 | The Jew of Venice |  |
ACT II.
Enter Shylock and Jessica.Shyl.
I am bid forth to Supper, Jessica,
There are my Keys; but wherefore should I go
I am not bid for Love: They flatter me,
But then I'll go in Hate: To feed upon
The Prodigal Christian.
I am right loath to go, there is some ill
A-brewing towards me: I dreamt last Night
Of Money-bags. Jessica! my Girl, look to my House,
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Lock up my Doors—And when you hear the Drum,
Or the vile Squealing of the wry-neck'd Fyfe,
Clamber not you up to the Casement then,
Nor thrust your Head into the publick Streets,
To gaze on Christian Fools, with varnish'd Faces;
But stop the Windows close; nor look, nor listen,
Let not the Sound of shallow Foppery enter
My sober House. By Jacob's Staff I swear,
I have no Mind of feasting forth to night:
Well, Jessica,—go in,—perhaps I will return
Immediatly. Do as I bid you, shut doors after
You. Fast bind, fast find.
[Exit Shylock.
Jess.
Alas! what Sin is it in me
To be asham'd to be my Father's Child?
‘But how can he be said to have given me Life,
‘Who never suffer'd me to know,
‘What 'tis to live. O Lorenzo!
‘Keep but thy Word to night, and thou shalt be
‘A Father, and a Husband, both to me.
[Exit.
Enter Lorenzo and Gratiano.
Loren.
Here she directs
How I shall take her from her Father's House,
What Gold and Jewels she is furnish'd with,
And how she'll be disguis'd; oh 'tis the kindest
Creature: if e're the Jew her Father comes to Heav'n,
It must be for his gentle Daughter's Sake.
Oh never may Misfortune cross her Foot,
For that she is the Issue of a Jew.
Grat.
‘Young, handsom, willing, with Gold and Jewels to Boot!
‘Plague on't, when shall I have such Luck?
Enter Jessica, in the Balcony.
Jess.
Who are you? Tell me for more Certainty,
Albeit I swear that I do know your Voice,
I love the Repetition of your Name.
Lor.
Lorenzo and thy Love.
Jess.
Lorenzo certain, and my Love indeed;
For who love I so much? but ah, who knows
But you Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
Lor.
Heav'n and thy Thoughts are Witness that thou art.
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Here, catch this Casket, it is worth the Pains,
I'm glad 'tis Night; you look, but cannot see me,
For I am much asham'd of what I am,
‘But Love is blind, and Lovers cannot see
‘The Follies that themselves commit.
Lor.
Come down, my Love!
Jess.
I will make fast the Doors, and guild my self
With some few Duccats more, and then be with you.
[Exit.
Grat.
Now, by my Soul, a Gentile, and no Jew,
‘She robs her Father with a Christian's Grace.
Lor.
Beshrew me, but I love her from my Soul!
For she is fair, or else my Eyes are false;
And true she is. What Proofs cou'd she give more?
‘And oh she's kind; she loves me, and I love.
‘A greater Bliss, scarce Heav'n it self can boast,
‘Than mutual Love.
Enter Jessica, shutting the Door after her.
Jess.
‘Shut Doors after you; fast bind, fast find,
‘These were his last Words: Thus I avoid the
‘Curse of Disobedience: Be thou shut till I
‘Open thee.
Lor.
‘So whilst old Laban snor'd in Bed,
‘Jacob with sprightly Rachel fled.
Jess.
‘His Gold, and Gems of Price they took,
‘And eke the Flower of every Flock.
[Holds up a Bag.
Lor.
‘But not one precious thing was there
‘That could with Jessica compare.
Enter Antonio.
Ant.
Fy, fy, my Friends, why do you loyter thus!
Gratiano and Lorenzo, for Shame make haste:
Bassanio frets, that you are wanting,
He has sent twenty times to look you out.
Grat.
‘Matters of State, Antonio, Matters of State,
‘A Rape and a Robbery: Matters of State,
‘Matters of State, Antonio.
Ant.
Away, away, for Shame.
[Exit.
Lor.
Farewell Gratiano: Excuse me to Bassanio.
Come Jessica, this must be your way and mine.
[Exeunt.
Grat.
‘Jew, Turk and Christian differ but in Creed;
‘In ways of Wickedness, they're all agreed:
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‘But all jog on—unerring, to the Devil.
[Exeunt.
SCENE opens, and discovers Bassanio, Antonio, Shylock, and others, sitting, as at an Entertainment. Musick playing: During the Musick, Gratiano enters, and takes his Place.
Anto.
‘This to immortal Friendship; fill it up—
‘Be thou to me, and I to my Bassanio,
‘Like Venice and her Adriatick Bride,
‘For ever link'd in Love.
Bass.
‘Thou joyn'st us well: And rightly hast compar'd;
‘Like Venice on a Rock, my Friendship stands
‘Constant and fix'd; but 'tis a barren Spot;
‘Whilst like the liberal Adriatick, thou
‘With Plenty bath'st my Shoars—
‘My Fortunes are the Bounty of my Friend.
Anto.
‘My Friend's the noblest Bounty of my Fortune.
‘Sound every Instrument of Musick there,
‘To our immortal Friendship.
[All drink. Loud Musick.
Bass.
‘Let Love be next, what else should
‘Follow Friendship?
‘To Love, and to Love's Queen; my charming Portia,
‘Fill; till the rosy Brim reflects her Lips;
‘Then kiss the Symbol round:
‘Oh, in this Lottery of Love, where Chance
‘Not Choice presides: Give, give, ye Powers, the Lot,
‘Where she her self would place it: Crown her wish,
‘Tho' Ruine and Perdition catch Bassanio:
‘Let me be wretched, but let her be blest.
[Drink and Musick again
Grat.
‘Mine's a short Health: Here's to the Sex in general;
‘To Woman; be she black, or brown, or fair;
‘Plump, slender, tall, or middle-statur'd—
‘Let it be Woman; and 'tis all I ask.
[Drink again, Musick as before.
Shyl.
‘I have a Mistress, that out-shines 'em all—
‘Commanding yours—and yours tho' the whole Sex:
‘O may her Charms encrease and multiply;
‘My Money is my Mistress! Here's to
‘Interest upon Interest.
[Drinks.
Anto.
‘Let Birds and Beasts of Prey howl to such Vows,
‘All generous Notes be hush'd: Pledge thy self, Jew:
‘None here will stir the Glass—
[All Rise.
‘Nor shall the Musick sound: O Bassanio!
‘There sits a Heaviness upon my Heart
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But Musick ever makes me thus.
Bass.
The Reason is, your Spirits are attentive:
For do but note, a wild and wanton Herd
Or Race of skittish and unhandled Colts
Fetching mad Bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
If they but hear by Chance some Trumpet sound,
Or any Aire of Musick touch their Ears,
You strait perceive 'em make a mutual stand,
Their savage Eyes turn'd to attentive Gaze,
By the soft Power of Musick: Therefore the Poet
Did feign, That Orpheus melted Stones and Rocks;
For what so hard, so stubborn, or so fierce,
But Musick for the Time will change its Nature.
The Man, who has not Musick in his Soul,
Or is not touch'd with Concord of sweet Sounds,
Is fit for Treasons, Stratagems and Spoils,
The Motions of his Mind are dull as Night,
And his Affections dark as Erebus,
Let no such Man be trusted.—Mark the Musick.
14
Peleus, & Thetis.
A MASQUE.
The ARGUMENT.
Peleus in Love with Thetis, by the Assistance of Proteus obtains her Favor: But Jupiter, also in Love with her, interposing, Peleus in Despair consults Promotheus, famous for his Skill in Astrology, upon whose Prophesie, that the Son born of Thetis should prove greater than his Father, Jupiter desists. The Prophesie was afterwards verefy'd in the Birth of Achilles, the Son of Thetis by Peleus.
- JUPITER.
- PELEUS.
- PROMOTHEUS.
- THETIS.
Persons in the Masque.
Peleus Enters to Promotheus.
Pel.
Condemn'd on Caucasus to lie,
Still to be dying not to dye,
With certain Pain, ancertain of releif,
True Emblem of a wretched Lover's Grief!
To whose inspecting Eye 'tis given
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To penetrate eternal Day,
And to revolve the starry Heaven;
To thee, Prometheus, I complain,
And bring a Heart, as full of Pain.
Pro.
From Jupiter spring all our Woes,
Thetis is Jove's, who once was thine,
'Tis vain, O Peleus! to oppose
Thy Torturer and mine.
Contented with Despair
You must, you must resign,
Or wretched Man prepare
For change of Torments, great as mine.
Pel.
In change of Torment would be ease,
Could you divine what Lovers bear,
Even you Prometheus, would confess
There is no Vulture, like Despair.
Pro.
Cease, cruel Vulture, to devour.
Pel.
Cease, cruel Thetis, to disdain.
If for the Pleasures of an Hour
We must endure an Age of Pain,
Love give me back, my Heart again.
Both together.
Pro., Pel.
Cease cruel Vulture to devour;
Cease cruel Thetis to disdain.
Enter Thetis.
The.
Peleus unjustly you complain.
Pel.
Give give me back my Heart again.
The.
Peleus unjustly you complain.
The Gods, alas! no Refuge find
From Ills resistless Fates ordain:
I still am True—And would be kind.
Pel.
Despair tormented first my Heart,
Now Falshood a more cruel Smart!
O for the Peace of Human-kind,
Make Women longer true, or sooner kind!
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Or give me, give me back my Heart again.
Both together.
The., Pel.
Peleus unjustly you complain.
Give, give me back my Heart again.
The.
Accursed Jealousie!
Thou Jaundice in the Lover's Eye,
Thro' which all Objects false we see;
Accursed Jealousy!
Pro.
Love is by Fancy led about.
From Hope to Fear, from Joy to Doubt:
Whom we now a Goddess call,
Divinely grac'd in every Feature,
Strait's a deform'd, a perjur'd Creature;
Love and Hate, are fancy all.
'Tis but as fancy shall present
Objects of Grief, or of Content,
That the Lover's blest, or dyes:
Visions of mighty Pains, or Pleasure,
Imagin'd want, Imagin'd Treasure,
All in powerful Fancy lyes.
CHORUS.
Cho.
Accursed Jealousy,
Thou Jaundice in the Lovers Eye,
Thro' which all Objects false we see;
Accursed Jealousy.
The.
Thy Rival, Peleus, rules the Sky,
Yet I so prize thy Love,
With Peleus I would chuse to die,
Rather to an llve with Jove.
[Jupiter appears descending.
But see! the mighty Thund'rer's here,
Tremble Peleus, tremble, fly.
The Thunderer! the mighty Thunderer!
Tremble Peleus, tremble, fly.
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CHORUS.
Cho.
But see! the mighty Thund'rer's here;
Tremble Peleus, tremble, fly;
The Thunderer! the mighty Thunderer!
Tremble Peleus, tremble, fly.
[Jupiter being descended.
Jup.
Presumptuous Slave, Rival to Jove,
How dar'st thou, Mortal, thus defy
A Goddess with audacious Love,
And irritate a God with Jealousy?
Presumptuous Mortal hence,
Tremble at Omnipotence.
Pel.
Arm'd with Love, and Thetis by,
I fear no Odds
Of Men or Gods,
But Jove himself defy.
Jove lay thy Thunder down,
Arm'd with Love, and Thetis by,
There is more Terrour in her Frown,
And fiercer Lightning in her Eye.
I fear no Odds
Of Men or Gods
But Jove himself defy.
Jup.
Bring me Lightning, give me Thunder;
Hast ye Cyclops with your forked Rods,
This Rebel Love, braves all the Gods,
And every Hour by Love is made
Some Heaven-defying Encelade.
Bring me Lightning, give me Thunder.
The.
Jove may kill, but ne'er shall sunder.
[Pel. and The. holding by each other.
All three repeat.
Jup., Pel. and The.
Bring me Lightning, give me Thunder.
Jove may kill, but ne'er shall sunder
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Thy Love, still arm'd with Fate,
Is dreadful, as thy Hate.
O might it prove to me
(So gentle Peleus were but free)
O might it prove to me
As fatal, as to lost, consuming Semele!
Pro.
Son of Saturn, take advice
From one, whom thy severe decree
Has furnisht leisure to grow wise.
Thou rul'st the Gods, but Fate rules thee.
The PROPHESY.
“Whoe'er th'immortal Maid compressing“Shall tast the Joy, and reap the Blessing,
“Thus th'unerring Stars advise,
“From that auspitious Night an Heir shall rise,
“Paternal Glories to outshine,
“And be the foremost of his Line.
Repeat.
Cho.
Son of Saturn, take Advice;
From that auspicious Night an Heir shall rise,
Paternal Glories to outshine,
And be the foremost of his Line.
[Jupiter during the Chorus seems to stand considering.
Jup.
Shall then the Son of Saturn be undone
As Saturn was, by an Aspiring Son?
Justly th'impartial Fates conspire,
Dooming that Son to be the Syre
Of such another Son.
Conscious of Ills that I have done,
My Fears to Prudence shall advise,
And Guilt that made me great shall make me wise.
[Turning to Peleus.
The Fatal Blessing I resign,
Peleus take the Maid Divine;
Jove consenting, she is thine.
[Peleus receiving Thetis.
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Heav'n had been lost, had I been Jove,
There is no Heav'n, like mutual Love.
[Jupiter turning to Promotheus.
Jup.
And thou the Stars Interpreter,
'Tis just I set thee free,
Who giv'st me Liberty;
Arise, arise, and be thy self a Star.
The Vulture drops dead at the Feet of Promotheus, his Chains fall off, and he is born up to Heaven with Jupiter, to a loud Flourish of all the Instruments.
Peleus and Thetis together.
Pel. & The.
Be true all ye Lovers, whate're ye endure,
Tho' cruel the Pain is, how sweet is the Cure!
So Divine is the Blessing
In the Hour of possessing,
That one Moment's obtaining
Pays an Age of Complaining:
Be true, all ye Lovers, what'ere you endure,
Tho' cruel the Pain is, how sweet is the Cure!
“With such an Air of true Magnificence,
‘My noble minded Brother treats his Friends:
‘As hardly has been known to Italy
‘Since Pompey and Lucullus entertain'd:
‘To frame thy Fortunes ample as thy Mind,
‘New Worlds shou'd be created.
Enter Servant.
Ser.
The Master of the Ship sends word the Wind is
Come about: and he desires you wou'd hast Aboard.
Bass.
turning to Ant.]
‘Oh my lov'd Friend! till now I never knew
‘The pangs of parting Freindship.
‘At distance I have tasted of the Pain,
‘When the rude Morn has sunder'd us away,
‘To our Repose: But, by my Soul, I swear
‘Even then my Eyes would drop a silent Tear,
‘Repugnant still to close, and shut out Thee;
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‘You go for your Advantage, and that Thought
‘Shall keep Antonio comforted.
Bass.
‘The Traject is from hence to Belmont short,
‘And Letters may come dayly: Such Intercourse
‘Is all the Cordial absent Friends enjoy:
‘Fail not in that. Your Trouble shall be short,
‘I will return with the best speed I can.
Ant.
‘Be not too hasty, my Bassanio neither;
Slubber not Business for my Sake, my Friend,
‘But stay the very ripening of thy Love.
‘Be gay, assiduous, and imploy such Arts,
‘As best incline the Fair: Love is not seiz'd, but won;
‘Hard is the Labour; you must plant and prune,
‘And watch occasion just: This fruit is nice,
‘'Twill promise Wonders, and grow fairly up;
‘Seem hopeful to the Eye, look ripe, and then
‘A sudden Blast spoils all.
Enter another Servant.
Serv.
‘The Master of the Ship has sent agen
Bass.
‘One more Embrace: To those who know not Friendship
‘This may appear unmanly Tenderness;
‘But 'tis the frailty of the bravest Minds.
Ant.
‘I ask but this, Bassanio;
‘Give not your Heart so far away,
‘As to forget your Friend.
‘Come, is all ready? I must hasten you.
Grat.
‘If you were ready to part,
‘'Tis all we stay for now.
Bass.
Shylock; thy Hand: be gentle to my Friend,
‘Fear not thy Bond it shall be justly paid,
‘We soon shall meet agen,
‘Always, I hope, good Friends.
‘Oh my Antonio! 'tis hard, tho' for a Moment,
‘To lose the Sight of what we Love.
Shyl.
aside.]
‘These two Christian Fools put me in mind
‘Of my Money: just so loath am I to part with that.
Bass.
‘Gratiano, lead the way: Shyloc once more farewell.
‘We must not part, but at the Ship, Antonio:
‘Lovers and Friends, should they for Ages stay,
‘Would still find something left, that they would say.
[Exeunt.
| The Jew of Venice | |