ACT 2
[Enter LAUNCELOT]
LAUNCELOT
Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from
My conscience tells me I should run from
this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and
this Jew, my master. The devil is whispering in my ear and
tempts me saying to me 'Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good
tries to tempt me by saying, “Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good
Launcelot,' or 'good Gobbo,' or good Launcelot
Launcelot,” or “good Gobbo,” or “good Launcelot
Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.
Gobbo, use your legs to turn and run away.”
My conscience says 'No; take heed,' honest Launcelot;
My better conscience says, “No, wait here, honest Launcelot”;
take heed, honest Gobbo, or, as aforesaid, 'honest
“wait here, honest Gobbo”, or, as I’ve said, “honest
Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy
Launcelot Gobbo, don’t run away, don’t turn and run
heels.' Well, the most courageous fiend bids me
away!” Well, the bravest devil encourages me
pack: 'Via!' says the fiend; 'away!' says the
to leave: “Leave now!” the devil says; “get out!” says the
fiend; 'for the heavens, rouse up a brave mind,'
devil; “for heavens sake, be brave,”
says the fiend, 'and run.' Well, my conscience,
says the devil, “and run away.” But then my conscience,
hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely
tugging on my heartstrings, wisely says
to me 'My honest friend Launcelot, being an honest
to me, “My honest friend Launcelot, because you are an honest
man's son,' or rather an honest woman's son; for,
man’s son,” – or should I say an honest woman’s son, because,
indeed, my father did something smack, something
in truth, my father was something of a philanderer with
grow to, he had a kind of taste; well, my conscience
a taste for other women – and then my conscience
says 'Launcelot, budge not.' 'Budge,' says the
says, “Launcelot, don’t run away.” “Run away!” says the
fiend. 'Budge not,' says my conscience.
devil. “Don’t run!” says my conscience.
'Conscience,' say I, 'you counsel well;' ' Fiend,'
I say to my conscience, “you give me good advice.” “Devil,”
say I, 'you counsel well:' to be ruled by my
I say, “you give me good advice as well.” If I’m ruled by my
conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master,
conscience, I should stay with the Jew, my master,
who, God bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and, to
who, if I’m being honest, is rather like the devil; but if I
run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the
run away from the Jew, then I’d be ruled by the
fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself.
devil, who, in all humility, is actually the devil.
Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnal;
Certainly the Jew is the devil incarnate,
and, in my conscience, my conscience is
and, if I’m being honest, my conscience is
but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel
giving me a rather hard time, encouraging
me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the more
me to stay with the Jew. The devil’s advice is
friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are
more friendly. So I will run then, devil! I’ll do as
at your command; I will run.
you command: I’ll run away!
[Enter Old GOBBO, with a basket]
GOBBO
Master young man, you, I pray you, which is the way
Hey, young man there, please tell me which is the way
to master Jew's?
to the master Jew’s house?
LAUNCELOT
[Aside]
O heavens, this is my true-begotten father!
Oh heaven’s sake, this is my actual father!
Who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind,
As he’s more than half-blind, almost completely blind,
knows me not: I will try confusions with him.
he doesn’t recognise me. I’ll try and trick him.
GOBBO
Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way
Young man, I say, which is the way
to master Jew's?
to the master Jew’s house?
LAUNCELOT
Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but,
Take the next turning on your right, but,
at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at
at the turning after that, turn left. Then, at
the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn
the next turning, don’t turn at all, but continue
down indirectly to the Jew's house.
straight ahead to the Jew’s house.
GOBBO
By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit.
In God’s name, that will be hard to find.
Can you tell me whether one Launcelot,
Can you tell me whether someone called Launcelot,
that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?
who lives with him, is at his house now?
LAUNCELOT
Talk you of young Master Launcelot?
Are you talking about Master Launcelot?
[Aside]
Mark me now; now will I raise the waters. Talk you
Watch this; I’ll raise the stakes now. Are you talking
of young Master Launcelot?
of young Master Launcelot?
GOBBO
No master, sir, but a poor man's son: his father,
He’s not a master, sir; he’s just a poor man’s son. His father,
though I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man
though I say so myself, is a very honest poor man
and, God be thanked, well to live.
and, thanks to God, is still alive.
LAUNCELOT
Well, let his father be what a' will, we talk of
Well, let his father be whoever he so chooses; we’re talking of
young Master Launcelot.
young Master Launcelot.
GOBBO
Your worship's friend and Launcelot, sir.
He may be your friend, sir, but he’s just Launcelot., not a master.
LAUNCELOT
But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you,
But I’m sure, therefore, old man, it goes without saying you are
talk you of young Master Launcelot?
talking of young Master Launcelot?
GOBBO
Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership.
Of Launcelot, if you don’t mind, sir.
LAUNCELOT
Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master
Indeed, of Master Launcelot. Don’t talk of Master
Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman,
Launcelot, old man, for the young gentleman,
according to Fates and Destinies and such odd
as fate and destiny and other odd
sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning,
predictions – like three sisters who govern the future –
is indeed deceased, or, as you would say
is actually dead, or, expressing in more
in plain terms, gone to heaven.
simple terms, has gone to heaven.
GOBBO
Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my
Oh, by God, no! I used that boy as my walking stick in
age, my very prop.
my old age; he kept me standing up.
LAUNCELOT
Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or
Do I look like a truncheon or a holding-post, a rod or
a prop? Do you know me, father?
a crutch? Do you know me, father?
GOBBO
Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman:
I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are, young man,
but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, God rest his
but, please, tell me, is my boy – God rest his
soul, alive or dead?
soul – alive or dead?
LAUNCELOT
Do you not know me, father?
Do you not recognise me, father?
GOBBO
Alack, sir, I am sand-blind; I know you not.
I’m sorry, I’m half blind; I do not know you.
LAUNCELOT
Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of
No, even if you could see, you’d probably fail
the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his
to recognise me: it is a wise father who can recognise his
own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of
own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of
your son: give me your blessing: truth will come
your son. Give me your blessing, and I’ll reveal
to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man's son
the truth. Murder cannot be hidden long, although a man’s son
may, but at the length truth will out.
can be hidden, but in the end, the truth will be revealed.
GOBBO
Pray you, sir, stand up: I am sure you are not
Please, sir, stand up: I am sure you are not
Launcelot, my boy.
Launcelot, my son.
LAUNCELOT
Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but
Please, no more messing about, but
give me your blessing: I am Launcelot, your boy
give me your blessing: I am Launcelot, your boy
that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.
who was, is, and forever will be, your child.
GOBBO
I cannot think you are my son.
I can’t believe you are my son.
LAUNCELOT
I know not what I shall think of that: but I am
I don’t know what to make of that. But I am
Launcelot, the Jew's man, and I am sure Margery your
Launcelot, the Jew’s pageboy, and I am sure that Margery, your
wife is my mother.
wife, is my mother.
GOBBO
Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou
Her name is Margery, indeed. Well, goodness me, if you
be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood.
are Launcelot, you are my flesh and blood.
Lord worshipped might he be! What a beard hast thou
Dear lord, I hope he is! What a fine beard you
got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than
have! You have more hair on your chin than
Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail.
my horse Dobbin has on his tail.
LAUNCELOT
It should seem, then, that Dobbin's tail grows
Well then it seems that Dobbin’s tail grows
backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail
backward. I’m sure he had more hair on his tail
than I have of my face when I last saw him.
than I have on my face the last time I saw him.
GOBBO
Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy
Good lord, how you have changed! How do you and your
master agree? I have brought him a present. How
master get along? I have brought him a present. How
'gree you now?
do you get along now?
LAUNCELOT
Well, well: but, for mine own part, as I have set
We get on well, but, for my part, I’ve decided
up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I
to stop and run away, so I will not rest until I
have run some ground. My master's a very Jew:
have covered some ground. My master is a proper Jew:
give him a present! Give him a halter: I am famished in
you’re giving him a present! So give him a harness! I’m starving
his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs.
working for him; my ribs protrude like fingers I’m so thin.
Father, I am glad you are come: give me your
Father, I am glad you have come: give your
present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed,
present to one Master Bassanio, who, in truth,
gives rare new liveries: if I serve not him,
gives his servants fine clothes. If I can’t work for him,
I will run as far as God has any ground. O rare fortune!
I will run to the corners of the earth. Oh, what luck!
Here comes the man: to him, father; for I
Here comes the man now. Give the present to him, for I
am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.
will turn into a Jew if work for that Jew any longer.
[Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO and other followers]
BASSANIO
You may do so; but let it be so hasted that supper
Do that if you like, but hurry up with supper
be ready at the farthest by five of the clock.
and make sure it’s ready by five o’clock at the latest.
See these letters delivered; put the liveries to making,
Deliver these letters, and start making the costumes,
and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.
and ask Gratiano to come to my room soon.
[Exit a Servant]
LAUNCELOT
To him, father.
Give it to him, father.
GOBBO
God bless your worship!
God bless you, your worship!
BASSANIO
Gramercy! Wouldst thou aught with me?
Many thanks! Do you want me for something?
GOBBO
Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,--
Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy…
LAUNCELOT
Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man; that
I’m not a poor boy, sir, but I’m the rich Jew’s pageboy. And
would, sir, as my father shall specify--
I would like, sir, as my father will explain…
GOBBO
He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve--
It’s in his blood, sir, as one might say, to serve…
LAUNCELOT
Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew,
Indeed, the long and short of it is, I serve the Jew,
and have a desire, as my father shall specify--
but I wish, as my father will explain…
GOBBO
His master and he, saving your worship's reverence,
His master and him, my lord,
are scarce cater-cousins--
are not exactly friends…
LAUNCELOT
To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having
To be brief, the real truth is that the Jew, who has
done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, I
treated me badly, has caused me – as my father, being, I
hope, an old man, shall frutify unto you--
hope, a wise old man – will complain, I mean explain, further…
GOBBO
I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon
I have here a game-pie that I would like to give to
your worship, and my suit is--
you, my lord, and I request that…
LAUNCELOT
In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as
To be very brief, the request is relevant to me, as
your worship shall know by this honest old man; and,
you, my lord, will learn from this honest old man. And even
though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.
though I say he’s an old man, and a poor man, he is my father.
BASSANIO
One speak for both. What would you?
One of you speak for both of you. What do you want?
LAUNCELOT
Serve you, sir.
To work for you, sir.
GOBBO
That is the very defect of the matter, sir.
That is what we’re trying to say, sir.
BASSANIO
I know thee well; thou hast obtained thy suit:
I know you well; you’re worthy of a good job.
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,
Your master, Shylock, spoke with me today,
And hath preferred thee, if it be preferment
And told me that he likes you. If you want
To leave a rich Jew's service, to become
To leave a rich Jew’s service to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.
A worker for a poor man such as me.
LAUNCELOT
The old proverb is very well parted between my
The proverb that ‘the grace of God is enough’ could be split
master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of
between you and my master Shylock, sir. You have the grace of
God, sir, and he hath enough.
God, and he has enough.
BASSANIO
Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son.
A point well made. Go, old man, with your son.
Take leave of thy old master and inquire
Leave your old job behind and ask about
My lodging out. Give him a livery
Which room to have. Give him a uniform
More guarded than his fellows': see it done.
More ornamental than his peers. Go, do it.
LAUNCELOT
Father, in. I cannot get a service, no; I have
Go on, father. I cannot get a job, no way; I’m barely
ne'er a tongue in my head. Well, if any man in
able to talk clearly. Well, if there’s any man in
Italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear
Italy with a better palm of his hand to swear with
upon a book, I shall have good fortune. Go to,
on the Bible, I’m sure I will be lucky. Look at my hand:
here's a simple line of life: here's a small trifle
this line suggests long life; and this small line
of wives: alas, fifteen wives is nothing! Eleven
refers to wives – oh dear, I’ll have at least fifteen wives! Eleven
widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one
times I’ll be widowed, and nine young ladies is enough for one
man: and then to 'scape drowning thrice, and to be
man. And I’ll escape drowning three times, and also
in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed;
nearly die at the edge of a featherbed.
here are simple scapes. Well, if Fortune be a
They’re all simple escapes. Well, if Lady Luck is a
woman, she's a good wench for this gear. Father,
woman, she’s a top girl for these predictions. Father,
come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.
come on; I’ll leave my job with the Jew in the blink of an eye.
[Exeunt Launcelot and Old Gobbo]
BASSANIO
I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this:
Please, Leonardo, carry out this task:
These things being bought and orderly bestowed,
Go buy this list of things and organise them,
Return in haste, for I do feast to-night
Returning fast; tonight I host a party
My best-esteemed acquaintance: hie thee, go.
With all my best acquaintances. Go on, now.
LEONARDO
My best endeavours shall be done herein.
I’ll do my very best to get this done.
[Enter GRATIANO]
GRATIANO
Where is your master?
Where is your master?
LEONARDO
Yonder, sir, he walks.
Over there, sir, walking.
[Exit]
GRATIANO
Signior Bassanio!
Signior Bassanio!
BASSANIO
Gratiano!
Gratiano!
GRATIANO
I have a suit to you.
I need some help from you.
BASSANIO
You have obtained it.
Well then, you’ve got it.
GRATIANO
You must not deny me: I must go with you to Belmont.
You can’t decline: I have to go to Belmont with you.
BASSANIO
Why then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano;
Well then, you shall. But listen, Gratiano:
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice;
You are too wild, too rude and over boisterous,
Parts that become thee happily enough
Traits that are fine enough and funny to us,
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;
And in our eyes, we don’t see them as faults;
But where thou art not known, why, there they show
But when you’re somewhere they don’t know you, they seem
Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain
A little unrestrained. So please, make efforts
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
To quell yourself by acting modestly
Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour
Without exuberance, in case your brashness
I be misconstrued in the place I go to,
Discredits me in Belmont, where I’m going,
And lose my hopes.
And lose my chance with Portia.
GRATIANO
Signior Bassanio, hear me:
Signior, listen:
If I do not put on a sober habit,
If I’m not sensible, remaining sober,
Talk with respect and swear but now and then,
And speak respectfully, with little swearing,
Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely,
Have prayer-books in my pocket, look polite –
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
No, more – while grace is said, cover my eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh and say 'amen,'
Like this with my own hat, and say “amen”,
Use all the observance of civility,
Using each part of civilised behaviour,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
Like someone who has studied looking sad
To please his grandam, never trust me more.
To please his grandma, don’t trust me again.
BASSANIO
Well, we shall see your bearing.
Well, let ‘s see by your actions.
GRATIANO
Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me
But I’m out at the bar tonight: don’t judge me
By what we do to-night.
By what we do tonight.
BASSANIO
No, that were pity:
No, that’s not right.
I would entreat you rather to put on
Instead, I would encourage you to act
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
With boisterous humour, for we’ll be with friends
That purpose merriment. But fare you well:
Who love a shindig. But, goodbye for now:
I have some business.
I have some business to attend to.
GRATIANO
And I must to Lorenzo and the rest:
And I must see Lorenzo and the others,
But we will visit you at supper-time.
But we will come to you at suppertime.
[Exeunt]
