READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, scenes v–ix |
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Act II, Scene viii:
Venice. A street
Venice. A street
| [Enter SALARINO and SALANIO.] |
| SALARINO: |
| Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail; |
| With him is Gratiano gone along; |
| And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not. |
| SALANIO: |
| The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the Duke, |
| Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. |
| SALARINO: |
| He came too late, the ship was under sail; |
| But there the duke was given to understand |
| That in a gondola were seen together |
| Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica. |
| Besides, Antonio certified the duke |
| They were not with Bassanio in his ship. |
| SALANIO: |
| I never heard a passion so confus'd, |
| So strange, outrageous, and so variable, |
| As the dog Jew did utter in the streets. |
| 'My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! |
| Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! |
| Justice! the law! my ducats and my daughter! |
| A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, |
| Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter! |
| And jewels! two stones, two rich and precious stones, |
| Stol'n by my daughter! Justice! find the girl! |
| She hath the stones upon her and the ducats.' |
| SALARINO: |
| Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, |
| Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats. |
| SALANIO: |
| Let good Antonio look he keep his day, |
| Or he shall pay for this. |
| SALARINO: |
| Marry, well remember'd. |
| I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday, |
| Who told me,—in the narrow seas that part |
| The French and English,—there miscarried |
| A vessel of our country richly fraught. |
| I thought upon Antonio when he told me, |
| And wish'd in silence that it were not his. |
| SALANIO: |
| You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; |
| Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. |
| SALARINO: |
| A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. |
| I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: |
| Bassanio told him he would make some speed |
| Of his return. He answer'd 'Do not so; |
| Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio, |
| But stay the very riping of the time; |
| And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me, |
| Let it not enter in your mind of love: |
| Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts |
| To courtship, and such fair ostents of love |
| As shall conveniently become you there.' |
| And even there, his eye being big with tears, |
| Turning his face, he put his hand behind him, |
| And with affection wondrous sensible |
| He wrung Bassanio's hand; and so they parted. |
| SALANIO: |
| I think he only loves the world for him. |
| I pray thee, let us go and find him out, |
| And quicken his embraced heaviness |
| With some delight or other. |
| SALARINO: |
| Do we so. |
| [Exeunt.] |
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