_Ner_. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to perform your father's will if you should refuse to accept him.

_Por_. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep gla.s.s of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket; for, if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

_Ner_. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords; they have acquainted me with their determinations: which is, indeed, to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit; unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.

_Por_. I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable; for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I wish them a fair departure.

_Ner_. Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat?

_Por_. Yes, yes, it was Ba.s.sanio; as I think so was he called.

_Ner_. True, madam; he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon was the best deserving a fair lady.

_Por_. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.--How now?--What news?

_Enter_ BALTHAZAR.

_Ser_. The four strangers seek you, madam, to take their leave: and there is a fore-runner come from a fifth, the prince of Morocco; who brings word the prince, his master, will be here to-night.

_Por_. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach.

Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before.

Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door.

[_Exeunt_.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 15: _--I am prest unto it:_; Ready.]

[Footnote 16: _--Sometimes from her eyes_; In old English, _sometimes_ is synonymous with _formerly; id est_, some time ago, at a certain time.

It appears by the subsequent scene, that Ba.s.sanio was at Belmont with the Marquis de Montferrat, and saw Portia in her father's lifetime.]

[Footnote 17: _--superfluity comes sooner by white hairs,_; _Id est_, superfluity sooner _acquires_ white hairs--becomes old. We still say, how did he _come by it_--MALONE.]

[Footnote 18: _--the Neapolitan prince_.; The Neapolitans in the time of Shakespeare were eminently skilled in all that belonged to horsemanship.]

[Footnote 19: _--that's a_ colt, _indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse,_; _Colt_ is used for a restless, heady, gay youngster, whence the phrase used of an old man too juvenile, that he still retains his _colt's tooth_.--JOHNSON.]

[Footnote 20: _--the county Palatine_.; Shakespeare has more allusions to particular facts and persons than his readers commonly suppose. The Count here mentioned was, perhaps, Albertus Alasco, a Polish Palatine, who visited England in our author's lifetime, was eagerly caressed and splendidly entertained, but, running in debt, at last stole away, and endeavoured to repair his fortune by enchantment.--JOHNSON.

County and Count in old language, were synonymous. The Count Albertus Alasco was in London in 1583.]

[Footnote 21: _--the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew_.; In Shakespeare's time the Duke of Bavaria visited London, and was made Knight of the Garter. Perhaps in this enumeration of Portia's suitors, there may be some covert allusion to those of Queen Elizabeth.--JOHNSON]

SCENE III.--THE MERCHANT'S EXCHANGE ON THE RIALTO ISLAND.(c) SAN JACOPO, THE MOST ANCIENT CHURCH IN VENICE, OCCUPIES ONE SIDE OF THE SQUARE.

_Enter_ Ba.s.sANIO _and_ SHYLOCK. (D)

_Shy_. Three thousand ducats,--well,

_Bas_. Ay, sir, for three months.

_Shy_. For three months,--well.

_Bas_. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.

_Shy_. Antonio shall become bound,--well.

_Bas_. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?

_Shy_. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound.

_Bas_. Your answer to that.

_Shy_. Antonio is a good man.

_Bas_. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

_Shy_. Oh no, no, no, no;--my meaning in saying he is a good man is, to have you understand me that he is sufficient; yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England; and other ventures he hath, squander'd abroad.[22]

But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land rats and water rats, land thieves and water thieves; I mean, pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks: The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient;--three thousand ducats;--I think I may take his bond.

_Bas_. Be a.s.sured you may.

_Shy_. I will be a.s.sured I may; and that I may be a.s.sured I will bethink me: May I speak with Antonio?

_Bas_. If it please you to dine with us.

_Shy_. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the devil into![23] I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.--What news on the Rialto?--Who is he comes here?

_Bas_. This is signior Antonio.

[Exit_ Ba.s.sANIO.

_Shy. (aside.)_ 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. (E) If I can catch him once upon the hip,[24]

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.

Which he calls interest: Cursed be my tribe If I forgive him!

_Re-enter_ Ba.s.sANIO _with_ ANTONIO.