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  • Title: The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright Janelle Jenstad. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Janelle Jenstad
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)

    The comciall Historie of
    Por. Art thou contented Iew? what dost thou say?
    Shy. I am content.
    2235Por. Clarke, draw a deede of gift.
    Shy. I pray you giue me leaue to goe from hence,
    I am not well, send the deede after me,
    and I will signe it.
    Duke. Get thee gone, but doe it.
    2240Shy. In christning shalt thou haue two Godfathers,
    had I beene iudge, thou shouldst haue had ten more,
    to bring thee to the gallowes, not to the font. Exit.
    Duke. Sir I entreate you home with me to dinner.
    Por. I humbly doe desire your Grace of pardon,
    2245I must away this night toward Padua,
    and it is meete I presently set forth.
    Duke. I am sorry that your leysure serues you not.
    Anthonio, gratifie this gentleman,
    for in my mind you are much bound to him.
    2250Exit Duke and his traine.
    Bass. Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend
    haue by your wisedome been this day aquitted
    of greeuous penalties, in lewe whereof,
    three thousand ducats due vnto the Iew
    2255wee freely cope your curtious paines withall.
    An. And stand indebted ouer and aboue
    in loue and seruice to you euer-more.
    Por. Hee is well payd that is well satisfied,
    and I deliuering you, am satisfied,
    2260and therein doe account my selfe well payd,
    my minde was neuer yet more mercinarie.
    I pray you know me when we meete againe,
    I wish you well, and so I take my leaue.
    Bass. Deere sir, of force I must attempt you further,
    2265take some remembrance of vs as a tribute,
    not as fee: graunt me two things I pray you,
    not to deny me, and to pardon me.
    Por. You presse me farre, and therefore I wil yeeld,
    giue mee your gloues, Ile weare them for your sake,
    and