Toolbox



Textual Analysis

[ Go ]

Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
Original Shakespeare Company, A Midsommer Night's Dreame (Midsummer Midsommer). To Jun. 21, 2013.
SIP Editors, Measure for Measure. To Aug. 4, 2013.
Original Shakespeare Company, As You Like It. To Jun. 23, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, All's Well That Ends Well. To Nov. 29, 2013.
More Performances…
‌

The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
the Merchant of Venice.
How little is the cost I haue bestowed
1680in purchasing the semblance of my soule;
From out the state of hellish cruelty,
This comes too neere the praising of my selfe,
Therefore no more of it: heere other things
Lorenso I commit into your hands,
1685The husbandry and mannage of my house,
Vntill my Lords returne: for mine owne part
I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vowe,
To liue in prayer and contemplation,
Onely attended by Nerrissa heere,
1690Vntill her husband and my Lords returne,
There is a Monastry two miles off,
And there we will abide. I doe desire you
not to denie this imposition,
the which my loue and some necessity
1695now layes vpon you.
Lorens. Madame, with all my hart,
I shall obey you in all faire commaunds.
Por. My people doe already know my mind,
And will acknowledge you and Iessica
1700in place of Lord Bassanio and my selfe.
So far you well till we shall meete againe.
Lor. Faire thoughts and happy houres attend on you.
Iessi. I wish your Ladiship all harts content.
Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleasd
1705to wish it back on you: far you well Iessica.
Exeunt.
Now Balthaser, as I haue euer found thee honest true,
So let me find thee still: take this same letter,
and vse thou all th'indeuour of a man,
In speede to Mantua, see thou render this
1710into my cosin hands Doctor Belario,
And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,
bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speede
vnto the Tranect, to the common Ferrie
vvhich trades to Venice; vvast no time in words
1715but get thee gone, I shall be there before thee.
G.
Baltha.