before, e'en 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 fhall not fhortly have a rafher on the coals for mony. Enter Lorenzo. Jef. I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you fay: here he comes. Lor. I fhall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot, if you thus get my wife into corners. out; Jef. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo; Launcelot and I are he tells me flatly, there is no mercy for me in heav'n, because I am a Jew's daughter: and he says, you are no good member of the common-wealth; for in converting Jews to christians, you raise the price of pork. Lor. I fhall anfwer that better to the common-wealth than you can the getting up of the negro's belly: the Moor is with child by you, Launcelot. Laun. It is much that the Moor fhould be more than reafon: but if fhe be less than an honeft woman, fhe is indeed more than I took her for. Lor. How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into filence, and discourse grow commendable in none but parrats. Go in, firrah, bid them prepare for dinner. Laun. That is done, Sir; they have all stomachs. Lor. Good lord, what a wit-fnapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner. Laun. That is done too, Sir; only cover is the word. Laun. Not fo, Sir, neither; I know my duty. Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occafion! wilt thou fhew the whole wealth of thy wit in an inftant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows, bid them cover the table, ferve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Laun. Laun. For the table, Sir, it fhall be ferv'd in; for the meat, Sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, Sir, why let it be as humours and conceits fhall govern. Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are fuited! 'An army of good words; and I do know A many fools that stand in better place, a In reason he should never come to heav'n. And Portia one, there must be fomething else Lor. Even fuch a husband Haft thou of me, as fhe is for a wife. Jef. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. Lor. I will anon: first let us go to dinner. [Exit Laun. Jef. Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach. Then howfoe'er thou fpeak'ft, 'mong other things, I shall digest it. Jef. Well, I'll fet you forth. [Exeunt. ACT Enter the Duke, the Senators, Anthonio, Baffanio, and Gratiano. W DUKE. HAT, is Anthonio here? Ant. Ready, fo please your Grace. Duke. I'm forry for thee, thou art come to A ftony adversary, an inhuman wretch From any dram of mercy. Ant. I have heard Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualifie His rig'rous courfe; but fince he stands obdurate, The very tyranny and rage of his. Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Enter Shylock. Duke. Make room, and let him ftand before our face. Than is thy strange apparent cruelty. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have poffefs'd your Grace of what I purpose, To have the due and forfeit of my bond. Of what it likes or loaths. Now for your answer: Why he cannot abide a gaping pig, Why Why he a harmless neceffary cat, Why he a woollen bag-pipe, but of force A losing suit against him. Are you answered? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Shy. What, would'st thou have a serpent fting thee twice? And bid the main flood bate his usual height. You may as well ufe queftion with the wolf, I |