My lodging out.—[To his followers.] Give him a livery 10 More guarded than his fellows': see it done. Laun. Father, in: -I cannot get a service, no; -I have ne'er a tongue in my head. — Well; [Looking on his palm.] if any man in Italy have a fairer table!" which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune. Go to; here's a simple line of life! here's a small trifle of wives : Alas! fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows, and nine maids, is a simple coming-in for one man: and then, to 'scape drowning thrice; and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed: - here are simple 'scapes! 12 Well, if fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear.13 - Father, come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye. [Exeunt LAUNCELOT and old GOBBO. 10 That is, ornamented. Guards were trimmings, facings, or other ornaments, such as gold and silver lace. Mr. Tyrwhitt thus explains this passage: "Launcelot, applauding himself for his success with Bassanio, and looking into the palm of his hand, which by fortune-tellers is called the table, breaks out into the following reflection: -"Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table! which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune'- that is, a table which doth not only promise but offer to swear upon a book that I shall have good fortune. He omits the conclusion of the sentence." 12 Launcelot was an adept in the art of chiromancy, which in his time had its learned professors and practitioners no less than astrology. Relics of this superstition have floated down to our day well do we remember to have seen people trying to study out their fortune from the palms of their hands. Launcelot Gobbo, however, was more highly favoured than they: in 1558 was put forth a book by John Indagine, entitled "Briefe introductions, both natural, pleasaunte, and also delectable, unto the Art of Chiromancy, or manuel divination, and Physiognomy: with circumstances upon the faces of the Signes." "A simple line of life" written in the palm was cause of exultation to wiser ones than young Gobbo. His huge complacency, as he spells out his fortune, is in laugha ble keeping with his general skill at finding causes to think well of himself. 13 See Act i. sc. 1, note 5. H Bass. I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this These things being bought, and orderly bestow'd, Return in haste, for I do feast to-night My best-esteem'd acquaintance: hie thee; go. Enter GRATIANO. Gra. Where is your master? Leon. Yonder, sir, he walks. Gra. I have a suit to you. [Exit LEONAR You have obtain❜d it Gra. You must not deny me: I must go with you to Belmont. Bass. Why, then, you must:-But hear thee Gratiano; 'Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice; Parts, that become thee happily enough, And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; But where thou art not known, why, there they show Something too liberal:- Pray thee, take pain Thy skipping spirit; lest, through thy wild beha viour, I be misconster'd 14 in the place I go to, And lose my hopes. Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me : If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely; 14 So in all the old copies; generally but unwarrantably alterec to misconstrued in modern editions. See Twelfth Night, Act iii c 1, note 5. H Nay, more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes Like one well studied in a sad ostent 16 To please his grandam, never trust me more. Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity: I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends That purpose merriment. I have some business. But fare you well; Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Room in SHYLOCK'S House. father so: Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT. And so farewell: I would not have my father 15 It was anciently the custom to wear the hat on during the time of dinner. 16 That is, grave appearance; show of staid and serious be haviour. Ostent is a word very commonly used for show among old dramatic writers. Laun. Adieu! beautiful pagan, tears exhibit my tongue.—Most most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu! [Exit. Jess. Farewell, good Launcelot.— [Exit. SCENE IV. The same. A Street. Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time, All in an hour. Gra. We have not made good preparation. Sal. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers. Sol. "Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. "Tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. 1 That is, get possession of thee. Do is the reading of both the quartos and the first folio. The second folio has did, which gives a very different sense; and its unhandsomeness has caused it to be generally received. H. Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on, Is the fair hand that writ. Gra. Laun. By your leave, sir. Lor. Whither goest thou? Love-news, in faith. Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this: -Tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her; speak it privately; Go. - Gentlemen, [Exit LAUNCELOT. Will you prepare you for this masque to-night? Sal. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight. Lør. Meet me and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence. [Exeunt SALAR. and SOLAN. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath directed How I shall take her from her father's house; That she is issue to a faithless Jew. |