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

Laun. Do you not know me, father?

Gob. Alack, sir, I am sand-blind, I know you not. Laun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father, that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: Give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long, a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will

out.

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

Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing; I am Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.

Gob. I cannot think, you are my son.

Laun. I know not what I shall think of that: but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man; and, I am sure, Margery, your wife, is my mother.

Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. What a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin, than Dobbin my thill-horse5 has on his tail.

Laun. 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.

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

Laun. Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up 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

5 Shaft-horse.

famish'd in his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come; give me your present to one master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries; if I serve not him, I will run as far as there is 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 LEONARDO, and other

Followers.

Bass. You may do so; but let it be so hasted, that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock: See these letters deliver'd; put the liveries to making; and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging. [Exit a Servant.

Laun. To him, father.

Gob. God bless your worship!

Bass. Gramercy; Would'st thou aught with me? Gob. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,

Laun. Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man; that would, sir, as my father shall specify,Gob. He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve

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

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

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

you,

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

Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though I say it, though an old man, yet poor man, my father.

Bass. One speak for both;

What would you?

Laun. Serve you,

sir.

Gob. This is the very defect of the matter, sir. Bass. I know thee well, thou hast obtain'd thy suit:

Shylock, thy master, spoke with me this day,
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.

Laun. The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and

grace, sir, and he hath enough.

you, sir

; you have

Bass. Thou speak'st it well: Go, father, with thy

son:

Take leave of thy old master, and enquire
My lodging out: - Give him a livery

[To his followers. More guarded than his fellows': See it done. Laun. Father, in: -I cannot get a service, no; -I have ne'er a tongue in my head.-Well, father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old GOBBO. Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this; These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night

of an eye.

My best-esteem'd acquaintance; hie thee, go. Leon. My best endeavours shall be done herein.

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Gra. You must not deny me; I must go with

you to Belmont.

6 Ornamented.

Bass. Why, then you must;

Gratiano;

- But hear thee,

Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice;
Parts, that become thee happily enough,

And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;
But where thou art not known, why, there they

show

Something too liberal7;- pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty

Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild behaviour,

I be misconstrued in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes.

Gra.

Signior Bassanio, hear me :

If I do not put on a sober habit,

Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely;
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh, and say, amen;
Use all the observance of civility,

Like one well studied in a sad ostent 8
To please his grandam, never trust me more.
Bass. Well, we shall see your bearing.9

Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me

By what we do to-night.

Bass.

No, that were pity;
I would entreat you rather to put on

Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment: But fare you well,
I have some business.

Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest;
But we will visit you at supper-time.

[Exeunt.

7 Licentious. 8 Show of staid and serious demeanour. 9 Carriage, deportment.

SCENE III.

A Room in Shylock's House.

Enter JESSICA and LAUNCelot.

father so;

Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my
Our house is sad, but 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
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 talk with thee.

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Laun. Adieu! - tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But, adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu ! [Exit. Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.

Alack, what heinous sin it is 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;
Become a Christian, and thy loving wife.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

A Street.

Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and

SALANIO.

Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper Disguise us at my lodging, and return

All in an hour.

VOL. III.

D

time;

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