PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Venice. Prince of Morocco, suitors to Portia. Prince of Arragon, Antonio, the merchant of Venice. Bassanio, his friend. Salanio, Salarino, Gratiano, friends to Antonio and Bassanio. Lorenzo, in love with Jessica. Shylock, a Jew. Tubal, a Jew, his friend. Launcelot Gobbo, a clown, servant to Shylock. Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot. Salerio, a messenger from Venice. Leonardo, servant to Bassanio. Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the court of Justice, jailer, servants, and other attendants. Scene, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia, on the Continent. MERCHANT OF VENICE. ACT I. SCENE I. Venice. A street. Enter Antonio, Salarino, and Salanio. Antonio. IN sooth, I know not why I am so sad ; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; That curt'sy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings. Salan. Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would * Ships of large burthen. Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Plucking the grass, to know where sits the wind; Peering in maps, for ports, and piers, and roads ; And every object, that might make me fear Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt, Would make me sad. Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks? Is sad to think upon his merchandize. Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, Therefore, my merchandize makes me not sad. Ant. Fy, fy! Salan. Not in love neither? Then let's say, you are sad, Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy • Lowering. |