The Merchant of Venice. Jessica. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. Lorenzo. But come at once; For the close night doth play the run-away, And we are staid for at Bassanio's feast. Act II. Se. V. White, Sc. THE Merchant of Venice. ACT I. SCENE I.-A Street in Venice. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SOLANIO, R. But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, . Sol. (R. C.) Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That curt'sy to them, do them reverence, Sala. (L. c.) Believe me, sir, had 1 such venture forth, 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; Sol. My wind, cooling my broth, Would blow me to an ague, when I thought B To kiss her burial. 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? Is sad to think upon his merchandize. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate Ant. Fie, fie! Sala. Not in love neither? Then let's say you are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy For you, to laugh, and leap, and say, you are merry, And other of such vinegar aspect, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Sol. (R.) Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, Gratiano and Lorenzo: fare you well; Sala. (n.) I would have staid till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me. Ant. Your worth is very dear in my regard. I take it your own business calls on you, And you embrace the occasion to depart. Enter BASSANIO, GRATIANO, and LORENZO, L. Sala. Good morrow, my good lords. Bass. (c.) Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when? [Crosses to SAL. You grow exceeding strange: must it be so? Sol. We'll make our leisures to attend on yours. [Exit SoL. and SAL. R. Lor. My lord Bassanio, since you have found An tonio, We two will leave you; but, at dinner-time, I pray you have in mind where we must meet. Bass. I will not fail you. [LOR. and BASS. confer in back ground. Gra. You look not well, signior Antonio: You have too much respect upon the world : They lose it, that do buy it with much care. Believe me, you are marvellously chang'd. Ant. I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage, where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one. Gra. (L. c.) Let me play the fool: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come; Sleep when he wakes? and creep into the jaundice That therefore only are reputed wise For saying nothing: who, I am very sure, If they should speak, would almost damn those ears, But fish not with this melancholy bait, Come, good Lorenzo: [They advance] fare ye well, awhile I'll end my exhortation after dinner. Lor. (L. c.) Well, we will leave you then till dinnertime: I must be one of these same dumb wise men, For Gratiano never lets me speak. Gra. (L.) Well, keep me company but two years more, Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue. Ant. Farewell; I'll grow a talker for this gear. Gra. (L.) Thanks, i'faith; for silence is only commendable In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not, vendible. [Exeunt GRA, and LOR. Ant. (R. c.) Is that any thing now? Bass. (R.) Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of n Ant. I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it: My purse, my person, my extremest means, Bass. In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The self-same way, with more advised watch, Ant. You know me well; and herein spend but time, To wind about my love with circumstance; And, out of doubt, you do me now more wrong, |