MERCHANT OF VENICE.

Magnificoes of Venice, Servants, and other Attendants.

SCENE, partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont,

the Seat of Portia.

Salar.

Antonio.

IN sooth, I know not why I am so sad;
It wearies me; you say, it wearies you;
But how I caught it, found it, or came
by it,

I am to learn.

Your mind is on the ocean; There, where your argosies with portly sail, Do overpeer the petty traffickers,

As they fly by them with their woven wings.

Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, 'Tis not my merchandise that makes me sad.

Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and GRATIANO.

Salan. Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman.

Lor. My lord Bassanio, since you've found Antonio,

We two will leave you: but, at dinner time,

I pray you, have in mind where we must meet.
Bass. I will not fail you.

[Exeunt Salar. and Salan.
Gra. You look not well, signior Antonio;
You have too much respect upon the world:
They lose it, that do buy it with much càre.
Ant. I hold the world but às the world, Gratiano;
A stage, where every man must play a part,
And mine's a sad one.

Gra.

Let me play the fool :
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come;
And let my liver rather heat with wine,

Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.
Why should a man, whose blood is warm within,
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?

Sleep when he wakes, and creep into the jaundice
By being peevish? I tell thee what, Antonio,-
There are a sort of men, whose visages

Do cream and mantle, like a standing pond;
And they a wilful stillness entertain,

With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit;
As who should say, I am Sir Oracle,
And, when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!
O, my Antonio, I do know of these,
That therefore only are reputed wise,
For saying nothing. Fare ye well, a while;
I'll end my exhortation after dinner.

Ant. Farewell: I'll grow a talker for this gear.
Gra. Thanks, 'faith; for silence is only com-

mendable

In a neat's tongue dried, and a maid not vendible. [Exeunt Gra. and Lor. Ant. Well; tell me now, what lady is this same