off from the lingering Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love. Repent not you that you shall lose your friend,(285) And he repents not that he pays your debt; For, if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.

repentance Of such misery. Commend me to your honorable wife: Tell her the story of Antonio's end; Say how I loved you; speak fairly about me in death; And, when the tale is told, ask her to be the judge of Whether Bassanio didn’t once have a love. Only be sorry that you shall lose your friend, And he is not sorry that he pays your debt; Because if the Jew only cuts deep enough, I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.

BASSANIO: Antonio, I am married to a wife, Which is as dear to me as life itself;(290) But life itself, my wife, and all the world Are not with me esteem'd above thy life; I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to deliver you.

BASSANIO: Antonio, I am married to a wife Who is as dear to me as life itself; But life itself, my wife, and all the world, Are not worth more to me than your life; I would lose everything, yes, sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to save you.

PORTIA: Your wife would give you little thanks for that,(295) If she were by, to hear you make the offer.

PORTIA: Your wife would give you little thanks for that, If she were here to listen to such an offer.

GRATIANO: I have a wife, whom I protest I love; I would she were in heaven, so she could Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.

GRATIANO: I have a wife whom, I protest, I love; I wish she were in heaven, so she could Beg some power to change this currish Jew.

NERISSA: 'Tis well you offer it behind her back;(300) The wish would make else an unquiet house.

NERISSA: It’s well you offer it behind her back; The wish would other make a noisy house.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: These be the Christian husbands: I have a These are the Christian husbands! I have daughter; a daughter; Would any of the stock of Barrabas Would any of the stock of Barabbas the Had been her husband rather, than a Christian!(305) Thief We trifle time; I pray thee pursue sentence. Had been her husband, rather than a

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Christian! We are wasting time; Please, enforce sentence.

PORTIA: A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine; The court awards it, and the law doth give it.

PORTIA: A pound of that same merchant's flesh is yours. The court awards it and the law gives it.

SHYLOCK: Most rightful judge!

SHYLOCK: Most rightful judge!

PORTIA: And you must cut this flesh from off his breast;(310) The law allows it, and the court awards it.

PORTIA: And you must cut this flesh from off his breast. The law allows it and the court awards it.

SHYLOCK: SHYLOCK: Most learned judge!—A sentence! come, prepare! Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, get ready. PORTIA: PORTIA: Wait a minute; there is something else. Tarry a little;—there is something else.— This promise to pay does not give you This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; here a jot of blood; The words expressly are, a pound of flesh:(315) The words expressly are “a pound of Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; flesh:” But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed Then take your promise to pay, take your One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods pound of flesh; Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate But, in the cutting it, if you shed Unto the state of Venice.(320) One drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, seized By the state of Venice. GRATIANO: O upright judge!—Mark, Jew;—O learned judge!

GRATIANO: Oh, upright judge! Mark, Jew: Oh, learned judge!

SHYLOCK: Is that the law?

SHYLOCK: Is that the law?

PORTIA: Thyself shalt see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd(325) Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.

PORTIA: You yourself shall see the law; Because, as you insist on justice, be assured You shall have justice, more than you desire.

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GRATIANO: O learned judge!—Mark, Jew;—a learned judge!

GRATIANO: Oh, learned judge! Mark, Jew: a learned judge!

SHYLOCK: I take this offer then,—pay the bond thrice And let the Christian go.

SHYLOCK: I take this offer then: pay the promise to pay three times, And let the Christian go.

BASSANIO: Here is the money.(330)

BASSANIO: Here is the money.

PORTIA: PORTIA: Soft;— Wait! The Jew shall have all justice;—soft;—no haste;— The Jew shall have all justice; wait! He shall have nothing but the penalty. Don’t hurry:— He shall have nothing but the penalty. GRATIANO: O Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge!

GRATIANO: Oh, Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge!

PORTIA: Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.(335) Shed thou no blood; nor cut thou less, nor more, But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more, Or less, than a just pound,—be it but so much As makes it light, or heavy, in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part(340) Of one poor scruple,—nay, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair,— Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.

PORTIA: So, get ready to cut off the flesh. Don’t shed any blood; or cut less nor more, Exactly just a pound of flesh: if you take more, Or less, than a just pound, whether it is only so much That makes it light or heavy in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple; no, if the scale turns Only by a hair, You die, and all your goods are seized.

GRATIANO: A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip.(345)

GRATIANO: A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have you at a disadvantage.

PORTIA: Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture.

PORTIA: Why does the Jew wait? Take your penalty.

SHYLOCK: Give me my principal, and let me go.

SHYLOCK: Give me my principal, and let me go.

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BASSANIO: I have it ready for thee; here it is.

BASSANIO: I have it ready for you; here it is.

PORTIA: He hath refus'd it in the open court; He shall have merely justice and his bond.(350)

PORTIA: He has refused it in the open court; He shall merely have justice, and his promise to pay.

GRATIANO: A Daniel, still say I; a second Daniel!— I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

GRATIANO: A Daniel still say I; a second Daniel! I thank you, Jew, for teaching me that word.

SHYLOCK: Shall I not have barely my principal?

SHYLOCK: Shall I not have just my principal?

PORTIA: Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture, To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.(355)

PORTIA: You shall have nothing but the penalty To be so taken at your own risk, Jew.

SHYLOCK: Why, then the devil give him good of it! I'll stay no longer question.

SHYLOCK: Why, then the devil give him good of it! I'll wait no longer.

PORTIA: Tarry, Jew; The law hath yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice,—(360) If it be proved against an alien That by direct or indirect attempts He seek the life of any citizen, The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive, Shall seize one half his goods; the other half(365) Comes to the privy coffer of the state; And the offender's life lies in the mercy Of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice. In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st: For it appears by manifest proceeding,(370) That, indirectly, and directly too, Thou hast contriv'd against the very life Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd The danger formerly by me rehears'd. Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke.(375)

PORTIA: Wait, Jew. The law has yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice, That, if it is proved against an alien That by direct or indirect attempts He seek the life of any citizen, The party against whom he schemes Shall seize one half his goods; the other half Comes to the public treasury of the state; And the offender's life lies at the mercy Of the Duke only, above all others. In which predicament, I say, you stand; Because it appears by this obvious proceeding That indirectly, and directly too, You have schemed against the very life Of the defendant; and you have incurred The danger that I just read to you. So, kneel down, and beg mercy of the Duke.

GRATIANO:

GRATIANO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself: And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Thou hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge.

DUKE:

Beg that you may have permission to hang yourself; And still, your wealth being the penalty to pay the state, You haven’t got the value of a string left; So you must be hanged at the state's expense. DUKE:

That thou shalt see the difference of our spirits,(380) I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it: For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's; The other half comes to the general state, Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

So that you shall see the difference between our beliefs, I give you your life before you ask for it. Because half your wealth is Antonio's, The other half comes to the general treasury, Which your humbleness may bring to an end.

PORTIA: Ay, for the state; not for Antonio.(385)

PORTIA: Yes, for the state; not for Antonio.

SHYLOCK: Nay, take my life and all; pardon not that: You take my house when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house; you take my life, When you do take the means whereby I live.

SHYLOCK: No, take my life and everything, don’t pardon that: You take my house when you take the prop That holds my house up; you take my life When you take the means by which I live.

PORTIA: What mercy can you render him, Antonio?(390)

PORTIA: What mercy can you give him, Antonio?

GRATIANO: A halter gratis; nothing else, for God's sake!

GRATIANO: A free rope with a nooses; nothing else, for God's sake!

ANTONIO: So please my lord the duke, and all the court To quit the fine for one half of his goods; I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it,(395) Upon his death, unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter; Two things provided more,—that for this favour, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift,(400) Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd,

ANTONIO: So if it pleases my lord, the Duke, and all the court To set the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, as long as he will let me have The other half to use, to give it, On his death, to the gentleman That lately stole his daughter: Two things more, that, for this favor, He presently becomes a Christian;

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.

DUKE:

The other, that he records a gift, Here in the court, of everything he has when he dies To his son, Lorenzo, and his daughter. DUKE:

He shall do this; or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here.

He shall do this, or else I take back The pardon that I just pronounced here.

PORTIA: PORTIA: Art thou contented, Jew? what dost thou say?(405) Are you content, Jew? What do you say? SHYLOCK: I am content.

SHYLOCK: I am content.

PORTIA: Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

PORTIA: Clerk, draw up a deed of gift.

SHYLOCK: I pray you give me leave to go from hence: I am not well; send the deed after me, And I will sign it.(410)

SHYLOCK: Please, let me go from here; I am not well; send the deed after me And I’ll sign it.

DUKE:

DUKE: Get thee gone, but do it.

Go, but do it.

GRATIANO: In christening, shalt thou have two god-fathers; Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not the font.

GRATIANO: In your christening, you shall have two godfathers; If I had been the judge, you should have had ten more, To bring you to the gallows, not to the baptismal font.

Exit [Shylock] DUKE:

DUKE:

Sir, I beg you to come home with me to dinner.

Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.(415)

PORTIA: I humbly do desire your grace of pardon. I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth.

PORTIA: I humbly desire your Grace’s pardon; I must go away tonight toward Padua, And it is proper that I leave right away.

DUKE:

DUKE: I am sorry that your leisure serves you not. Antonio, gratify this gentleman,(420) For, in my mind, you are much bound to him.

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY lot.

Exit Duke and his train. BASSANIO: Most worthy gentleman, I, and my friend, Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted Of grievous penalties; in lieu whereof, Three thousand ducats, due unto the Jew,(425) We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

BASSANIO: Most worthy gentleman, my friend and I Have been acquitted today Of grievous penalties by your wisdom; instead of Three thousand dollars, due to the Jew, We will freely pay for your courteous pains.

ANTONIO: And stand indebted, over and above, In love and service to you evermore.

ANTONIO: And stand indebted, over and above, In love and service to you forever.

PORTIA: He is well paid that is well satisfied: And I, delivering you, am satisfied,(430) And therein do account myself well paid; My mind was never yet more mercenary. I pray you, know me, when we meet again; I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

PORTIA: He is well paid that is well satisfied; And I am satisfied in delivering you, And therefore, I consider myself well paid: My mind never wanted anything else in payment. Please, recognize me when we meet again: I wish you well, and so I say goodbye.

BASSANIO: Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further;(435) Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute, Not as fee: grant me two things, I pray you, Not to deny me, and to pardon me.

BASSANIO: Dear sir, I must attempt to pay you more forcefully; Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute, Not as fee. Grant me two things, please: Don’t say no to me and pardon me.

PORTIA: PORTIA: You push me far, and so I’ll give in. You press me far, and therefore I will yield. [To Antonio] Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for(440) Give me your gloves; I'll wear them for your sake; your sake. [To Bassanio] And, for your love, I'll take this ring from And, for your friendship, I'll take this ring from you. you:— Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more; Don’t draw back your hand; I'll take no And you in love shall not deny me this.(445) more; And you shall not deny me this in friendship. BASSANIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY This ring, good sir?—alas, it is a trifle: I will not shame myself to give you this.

This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle; I won’t embarrass myself to give you this.

PORTIA: I will have nothing else but only this; And now, methinks, I have a mind to it.

PORTIA: I’ll have nothing else except this only; And now, I think, I have a mind to have it.

BASSANIO: There's more depends on this than on the value.(450) The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation; Only for this I pray you pardon me.

BASSANIO: There's more that depends on this ring than its value. I will give you the most expensive in Venice, And find out where it is by proclamation: Only for this ring, please, excuse me.

PORTIA: I see, sir, you are liberal in offers: You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks,(455) You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.

PORTIA: I see, sir, you are free in making offers; You taught me to beg first, and now I think You teach me how to answer a beggar.

BASSANIO: Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; And, when she put it on, she made me vow That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.

BASSANIO: Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; And, when she put it on, she made me vow That I should not sell, or give, or lose it.

PORTIA: That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.(460) An if your wife be not a mad woman, And know how well I have deserv'd the ring, She would not hold out enemy for ever, For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!

PORTIA: That’s the excuse many men use to save their gifts. And, if your wife is not a madwoman, And knows how much I have deserved this ring, She would not hold out in being your enemy forever For giving it to me. Well, goodbye!

Exeunt [Portia and Nerissa] ANTONIO: My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring,(465) Let his deservings, and my love withal, Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment.

ANTONIO: My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring: Let what he deserves, and with my friendship, Be measured against your wife's commandment.

BASSANIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him; Give him the ring; and bring him, if thou canst, Unto Antonio's house:—away! make haste.(470)

Go, Gratiano, run and catch him; Give him the ring, and bring him, if you can, To Antonio's house. Away! Hurry up.

Exit Gratiano. Come, you and I’ll will leave presently; And early in the morning, we will both Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

Come, you and I will thither presently; And in the morning early will we both Fly toward Belmont: come, Antonio. Exeunt. Scene II Original Text

Modern Translation

[The same] Enter Portia and Nerissa. PORTIA: Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it; we'll away to-night, And be a day before our husbands home. This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. Enter Gratiano

PORTIA: Find the Jew's house, give him this deed, And let him sign it; we'll leave tonight, And be a day ahead of our husbands coming home. This deed will be very welcome to Lorenzo.

GRATIANO: Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en:(5) My Lord Bassanio, upon more advice, Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat Your company at dinner.

GRATIANO: Good sir, you are well caught. My Lord Bassanio, listening to more advice, Has sent you this ring here, and asks Your company at dinner.

PORTIA: That cannot be: His ring I do accept most thankfully,(10) And so, I pray you, tell him: furthermore, I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house.

PORTIA: I can’t do that: I accept his ring most thankfully; And please tell him so; furthermore, Please show my youth to old Shylock's house.

GRATIANO: That will I do.

GRATIANO: That I will do.

NERISSA: NERISSA: Sir, I would speak with you:— Sir, I wish to speak with you. I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,(15) Which I did make him swear to keep for ever. I'll see if I can get my husband's ring, Which I made him swear to keep forever. PORTIA: Thou may'st, I warrant we shall have old swearing,

PORTIA: You may, I guarantee it. We shall have old swearing

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY That they did give the rings away to men; But we'll outface them, and outswear them too. Away! make haste; thou know'st where I will tarry.(20)

NERISSA: Come, good sir, will you show me to this house? Exeunt.

That they gave the rings away to men; But we'll confront them, and outswear them too. Away! Hurry: you know where I’ll wait for you. NERISSA: Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

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Act V Original Text

Modern Translation

[Belmont] Enter Lorenzo and Jessica. LORENZO: LORENZO: The moon shines bright:—in such a night as The moon shines bright: in such a night as this, this, When the sweet wind gently kissed the trees, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the And they made no noise, in such a night, trees, Troilus I think climbed the walls of Troy, And they did make no noise,—in such a And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents, night, Where Cressida lay that night. Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls, And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents,(5) Where Cressid lay that night. JESSICA: In such a night, Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew, And saw the lion's shadow ere himself, And ran dismay'd away.(10)

JESSICA: In such a night Thisbe fearfully tripped over the dew, And saw the lion's shadow before the lion itself, And ran away dismayed.

LORENZO: LORENZO: In such a night In such a night, Dido stood with a willow in her hand Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, On the wild banks of the sea, and sent her love Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love To return to Carthage. To come again to Carthage. JESSICA: In such a night,(15) Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs That did renew old Æson.

JESSICA: In such a night Medea gathered the enchanted herbs That renewed old Aeson.

LORENZO: In such a night, Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, And with an unthrift love did run from Venice,(20) As far as Belmont.

LORENZO: In such a night Jessica stole away from the wealthy Jew, And ran from Venice with a poor love As far as Belmont.

JESSICA: JESSICA: In such a night, In such a night Did young Lorenzo swear he lov'd her well; Young Lorenzo swore he loved her well, Stealing her soul with many vows of faith, Stealing her soul with many vows of love,— And ne'er a true one.(25) And never a true one.

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LORENZO: In such a night, Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave it her.

LORENZO: In such a night Pretty Jessica, like a little witch, Lied about her love, and he forgave her.

JESSICA: I would out-night you, did no body come; But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.(30) Enter Messenger [Stephano].

JESSICA: I would out-night you, if no one was coming, But, listen, I hear the footsteps of a man.

LORENZO: Who comes so fast in silence of the night?

LORENZO: Who comes so quickly in silence of the night?

MESSENGER: A friend.

MESSENGER: A friend.

LORENZO: A friend? what friend? your name, I pray you, friend?

LORENZO: A friend! What friend? Your name, please, friend?

MESSENGER: MESSENGER: Stephano is my name, and I bring word that Stephano is my name; and I bring word(35) My mistress will be here at Belmont My mistress will before the break of day Before the break of day; she wanders about Be here at Belmont; she doth stray about By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays For happy marriage hours. For happy wedlock hours. LORENZO: Who comes with her?(40)

LORENZO: Who comes with her?

MESSENGER: None, but a holy hermit, and her maid. I pray you, is my master yet return'd?

MESSENGER: No one but a holy hermit and her maid. Please, is my master returned yet?

LORENZO: LORENZO: He is not, nor we have not heard from him.— He has not, and we have not heard from him. But let’s go in, please, Jessica, But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, And ceremoniously let us prepare(45) And let’s prepare some welcome for the mistress of the house Some welcome for the mistress of the house. With strict observance of the formalities. [Enter Launcelot] LAUNCELOT: Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!

LAUNCELOT: Hey, hey! Whoa, ha, hey! Hey, hey!

LORENZO: Who calls?

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LAUNCELOT: Sola! did you see Master Lorenzo, and Mistress Lorenzo? sola, sola!(50)

LAUNCELOT: Hey! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Hey, hey!

LORENZO: Leave hollaing, man; here.

LORENZO: Leave hey-ing, man. I’m here!

LAUNCELOT: Sola! Where? where?

LAUNCELOT: Hey! Where? where?

LORENZO: Here.

LORENZO: Here!

LAUNCELOT: LAUNCELOT: Tell him there's a post come from my Tell him there's a letter arrived from my master master, with his with his horn full of good news; my master horn full of good news; my master will be here will be here(55) before morning. ere morning. LORENZO: LORENZO: Sweet soul, let's go in, and wait there for them Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their to come. coming; And yet, it doesn’t matter; why should we go And yet no matter:—why should we go in? in? My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you, My friend Stephano, let them know, please, Within the house, your mistress is at Within the house, that your mistress is at hand, hand:(60) And bring your music outside. And bring your music forth into the air. How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this How sweet the moonlight sleeps on this bank! bank! We will sit here and let the sounds of music Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music Creep into our ears; soft stillness and the night Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the Compliment the touches of sweet harmony. night, Sit, Jessica: look how the sky Become the touches of sweet harmony.(65) Is covered thick with layers of bright gold; Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven Even the smallest star that you see Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold. Sings like an angel as it moves, There's not the smallest orb which thou Still singing like a choir to the young-eyed behold'st, cherubs; But in his motion like an angel sings, Such harmony is in immortal souls; Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins:(70) But, while this muddy earth of decay Such harmony is in immortal souls; Buries us, we can’t hear it. But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.— Come, hey! And wake the goddess of Love Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn; with a hymn; With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' Pierce your mistress’ ear with sweetest ear,(75) touches, And draw her home with music. Play music. And bring her home with music.

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JESSICA: JESSICA: I am never merry when I hear sweet music. I am never happy when I hear sweet music. LORENZO: LORENZO: The reason is, your spirits are attentive: The reason is your spirits are observant; For do but note a wild and wanton herd, Because only look at a wild and wanton herd, Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,(80) Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Fetching mad bounds, bellowing, and Pushing crazy limits, bellowing and neighing neighing loud, loudly Which is the hot condition of their blood, Which is the hot condition of their blood; If they but hear, perchance, a trumpet sound, If they only hear maybe a trumpet sound, Or any air of music touch their ears, Or any air of music touches their ears, You shall perceive them make a mutual You will see them make a mutual stop, Their savage eyes turned to a calm gaze stand,(85) By the sweet power of music: so the poet Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze, Pretended that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and By the sweet power of music. Therefore, the floods; poet Only music for the time changes his nature Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones From not so wooden, hard, and full of rage. and floods; The man that has no music in him, Since nought so stockish, hard, and full of Or is not moved by harmony of sweet sounds, rage, Is fit for treasons, plots, and stealing; But music for the time doth change his The movement of his spirit is as dull as night, nature.(90) The man that hath no music in himself, And his affections are as dark as the place Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet between sounds, Earth and hell. Don’t trust such a man. Listen Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; to the music. The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus:(95) Let no such man be trusted.—Mark the music. Enter Portia and Nerissa. PORTIA: PORTIA: That light we see is burning in my hall: That light we see is burning in my hall. How far that little candle throws his beams! How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. A good deed in a naughty world shines like that. NERISSA: When the moon shone, we did not see the candle.(100)

NERISSA: When the moon was shining, we did not see the candle.

PORTIA: So doth the greater glory dim the less: A substitute shines brightly as a king, Unto the king be by; and then his state, Empties itself, as doth an inland brook

PORTIA: The greater light dims the lesser one like that. A substitute shines as brightly as a king Until a king is back, and then the substitute’s Condition drains away, as an inland brook does

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Into the main of waters. Music! hark!(105)

Into the river of waters. Music! Listen!

NERISSA: It is your music, madam, of the house.

NERISSA: It is your music, madam, from the house.

PORTIA: Nothing is good, I see, without respect; Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

PORTIA: Nothing is good, I see, without respect: I think it sounds much sweeter at night than by day.

NERISSA: Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.

NERISSA: Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.

PORTIA: PORTIA: The crow sings as sweetly as the lark The crow doth sing as sweetly as the When either is waited on, and I think lark,(110) The nightingale, if she sang by day, When neither is attended; and, I think, When every goose is cackling, would be The nightingale, if she should sing by day, considered When every goose is cackling, would be No better a musician than the wren. thought How many things are fit for use by the seasons No better a musician than the wren. To their right praise and true perfection! How many things by season season'd are(115) Peace, hey! The moon sleeps with her lover, To their right praise and true perfection!— And does not want to be awakened! Peace, ho! the moon sleeps with Endymion, And would not be awak'd. Music ceases. LORENZO: That is the voice, Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia.(120)

LORENZO: That is the voice, Or I am much mistaken, of Portia.

PORTIA: He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, By the bad voice.

PORTIA: He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, By my bad voice.

LORENZO: Dear lady, welcome home.

LORENZO: Dear lady, welcome home.

PORTIA: We have been praying for our husbands' welfare, Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.(125) Are they return'd?

PORTIA: We have been praying for our husbands' welfare, Which are moving along quickly, we hope, the better For our words. Have they returned?

LORENZO: Madam, they are not yet; But there is come a messenger before, To signify their coming.

LORENZO: Madam, not yet; But there is come a messenger ahead of them, To show that they are coming.

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PORTIA: Go in, Nerissa;(130) Give order to my servants, that they take No note at all of our being absent hence; Nor you, Lorenzo:—Jessica, nor you. A tucket sounds.

PORTIA: Go in, Nerissa: Give orders to my servants that they take No notice at all of our being absent from here; Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you.

LORENZO: LORENZO: Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet: Your husband is near; I hear his trumpet. We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you We are no tattletales, madam; don’t be afraid not.(135) of us. PORTIA: This night, methinks, is but the daylight sick. It looks a little paler; 'tis a day, Such as the day is, when the sun is hid. Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano, and their followers.

PORTIA: I think this night is only sick daylight; It looks a little paler; it’s a day Like a cloudy day.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: We should hold day with the Antipodes, We should hold day with the direct opposite, If you would walk in absence of the sun.(140) If you would walk in absence of the sun. PORTIA: PORTIA: Let me give light, but let me not be light, Let me give light, but let me not be light; Because a light wife makes a heavy husband, For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, And never let Bassanio be heavy for me: And never be Bassanio so for me: But God bless all! Welcome home, my lord. But God sort all!—You are welcome home, my lord. BASSANIO: I thank you, madam: Give welcome to my friend.—(145) This is the man, this is Antonio, To whom I am so infinitely bound.

BASSANIO: I thank you, madam; give welcome to my friend: This is the man, this is Antonio, To whom I am so infinitely indebted.

PORTIA: You should in all sense be much bound to him. For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.

PORTIA: You should be much indebted to him in all senses, Because, as I hear, he was much indebted for you.

ANTONIO: No more than I am well acquitted of.(150)

ANTONIO: No more than I am well released from.

PORTIA:

PORTIA:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Sir, you are very welcome to our house: It must appear in other ways than words, Therefore, I scant this breathing courtesy.

Sir, you are very welcome to our house. That welcome must appear in other ways than words, Since this breathy courtesy is so inadequate.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: By yonder moon, I swear you do me wrong; By moon up there, I swear you insult me; In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk:(155) Believe me, I gave it to the judge's clerk. Would he were gelt that had it, for my part, I wish he were castrated that has it, for my part, Since you do take it, love, so much at heart. Since you take it, love, so much to heart. PORTIA: A quarrel, ho, already! what's the matter?

PORTIA: A quarrel, hey, already! What's the matter?

GRATIANO: About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring That she did give me; whose posy was(160) For all the world, like cutler's poetry Upon a knife, Love me, and leave me not!

GRATIANO: About a hoop of gold, a worthless ring That she gave me, whose inscription was, For all the world, like knife maker’s poem On a knife, “Love me and leave me not.”

NERISSA: NERISSA: Why do you talk of the inscription or the value? What talk you of the posy, or the value? You swore to me, when I gave it you, You swore to me, when I did give it you, That you would wear it until the hour of your That you would wear it till your hour of death, death;(165) And that it would go with you to your grave; And that it should lie with you in your You should have respected and have kept it grave: Though not for me, but for your intense oaths. Though not for me, yet for your vehement Gave it a judge's clerk! No, God's my judge, oaths, The clerk will never grow a beard that took it. You should have been respective, and have kept it. Gave it a judge's clerk!—no, God's my judge! The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it.(170) GRATIANO: He will, an if he live to be a man.

GRATIANO: He will, if he lives to be a man.

NERISSA: Ay, if a woman live to be a man.

NERISSA: Yes, if a woman lives to be a man.

GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,— Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth, A kind of boy; a little scrubbed boy, A kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk;(175) No taller than you, the judge's clerk; A prating boy, that begg'd it as a fee; A chattering boy that asked for it as a fee; I could not for my heart deny it him. I could not, for my heart, deny him the ring.

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PORTIA: PORTIA: You were to blame, I must be plain with You are to blame,—I must be plain with you,— you, To part so quickly with your wife's first gift, To part so slightly with your wife's first gift; A thing stuck on your finger with oaths, A thing stuck on with oaths upon your And so nailed with faith to your flesh with finger,(180) faith. And so riveted with faith unto your flesh. I gave my love a ring, and made him swear I gave my love a ring, and made him swear Never to part with it, and here he stands, Never to part with it; and here he stands,— I would dare to swear for him that he would not I dare be sworn for him he would not leave leave it it, Nor pluck it from his finger for all the wealth Nor pluck it from his finger, for the In the world. Now, truly, Gratiano, wealth(185) You give your wife a cause for grief that is very That the world masters. Now, in faith, unkind; Gratiano, If it was given to me, I should be angry about it. You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief; An 'twere to me, I should be mad at it. BASSANIO: Why, I were best to cut my left hand off And swear I lost the ring defending it.(190)

BASSANIO: Why, it would be better if I cut my left hand off, And swear I lost the ring defending it.

GRATIANO: My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away Unto the judge that begg'd it, and, indeed, Deserv'd it too; and then the boy, his clerk, That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine: And neither man, nor master, would take aught(195) But the two rings.

GRATIANO: My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away To the judge that asked for it, and indeed Deserved it too; and then the boy, his clerk, That took some pains in writing, he asked for mine; And neither man nor master would take anything else But the two rings.

PORTIA: What ring gave you my lord? Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me.

PORTIA: What ring did you give, my lord? Not the one, I hope, that you got from me.

BASSANIO: If I could add a lie unto a fault, I would deny it; but you see, my finger(200) Hath not the ring upon it, it is gone.

BASSANIO: If I could add a lie to a fault, I would deny it; but you see my finger Hasn’t got the ring on it; it is gone.

PORTIA: Even so void is your false heart of truth. By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed Until I see the ring.

PORTIA: Your false heart of truth is even so “gone,” By heaven, I’ll never sleep with you Until I see the ring.

NERISSA:

NERISSA:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Nor I in yours(205) Till I again see mine.

And neither will I Until I see mine again.

BASSANIO: Sweet Portia, If you did know to whom I gave the ring, If you did know for whom I gave the ring, And would conceive for what I gave the ring,(210) And how unwillingly I left the ring, When nought would be accepted but the ring, You would abate the strength of your displeasure.

BASSANIO: Sweet Portia, If you knew to whom I gave the ring, If you knew for whom I gave the ring, And would think about for what I gave the ring, And how unwillingly I let the ring go, When nothing would be accepted but the ring, You would decrease the strength of your anger.

PORTIA: If you had known the virtue of the ring, Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,(215) Or your own honour to contain the ring, You would not then have parted with the ring. What man is there so much unreasonable, If you had pleas'd to have defended it With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty(220) To urge the thing held as a ceremony? Nerissa teaches me what to believe; I'll die for't, but some woman had the ring.

PORTIA: If you had known the virtue of the ring, Or half the worthiness of her who gave the ring, Or your own honor to hold the ring, You wouldn’t have parted then with the ring. What man is there so very unreasonable, That, if you had bothered to defend it With any terms of earnestness, lacked the modesty To encourage the thing be held as a ceremony? Nerissa teaches me what to believe: I'll die for it, but some woman took the ring.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: No, by my honor, madam, by my soul, No, by mine honour, madam, by my soul, No woman took it, but a civil doctor, No woman had it, but a civil doctor, Which did refuse three thousand ducats of Which refused three thousand dollars of me, And begged for the ring, which I denied him, me And let him go away displeased, And begg'd the ring; the which I did deny Even he that had delayed the very life him, And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away; Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady? Even he that had uphold the very life(225) I forced to send the ring after him; Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet I was overcome with shame and courtesy; lady? I was enforc'd to send it after him; My honor would not let ingratitude So much offend it. Pardon me, good lady; I was beset with shame and courtesy; Because, by these blessed candles of the night, My honour would not let ingratitude If you had been there, I think you would have So much besmear it. Pardon me, good begged lady;(230) The ring from me to give the worthy doctor. For, by these blessed candles of the night, Had you been there, I think, you would have begg'd The ring of me to give the worthy doctor. Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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PORTIA: PORTIA: Let not that doctor e'er come near my house: Don’t let that doctor ever come near my house; Since he hath got the jewel that I lov'd,(235) Since he has gotten the jewel that I loved, And that which you did swear to keep for And which you swore to keep for me, me, I’ll become as free as you; I will become as liberal as you; I won’t deny him anything I have, I'll not deny him any thing I have, No, not my body, nor my husband's bed. No, not my body, nor my husband's bed: I shall know him, I am well sure of it. Know him I shall, I am well sure of it:(240) Don’t sleep a night from home; watch me Lie not a night from home; watch me, like With one hundred eyes; if you don’t, if I am Argus; left alone, If you do not, if I be left alone, Now, by my virginity which is still my own, Now, by mine honour, which is yet mine I'll have that doctor for my lover. own, I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow. NERISSA: NERISSA: And I his clerk; so be well advised And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd(245) How you leave me to my own protection. How you do leave me to mine own protection. GRATIANO: Well, do you so: let not me take him then, For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen.

GRATIANO: Well, do so: don’t let me take him then; Because, if I do, I'll break the young clerk's pen.

ANTONIO: I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels.

ANTONIO: I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels.

PORTIA: Sir, grieve not you; you are welcome notwithstanding.(250)

PORTIA: Sir, don’t grieve; you are welcome nevertheless.

BASSANIO: BASSANIO: Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; Portia, forgive me this forced wrong; And, in the hearing of these many friends, And in the hearing of these many friends, I swear to you, even by your own beautiful I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, eyes, Wherein I see myself,— That I see myself in,— PORTIA: Mark you but that!(255) In both my eyes he doubly sees himself: In each eye, one:—swear by your double self, And there's an oath of credit.

PORTIA: Listen, only that! In both my eyes, he doubly sees himself, One in each eye; swear by your double self, And there's an oath to believe.

BASSANIO:

BASSANIO:

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY Nay, but hear me: Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear,(260) I never more will break an oath with thee.

No, but listen to me: Pardon this fault, and, by my soul, I swear I will never again break an oath made to you.

ANTONIO: ANTONIO: I once did lend my body for his wealth; I once lent my body for his wealth, Which, but for him that had your husband's Which would have been fatal, ring, Except for him that took your husband's ring. Had quite miscarried: I dare be bound again, I would dare to be indebted again, My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord(265) Lose my soul as the penalty, that your lord Will never more break faith advisedly. Will never more break an oath intentionally. PORTIA: PORTIA: Then you shall be his surety. Give him this Then you shall be his insurance. Give him this, And bid him keep it better than the other. And tell him keep it better than the other one. ANTONIO: Here, Lord Bassanio; swear to keep this ring.

ANTONIO: Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.

BASSANIO: By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!(270)

BASSANIO: By heaven! It’s the same one I gave the doctor!

PORTIA: I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio: For by this ring the doctor lay with me.

PORTIA: I got it from him: pardon me, Bassanio, Because, by this ring, the doctor slept with me.

NERISSA: NERISSA: And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano; Because that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, clerk, In lieu of this last night did lie with me.(275) Instead of this, slept with me last night. GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Why, this is like the mending of highways Why, this is like the mending of high ways In summer, where the ways are fair enough. In summer, where the ways are fair enough: What! Are we betrayed before we have What! are we cuckolds, ere we have deserv'd it? deserved it? PORTIA: PORTIA: Speak not so grossly.—You are all amaz'd: Don’t speak so indecently. You are all amazed: Here is a letter; read it at your leisure;(280) Here is a letter; read it at your leisure; It comes from Padua, from Bellario: It comes from Padua, from Bellario: There you shall find that Portia was the There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, doctor; Nerissa there, her clerk: Lorenzo here Nerissa there, her clerk: Lorenzo here Shall witness that I set out as soon as you left, Shall witness, I set forth as soon as you, And even just now returned; I have not yet Edited By: Girish Srivastava

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ICSE DRAMA MADE EASY And but e'en now return'd; I have not yet(285) Enter'd my house.—Antonio, you are welcome; And I have better news in store for you, Than you expect: unseal this letter soon; There you shall find, three of your argosies Are richly come to harbour suddenly:(290) You shall not know by what strange accident I chanced on this letter.

Entered my house. Antonio, you are welcome; And I have better news in store for you Than you expect: unseal this letter right away; There you shall find three of your merchant ships Have richly come into harbor suddenly. You will not know by what strange accident I happened to get this letter.

ANTONIO: I am dumb.

ANTONIO: I am speechless.

BASSANIO: Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?(295)

BASSANIO: You were the doctor, and I didn’t know you?

GRATIANO: Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?

GRATIANO: You were you the clerk that is to betray me?

NERISSA: Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it, Unless he live until he be a man.

NERISSA: Yes, but the clerk that never means to do it, Unless he lives until he is a man.

BASSANIO: Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow; When I am absent, then lie with my wife.

BASSANIO: Sweet doctor, you shall be my lover: When I am absent, then you can lie with my wife.

ANTONIO: Sweet lady, you have given me life, and living;(300) For here I read for certain, that my ships Are safely come to road.

ANTONIO: Sweet lady, you have given me life and living, Because here I read for certain that my ships Have safely come home.

PORTIA: How now, Lorenzo? My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.

PORTIA: How is it now, Lorenzo! My clerk has some good comforts for you, too.

NERISSA: Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee.—(305) There do I give to you and Jessica, From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, After his death, of all he dies possess'd of.

NERISSA: Yes, and I'll give them to him without a fee. There I give to you and Jessica, From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, That after his death, to have everything he dies possessed of.

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LORENZO: Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of starved people.(310)

LORENZO: Beautiful ladies, you drop holy bread in the way Of starved people.

PORTIA: PORTIA: It is almost morning, It is almost morning, And yet, I am sure, you are not satisfied And I am still sure you are not totally satisfied Of these events at full. Let us go in; About these events full. Let’s go in; And charge us there upon inter'gatories, And ask us all your questions, And we will answer all things faithfully.(315) And we’ll answer everything truthfully. GRATIANO: GRATIANO: Let it be so: the first question Let it be so. the first inter'gatory, That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is, That my Nerissa shall be sworn on, is, Whether she would rather wait until the next Whether till the next night she had rather night, stay, Or come to bed now, being two hours until day: Or go to bed now, being two hours to day: But if the day was here, I would wish it to be But were the day come, I should wish it dark, dark,(320) Until I was sleeping with the doctor's clerk. That I were couching with the doctor's clerk. Well, while I live, I'll fear no other thing Well, while I live, I'll fear no other thing So much as keeping Nerissa's ring safe. So sore, as keeping safe Nerissa's ring. Exeunt.

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