Gob. His Maister and he (sauing your worships reuerence) are scarce catercosins
Lan. To be briefe, the verie truth is, that the Iew hauing done me wrong, doth cause me as my Father being I hope an old man shall frutifie vnto you
Gob. I haue here a dish of Doues that I would bestow vpon your worship, and my suite is
Lan. In verie briefe, the suite is impertinent to my selfe, as your worship shall know by this honest old man, and though I say it, though old man, yet poore man my Father
Ba.s.s. One speake for both, what would you?
Lan. Serue you sir
Gob. That is the verie defect of the matter sir
Ba.s.s. I know thee well, thou hast obtain"d thy suite, Shylocke thy Maister spoke with me this daie, And hath prefer"d thee, if it be preferment To leaue a rich Iewes seruice, to become The follower of so poore a Gentleman
Clo. The old prouerbe is verie well parted betweene my Maister Shylocke and you sir, you haue the grace of G.o.d sir, and he hath enough
Ba.s.s. Thou speak"st well; go Father with thy Son, Take leaue of thy old Maister, and enquire My lodging out, giue him a Liuerie More garded then his fellowes: see it done
Clo. Father in, I cannot get a seruice, no, I haue nere a tongue in my head, well: if anie man in Italie haue a fairer table which doth offer to sweare vpon a booke, I shall haue good fortune; goe too, here"s a simple line of life, here"s a small trifle of wiues, alas, fifteene wiues is nothing, a leuen widdowes and nine maides is a simple comming in for one man, and then to scape drowning thrice, and to be in perill of my life with the edge of a featherbed, here are simple scapes: well, if Fortune be a woman, she"s a good wench for this gere: Father come, Ile take my leaue of the Iew in the twinkling.
Exit Clowne.
Ba.s.s. I praie thee good Leonardo thinke on this, These things being bought and orderly bestowed Returne in haste, for I doe feast to night My best esteemd acquaintance, hie thee goe
Leon. my best endeuors shall be done herein.
Exit Le.
Enter Gratiano.
Gra. Where"s your Maister
Leon. Yonder sir he walkes
Gra. Signior Ba.s.sanio
Bas. Gratiano
Gra. I haue a sute to you
Ba.s.s. You haue obtain"d it
Gra. You must not denie me, I must goe with you to Belmont
Ba.s.s. Why then you must: but heare thee Gratiano, Thou art to wilde, to rude, and bold of voyce, Parts that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appeare not faults; But where they are not knowne, why there they show Something too liberall, pray thee take paine To allay with some cold drops of modestie Thy skipping spirit, least through thy wilde behauiour I be misconsterd in the place I goe to, And loose my hopes
Gra. Signor Ba.s.sanio, heare me, If I doe not put on a sober habite, Talke with respect, and sweare but now and than, Weare prayer bookes in my pocket, looke demurely, Nay more, while grace is saying hood mine eyes Thus with my hat, and sigh and say Amen: Vse all the obseruance of ciuillitie Like one well studied in a sad ostent To please his Grandam, neuer trust me more
Bas. Well, we shall see your bearing
Gra. Nay but I barre to night, you shall not gage me By what we doe to night
Bas. No that were pittie, I would intreate you rather to put on Your boldest suite of mirth, for we haue friends That purpose merriment: but far you well, I haue some businesse
Gra. And I must to Lorenso and the rest, But we will visite you at supper time.
Exeunt.
Enter Iessica and the Clowne.
Ies. I am sorry thou wilt leaue my Father so, Our house is h.e.l.l, and thou a merrie diuell Did"st rob it of some taste of tediousnesse; But far thee well, there is a ducat for thee, And Lancelet, soone at supper shalt thou see Lorenzo, who is thy new Maisters guest, Giue him this Letter, doe it secretly, And so farewell: I would not haue my Father see me talke with thee
Clo. Adue, teares exhibit my tongue, most beautifull Pagan, most sweete Iew, if a Christian doe not play the knaue and get thee, I am much deceiued; but adue, these foolish drops doe somewhat drowne my manly spirit: adue.
Enter.
Ies. Farewell good Lancelet.
Alacke, what hainous sinne is it in me To be ashamed to be my Fathers childe, But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners: O Lorenzo, If thou keepe promise I shall end this strife, Become a Christian, and thy louing wife.
Enter.
Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salanio.
Lor. Nay, we will slinke away in supper time, Disguise vs at my lodging, and returne all in an houre
Gra. We haue not made good preparation
Sal. We haue not spoke vs yet of Torch-bearers
Sol. "Tis vile vnlesse it may be quaintly ordered, And better in my minde not vndertooke
Lor. "Tis now but foure of clock, we haue two houres To furnish vs; friend Lancelet what"s the newes.
Enter Lancelet with a Letter.
Lan. And it shall please you to breake vp this, shall it seeme to signifie
Lor. I know the hand, in faith "tis a faire hand And whiter then the paper it writ on, Is the faire hand that writ
Gra. Loue newes in faith
Lan. By your leaue sir
Lor. Whither goest thou?
Lan. Marry sir to bid my old Master the Iew to sup to night with my new Master the Christian
Lor. Hold here, take this, tell gentle Iessica I will not faile her, speake it priuately: Go Gentlemen, will you prepare you for this Maske to night, I am prouided of a Torch-bearer.
Exit. Clowne
Sal. I marry, ile be gone about it strait