Than is thy ftrange apparent cruelty. Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, We all expect a gentle anfwer, Jew. Shy. I have poffefs'd your Grace of what I purpofe. And by our holy Sabbath have I fworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond. If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter, and your city's freedom! (15) Cannot contain their Urine for Affection. Mafterless paffion fways it to the Mood Masterlefs of what it likes, or loaths.] Masterlefs Paffion was first Mr. Rowe's Reading, (on what Authority, I am at a Lofs to know;) which Mr. Fope has fince copied. And tho' I have not difturb'd the Text, yet, I muft obferve, I don't know what Word there is to which this Relative [it, in the ad Line] is to be referr'd. The ingenious Dr. Thirlby, therefore, would thus djust the Paffage. VOL. II. G Cannot Masterless paffion fways it to the mood Of what it likes, or loaths. Now, for your answer : Why he cannot abide a gaping pig; A lofing fuit against him. Are you answer'd? 'T' excufe the current of thy cruelty. Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my anfwer. Baff. Do all men kill the thing they do not love? Shy. What, would't thou have a ferpent fting thee twice? Ant. I pray you, think, you queftion with a Jew. You may as well go ftand upon the beach, And bid the main flood 'bate his ufual height. You may as well ufe queftion with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb. You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops, and to make no noise, Cannot contain their Urine; for Affection, * Mafter of Paffion, sways it &c. * Or, Mistress. And then it is govern'd of Passion: and the 2 old Quarto's and Folio's read. Mafters of Paffion, &c. It may be objected, that Affection and Paffion are Synonomous Terms, and mean the fame Thing. I agree, they do at this time. But I obferve, the Writers of our Author's Age made a fort of Distinction: confidering the One as the Cause, When they are fretted with the gufts of heav'n. As feek to foften that, (than which what's harder!) I would not draw them, I would have my bond. none ? Shy. What judgment fhall I dread, doing no wrong? Because you bought them. Shall I fay to you, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to day. Sal. My lord, here ftays, without, A meffenger with letters from the Doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters, call the messenger. Baff. Good cheer, Anthonio; what, man, courage yet: The Jew fhall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, G 2 Ant. Ant. I am a tainted weather of the flock, Meeteft for death: the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and fo let me. You cannot better be employ'd, Baffanio, Than to live ftill, and write mine epitaph. Enter Neriffa, drefs'd like a Lawyer's Clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? (16) Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your Grace. Baff. Why doft thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Thou mak'ft thy knife keen; for no metal can, (16) From both my Lord Bellario greets your Grace.] Thus the two old Folio's, and Mr. Pope in his Quarto, had inaccu rately pointed this Paffage, by which a Doctor of Laws was at once rais'd to the Dignity of the Peerage. (17) Not on thy Soale, but on thy Soul, harsh Jew.] I was obliged, from the Authority of the old Folio's, to restore this Conceit, and Jingle-upon two Words alike in Sound, but differing in Sense. Gratiano thus rates the Jew; "Tho' thou thinkeft, that thou art whetting thy Knife on the Soale of thy Shoe, yet it is upon thy Soul, thy immortal Part, that " thou do'ft it, thou inexorable Man!" There is no room to doubt, but this was our Author's Antithefis; as it is fo ufual with him to play on Words in this manner: and That from the Mouth of his moft ferious Characters. Ev'n from the gallows did his fell foul fleet, bond, Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend... young and learned doctor to our Court.. Where is he? A Ner. He attendeth here hard by To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. You you YOUR Grace fhall understand, that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very fick: but at the infiant that your messenger came, in loving vifitation was with me a young Doctor of Rome, his Name is Balthafar: I acquainted him with the cause in controverfie between the Jew and Anthonio the merchant. We turn'd o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning, (the greatnefs whereof I cannot enough commend,) comes with him at my importunity, to fill up your Grace's request in my ftead. I beseech you, let his lask of years be no impediment, to let him lack a reverend eftimation: For I never knew so young a body with fo old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whofe trial fhall better publish his com mendation. Enter Portia, dress'd like a Doctor of Laws. Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes, Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellaria? Duke. You're welcome: take your place... G 3 Are |