Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK

Three thousand ducats; well.

Ay, sir, for three months.

For three months; well.

For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.

Antonio shall become bound; well.

May you stead me? will you pleasure me? shall I
know your answer?

Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.

Your answer to that.

Antonio is a good man.

Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

Oh, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a
good man is to have you understand me that he is
sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he
hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the
Indies; I understand moreover, upon the Rialto, he
hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and
other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. But ships
are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats
and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, I
mean pirates, and then there is the peril of waters,
winds and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding,
sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may
take his bond.

Be assured you may.

I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured,
I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?

If it please you to dine with us.

Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which
your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I
will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you,
walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat
with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What
news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?

Enter ANTONIO

This is Signior Antonio.

[Aside] How like a fawning publican he looks!
I hate him for he is a Christian,
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him!

Shylock, do you hear?

I am debating of my present store,
And, by the near guess of my memory,
I cannot instantly raise up the gross
Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,
Will furnish me. But soft! how many months
Do you desire?

To ANTONIORest you fair, good signior;
Your worship was the last man in our mouths.

Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow
By taking nor by giving of excess,
Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,
I'll break a custom. Is he yet possess'd
How much ye would?

Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

And for three months.

I had forgot; three months; you told me so.
Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you;
Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow
Upon advantage.

I do never use it.

When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep--
This Jacob from our holy Abram was,
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,
The third possessor; ay, he was the third--

And what of him? did he take interest?

No, not take interest, not, as you would say,
Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were compromised
That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied
Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank,
In the end of autumn turned to the rams,
And, when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act,
The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands,
And, in the doing of the deed of kind,
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,
Who then conceiving did in eaning time
Fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest:
And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.

This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for;
A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven.
Was this inserted to make interest good?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?

I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast:
But note me, signior.

Mark you this, Bassanio,
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart:
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.
Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate--

Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?

Signior Antonio, many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my moneys and my usances:
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,
For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
And all for use of that which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears you need my help:
Go to, then; you come to me, and you say
'Shylock, we would have moneys:' you say so;
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold: moneys is your suit
What should I say to you? Should I not say
'Hath a dog money? is it possible
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or
Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,
With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this;
'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;
You spurn'd me such a day; another time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much moneys'?

I am as like to call thee so again,
To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends; for when did friendship take
A breed for barren metal of his friend?
But lend it rather to thine enemy,
Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face
Exact the penalty.

Why, look you, how you storm!
I would be friends with you and have your love,
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,
Supply your present wants and take no doit
Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me:
This is kind I offer.

This were kindness.

This kindness will I show.
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum or sums as are
Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.

Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bond
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

You shall not seal to such a bond for me:
I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it:
Within these two months, that's a month before
This bond expires, I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.

O father Abram, what these Christians are,
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others! Pray you, tell me this;
If he should break his day, what should I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man's flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:
If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;
And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.

Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and purse the ducats straight,
See to my house, left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave, and presently
I will be with you.

Hie thee, gentle Jew.

Exit ShylockThe Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.

I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

Come on: in this there can be no dismay;
My ships come home a month before the day.

Exeunt

第二场 威尼斯。广场

    巴萨尼奥及夏洛克上。

    夏洛克 三千块钱，嗯？

    巴萨尼奥 是的，大叔，三个月为期。

    夏洛克 三个月为期，嗯？

    巴萨尼奥 我已经对你说过了，这一笔钱可以由安东尼奥签立借据。

    夏洛克 安东尼奥签立借据，嗯？

    巴萨尼奥 你愿意帮助我吗？你愿意应承我吗？可不可以让我知道你的答复？

    夏洛克 三千块钱，借三个月，安东尼奥签立借据。

    巴萨尼奥 你的答复呢？

    夏洛克 安东尼奥是个好人。

    巴萨尼奥 你有没有听见人家说过他不是个好人？

    夏洛克 啊， 不，不，不，不；我说他是个好人，我的意思是说他是个有身价
的人。可是他的财产却还有些问题：他有一艘商船开到特里坡利斯，另外—艘开到
西印度群岛，我在交易所里还听人说起，他有第三艘船在墨西哥，第四艘到英国去
了，此外还有遍布在海外各国的买卖；可是船不过是几块木板钉起来的东西，水手
也不过是些血肉之躯，岸上有旱老鼠，水里也有水老鼠，有陆地的强盗，也有海上
的强盗，还有风波礁石各种危险。不过虽然这么说，他这个人是靠得住的。三千块
钱，我想我可以接受他的契约。

    巴萨尼奥 你放心吧，不会有错的。

    夏洛克 我一定要放了心才敢把债放出去， 所以还是让我再考虑考虑吧。我可
不可以跟安东尼奥谈谈？

    巴萨尼奥 不知道你愿不愿意陪我们吃一顿饭？

    夏洛克 是的， 叫我去闻猪肉的味道，吃你们拿撒勒先知②把魔鬼赶进去的脏
东西的身体！我可以跟你们做买卖，讲交易，谈天散步，以及诸如此类的事情，可
是我不能陪你们吃东西喝酒做祷告。交易所里有些什么消息？那边来的是谁？

    安东尼奥上。

    巴萨尼奥 这位就是安东尼奥先生。

    夏洛克（旁白）他的样子多么像一个摇尾乞怜的税吏！我恨他因为他是个基督
徒，可是尤其因为他是个傻子，借钱给人不取利钱，把咱们在威尼斯城里干放债这
一行的利息都压低了。要是我有一天抓住他的把柄，一定要痛痛快快地向他报复我
的深仇宿怨。他憎恶我们神圣的民族，甚至在商人会集的地方当众辱骂我，辱骂我
的交易，辱骂我辛辛苦苦赚下来的钱，说那些都是盘剥得来的腌臜钱。要是我饶过
了他，让我们的民族永远没有翻身的日子。

    巴萨尼奥 夏洛克，你听见吗？

    夏洛克 我正在估计我手头的现款， 照我大概记得起来的数目，要一时凑足三
千块钱，恐怕办不到。可是那没有关系，我们族里有一个犹太富翁杜伯尔，可以供
给我必要的数目。且慢！您打算借几个月？（向安东尼奥）您好，好先生；哪一阵
好风把尊驾吹了来啦？

    安东尼奥 夏洛克， 虽然我跟人家互通有无，从来不讲利息，可是为了我的朋
友的急需，这回我要破一次例。（向巴萨尼奥）他有没有知道你需要多少？

    夏洛克 嗯，嗯，三千块钱。

    安东尼奥 三个月为期。

    夏洛克 我倒忘了， 正是三个月，您对我说过的。好，您的借据呢？让我瞧一
瞧。可是听着，好像您说您从来借钱不讲利息。

    安东尼奥 我从来不讲利息。

    夏洛克  当雅各替他的舅父拉班牧羊的时候③——这个雅各是我们圣祖亚伯兰
的后裔，他的聪明的母亲设计使他做第三代的族长，是的，他是第三代——

    安东尼奥 为什么说起他呢？他也是取利息的吗？

    夏洛克 不， 不是取利息，不是像你们所说的那样直接取利息。听好雅各用些
什么手段：拉班跟他约定，生下来的小羊凡是有条纹斑点的，都归雅各所有，作为
他牧羊的酬劳；到晚秋的时候，那些母羊因为淫情发动，跟公羊交合，这个狡狯的
牧人就乘着这些毛畜正在进行传种工作的当儿，削好了几根木棒，插在淫浪的母羊
的面前，它们这样怀下了孕，一到生产的时候，产下的小羊都是有斑纹的，所以都
归雅各所有。这是致富的妙法，上帝也祝福他；只要不是偷窃，会打算盘总是好事。

    安东尼奥 雅各虽然幸而获中， 可是这也是他按约应得的酬报；上天的意旨成
全了他，却不是出于他自己的力量。你提起这一件事，是不是要证明取利息是一件
好事？还是说金子银子就是你的公羊母羊？

    夏洛克 这我倒不能说； 我只是叫它像母羊生小羊一样地快快生利息。可是先
生，您听我说。

    安东尼奥 你听， 巴萨尼奥，魔鬼也会引证《圣经》来替自己辩护哩。一个指
着神圣的名字作证的恶人，就像一个脸带笑容的奸徒，又像一只外观美好、心中腐
烂的苹果。唉，奸伪的表面是多么动人！

    夏洛克 三千块钱， 这是一笔可观的整数。三个月——一年照十二个月计算—
—让我看看利钱应该有多少。

    安东尼奥 好，夏洛克，我们可不可以仰仗你这一次？

    夏洛克 安东尼奥先生， 好多次您在交易所里骂我，说我盘剥取利，我总是忍
气吞声，耸耸肩膀，没有跟您争辩，因为忍受迫害本来是我们民族的特色。您骂我
异教徒，杀人的狗，把唾沫吐在我的犹太长袍上，只因为我用我自己的钱博取几个
利息。好，看来现在是您来向我求助了；您跑来见我，您说，“夏洛克，我们要几
个钱，”您这样对我说。您把唾沫吐在我的胡子上，用您的脚踢我，好像我是您门
口的一条野狗一样；现在您却来问我要钱，我应该怎样对您说呢？我要不要这样说，
“一条狗会有钱吗？一条恶狗能够借人三千块钱吗？”或者我应不应该弯下身子，
像一个奴才似的低声下气，恭恭敬敬地说，“好先生，您在上星期三用唾沫吐在我
身上；有一天您用脚踢我；还有一天您骂我狗；为了报答您这许多恩典，所以我应
该借给您这么些钱吗？”

    安东尼奥 我恨不得再这样骂你、 唾你、踢你。要是你愿意把这钱借给我，不
要把它当作借给你的朋友——哪有朋友之间通融几个钱也要斤斤较量地计算利息的
道理？——你就把它当作借给你的仇人吧；倘使我失了信用，你尽管拉下脸来照约
处罚就是了。

    夏洛克 嗳哟， 瞧您生这么大的气！我愿意跟您交个朋友，得到您的友情；您
从前加在我身上的种种羞辱，我愿意完全忘掉；您现在需要多少钱，我愿意如数供
给您，而且不要您一个子儿的利息；可是您却不愿意听我说下去。我这完全是一片
好心哩。

    安东尼奥 这倒果然是一片好心。

    夏洛克 我要叫你们看看我到底是不是一片好心。 跟我去找一个公证人，就在
那儿签好了约；我们不妨开个玩笑，在约里载明要是您不能按照约中所规定的条件，
在什么日子、什么地点还给我一笔什么数目的钱，就得随我的意思，在您身上的任
何部分割下整整一磅白肉，作为处罚。

    安东尼奥 很好， 就这么办吧；我原意签下这样一张约，还要对人家说这个犹
太人的心肠倒不坏呢。

    巴萨尼奥 我宁愿安守贫困，不能让你为了我的缘故签这样的约。

    安东尼奥 老兄， 你怕什么；我决不会受罚的。就在这两个月之内，离开签约
满期还有一个月，我就可以有九倍这笔借款的数目进门。

    夏洛克 亚伯兰老祖宗啊！ 瞧这些基督徒因为自己待人刻薄，所以疑心人家对
他们不怀好意。请您告诉我，要是他到期不还，我照着约上规定的条款向他执行处
罚了，那对我又有什么好处？从人身上割下来的一磅肉，它的价值可以比得上一磅
羊肉、牛肉或是山羊肉吗？我为了要博得他的好感，所以才向他卖这样一个交情；
要是他愿意接受我的条件，很好，否则就算了。千万请你们不要误会我这一番诚意。

    安东尼奥 好，夏洛克，我愿意签约。

    夏洛克 那么就请您先到公证人的地方等我， 告诉他这一张游戏的契约怎样写
法；我就去马上把钱凑起来，还要回到家里去瞧瞧，让一个靠不住的奴才看守着门
户，有点放心不下；然后我立刻就来瞧您。

    安东尼奥 那么你去吧， 善良的犹太人。（夏洛克下）这犹太人快要变做基督
徒了，他的心肠变得好多啦。

    巴萨尼奥 我不喜欢口蜜腹剑的人。

    安东尼奥 好了好了， 这又有什么要紧？ 再过两个月， 我的船就要回来了。
（同下。）

Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO and his train; PORTIA, NERISSA, and others attending

Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have loved it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But if my father had not scanted me
And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself
His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair
As any comer I have look'd on yet
For my affection.

Even for that I thank you:
Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets
To try my fortune. By this scimitar
That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
I would outstare the sternest eyes that look,
Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,
Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
So is Alcides beaten by his page;
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

You must take your chance,
And either not attempt to choose at all
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage: therefore be advised.

Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.

First, forward to the temple: after dinner
Your hazard shall be made.

Good fortune then!
To make me blest or cursed'st among men.

Cornets, and exeunt

第二幕

    第一场 贝尔蒙特。鲍西娅家中一室

    喇叭奏花腔。摩洛哥亲王率侍从；鲍西娅、尼莉莎及婢仆等同上。

    摩洛哥亲王 不要因为我的肤色而憎厌我； 我是骄阳的近邻，我这一身黝黑的
制服，便是它的威焰的赐予。给我在终年不见阳光、冰山雪柱的极北找一个最白皙
姣好的人来，让我们刺血察验对您的爱情，看看究竟是他的血红还是我的血红。我
告诉你，小姐，我这副容貌曾经吓破了勇士的肝胆；凭着我的爱情起誓，我们国土
里最有声誉的少女也曾为它害过相思。我不愿变更我的肤色，除非为了取得您的欢
心，我的温柔的女王！

    鲍西娅 讲到选择这一件事， 我倒并不单单凭信一双善于挑剔的少女的眼睛；
而且我的命运由抽签决定，自己也没有任意取舍的权力；可是我的父亲倘不曾用他
的远见把我束缚住了，使我只能委身于按照他所规定的方法赢得我的男子，那么您，
声名卓著的王子，您的容貌在我的心目之中，并不比我所已经看到的那些求婚者有
什么逊色。

    摩洛哥亲王 单是您这一番美意， 已经使我万分感激了；所以请您带我去瞧瞧
那几个匣子，试一试我的命运吧。凭着这一柄曾经手刃波斯王并且使一个三次战败
苏里曼苏丹的波斯王子授首的宝剑起誓，我要瞪眼吓退世间最狰狞的猛汉，跟全世
界最勇武的壮士比赛胆量，从母熊的胸前夺下哺乳的小熊；当一头饿狮咆哮攫食的
时候，我要向它揶揄侮弄，为了要博得你的垂青，小姐。可是唉！即使像赫剌克勒
斯那样的盖世英雄，要是跟他的奴仆赌起骰子来，也许他的运气还不如一个下贱之
人——而赫剌克勒斯终于在他的奴仆的手里送了命④。我现在听从着盲目的命运的
指挥，也许结果终于失望，眼看着一个不如我的人把我的意中人挟走，而自己在悲
哀中死去。

    鲍西娅 您必须信任命运， 或者死了心放弃选择的尝试，或者当您开始选择以
前，先立下一个誓言，要是选得不对，终身不再向任何女子求婚；所以还是请您考
虑考虑吧。

    摩洛哥亲王 我的主意已决，不必考虑了；来，带我去试我的运气吧。

    鲍西娅 第一先到教堂里去；吃过了饭，您就可以试试您的命运。

    摩洛哥亲王 好， 成功失败，在此一举！正是不挟美人归，壮士无颜色。（奏
喇叭；众下。）

Enter LAUNCELOT

Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from
this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and
tempts me saying to me 'Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good
Launcelot,' or 'good Gobbo,' or good Launcelot
Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away. My
conscience says 'No; take heed,' honest Launcelot;
take heed, honest Gobbo, or, as aforesaid, 'honest
Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy
heels.' Well, the most courageous fiend bids me
pack: 'Via!' says the fiend; 'away!' says the
fiend; 'for the heavens, rouse up a brave mind,'
says the fiend, 'and run.' Well, my conscience,
hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely
to me 'My honest friend Launcelot, being an honest
man's son,' or rather an honest woman's son; for,
indeed, my father did something smack, something
grow to, he had a kind of taste; well, my conscience
says 'Launcelot, budge not.' 'Budge,' says the
fiend. 'Budge not,' says my conscience.
'Conscience,' say I, 'you counsel well;' ' Fiend,'
say I, 'you counsel well:' to be ruled by my
conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master,
who, God bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and, to
run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the
fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil
himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil
incarnal; and, in my conscience, my conscience is
but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel
me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the more
friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are
at your command; I will run.

Enter Old GOBBO, with a basket

Master young man, you, I pray you, which is the way
to master Jew's?

[Aside] O heavens, this is my true-begotten father!
who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind,
knows me not: I will try confusions with him.

Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way
to master Jew's?

Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but,
at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at
the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn
down indirectly to the Jew's house.

By God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. Can
you tell me whether one Launcelot,
that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?

Talk you of young Master Launcelot?

AsideMark me now; now will I raise the waters. Talk you
of young Master Launcelot?

No master, sir, but a poor man's son: his father,
though I say it, is an honest exceeding poor man
and, God be thanked, well to live.

Well, let his father be what a' will, we talk of
young Master Launcelot.

Your worship's friend and Launcelot, sir.

But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you,
talk you of young Master Launcelot?

Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership.

Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master
Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman,
according to Fates and Destinies and such odd
sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of
learning, is indeed deceased, or, as you would say
in plain terms, gone to heaven.

Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of my
age, my very prop.

Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or
a prop? Do you know me, father?

Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman:
but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, God rest his
soul, alive or dead?

Do you not know me, father?

Alack, sir, I am sand-blind; I know you not.

Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of
the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his
own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of
your son: give me your blessing: truth will come
to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man's son
may, but at the length truth will out.

Pray you, sir, stand up: I am sure you are not
Launcelot, my boy.

Pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but
give me your blessing: I am Launcelot, your boy
that was, your son that is, your child that shall
be.

I cannot think you are my son.

I know not what I shall think of that: but I am
Launcelot, the Jew's man, and I am sure Margery your
wife is my mother.

Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be sworn, if thou
be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood.
Lord worshipped might he be! what a beard hast thou
got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than
Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail.

It should seem, then, that Dobbin's tail grows
backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail
than I have of my face when I last saw him.

Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy
master agree? I have brought him a present. How
'gree you now?

Well, well: but, for mine own part, as I have set
up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I
have run some ground. My master's a very Jew: give
him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in
his service; you may tell every finger I have with
my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come: give me
your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed,
gives rare new liveries: if I serve not him, I
will run as far as God has any ground. O rare
fortune! here comes the man: to him, father; for I
am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.

Enter BASSANIO, with LEONARDO and other followers

You may do so; but let it be so hasted that supper
be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See
these letters delivered; put the liveries to making,
and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.

Exit a Servant

To him, father.

God bless your worship!

Gramercy! wouldst thou aught with me?

Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,--

Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man; that
would, sir, as my father shall specify--

He hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve--

Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew,
and have a desire, as my father shall specify--

His master and he, saving your worship's reverence,
are scarce cater-cousins--

To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having
done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, I
hope, an old man, shall frutify unto you--

I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon
your worship, and my suit is--

In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as
your worship shall know by this honest old man; and,
though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.

One speak for both. What would you?

Serve you, sir.

That is the very defect of the matter, sir.

I know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit:
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,
And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment
To leave a rich Jew's service, to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.

The old proverb is very well parted between my
master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of
God, sir, and he hath enough.

Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son.
Take leave of thy old master and inquire
My lodging out. Give him a livery
More guarded than his fellows': see it done.

Father, in. I cannot get a service, no; I have
ne'er a tongue in my head. Well, 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. Well, if Fortune be a
woman, she's a good wench for this gear. Father,
come; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.

Exeunt Launcelot and Old Gobbo

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.

My best endeavours shall be done herein.

Enter GRATIANO

Where is your master?

Yonder, sir, he walks.

Exit

Signior Bassanio!

Gratiano!

I have a suit to you.

You have obtain'd it.

You must not deny me: I must go with you to Belmont.

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
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behavior
I be misconstrued in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes.

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,
Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat, and sigh and say 'amen,'
Use all the observance of civility,
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his grandam, never trust me more.

Well, we shall see your bearing.

Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me
By what we do to-night.

No, that were pity:
I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends
That purpose merriment. But fare you well:
I have some business.

And I must to Lorenzo and the rest:
But we will visit you at supper-time.

Exeunt

第二场 威尼斯。街道

    朗斯洛特·高波上。

    朗斯洛特 要是我从我的主人这个犹太人的家里逃走， 我的良心是一定要责备
我的。可是魔鬼拉着我的臂膀，引诱着我，对我说，“高波，朗斯洛特·高波，好
朗斯洛特，拔起你的腿来，开步，走！”我的良心说，“不，留心，老实的朗斯洛
特；留心，老实的高波；”或者就是这么说，“老实的朗斯洛特·高波，别逃跑；
用你的脚跟把逃跑的念头踢得远远的。”好，那个大胆的魔鬼却劝我卷起铺盖滚蛋；
“去呀！”魔鬼说，“去呀！看在老天的面上，鼓起勇气来，跑吧！”好，我的良
心挽住我心里的脖子，很聪明地对我说，“朗斯洛特我的老实朋友，你是一个老实
人的儿子，”——或者还不如说一个老实妇人的儿子，因为我的父亲的确有点儿不
大那个，有点儿很丢脸的坏脾气——好，我的良心说，“朗斯洛特，别动！”魔鬼
说，“动！”我的良心说，“别动！”“良心，”我说，“你说得不错；”“魔鬼，”
我说，“你说得有理。”要是听良心的话，我就应该留在我的主人那犹太人家里，
上帝恕我这样说，他也是一个魔鬼；要是从犹太人的地方逃走，那么我就要听从魔
鬼的话，对不住，他本身就是魔鬼。可是我说，那犹太人一定就是魔鬼的化身；凭
良心说话，我的良心劝我留在犹太人地方，未免良心太狠。还是魔鬼的话说得像个
朋友。我要跑，魔鬼；我的脚跟听从着你的指挥；我一定要逃跑。

老高波携篮上。

    老高波 年轻的先生，请问一声，到犹太老爷的家里怎么走？

    朗斯洛特（旁白）天啊！这是我的亲生的父亲，他的眼睛因为有八九分盲，所
以不认识我。待我戏弄他一下。

    老高波 年轻的少爷先生，请问一声，到犹太老爷的家里怎么走？

    朗斯洛特 你在转下一个弯的时候， 往右手转过去；临了一次转弯的时候，往
左手转过去；再下一次转弯的时候，什么手也不用转，曲曲弯弯地转下去，就转到
那犹太人的家里了。

    老高波 哎哟， 这条路可不容易走哩！您知道不知道有一个住在他家里的朗斯
洛特，现在还在不在他家里？

    朗斯洛特 你说的是朗斯洛特少爷吗？ （旁白）瞧着我吧，现在我要诱他流起
眼泪来了。——你说的是朗斯洛特少爷吗？

    老高波 不是什么少爷， 先生，他是一个穷人的儿子；他的父亲，不是我说一
句，是个老老实实的穷光蛋，多谢上帝，他还活得好好的。

    朗斯洛特 好，不要管他的父亲是个什么人，咱们讲的是朗斯洛特少爷。

    老高波 他是您少爷的朋友，他就叫朗斯洛特。

朗斯洛特 对不住，老人家，所以我要问你，你说的是朗斯洛特少爷吗？

    老高波 是朗斯洛特，少爷。

    朗斯洛特 所以就是朗斯洛特少爷。 老人家，你别提起朗斯洛特少爷啦；因为
这位年轻的少爷，根据天命气数鬼神这一类阴阳怪气的说法，是已经去世啦，或者
说得明白一点是已经归天啦。

    老高波 哎哟，天哪！这孩子是我老年的拐杖，我的唯一的靠傍哩。

    朗斯洛特（旁白）我难道像一根棒儿，或是一根柱子？一根撑棒，或是一根拐
杖？——爸爸，您不认识我吗？

    老高波 唉， 我不认识您，年轻的少爷；可是请您告诉我，我的孩子——上帝
安息他的灵魂！——究竟是活着还是死了？

朗斯洛特 您不认识我吗，爸爸？

    老高波 唉，少爷，我是个瞎子；我不认识您。

    朗斯洛特 哦， 真的，您就是眼睛明亮，也许会不认识我，只有聪明的父亲才
会知道自己的儿子。好，老人家，让我告诉您关于您儿子的消息吧。请您给我祝福；
真理总会显露出来，杀人的凶手总会给人捉住；儿子虽然会暂时躲过去，事实到最
后总是瞒不过的。

    老高波 少爷，请您站起来。我相信您一定不会是朗斯洛特，我的孩子。

    朗斯洛特 废话少说， 请您给我祝福：我是朗斯洛特，从前是您的孩子，现在
是您的儿子，将来也还是您的小子。

    老高波 我不能想像您是我的儿子。

朗斯洛特 那我倒不知道应该怎样想法了； 可是我的确是在犹太人家里当仆人
的朗斯洛特，我也相信您的妻子玛格蕾就是我的母亲。

    老高波 她的名字果真是玛格蕾。 你倘然真的就是朗斯洛特，那么你就是我亲
生血肉了。上帝果然灵圣！你长了多长的一把胡子啦！你脸上的毛，比我那拖车子
的马儿道平尾巴上的毛还多呐！

    朗斯洛特 这样看起来， 那么道平的尾巴一定是越长越短了；我还清楚记得，
上一次我看见它的时候，它尾巴上的毛比我脸上的毛多得多哩。

    老高波 上帝啊！ 你真是变了样子啦！你跟主人合得来吗？我给他带了点儿礼
物来了。你们现在合得来吗？

    朗斯洛特 合得来，合得来；可是从我自己这一方面讲，我既然已经决定逃跑，
那么非到跑了一程路之后，我是决不会停下来的。我的主人是个十足的犹太人；给
他礼物！还是给他一根上吊的绳子吧。我替他做事情，把身体都饿瘦了；您可以用
我的肋骨摸出我的每一条手指来。爸爸，您来了我很高兴。把您的礼物送给一位巴
萨尼奥大爷吧，他是会赏漂亮的新衣服给用人穿的。我要是不能服侍他，我宁愿跑
到地球的尽头去。啊，运气真好！正是他来了。到他跟前去，爸爸。我要是再继续
服侍这个犹太人，连我自己都要变做犹太人了。

    巴萨尼奥率里奥那多及其他侍从上。

    巴萨尼奥 你们就这样做吧，可是要赶快点儿，晚饭顶迟必须在五点钟预备好。
这几封信替我分别送出；叫裁缝把制服做起来；回头再请葛莱西安诺立刻到我的寓
所里来。（一仆下。）

    朗斯洛特 上去，爸爸。

    老高波 上帝保佑大爷！

    巴萨尼奥 谢谢你，有什么事？

    老高波 大爷，这一个是我的儿子，一个苦命的孩子——

    朗斯洛特 不是苦命的孩子， 大爷，我是犹太富翁的跟班，不瞒大爷说，我想
要——我的父亲可以给我证明——

    老高波 大爷，正像人家说的，他一心一意地想要侍候——

    朗斯洛特 总而言之一句话， 我本来是侍候那个犹太人的，可是我很想要——
我的父亲可以给我证明——

    老高波 不瞒大爷说，他的主人跟他有点儿意见不合——

    朗斯洛特 干脆一句话， 实实在在说，这犹太人欺侮了我，他叫我——我的父
亲是个老头子，我希望他可以替我向您证明——

    老高波 我这儿有一盘烹好的鸽子送给大爷，我要请求大爷一件事——

    朗斯洛特 废话少说，这请求是关于我的事情，这位老实的老人家可以告诉您；
不是我说一句，我这父亲虽然是个老头子，却是个苦人儿。

    巴萨尼奥 让一个人说话。你们究竟要什么？

    朗斯洛特 侍候您，大爷。

    老高波 正是这一件事，大爷。

    巴萨尼奥 我认识你； 我可以答应你的要求；你的主人夏洛克今天曾经向我说
起，要把你举荐给我。可是你不去侍候一个有钱的犹太人，反要来做一个穷绅士的
跟班，恐怕没有什么好处吧。

    朗斯洛特 大爷， 一句老古话刚好说着我的主人夏洛克跟您：他有的是钱，您
有的是上帝的恩惠。

    巴萨尼奥 你说得很好。 老人家，你带着你的儿子，先去向他的旧主人告别，
然后再来打听我的住址。（向侍从）给他做一身比别人格外鲜艳一点的制服，不可
有误。

    朗斯洛特 爸爸， 进去吧。我不能得到一个好差使吗？我生了嘴不会说话吗？
好，（视手掌）在意大利要是有谁生得一手比我还好的掌纹，我一定会交好运的。
好，这儿是一条笔直的寿命线；这儿有不多几个老婆；唉！十五个老婆算得什么，
十一个寡妇，再加上九个黄花闺女，对于一个男人也不算太多啊。还要三次溺水不
死，有一次几几乎在一张天鹅绒的床边送了性命，好险呀好险！好，要是命运之神
是个女的，这一回她倒是个很好的娘儿。爸爸，来，我要用一霎眼的功夫向那犹太
人告别。（朗斯洛特及老高波下。）

    巴萨尼奥 好里奥那多， 请你记好，这些东西买到以后，把它们安排停当，就
赶紧回来，因为我今晚要宴请我的最有名望的相识；快去吧。

    里奥那多 我一定给您尽力办去。

    葛莱西安诺上。

    葛莱西安诺 你家主人呢？

    里奥那多 他就在那边走着，先生。（下。）

    葛莱西安诺 巴萨尼奥大爷！

    巴萨尼奥 葛莱西安诺！

    葛莱西安诺 我要向您提出一个要求。

    巴萨尼奥 我答应你。

    葛莱西安诺 您不能拒绝我；我一定要跟您到贝尔蒙特去。

    巴萨尼奥 啊， 那么我只好让你去了。可是听着，葛莱西安诺，你这个人太随
便，太不拘礼节，太爱高声说话了；这几点本来对于你是再合适不过的，在我们的
眼睛里也不以为嫌，可是在陌生人家里，那就好像有点儿放肆啦。请你千万留心在
你的活泼的天性里尽力放进几分冷静去，否则人家见了你这样狂放的行为，也许会
对我发生误会，害我不能达到我的希望。

    葛莱西安诺 巴萨尼奥大爷， 听我说。我一定会装出一副安详的态度，说起话
来恭而敬之，难得赌一两句咒，口袋里放一本祈祷书，脸孔上堆满了庄严；不但如
此，在念食前祈祷的时候，我还要把帽子拉下来遮住我的眼睛，叹一口气，说一句
“阿门”；我一定遵守一切礼仪，就像人家有意装得循规蹈矩去讨他老祖母的欢喜
一样。要是我不照这样的话做去。您以后不用相信我好了。

    巴萨尼奥 好，我们倒要瞧瞧你装得像不像。

    葛莱西安诺 今天晚上可不算；您不能按照我今天晚上的行动来判断我。

    巴萨尼奥 不， 今天晚上就这样做，那未免太杀风景了。我倒要请你今天晚上
痛痛快快地欢畅一下，因为我已经跟几个朋友约定，大家都要尽兴狂欢。现在我还
有点事情，等会儿见。

    葛莱西安诺 我也要去找罗兰佐， 还有那些人；晚饭的时候我们一定来看您。
（各下）

Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT

I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so:
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.
But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee:
And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest:
Give him this letter; do it secretly;
And so farewell: I would not have my father
See me in talk with thee.

Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful
pagan, most sweet Jew! if a Christian did not play
the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But,
adieu: these foolish drops do something drown my
manly spirit: adieu.

Farewell, good Launcelot.

Exit LauncelotAlack, what heinous sin is it in me
To be ashamed to be my father's child!
But though I am a daughter to his blood,
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

Exit

第三场 同前。夏洛克家中一室

    杰西卡及朗斯洛特上。

    杰西卡 你这样离开我的父亲， 使我很不高兴；我们这个家是一座地狱，幸亏
有你这淘气的小鬼，多少解除了几分闷气。可是再会吧，朗斯洛特，这一块钱你且
拿了去；你在晚饭的时候，可以看见一位叫做罗兰佐的，是你新主人的客人，这封
信你替我交给他，留心别让旁人看见。现在你快去吧，我不敢让我的父亲瞧见我跟
她谈话。

    朗斯洛特 再见！ 眼泪哽住了我的舌头。顶美丽的异教徒，顶温柔的犹太人！
要不是有个基督徒来把你拐跑，就算我有眼无珠。再会吧！这些傻气的泪点，快要
把我的男子气概都淹没啦。再见！

    杰西卡 再见， 好朗斯洛特。（朗斯洛特下）唉，我真是罪恶深重，竟会羞于
做我父亲的孩子！可是虽然我在血统上是他的女儿，在行为上却不是他的女儿。罗
兰佐啊！你要是能够守信不渝，我将要结束我内心的冲突，皈依基督教，做你的亲
爱的妻子。（下。）

Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SALANIO

Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,
Disguise us at my lodging and return,
All in an hour.

We have not made good preparation.

We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.

'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,
And better in my mind not undertook.

'Tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours
To furnish us.

Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letterFriend Launcelot, what's the news?

An it shall please you to break up
this, it shall seem to signify.

I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.

Love-news, in faith.

By your leave, sir.

Whither goest thou?

Marry, sir, to bid my old master the
Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian.

Hold here, take this: tell gentle Jessica
I will not fail her; speak it privately.
Go, gentlemen,

Exit LauncelotWill you prepare you for this masque tonight?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

And so will I.

Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

'Tis good we do so.

Exeunt SALARINO and SALANIO

Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
How I shall take her from her father's house,
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with,
What page's suit she hath in readiness.
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake:
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
Unless she do it under this excuse,
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest:
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-beare r.

Exeunt

第四场 同前。街道

    葛莱西安诺、罗兰佐、萨拉里诺及萨莱尼奥同上。

    罗兰佐 不， 咱们就在吃晚饭的时候溜了出去，在我的寓所里化装好了，只消
一点钟工夫就可以把事情办好回来。

    葛莱西安诺 咱们还没有好好儿准备呢。

    萨拉里诺 咱们还没有提到过拿火炬的人。

    萨莱尼奥 那一定要经过一番训练， 否则叫人瞧着笑话；依我看来，还是不用
了吧。

    罗兰佐 现在还不过四点钟；咱们还有两个钟头可以准备起来。

    朗斯洛特持函上。

    罗兰佐 朗斯洛特朋友，你带什么消息来了？

    朗斯洛特 请您把这封信拆开来，好像它会告诉您。

    罗兰佐 我认识这笔迹； 这几个字写得真好看；写这封信的那双手，是比这信
纸还要洁白的。

    葛莱西安诺 一定是情书。

    朗斯洛特 大爷，小的告辞了。

    罗兰佐 你还要到哪儿去？

    朗斯洛特 呃， 大爷，我要去请我的旧主人犹太人今天晚上陪我的新主人基督
徒吃饭。

    罗兰佐 慢着， 这几个钱赏给你；你去回复温柔的杰西卡，我不会误她的约；
留心说话的时候别给旁人听见。各位，去吧。（朗斯洛特下）你们愿意去准备今天
晚上的假面跳舞会吗？我已经有了一个拿火炬的人了。

    萨拉里诺 是，我立刻就去准备起来。

    萨莱尼奥 我也就去。

    罗兰佐 再过一点钟左右，咱们大家在葛莱西安诺的寓所里相会。

    萨拉里诺 很好。（萨拉里诺、萨莱尼奥同下。）

    葛莱西安诺 那封信不是杰西卡写给你的吗？

    罗兰佐 我必须把一切都告诉你。 她已经教我怎样带着她逃出她父亲的家，告
诉我她随身带了多少金银珠宝，已经准备好怎样一身小童的服装。要是她的父亲那
个犹太人有一天会上天堂，那一定因为上帝看在他善良的女儿面上特别开恩；恶运
再也不敢侵犯她，除非因为她的父亲是一个奸诈的犹太人。来，跟我一块儿去；你
可以一边走一边读这封信。美丽的杰西卡将要替我拿着火炬。（同下。）

Enter SHYLOCK and LAUNCELOT

Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:--
What, Jessica!--thou shalt not gormandise,
As thou hast done with me:--What, Jessica!--
And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out;--
Why, Jessica, I say!

Why, Jessica!

Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.

Your worship was wont to tell me that
I could do nothing without bidding.

Enter Jessica

Call you? what is your will?

I am bid forth to supper, Jessica:
There are my keys. But wherefore should I go?
I am not bid for love; they flatter me:
But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon
The prodigal Christian. Jessica, my girl,
Look to my house. I am right loath to go:
There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,
For I did dream of money-bags to-night.

I beseech you, sir, go: my young master doth expect
your reproach.

So do I his.

An they have conspired together, I will not say you
shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was not
for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on
Black-Monday last at six o'clock i' the morning,
falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four
year, in the afternoon.

What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica:
Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum
And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife,
Clamber not you up to the casements then,
Nor thrust your head into the public street
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces,
But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements:
Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter
My sober house. By Jacob's staff, I swear,
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night:
But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah;
Say I will come.

I will go before, sir. Mistress, look out at
window, for all this, There will come a Christian
boy, will be worth a Jewess' eye.

Exit

What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha?

His words were 'Farewell mistress;' nothing else.

The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder;
Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
More than the wild-cat: drones hive not with me;
Therefore I part with him, and part with him
To one that would have him help to waste
His borrow'd purse. Well, Jessica, go in;
Perhaps I will return immediately:
Do as I bid you; shut doors after you:
Fast bind, fast find;
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

Exit

Farewell; and if my fortune be not crost,
I have a father, you a daughter, lost.

Exit

第五场 同前。夏洛克家门前

    夏洛克及朗斯洛特上。

    夏洛克 好， 你就可以知道，你就可以亲眼瞧瞧夏洛克老头子跟巴萨尼奥有什
么不同啦。——喂，杰西卡！——我家里容得你狼吞虎咽，别人家里是不许你这样
放肆的——喂，杰西卡！——我家里还让你睡觉打鼾，把衣服胡乱撕破——喂，杰
西卡！

    朗斯洛特 喂，杰西卡！

    夏洛克 谁叫你喊的？我没有叫你喊呀。

    朗斯洛特 您老人家不是常常怪我一定要等人家吩咐了才做事吗？

    杰西卡上。

    杰西卡 您叫我吗？有什么吩咐？

    夏洛克 杰西卡， 人家请我去吃晚饭；这儿是我的钥匙，你好生收管着。可是
我去干吗呢？人家又不是真心邀请我，他们不过拍拍我的马屁而已。可是我因为恨
他们，倒要去这一趟，受用受用这个浪子基督徒的酒食。杰西卡，我的孩子，留心
照看门户。我实在有点不愿意去；昨天晚上我做梦看见钱袋，恐怕不是个吉兆，叫
我心神难安。

    朗斯洛特 老爷，请您一定去；我家少爷在等着您赏光呢。

    夏洛克 我也在等着他赏我一记耳光哩。

    朗斯洛特 他们已经商量好了； 我并不说您可以看到一场假面跳舞，可是您要
是果然看到了，那就怪不得我在上一个黑曜日⑤早上六点钟会流起鼻血来啦，那一
年正是在圣灰节星期三第四年的下午。

    夏洛克 怎么！ 还有假面跳舞吗？听好，杰西卡，把家里的门锁上了；听见鼓
声和弯笛子的怪叫声音，不许爬到窗槅子上张望，也不要伸出头去，瞧那些脸上涂
得花花绿绿的傻基督徒们打街道上走过。把我这屋子的耳朵都封起来——我说的是
那些窗子；别让那些无聊的胡闹的声音钻进我的清静的屋子。凭着雅各的牧羊杖发
誓，我今晚真有点不想出去参加什么宴会。可是就去这一次吧。小子，你先回去，
说我就来了。

    朗斯洛特 那么我先去了， 老爷。小姐，留心看好窗外；“跑来一个基督徒，
不要错过好姻缘。”（下。）

    夏洛克 嘿，那个夏甲的傻瓜后裔⑥说些什么？

    杰西卡 没有说什么，他只是说，“再会，小姐。”

    夏洛克 这蠢才人倒还好，就是食量太大；做起事来，慢腾腾的像条蜗牛一般；
白天睡觉的本领，比野猫还胜过几分；我家里可容不得懒惰的黄蜂，所以才打发他
走了，让他去跟着那个靠借债过日子的败家精，正好帮他消费。好，杰西卡，进去
吧；也许我一会儿就回来。记住我的话，把门随手关了。“缚得牢，跑不了”，这
是一句千古不磨的至理名言。（下。）

    杰西卡 再会； 要是我的命运不跟我作梗，那么我将要失去一个父亲，你也要
失去一个女儿了。（下。）

Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued

This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make stand.

His hour is almost past.

And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.

O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.
How like a younker or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!
How like the prodigal doth she return,
With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails,
Lean, rent and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!

Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter.

Enter LORENZO

Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;
Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
I'll watch as long for you then. Approach;
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?

Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes

Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.

Lorenzo, and thy love.

Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,
For who love I so much? And now who knows
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.

Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
For I am much ashamed of my exchange:
But love is blind and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit;
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy.

Descend, for you must be my torchbearer.

What, must I hold a candle to my shames?
They in themselves, good-sooth, are too too light.
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love;
And I should be obscured.

So are you, sweet,
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
But come at once;
For the close night doth play the runaway,
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.

I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
With some more ducats, and be with you straight.

Exit above

Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew.

Beshrew me but I love her heartily;
For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
And true she is, as she hath proved herself,
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true,
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.

Enter JESSICA, belowWhat, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away!
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.

Exit with Jessica and Salarino
Enter ANTONIO

Who's there?

Signior Antonio!

Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
'Tis nine o'clock: our friends all stay for you.
No masque to-night: the wind is come about;
Bassanio presently will go aboard:
I have sent twenty out to seek for you.

I am glad on't: I desire no more delight
Than to be under sail and gone to-night.

Exeunt
第六场 同前

    葛莱西安诺及萨拉里诺戴假面同上。

    葛莱西安诺 这儿屋檐下便是罗兰佐叫我们守望的地方。

    萨拉里诺 他约定的时间快要过去了。

    葛莱西安诺 他会迟到真是件怪事，因为恋人们总是赶在时钟的前面的。

    萨拉里诺 啊！ 维纳斯的鸽子飞去缔结新欢的盟约，比之履行旧日的诺言，总
是要快上十倍。

    葛莱西安诺 那是一定的道理。 谁在席终人散以后，他的食欲还像初入座时候
那么强烈？哪一匹马在冗长的归途上，会像它起程时那么长驱疾驰？世间的任何事
物，追求时候的兴致总要比享用时候的兴致浓烈。一艘新下水的船只扬帆出港的当
儿，多么像一个娇养的少年，给那轻狂的风儿爱抚搂抱！可是等到它回来的时候，
船身已遭风日的侵蚀，船帆也变成了百结的破衲，它又多么像一个落魄的浪子，给
那轻狂的风儿肆意欺凌！

    萨拉里诺 罗兰佐来啦；这些话你留着以后再说吧。

    罗兰佐上。

    罗兰佐 两位好朋友， 累你们久等了，对不起得很；实在是因为我有点事情，
急切里抽身不出。等你们将来也要偷妻子的时候，我一定也替你你们守这么些时候。
过来，这儿就是我的犹太岳父所住的地方。喂！里面有人吗？

    杰西卡男装自上方上。

    杰西卡 你是哪一个？ 我虽然认识你的声音，可是为了免得错认人，请你把名
字告诉我。

    罗兰佐 我是罗兰佐，你的爱人。

    杰西卡 你果然是罗兰佐， 也的确是我的爱人；除了你，谁会使我爱得这个样
子呢？罗兰佐，除了你之外，谁还知道我究竟是不是属于你的呢？

    罗兰佐 上天和你的思想，都可以证明你是属于我的。

    杰西卡 来， 把这匣子接住了，你拿了去会大有好处。幸亏在夜里，你瞧不见
我，我改扮成这个怪样子，怪不好意思哩。可是恋爱是盲目的，恋人们瞧不见他们
自己所干的傻事；要是他们瞧得见的话，那么丘匹德瞧见我变成了一个男孩子，也
会红起脸来哩。

    罗兰佐 下来吧，你必须替我拿着火炬。

    杰西卡 怎么！ 我必须拿着烛火，照亮自己的羞耻吗？像我这样子，已经太轻
狂了，应该遮掩遮掩才是，怎么反而要在别人面前露脸？

    罗兰佐 亲爱的， 你穿上这一身漂亮的男孩子衣服，人家不会认出你来的。快
来吧，夜色已经在不知不觉中浓了起来，巴萨尼奥在等着我们去赴宴呢。

    杰西卡 让我把门窗关好， 再收拾些银钱带在身边，然后立刻就来。（自上方
下。）

    葛莱西安诺 凭着我的头巾发誓，她真是个基督徒，不是个犹太人。

    罗兰佐 我从心底里爱着她。 要是我有判断的能力，那么她是聪明信；要是我
的眼睛没有欺骗我，那么她是美貌的；她已经替自己证明她是忠诚的；像她这样又
聪明、又美丽、又忠诚，怎么不叫我把她永远放在自己的灵魂里呢？

    杰西卡上。

    罗兰佐 啊， 你来了吗？朋友们，走吧！我们的舞侣们现在一定在那儿等着我
们了。（罗兰佐、杰西卡、萨拉里诺同下。）

    安东尼奥上。

    安东尼奥 那边是谁？

    葛莱西安诺 安东尼奥先生！

    安东尼奥 咦， 葛莱西安诺！还有那些人呢？现在已经九点钟啦，我们的朋友
们大家在那儿等着你们。今天晚上的假面跳舞会取消了；风势已转，巴萨尼奥就要
立刻上船。我已经差了二十个人来找你们了。

    葛莱西安诺 那好极了；我巴不得今天晚上就开船出发。（同下。）

Flourish of cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and their trains

Go draw aside the curtains and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince.
Now make your choice.

The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire;'
The second, silver, which this promise carries,
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves;'
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.'
How shall I know if I do choose the right?

The one of them contains my picture, prince:
If you choose that, then I am yours withal.

Some god direct my judgment! Let me see;
I will survey the inscriptions back again.
What says this leaden casket?
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.'
Must give: for what? for lead? hazard for lead?
This casket threatens. Men that hazard all
Do it in hope of fair advantages:
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross;
I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.
What says the silver with her virgin hue?
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.'
As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco,
And weigh thy value with an even hand:
If thou be'st rated by thy estimation,
Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough
May not extend so far as to the lady:
And yet to be afeard of my deserving
Were but a weak disabling of myself.
As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady:
I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,
In graces and in qualities of breeding;
But more than these, in love I do deserve.
What if I stray'd no further, but chose here?
Let's see once more this saying graved in gold
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.'
Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her;
From the four corners of the earth they come,
To kiss this shrine, this mortal-breathing saint:
The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds
Of wide Arabia are as thoroughfares now
For princes to come view fair Portia:
The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head
Spits in the face of heaven, is no bar
To stop the foreign spirits, but they come,
As o'er a brook, to see fair Portia.
One of these three contains her heavenly picture.
Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation
To think so base a thought: it were too gross
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.
Or shall I think in silver she's immured,
Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?
O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem
Was set in worse than gold. They have in England
A coin that bears the figure of an angel
Stamped in gold, but that's insculp'd upon;
But here an angel in a golden bed
Lies all within. Deliver me the key:
Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may!

There, take it, prince; and if my form lie there,
Then I am yours.

He unlocks the golden casket

O hell! what have we here?
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye
There is a written scroll! I'll read the writing.

ReadsAll that glitters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
Gilded tombs do worms enfold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
Your answer had not been inscroll'd:
Fare you well; your suit is cold.
Cold, indeed; and labour lost:
Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost!
Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart
To take a tedious leave: thus losers part.

Exit with his train. Flourish of cornets

A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.
Let all of his complexion choose me so.

Exeunt
第七场 贝尔蒙特。鲍西娅家中一室

    喇叭奏花腔。鲍西娅及摩洛哥亲王各率侍从上。

    鲍西娅 去把帐幕揭开， 让这位尊责的王子瞧瞧那几个匣子。现在请殿下自己
选择吧。

    摩洛哥亲王 第一只匣子是金的， 上面刻着这几个字：“谁选择了我，将要得
到众人所希求的东西。”第二只匣子是银的，上面刻着这样的约许：“谁选择了我，
将要得到他所应得的东西。”第三只匣子是用沉重的铅打成的，上面刻着像铅一样
冷酷的警告：“谁选择了我，必须准备把他所有的一切作为牺牲。”我怎么可以知
道我选得错不错呢？

    鲍西娅 这三只匣子中间， 有一只里面藏着我的小像；您要是选中了那一只，
我就是属于您的了。

    摩洛哥亲王 求神明指示我！ 让我看；我且先把匣子上面刻着的字句再推敲一
遍。这一个铅匣子上面说些什么？“谁选择了我，必须准备把他所有的一切作为牺
牲。”必须准备牺牲；为什么？为了铅吗？为了铅而牺牲一切吗？这匣子说的话儿
倒有些吓人。人们为了希望得到重大的利益，才会不惜牺牲一切；一颗贵重的心，
决不会屈躬俯就鄙贱的外表；我不愿为了铅的缘故而作任何的牺牲。那个色泽皎洁
的银匣子上面说些什么？“谁选择了我，将要得到他所应得的东西。”得到他所应
得的东西！且慢，摩洛哥，把你自己的价值作一下公正的估计吧。照你自己判断起
来，你应该得到很高的评价，可是也许凭着你这几分长处，还不配娶到这样一位小
姐；然而我要是疑心我自己不够资格，那未免太小看自己了。得到我所应得的东西！
当然那就是指这位小姐而说的；讲到家世、财产、人品、教养，我在哪一点上配不
上她？可是超乎这一切之上，凭着我这一片深情，也就应该配得上她了。那么我不
必迟疑，就选了这一个匣子吧。让我再瞧瞧那金匣子上说些什么话：“谁选择了我，
将要得到众人所希求的东西。”啊，那正是这位小姐了；整个儿的世界都希求着她，
他们从地球的四角迢迢而来，顶礼这位尘世的仙真：赫堪尼亚的沙漠和广大的阿拉
伯的辽阔的荒野，现在已经成为各国王子们前来瞻仰美貌的鲍西娅的通衢大道；把
唾沫吐在天庭面上的傲慢不逊的海洋，也不能阻止外邦的远客，他们越过汹涌的波
涛，就像跨过一条小河一样，为了要看一看鲍西娅的绝世姿容。在这三只匣子中间，
有一只里面藏着她的天仙似的小像。难道那铅匣子里会藏着她吗？想起这样一个卑
劣的思想，就是一种亵渎；就算这是个黑暗的坟，里面放的是她的寿衣，也都嫌罪
过。那么她是会藏在那价值只及纯金十分之一的银匣子里面吗？啊，罪恶的思想！
这样一颗珍贵的珠宝，决不会装在比金子低贱的匣子里。英国有一种金子铸成的钱
币，表面上刻着天使的形象；这儿的天使，拿金子做床，却躲在黑暗里。把钥匙交
给我；我已经选定了，但愿我的希望能够实现！

    鲍西娅 亲王， 请您拿着这钥匙； 要是这里边有我的小像， 我就是您的了。
（摩洛哥亲王开金匣。）

    摩洛哥亲王 哎哟， 该死！这是什么？一个死人的骷髅，那空空的眼眶里藏着
一张有字的纸卷。让我读一读上面写着什么。

    发闪光的不全是黄金，

    古人的说话没有骗人；

    多少世人出卖了一生，

    不过看到了我的外形，

    蛆虫占据着镀金的坟。

    你要是又大胆又聪明，

    手脚壮健，见识却老成，

    就不会得到这样回音：

    再见，劝你冷却这片心。

    冷却这片心；真的是枉费辛劳！

    永别了，热情！欢迎，凛冽的寒飚！

再见，鲍西娅；悲伤塞满了心胸，

莫怪我这败军之将去得匆匆。（率侍从下；喇叭奏花腔。）

    鲍西娅 他去得倒还知趣。 把帐幕拉下。但愿像他一样肤色的人，都像他一样
选不中。（同下。）

Enter SALARINO and SALANIO

Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail:
With him is Gratiano gone along;
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.

The villain Jew with outcries raised the duke,
Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

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.

I never heard a passion so confused,
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, stolen from me by my daughter!
And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,
Stolen by my daughter! Justice! find the girl;
She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.'

Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,
Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.

Let good Antonio look he keep his day,
Or he shall pay for this.

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.

You were best to tell Antonio what you hear;
Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.

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.

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.

Do we so.

Exeunt

第八场 威尼斯。街道

    萨拉里诺及萨莱尼奥上。

    萨拉里诺 啊， 朋友，我看见巴萨尼奥开船，葛莱西安诺也跟他回船去；我相
信罗兰佐一定不在他们船里。

    萨莱尼奥 那个恶犹太人大呼小叫地吵到公爵那儿去， 公爵已经跟着他去搜巴
萨尼奥的船了。

    萨拉里诺 他去迟了一步， 船已经开出。可是有人告诉公爵，说他们曾经看见
罗兰佐跟他的多情的杰西卡在一艘平底船里；而且安东尼奥也向公爵证明他们并不
在巴萨尼奥的船上。

    萨莱尼奥 那犹太狗像发疯似的， 样子都变了，  在街上一路乱叫乱跳乱喊，
“我的女儿！啊，我的银钱！啊，我的女儿！跟一个基督徒逃走啦！啊，我的基督
徒的银钱！公道啊！法律啊！我的银钱，我的女儿！一袋封好的、两袋封好的银钱，
给我的女儿偷去了！还有珠宝！两颗宝石，两颗珍贵的宝石，都给我的女儿偷去了！
公道啊！把那女孩子找出来！她身边带着宝石，还有银钱。”

    萨拉里诺 威尼斯城里所有的小孩子们， 都跟在他背后，喊着：他的宝石呀，
他的女儿呀，他的银钱呀。

    萨莱尼奥 安东尼奥应该留心那笔债款不要误了期，否则他要在他身上报复的。

    萨拉里诺 对了， 你想起得不错。昨天我跟一个法国人谈天，他对我说起，在
英、法二国之间的狭隘的海面上，有一艘从咱们国里开出去的满载着货物的船只出
事了。我一听见这句话，就想起安东尼奥，但愿那艘船不是他的才好。

    萨莱尼奥 你最好把你听见的消息告诉安东尼奥； 可是你要轻描淡写地说，免
得害他着急。

    萨拉里诺 世上没有一个比他更仁厚的君子。我看见巴萨尼奥跟安东尼奥分别，
巴萨尼奥对他说他一定尽早回来，他就回答说，“不必，巴萨尼奥，不要为了我的
缘故而误了你的正事，你等到一切事情圆满完成以后再回来吧；至于我在那犹太人
那里签下的约，你不必放在心上，你只管高高兴兴，一心一意地进行着你的好事，
施展你的全副精神，去博得美人的欢心吧。”说到这里，他的眼睛里已经噙着一包
眼泪，他就回转身去，把他的手伸到背后，亲亲热热地握着巴萨尼奥的手；他们就
这样分别了。

    萨莱尼奥 我看他只是为了他的缘故才爱这世界的。 咱们现在就去找他，想些
开心的事儿替他解解愁闷，你看好不好？

    萨拉里诺 很好很好。（同下。）

Enter NERISSA with a Servitor

Quick, quick, I pray thee; draw the curtain straight:
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,
And comes to his election presently.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF ARRAGON, PORTIA, and their trains

Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince:
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized:
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.

I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to any one
Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage: Lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
Immediately to leave you and be gone.

To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

And so have I address'd me. Fortune now
To my heart's hope! Gold; silver; and base lead.
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.'
You shall look fairer, ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? ha! let me see:
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.'
What many men desire! that 'many' may be meant
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet,
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire,
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house;
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear:
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves:'
And well said too; for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
How much low peasantry would then be glean'd
From the true seed of honour! and how much honour
Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new-varnish'd! Well, but to my choice:
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.'
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

He opens the silver casket

Too long a pause for that which you find there.

What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot,
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.
How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
'Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.'
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?
Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?

To offend, and judge, are distinct offices
And of opposed natures.

What is here?

ReadsThe fire seven times tried this:
Seven times tried that judgment is,
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss;
Such have but a shadow's bliss:
There be fools alive, I wis,
Silver'd o'er; and so was this.
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone: you are sped.
Still more fool I shall appear
By the time I linger here
With one fool's head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.
Sweet, adieu. I'll keep my oath,
Patiently to bear my wroth.

Exeunt Arragon and train

Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.

The ancient saying is no heresy,
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.

Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.

Enter a Servant

Where is my lady?

Here: what would my lord?

Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify the approaching of his lord;
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,
To wit, besides commends and courteous breath,
Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love:
A day in April never came so sweet,
To show how costly summer was at hand,
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.

No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.
Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see
Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.

Bassanio, lord Love, if thy will it be!

Exeunt

第九场 贝尔蒙特。鲍西娅家中一室

    尼莉莎及一仆人上。

    尼莉莎 赶快，赶快，扯开那帐幕；阿拉贡亲王已经宣过誓，就要来选匣子啦。

    喇叭奏花腔。阿拉贡亲王及鲍西娅各率侍从上。

    鲍西娅 瞧， 尊贵的王子，那三个匣子就在这儿；您要是选中了有我的小像藏
在里头的那一只，我们就可以立刻举行婚礼；可是您要是失败了的话，那么殿下，
不必多言，您必须立刻离开这儿。

    阿拉贡亲王 我已经宣誓遵守三项条件： 第一，不得告诉任何人我所选的是哪
一只匣子；第二，要是我选错了匣子，终身不得再向任何女子求婚；第三，要是我
选不中，必须立刻离开此地。

    鲍西娅 为了我这微贱的身子来此冒险的人， 没有一个不曾立誓遵守这几个条
件。

    阿拉贡亲王 我已经有所准备了。 但愿命运满足我的心愿！一只是金的，一只
是银的，还有一只是下贱的铅的。“谁选择了我，必须准备把他所有的一切作为牺
牲。”你要我为你牺牲，应该再好看一点才是。那个金匣子上面说的什么？哈！让
我来看吧：“谁选择了我，将要得到众人所希求的东西。”众人所希求的东西！那
“众人”也许是指那无知的群众，他们只知道凭着外表取人，信赖着一双愚妄的眼
睛，不知道窥察到内心，就像燕子把巢筑在风吹雨淋的屋外的墙壁上，自以为可保
万全，不想到灾祸就会接踵而至。我不愿选择众人所希求的东西，因为我不愿随波
逐流，与庸俗的群众为伍。那么还是让我瞧瞧你吧，你这白银的宝库；待我再看一
遍刻在你上面的字句：“谁选择了我，将要得到他所应得的东西。”说得好，一个
人要是自己没有几分长处，怎么可以妄图非份？尊荣显贵，原来不是无德之人所可
以忝窃的。唉！要是世间的爵禄官职，都能够因功授赏，不藉钻营，那么多少脱帽
侍立的人将会高冠盛服，多少发号施令的人将会唯唯听命，多少卑劣鄙贱的渣滓可
以从高贵的种子中间筛分出来，多少隐瘖不彰的贤才异能，可以从世俗的糠粃中间
剔选出来，大放它们的光泽！闲话少说，还是让我考虑考虑怎样选择吧。“谁选择
了我，将要得到他所应得的东西。”那么我就要取我份所应得的东西了。把这匣子
上的钥匙给我，让我立刻打开藏在这里面的我的命运。（开银匣。）

    鲍西娅 您在这里面瞧见些什么？怎么呆住了一声也不响？

    阿拉贡亲王 这是什么？ 一个眯着眼睛的傻瓜的画像，上面还写着字句！让我
读一下看。唉！你跟鲍西娅相去得多么远！你跟我的希望，跟我所应得的东西又相
去得多么远！“谁选择了我，将要得到他所应得的东西。”难道我只应该得到一副
傻瓜的嘴脸吗？那便是我的奖品吗？我不该得到好一点的东西吗？

    鲍西娅 毁谤和评判，是两件作用不同、性质相反的事。

    阿拉贡亲王 这儿写着什么？

    这银子在火里烧过七遍；

    那永远不会错误的判断，

    也必须经过七次的试炼。

    有的人终身向幻影追逐，

    只好在幻影里寻求满足。

    我知道世上尽有些呆鸟，

    空有着一个镀银的外表；

    随你娶一个怎样的妻房，

    摆脱不了这傻瓜的皮囊；

    去吧，先生，莫再耽搁时光！

    我要是再留在这儿发呆，

    愈显得是个十足的蠢才；

    顶一颗傻脑袋来此求婚，

    带两个蠢头颅回转家门。

    别了，美人，我愿遵守誓言，

    默忍着心头愤怒的熬煎。（阿拉贝亲王率侍从下。）

    鲍西娅 正像飞蛾在烛火里伤身，

    这些傻瓜们自恃着聪明，

    免不了被聪明误了前程。

    尼莉莎 古话说得好，上吊娶媳妇，

    都是一个人注定的天数。

    鲍西娅 来，尼莉莎，把帐幕拉下了。

    一仆人上。

    仆人 小姐呢？

    鲍西娅 在这儿；尊驾有什么见教？

    仆人 小姐， 门口有一个年轻的威尼斯人，说是来通知一声，他的主人就要来
啦；他说他的主人叫他先来向小姐致意，除了一大堆恭维的客套以外，还带来了几
件很贵重的礼物。小的从来没有见过这么一位体面的爱神的使者；预报繁茂的夏季
快要来临的四月的天气，也不及这个为主人先驱的俊仆温雅。

    鲍西娅 请你别说下去了吧； 你把他称赞得这样天花乱坠，我怕你就要说他是
你的亲戚了。来，来，尼莉莎，我倒很想瞧瞧这一位爱神差来的体面的使者。

    尼莉莎 爱神啊，但愿来的是巴萨尼奥！（同下。）

Enter SALANIO and SALARINO

Now, what news on the Rialto?

Why, yet it lives there uncheck'd that Antonio hath
a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas;
the Goodwins, I think they call the place; a very
dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcasses of many
a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip
Report be an honest woman of her word.

I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever
knapped ginger or made her neighbours believe she
wept for the death of a third husband. But it is
true, without any slips of prolixity or crossing the
plain highway of talk, that the good Antonio, the
honest Antonio,--O that I had a title good enough
to keep his name company!--

Come, the full stop.

Ha! what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he hath
lost a ship.

I would it might prove the end of his losses.

Let me say 'amen' betimes, lest the devil cross my
prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew.

Enter SHYLOCKHow now, Shylock! what news among the merchants?

You know, none so well, none so well as you, of my
daughter's flight.

That's certain: I, for my part, knew the tailor
that made the wings she flew withal.

And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was
fledged; and then it is the complexion of them all
to leave the dam.

She is damned for it.

That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.

My own flesh and blood to rebel!

Out upon it, old carrion! rebels it at these years?

I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.

There is more difference between thy flesh and hers
than between jet and ivory; more between your bloods
than there is between red wine and rhenish. But
tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any
loss at sea or no?

There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a
prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the
Rialto; a beggar, that was used to come so smug upon
the mart; let him look to his bond: he was wont to
call me usurer; let him look to his bond: he was
wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy; let him
look to his bond.

Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take
his flesh: what's that good for?

To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else,
it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and
hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,
mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my
bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine
enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath
not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as
a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison
us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not
revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian,
what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian
wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by
Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you
teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I
will better the instruction.

Enter a Servant

Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house and
desires to speak with you both.

We have been up and down to seek him.

Enter TUBAL

Here comes another of the tribe: a third cannot be
matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew.

Exeunt SALANIO, SALARINO, and Servant

How now, Tubal! what news from Genoa? hast thou
found my daughter?

I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.

Why, there, there, there, there! a diamond gone,
cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort! The curse
never fell upon our nation till now; I never felt it
till now: two thousand ducats in that; and other
precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter
were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear!
would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in
her coffin! No news of them? Why, so: and I know
not what's spent in the search: why, thou loss upon
loss! the thief gone with so much, and so much to
find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge:
nor no in luck stirring but what lights on my
shoulders; no sighs but of my breathing; no tears
but of my shedding.

Yes, other men have ill luck too: Antonio, as I
heard in Genoa,--

What, what, what? ill luck, ill luck?

Hath an argosy cast away, coming from Tripolis.

I thank God, I thank God. Is't true, is't true?

I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck.

I thank thee, good Tubal: good news, good news!
ha, ha! where? in Genoa?

Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, in one
night fourscore ducats.

Thou stickest a dagger in me: I shall never see my
gold again: fourscore ducats at a sitting!
fourscore ducats!

There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my
company to Venice, that swear he cannot choose but break.

I am very glad of it: I'll plague him; I'll torture
him: I am glad of it.

One of them showed me a ring that he had of your
daughter for a monkey.

Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal: it was my
turquoise; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor:
I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.

But Antonio is certainly undone.

Nay, that's true, that's very true. Go, Tubal, fee
me an officer; bespeak him a fortnight before. I
will have the heart of him, if he forfeit; for, were
he out of Venice, I can make what merchandise I
will. Go, go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue;
go, good Tubal; at our synagogue, Tubal.

Exeunt

第三幕

    第一场 威尼斯。街道

    萨莱尼奥及萨拉里诺上。

    萨莱尼奥 交易所里有什么消息？

    萨拉里诺  他们都在那里说安东尼奥有一艘满装着货物的船在海峡里倾覆了；
那地方的名字好像是古德温，是一处很危险的沙滩，听说有许多大船的残骸埋葬在
那里，要是那些传闻之辞是确实可靠的话。

    萨莱尼奥 我但愿那些谣言就像那些吃饱了饭没事做、 嚼嚼生姜或者一把鼻涕
一把眼泪地假装为了她第三个丈夫死去而痛哭的那些婆子们所说的鬼话一样靠不住。
可是那的确是事实——不说罗哩罗苏的废话，也不说枝枝节节的闲话——这位善良
的安东尼奥，正直的安东尼奥——啊，我希望我有一个可以充分形容他的好处的字
眼！——

    萨拉里诺 好了好了，别说下去了吧。

    萨莱尼奥 嘿！你说什么！总归一句话，他损失了一艘船。

    萨拉里诺 但愿这是他最末一次的损失。

    萨莱尼奥 让我赶快喊“阿门” ，免得给魔鬼打断了我的祷告，因为他已经扮
成一个犹太人的样子来啦。

    夏洛克上。

    萨莱尼奥 啊，夏洛克！商人中间有什么消息？

    夏洛克 有什么消息！ 我的女儿逃走啦，这件事情是你比谁都格外知道得详细
的。

    萨拉里诺 那当然啦，就是我也知道她飞走的那对翅膀是哪一个裁缝替她做的。

    萨莱尼奥 夏洛克自己也何尝不知道，她羽毛已长，当然要离开娘家啦。

    夏洛克 她干出这种不要脸的事来，死了一定要下地狱。

    萨拉里诺 倘然魔鬼做她的判官，那是当然的事情。

    夏洛克 我自己的血肉跟我过不去！

    萨莱尼奥 说什么，老东西，活到这么大年纪，还跟你自己过不去？

    夏洛克 我是说我的女儿是我自己的血肉。

    萨拉里诺 你的肉跟她的肉比起来， 比黑炭和象牙还差得远；你的血跟她的血
比起来，比红葡萄酒和白葡萄酒还差得远。可是告诉我们，你听没听见人家说起安
东尼奥在海上遭到了损失？

夏洛克 说起他， 又是我的一桩倒霉事情。这个败家精，这个破落户，他不敢
在交易所里露一露脸；他平常到市场上来，穿着得多么齐整，现在可变成一个叫化
子啦。让他留心他的借约吧；他老是骂我盘剥取利；让他留心他的借约吧；他是本
着基督徒的精神，放债从来不取利息的；让他留心他的借约吧。

    萨拉里诺 我相信要是他不能按约偿还借款， 你一定不会要他的肉的；那有什
么用处呢？

    夏洛克 拿来钓鱼也好； 即使他的肉不中吃，至少也可以出出我这一口气。他
曾经羞辱过我，夺去我几十万块钱的生意，讥笑着我的亏蚀，挖苦着我的盈余，侮
蔑我的民族，破坏我的买卖，离间我的朋友，煽动我的仇敌；他的理由是什么？只
因为我是一个犹太人。难道犹太人没有眼睛吗？难道犹太人没有五官四肢、没有知
觉、没有感情、没有血气吗？他不是吃着同样的食物，同样的武器可以伤害他，同
样的医药可以疗治他，冬天同样会冷，夏天同样会热，就像一个基督徒一样吗？你
们要是用刀剑刺我们，我们不是也会出血的吗？你们要是搔我们的痒，我们不是也
会笑起来的吗？你们要是用毒药谋害我们，我们不是也会死的吗？那么要是你们欺
侮了我们，我们难道不会复仇吗？要是在别的地方我们都跟你们一样，那么在这一
点上也是彼此相同的。要是一个犹太人欺侮了一个基督徒，那基督徒怎样表现他的
谦逊？报仇。要是一个基督徒欺侮了一个犹太人，那么照着基督徒的榜样，那犹太
人应该怎样表现他的宽容？报仇。你们已经把残虐的手段教给我，我一定会照着你
们的教训实行，而且还要加倍奉敬哩。

    一仆人上。

    仆人 两位先生，我家主人安东尼奥在家里要请两位过去谈谈。

    萨拉里诺 我们正在到处找他呢。

    杜伯尔上。

    萨莱尼奥 又是一个他的族中人来啦；世上再也找不到第三个像他们这样的人，
除非魔鬼自己也变成了犹太人。

    （萨莱尼奥、萨拉里诺及仆人下。）

    夏洛克 啊，杜伯尔！热那亚有什么消息？你有没有找到我的女儿？

    杜伯尔 我所到的地方，往往听见人家说起她，可是总找不到她。

    夏洛克 哎呀， 糟糕！糟糕！糟糕！我在法兰克府出两千块钱买来的那颗金刚
钻也丢啦！咒诅到现在才降落到咱们民族头上；我到现在才觉得它的厉害。那一颗
金刚钻就是两千块钱，还有别的贵重的贵重的珠宝。我希望我的女儿死在我的脚下，
那些珠宝都挂在她的耳朵上；我希望她就在我的脚下入土安葬，那些银钱都放在她
的棺材里！不知道他们的下落吗？哼，我不知道为了寻访他们，又花去了多少钱。
你这你这——损失上再加损失！贼子偷了这么多走了，还要花这么多去寻访贼子，
结果仍旧是一无所得，出不了这一口怨气。只有我一个人倒霉，只有我一个人叹气，
只有我一个人流眼泪！

    杜伯尔 倒霉的不单是你一个人。我在热那亚听人家说，安东尼奥——

    夏洛克 什么？什么？什么？他也倒了霉吗？他也倒了霉吗？

    杜伯尔 ——有一艘从特里坡利斯来的大船，在途中触礁。

    夏洛克 谢谢上帝！谢谢上帝！是真的吗？是真的吗？

    杜伯尔 我曾经跟几个从那船上出险的水手谈过话。

    夏洛克 谢谢你，好杜伯尔。好消息，好消息！哈哈！什么地方？在热那亚吗？

    杜伯尔 听说你的女儿在热那亚一个晚上花去八十块钱。

    夏洛克 你把一把刀戳进我心里！ 我再也瞧不见我的银子啦！一下子就是八十
块钱！八十块钱！

    杜伯尔 有几个安东尼奥的债主跟我同路到威尼斯来， 他们肯定地说他这次一
定要破产。

    夏洛克 我很高兴。我要摆布摆布他；我要叫他知道些厉害。我很高兴。

    杜伯尔 有一个人给我看一个指环，说是你女儿拿它向他买了一头猴子。

    夏洛克 该死该死！ 杜伯尔，你提起这件事，真叫我心里难过；那是我的绿玉
指环，是我的妻子莉娅在我们没有结婚的时候送给我的；即使人家把一大群猴子来
向我交换，我也不愿把它给人。

    杜伯尔 可是安东尼奥这次一定完了。

    夏洛克 对了， 这是真的，一点不错。去，杜伯尔，现在离开借约满期还有半
个月，你先给我到衙门里走动走动，花费几个钱。要是他愆了约，我要挖出他的心
来；只要威尼斯没有他，生意买卖全凭我一句话了。去，去，杜伯尔，咱们在会堂
里见面。好杜伯尔，去吧；会堂里再见，杜伯尔。（各下。）

Enter BASSANIO, PORTIA, GRATIANO, NERISSA, and Attendants

I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two
Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,
I lose your company: therefore forbear awhile.
There's something tells me, but it is not love,
I would not lose you; and you know yourself,
Hate counsels not in such a quality.
But lest you should not understand me well,--
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,--
I would detain you here some month or two
Before you venture for me. I could teach you
How to choose right, but I am then forsworn;
So will I never be: so may you miss me;
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,
That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,
They have o'erlook'd me and divided me;
One half of me is yours, the other half yours,
Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours,
And so all yours. O, these naughty times
Put bars between the owners and their rights!
And so, though yours, not yours. Prove it so,
Let fortune go to hell for it, not I.
I speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time,
To eke it and to draw it out in length,
To stay you from election.

Let me choose
For as I am, I live upon the rack.

Upon the rack, Bassanio! then confess
What treason there is mingled with your love.

None but that ugly treason of mistrust,
Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love:
There may as well be amity and life
'Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.

Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack,
Where men enforced do speak anything.

Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.

Well then, confess and live.

'Confess' and 'love'
Had been the very sum of my confession:
O happy torment, when my torturer
Doth teach me answers for deliverance!
But let me to my fortune and the caskets.

Away, then! I am lock'd in one of them:
If you do love me, you will find me out.
Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.
Let music sound while he doth make his choice;
Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end,
Fading in music: that the comparison
May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream
And watery death-bed for him. He may win;
And what is music then? Then music is
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow
To a new-crowned monarch: such it is
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day
That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear,
And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,
With no less presence, but with much more love,
Than young Alcides, when he did redeem
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,
With bleared visages, come forth to view
The issue of the exploit. Go, Hercules!
Live thou, I live: with much, much more dismay
I view the fight than thou that makest the fray.

Music, whilst BASSANIO comments on the caskets to himselfSONG.
Tell me where is fancy bred,
Or in the heart, or in the head?
How begot, how nourished?
Reply, reply.
It is engender'd in the eyes,
With gazing fed; and fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies.
Let us all ring fancy's knell
I'll begin it,--Ding, dong, bell.

Ding, dong, bell.

So may the outward shows be least themselves:
The world is still deceived with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt,
But, being seasoned with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
What damned error, but some sober brow
Will bless it and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts:
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars;
Who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk;
And these assume but valour's excrement
To render them redoubted! Look on beauty,
And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight;
Which therein works a miracle in nature,
Making them lightest that wear most of it:
So are those crisped snaky golden locks
Which make such wanton gambols with the wind,
Upon supposed fairness, often known
To be the dowry of a second head,
The skull that bred them in the sepulchre.
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore
To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,
The seeming truth which cunning times put on
To entrap the wisest. Therefore, thou gaudy gold,
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee;
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge
'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead,
Which rather threatenest than dost promise aught,
Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence;
And here choose I; joy be the consequence!

[Aside] How all the other passions fleet to air,
As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embraced despair,
And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! O love,
Be moderate; allay thy ecstasy,
In measure rein thy joy; scant this excess.
I feel too much thy blessing: make it less,
For fear I surfeit.

What find I here?

Opening the leaden casketFair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god
Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?
Or whether, riding on the balls of mine,
Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips,
Parted with sugar breath: so sweet a bar
Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs
The painter plays the spider and hath woven
A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men,
Faster than gnats in cobwebs; but her eyes,--
How could he see to do them? having made one,
Methinks it should have power to steal both his
And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look, how far
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
In underprizing it, so far this shadow
Doth limp behind the substance. Here's the scroll,
The continent and summary of my fortune.

ReadsYou that choose not by the view,
Chance as fair and choose as true!
Since this fortune falls to you,
Be content and seek no new,
If you be well pleased with this
And hold your fortune for your bliss,
Turn you where your lady is
And claim her with a loving kiss.
A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave;
I come by note, to give and to receive.
Like one of two contending in a prize,
That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes,
Hearing applause and universal shout,
Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt
Whether these pearls of praise be his or no;
So, thrice fair lady, stand I, even so;
As doubtful whether what I see be true,
Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.

You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,
Such as I am: though for myself alone
I would not be ambitious in my wish,
To wish myself much better; yet, for you
I would be trebled twenty times myself;
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich;
That only to stand high in your account,
I might in virtue, beauties, livings, friends,
Exceed account; but the full sum of me
Is sum of something, which, to term in gross,
Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised;
Happy in this, she is not yet so old
But she may learn; happier than this,
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;
Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit
Commits itself to yours to be directed,
As from her lord, her governor, her king.
Myself and what is mine to you and yours
Is now converted: but now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,
Queen o'er myself: and even now, but now,
This house, these servants and this same myself
Are yours, my lord: I give them with this ring;
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let it presage the ruin of your love
And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

Madam, you have bereft me of all words,
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins;
And there is such confusion in my powers,
As after some oration fairly spoke
By a beloved prince, there doth appear
Among the buzzing pleased multitude;
Where every something, being blent together,
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy,
Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence:
O, then be bold to say Bassanio's dead!

My lord and lady, it is now our time,
That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper,
To cry, good joy: good joy, my lord and lady!

My lord Bassanio and my gentle lady,
I wish you all the joy that you can wish;
For I am sure you can wish none from me:
And when your honours mean to solemnize
The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you,
Even at that time I may be married too.

With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.

I thank your lordship, you have got me one.
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid;
You loved, I loved for intermission.
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.
Your fortune stood upon the casket there,
And so did mine too, as the matter falls;
For wooing here until I sweat again,
And sweating until my very roof was dry
With oaths of love, at last, if promise last,
I got a promise of this fair one here
To have her love, provided that your fortune
Achieved her mistress.

Is this true, Nerissa?

Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal.

And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?

Yes, faith, my lord.

Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage.

We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats.

What, and stake down?

No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down.
But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? What,
and my old Venetian friend Salerio?

Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO, a Messenger from Venice

Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither;
If that the youth of my new interest here
Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave,
I bid my very friends and countrymen,
Sweet Portia, welcome.

So do I, my lord:
They are entirely welcome.

I thank your honour. For my part, my lord,
My purpose was not to have seen you here;
But meeting with Salerio by the way,
He did entreat me, past all saying nay,
To come with him along.

I did, my lord;
And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio
Commends him to you.

Gives Bassanio a letter

Ere I ope his letter,
I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth.

Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind;
Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there
Will show you his estate.

Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome.
Your hand, Salerio: what's the news from Venice?
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?
I know he will be glad of our success;
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.

There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper,
That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek:
Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world
Could turn so much the constitution
Of any constant man. What, worse and worse!
With leave, Bassanio: I am half yourself,
And I must freely have the half of anything
That this same paper brings you.

O sweet Portia,
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words
That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady,
When I did first impart my love to you,
I freely told you, all the wealth I had
Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman;
And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady,
Rating myself at nothing, you shall see
How much I was a braggart. When I told you
My state was nothing, I should then have told you
That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed,
I have engaged myself to a dear friend,
Engaged my friend to his mere enemy,
To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady;
The paper as the body of my friend,
And every word in it a gaping wound,
Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio?
Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit?
From Tripolis, from Mexico and England,
From Lisbon, Barbary and India?
And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch
Of merchant-marring rocks?

Not one, my lord.
Besides, it should appear, that if he had
The present money to discharge the Jew,
He would not take it. Never did I know
A creature, that did bear the shape of man,
So keen and greedy to confound a man:
He plies the duke at morning and at night,
And doth impeach the freedom of the state,
If they deny him justice: twenty merchants,
The duke himself, and the magnificoes
Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him;
But none can drive him from the envious plea
Of forfeiture, of justice and his bond.

When I was with him I have heard him swear
To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen,
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh
Than twenty times the value of the sum
That he did owe him: and I know, my lord,
If law, authority and power deny not,
It will go hard with poor Antonio.

Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?

The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,
The best-condition'd and unwearied spirit
In doing courtesies, and one in whom
The ancient Roman honour more appears
Than any that draws breath in Italy.

What sum owes he the Jew?

For me three thousand ducats.

What, no more?
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;
Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.
First go with me to church and call me wife,
And then away to Venice to your friend;
For never shall you lie by Portia's side
With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold
To pay the petty debt twenty times over:
When it is paid, bring your true friend along.
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime
Will live as maids and widows. Come, away!
For you shall hence upon your wedding-day:
Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer:
Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.
But let me hear the letter of your friend.

[Reads] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all
miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is
very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since
in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all
debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but
see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your
pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come,
let not my letter.

O love, dispatch all business, and be gone!

Since I have your good leave to go away,
I will make haste: but, till I come again,
No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay,
No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.

Exeunt

第二场 贝尔蒙特。鲍西娅家中一室

    巴萨尼奥，鲍西娅，葛莱西安诺、尼莉莎及侍从等上。

    鲍西娅 请您不要太急， 停一两天再赌运气吧；因为要是您选得不对，咱们就
不能再在一块儿，所以请您暂时缓一下吧。我心里仿佛有一种什么感觉——可是那
不是爱情——告诉我我不愿失去您；您一定也知道，嫌憎是不会向人说这种话的。
一个女孩儿家本来不该信口说话，可是唯恐您不能懂得我的意思，我真想留您在这
儿住上一两个月，然后再让您为我冒险一试。我可以教您怎样选才不会有错；可是
这样我就要违犯了誓言，那是断断不可的；然而那样您也许会选错；要是您选错了，
您一定会使我起了一个有罪的愿望，懊悔我不该为了不敢背誓而忍心让您失望。顶
可恼的是您这一双眼睛，它们已经瞧透了我的心，把我分成两半：半个我是您的，
还有那半个我也是您的——不，我的意思是说那半个我是我的，可是既然是我的，
也就是您的，所以整个儿的我都是您的。唉！都是这些无聊的世俗礼法，使人们不
能享受他们合法的权利；所以我虽然是您的，却又不是您的。要是结果真是这样，
造孽的是那命运，不是我。我说得太噜苏了，可是我的目的是要尽量拖延时间，不
放您马上就去选择。

    巴萨尼奥 让我选吧；我现在这样提心吊胆，才像给人拷问一样受罪呢。

    鲍西娅 给人拷问， 巴萨尼奥！那么您给我招认出来，在您的爱情之中，隐藏
着什么奸谋？

    巴萨尼奥 没有什么奸谋， 我只是有点怀疑忧惧，但恐我的痴心化为徒劳；奸
谋跟我的爱情正像冰炭一样，是无法相容的。

    鲍西娅 嗯， 可是我怕你是因为受不住拷问的痛苦，才说这样的话。一个人给
绑上了刑床，还不是要他怎样讲就怎样讲？

    巴萨尼奥 您要是答应赦我一死，我愿意招认真情。

    鲍西娅 好，赦您一死，您招认吧。

    巴萨尼奥“爱”便是我所能招认的一切。多谢我的刑官，您教给我怎样免罪的
答话了！可是让我去瞧瞧那几个匣子，试试我的运气吧。

    鲍西娅 那么去吧！ 在那三个匣子中间，有一个里面锁着我的小像；您要是真
的爱我，您会把我找出来的。尼莉莎，你跟其余的人都站开些。在他选择的时候，
把音乐奏起来，要是他失败了，好让他像天鹅一样在音乐声中死去；把这譬喻说得
更确当一些，我的眼睛就是他葬身的清流。也许他会胜利的；那么那音乐又像什么
呢？那时候音乐就像忠心的臣子俯伏迎迓新加冕的君王的时候所吹奏的号角，又像
是黎明时分送进正在做着好梦的新郎的耳中，催他起来举行婚礼的甜柔的琴韵。现
在他去了，他的沉毅的姿态，就像年轻的赫剌克勒斯奋身前去，在特洛亚人的呼叫
声中，把他们祭献给海怪的处女拯救出来一样⑦，可是他心里却藏着更多的爱情，
我站在这儿做牺牲，她们站在旁边，就像泪眼模糊的特洛亚妇女们，出来看这场争
斗的结果。去吧，赫剌克勒斯！我的生命悬在你手里，但愿你安然生还；我这观战
的人心中比你上场作战的人还要惊恐万倍！

    巴萨尼奥独白时，乐队奏乐唱歌。

    歌

    告诉我爱情生长在何方？

    还是在脑海？还是在心房？

    它怎样发生？它怎样成长？

    回答我，回答我。

    爱情的火在眼睛里点亮，

    凝视是爱情生活的滋养，

    它的摇篮便是它的坟堂。

    让我们把爱的丧钟鸣响，

    丁当！丁当！

    丁当！丁当！（众和）

    巴萨尼奥 外观往往和事物的本身完全不符，世人却容易为表面的装饰所欺骗。
在法律上，哪一件卑鄙邪恶的陈诉不可以用娓娓动听的言词掩饰它的罪状？在宗教
上，哪一桩罪大罪极的过失不可以引经据典，文过饰非，证明它的确上合天心？任
何彰明昭著的罪恶，都可以在外表上装出一副道貌岸然的样子。多少没有胆量的懦
夫，他们的心其实软弱得就像下不去脚的流沙，他们的肝如果剖出来看一看，大概
比乳汁还要白，可是他们的颊上却长着天神一样威武的鬚髯，人家只看着他们的外
表，也就居然把他们当作英雄一样看待！再看那些世间所谓美貌吧，那是完全靠着
脂粉装点出来的，愈是轻浮的女人，所涂的脂粉也愈重；至于那些随风飘扬像蛇一
样的金丝鬈发，看上去果然漂亮，不知道却是从坟墓中死人的骷髅上借来的⑧。所
以装饰不过是一道把船只诱进凶涛险浪的怒海中去的陷人的海岸，又像是遮掩着一
个黑丑蛮女的一道美丽的面幕；总而言之，它是狡诈的世人用来欺诱智士的似是而
非的真理。所以，你炫目的黄金，米达斯王的坚硬的食物⑨，我不要你；你惨白的
银子，在人们手里来来去去的下贱的奴才，我也不要你；可是你，寒伧的铅，你的
形状只能使人退走，一点没有吸引人的力量，然而你的质朴却比巧妙的言辞更能打
动我的心，我就选了你吧，但愿结果美满！

    鲍西娅（旁白）一切纷杂的思绪；多心的疑虑、卤莽的绝望、战栗的恐惧、酸
性的猜嫉，多么快地烟消云散了！爱情啊！把你的狂喜节制一下，不要让你的欢乐
溢出界限，让你的情绪越过分寸；你使我感觉到太多的幸福，请你把它减轻几分吧，
我怕我快要给快乐窒息而死了！

    巴萨尼奥 这里面是什么？ （开铅匣）美丽的鲍西娅的副本！这是谁的神化之
笔，描画出这样一位绝世的美人？这双眼睛是在转动吗？还是因为我的眼球在转动，
所以仿佛它们也在随着转动？她的微启的双唇，是因为她嘴里吐出来的甘美芳香的
气息而分裂的；唯有这样甘美的气息才能分开这样甜蜜的朋友。画师在描画她的头
发的时候，一定曾经化身为蜘蛛，织下了这么一个金丝的发网，来诱捉男子们的心；
哪一个男子见了它，不会比飞蛾投入蛛网还快地陷下网罗呢？可是她的眼睛！他怎
么能够睁着眼睛把它们画出来呢？他在画了一只眼睛以后，我想它的逼人的光芒一
定会使他自己目眩神夺，再也描画不成其余的一只。可是瞧，我用尽一切赞美的字
句，还不能充分形容出这一个画中幻影的美妙；然而这幻影跟它的实体比较起来，
又是多么望尘莫及！这儿是一纸手卷，宣判着我的命运。

    你选择不凭着外表，

    果然给你直中鹄心！

    胜利既已入你怀抱，

你莫再往别处追寻。

    这结果倘使你满意，

就请接受你的幸运，

    赶快回转你的身体，

给你的爱深深一吻。

    温柔的纶音！美人，请怒我大胆，（吻鲍西娅）

    我奉命来把彼此的深情交换。

    像一个夺标的健儿驰骋身手，

    耳旁只听见沸腾的人声如吼，

    虽然明知道胜利已在他手掌，

    却不敢相信人们在向他赞赏。

    绝世的美人，我现在神眩目晕，

    仿佛闯进了一场离奇的梦境；

    除非你亲口证明这一切是真，

    我再也不相信我自己的眼睛。

    鲍西娅 巴萨尼奥公子， 您瞧我站在这儿，不过是这样的一个人。虽然为了我
自己的缘故，我不愿妄想自己比现在的我更好一点；可是为了您的缘故，我希望我
能够六十倍胜过我的本身，再加上一千倍的美丽，一万倍的富有；我但愿我有无比
的贤德、美貌、财产和亲友，好让我在您的心目中占据一个很高的位置。可是我这
一身却是一无所有，我只是一个不学无术、没有教养、缺少见识的女子；幸亏她的
年纪还不是顶大，来得及发愤学习；她的天资也不是顶笨，可以加以教导；尤其大
幸的，她有一颗柔顺的心灵，愿意把它奉献给您，听从您的指导，把您当作她的主
人、她的统治者和她的君王。我自己以及我所有的一切，现在都变成您的所有了；
刚才我还拥有着这一座华丽的大厦，我的仆人都听从着我的指挥，我是支配我自己
的女王，可是就在现在，这屋子、这些仆人和这一个我，都是属于您的了，我的夫
君。凭着这一个指环，我把这一切完全呈献给您；要是您让这指环离开您的身边，
或者把它丢了，或者把它送给别人，那就预示着您的爱情的毁灭，我可以因此责怪
您的。

    巴萨尼奥 小姐， 您使我说不出一句话来，只有我的热血在我的血管里跳动着
向您陈诉。我的精神是在一种恍惚的状态中，正像喜悦的群众在听到他们所爱戴的
君王的一篇美妙的演辞以后那种心灵眩惑的神情，除了口头的赞叹和内心的欢乐以
外，一切的一切都混和起来，化成白茫茫的一片模糊。要是这指环有一天离开这手
指，那么我的生命也一定已经终结；那时候您可以放胆地说，巴萨尼奥已经死了。

    尼莉莎 姑爷， 小姐，我们站在旁边，眼看我们的愿望成为事实，现在该让我
们来道喜了。恭喜姑爷！恭喜小姐！

    葛莱西安诺 巴萨尼奥大爷和我的温柔的夫人， 愿你们享受一切的快乐！因为
我敢说，你们享尽一切快乐，也剥夺不了我的快乐。我有一个请求，要是你们决定
在什么时候举行嘉礼，我也想跟你们一起结婚。

    巴萨尼奥 很好，只要你能够找到一个妻子。

    葛莱西安诺 谢谢大爷， 您已经替我找到一个了。不瞒大爷说，我这一双眼睛
瞧起人来，并不比您大爷慢；您瞧见了小姐，我也看中了使女；您发生了爱情，我
也发生了爱情。大爷，我的手脚并不比您慢啊。您的命运靠那几个匣子决定，我也
是一样；因为我在这儿千求万告，身上的汗出了一身又是一身，指天誓日地说到唇
干舌燥，才算得到这位好姑娘的一句回音，答应我要是您能够得到她的小姐，我也
可以得到她的爱情。

    鲍西娅 这是真的吗，尼莉莎？

    尼莉莎 是真的，小姐，要是您赞成的话。

    巴萨尼奥 葛莱西安诺，你也是出于真心吗？

    葛莱西安诺 是的，大爷。

    巴萨尼奥 我们的喜宴有你们的婚礼添兴，那真是喜上加喜了。

    葛莱西安诺 我们要跟他们打赌一千块钱，看谁先养儿子。

    尼莉莎 什么，还要赌一笔钱？

    葛莱西安诺 不， 我们怕是赢不了的，还是不下赌注了吧。可是谁来啦？罗兰
佐和他的异教徒吗？什么！还有我那威尼斯老朋友萨莱尼奥？

    罗兰佐、杰西卡及萨莱尼奥上。

    巴萨尼奥 罗兰佐、 萨莱尼奥，虽然我也是初履此地，让我僭用着这里主人的
名义，欢迎你们的到来。亲爱的鲍西娅，请您允许我接待我这几个同乡朋友。

    鲍西娅 我也是竭诚欢迎他们。

    罗兰佐 谢谢。 巴萨尼奥大爷，我本来并没有想到要到这儿来看您，因为在路
上碰见萨莱尼奥，给他不由分说地硬拉着一块儿来啦。

    萨莱尼奥 是我拉他来， 大爷，我是有理由的。安东尼奥先生叫我替他向您致
意。（给巴萨尼奥一信。）

    巴萨尼奥 在我没有拆开这信以前，请你告诉我我的好朋友近来好吗？

    萨莱尼奥 他没有病， 除非有点儿心病；也并不轻松，除非打开了心结。您看
了他的信，就可以知道他的近况。

    葛莱西安诺 尼莉莎， 招待招待那位客人。把你的手给我，萨莱尼奥。威尼斯
有些什么消息？那位善良的商人安东尼奥怎样？我知道他听见了我们的成功，一定
会十分高兴；我们是两个伊阿宋，把金羊毛取了来啦。

    萨莱尼奥 我希望你们能够把他失去的金羊毛取了回来，那就好了。

    鲍西娅 那信里一定有些什么坏消息， 巴萨尼奥的脸色都变白了；多半是一个
什么好朋友死了，否则不会有别的事情会把一个堂堂男子激动到这个样子的。怎么，
越来越糟了！恕我冒渎，巴萨尼奥，我是您自身的一半，这封信所带给您的任何不
幸的消息，也必须让我分一半去。

    巴萨尼奥 啊，亲爱的鲍西娅！这信里所写的，是自有纸墨以来最悲惨的字句。
好小姐，当我初次向您倾吐我的爱慕之忱的时候，我坦白地告诉您，我的高贵的家
世是我仅有的财产，那时我并没有向您说谎；可是，亲爱的小姐，单单把我说成一
个两袖清风的寒士，还未免夸张过分，因为我不但一无所有，而且还负着一身债务；
不但欠了我的一个好朋友许多钱，还累他为了我的缘故，欠了他仇家的钱。这一封
信，小姐，那信纸就像是我朋友的身体，上面的每一个字，都是一处血淋淋的创伤。
可是，萨莱尼奥，那是真的吗？难道他的船舶都一起遭难了？竟没有一艘平安到港
吗？从特里坡利斯、墨西哥、英国、里斯本、巴巴里和印度来的船只，没有一艘能
够逃过那些毁害商船的礁石的可怕的撞击吗？

    萨莱尼奥 一艘也没有逃过。 而且即使他现在有钱还那犹太人，那犹太人也不
肯收他。我从来没有见过这种家伙，样子像人，却一心一意只想残害他的同类；他
不分昼夜地向公爵絮叨，说是他们倘不给他主持公道，那么威尼斯根本不成其为自
由邦。二十个商人、公爵自己，还有那些最有名望的士绅，都曾劝过他，可是谁也
不能叫他回心转意，放弃他狠毒的控诉；他一口咬定，要求按照约文的规定，处罚
安东尼奥违约。

    杰西卡 我在家里的时候， 曾经听见他向杜伯尔和丘斯，他的两个同族的人谈
起，说他宁可取安东尼奥身上的肉，不愿收受比他的欠款多二十倍的钱。要是法律
和威权不能阻止他，那么可怜的安东尼奥恐怕难逃一死了。

    鲍西娅 遭到这样危难的人，是不是您的好朋友？

    巴萨尼奥 我的最亲密的朋友， 一个心肠最仁慈的人，热心为善，多情尚义，
在他身上存留着比任何意大利人更多的古代罗马的侠义精神。

    鲍西娅 他欠那犹太人多少钱？

    巴萨尼奥 他为了我的缘故，向他借了三千块钱。

    鲍西娅 什么， 只有这一点数目吗？还他六千块钱，把那借约毁了；两倍六千
块钱，或者照这数目再倍三倍都可以，可是万万不能因为巴萨尼奥的过失，害这样
一位好朋友损伤一根毛发。先和我到教堂里去结为夫妇，然后你就到威尼斯去看你
的朋友；鲍西娅决不让你抱着一颗不安宁的良心睡在她的身旁。你可以带偿还这笔
小小借款的二十倍那么多的钱去；债务清了以后，就带你的忠心的朋友到这儿来。
我的侍女尼莉莎陪着我在家里，仍旧像未嫁的时候一样，守候着你们的归来。来，
今天就是你结婚的日子，大家快快乐乐，好好招待你的朋友们。你既然是用这么大
的代价买来的，我一定格外爱你。可是让我听听你朋友的信。

    巴萨尼奥“巴萨尼奥挚友如握：弟船只悉数遇难，债主煎迫，家业荡然。犹太
人之约，业已愆期；履行罚则，殆无生望。足下前此欠弟债项，一切勾销，惟盼及
弟未死之前，来相临视。或足下燕婉情浓，不忍遽别，则亦不复相强，此信置之可
也。”

    鲍西娅 啊，亲爱的，快把一切事情办好，立刻就去吧！

    巴萨尼奥 既然蒙您允许， 我就赶快收拾动身；可是——此去经宵应少睡，长
留魂魄系相思。（同下。）

Enter SHYLOCK, SALARINO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler

Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy;
This is the fool that lent out money gratis:
Gaoler, look to him.

Hear me yet, good Shylock.

I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond:
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause;
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:
The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request.

I pray thee, hear me speak.

I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:
I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more.
I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
To Christian intercessors. Follow not;
I'll have no speaking: I will have my bond.

Exit

It is the most impenetrable cur
That ever kept with men.

Let him alone:
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
He seeks my life; his reason well I know:
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me;
Therefore he hates me.

I am sure the duke
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

The duke cannot deny the course of law:
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, if it be denied,
Will much impeach the justice of his state;
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
These griefs and losses have so bated me,
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
To-morrow to my bloody creditor.
Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!

Exeunt

第三场 威尼斯。街道

    夏洛克、萨拉里诺、安东尼奥及狱吏上。

    夏洛克 狱官， 留心看住他；不要对我讲什么慈悲。这就是那个放债不取利息
的傻瓜。狱官，留心看住他。

    安东尼奥 再听我说句话，好夏洛克。

    夏洛克 我一定要照约实行； 你倘然想推翻这一张契约，那还是请你免开尊口
的好。我已经发过誓，非得照约实行不可。你曾经无缘无故骂我狗，既然我是狗，
那么你可留心着我的狗牙齿吧。公爵一定会给我主持公道的。你这糊涂的狱官，我
真不懂你老是会答应他的请求，陪着他到外边来。

    安东尼奥 请你听我说。

    夏洛克 我一定要照约实行， 不要听你讲什么鬼话；我一定要照约实行，所以
请你闭嘴吧。我不像那些软心肠流眼泪的傻瓜们一样，听了基督徒的几句劝告，就
会摇头叹气，懊悔屈服。别跟着我，我不要听你说话，我要照约实行。（下。）

    萨拉里诺 这是人世间一头最顽固的恶狗。

    安东尼奥 别理他； 我也不愿再费无益的唇舌向他哀求了。他要的是我的命，
我也知道他的原因。有好多次，人家落在他手里，还不出钱来，弄得走投无路，跑
来向我呼吁，是我帮助他们解除他的压迫，所以他才恨我。

    萨拉里诺 我相信公爵一定不会允许他执行这一种处罚。

    安东尼奥 公爵不能变更法律的规定， 因为威尼斯的繁荣，完全倚赖着各国人
民的来往通商，要是剥夺了异邦人应享的权利，一定会使人对威尼斯的法治精神发
生重大的怀疑。去吧，这些不如意的事情，已经把我搅得心力交瘁，我怕到明天身
上也许剩不满一磅肉来，偿还我这位不怕血腥气的债主了。狱官，走吧。求上帝，
让巴萨尼奥来亲眼看见我替他还债，我就死而无怨了！（同下。）

Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHASAR

Madam, although I speak it in your presence,
You have a noble and a true conceit
Of godlike amity; which appears most strongly
In bearing thus the absence of your lord.
But if you knew to whom you show this honour,
How true a gentleman you send relief,
How dear a lover of my lord your husband,
I know you would be prouder of the work
Than customary bounty can enforce you.

I never did repent for doing good,
Nor shall not now: for in companions
That do converse and waste the time together,
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke Of love,
There must be needs a like proportion
Of lineaments, of manners and of spirit;
Which makes me think that this Antonio,
Being the bosom lover of my lord,
Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,
How little is the cost I have bestow'd
In purchasing the semblance of my soul
From out the state of hellish misery!
This comes too near the praising of myself;
Therefore no more of it: hear other things.
Lorenzo, I commit into your hands
The husbandry and manage of my house
Until my lord's return: for mine own part,
I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow
To live in prayer and contemplation,
Only attended by Nerissa here,
Until her husband and my lord's return:
There is a monastery two miles off;
And there will we abide. I do desire you
Not to deny this imposition;
The which my love and some necessity
Now lays upon you.

Madam, with all my heart;
I shall obey you in all fair commands.

My people do already know my mind,
And will acknowledge you and Jessica
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.
And so farewell, till we shall meet again.

Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!

I wish your ladyship all heart's content.

I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased
To wish it back on you: fare you well Jessica.

Exeunt JESSICA and LORENZONow, Balthasar,
As I have ever found thee honest-true,
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,
And use thou all the endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua: see thou render this
Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario;
And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee,
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed
Unto the tranect, to the common ferry
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,
But get thee gone: I shall be there before thee.

Madam, I go with all convenient speed.

Exit

Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand
That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands
Before they think of us.

Shall they see us?

They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit,
That they shall think we are accomplished
With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,
When we are both accoutred like young men,
I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two,
And wear my dagger with the braver grace,
And speak between the change of man and boy
With a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps
Into a manly stride, and speak of frays
Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies,
How honourable ladies sought my love,
Which I denying, they fell sick and died;
I could not do withal; then I'll repent,
And wish for all that, that I had not killed them;
And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell,
That men shall swear I have discontinued school
Above a twelvemonth. I have within my mind
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks,
Which I will practise.

Why, shall we turn to men?

Fie, what a question's that,
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!
But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device
When I am in my coach, which stays for us
At the park gate; and therefore haste away,
For we must measure twenty miles to-day.

Exeunt

第四场 贝尔蒙特。鲍西娅家中一室

    鲍西娅、尼莉莎、罗兰佐、杰西卡及鲍尔萨泽上。

    罗兰佐 夫人， 不是我当面恭维您，您的确有一颗高贵真诚、不同凡俗的仁爱
的心；尤其像这次敦促尊夫就道，宁愿割舍儿女的私情，这一种精神毅力，真令人
万分钦佩。可是您倘使知道受到您这种好意的是个什么人，您所救援的是怎样一个
正直的君子，他对于尊夫的交情又是怎样深挚，我相信您一定会格外因为做了这一
件好事而自傲，一件寻常的善举可不能让您得到那么大的快乐。

    鲍西娅 我做了好事从来不后悔， 现在也当然不会。因为凡是常在一块儿谈心
游戏的朋友，彼此之间都有一重相互的友爱，他们在容貌上、风度上、习性上，也
必定相去不远；所以在我想来，这位安东尼奥既然是我丈夫的心腹好友，他的为人
一定很像我的丈夫。要是我的猜想果然不错，那么我把一个跟我的灵魂相仿的人从
残暴的迫害下救赎出来，花了这一点儿代价，算得什么！可是这样的话，太近于自
吹自擂了，所以别说了吧，还是谈些其他的事情。罗兰佐，在我的丈夫没有回来以
前，我要劳驾您替我照管家里；我自己已经向天许下密誓，要在祈祷和默念中过着
生活，只让尼莉莎一个人陪着我，直到我们两人的丈夫回来。在两哩路之外有一所
修道院，我们就预备住在那儿。我向您提出这一个请求，不只是为了个人的私情，
还有其他事实上的必要，请您不要拒绝我。

    罗兰佐 夫人，您有什么吩咐，我无不乐于遵命。

    鲍西娅 我的仆人们都已知道我的决心， 他们会把您和杰西卡当作巴萨尼奥和
我自己一样看待。后会有期，再见了。

    罗兰佐 但愿美妙的思想和安乐的时光追随在您的身旁！

    杰西卡 愿夫人一切如意！

    鲍西娅 谢谢你们的好意， 我也愿意用同样的愿望祝福你们。再见，杰西卡。
（杰西卡、罗兰佐下）鲍尔萨泽，我一向知道你诚实可靠，希望你永远做一个诚实
可靠的人。这一封信你给我火速送到帕度亚，交给我的表兄培拉里奥博士亲手收拆；
要是他有什么回信和衣服交给你，你就赶快带着它们到码头上，乘公共渡船到威尼
斯去。不要多说话，去吧；我会在威尼斯等你。

    鲍尔萨泽 小姐，我尽快去就是了。（下。）

    鲍西娅 来， 尼莉莎，我现在还要干一些你没有知道的事情；我们要在我们的
丈夫还没有想到我们之前去跟他们相会。

    尼莉莎 我们要让他们看见我们吗？

    鲍西娅 他们将会看见我们， 尼莉莎，可是我们要打扮得叫他们认不出我们的
本来面目。我可以拿无论什么东西跟你打赌，要是我们都扮成了少年男子，我一定
比你漂亮点儿，带起刀子来也比你格外神气点儿；我会沙着喉咙讲话，就像一个正
在发育的男孩子一样；我会把两个姗姗细步并成一个男人家的阔步；我会学着那些
爱吹牛的哥儿们的样子，谈论一些击剑比武的玩意儿，再随口编造些巧妙的谎话，
什么谁家的千金小姐爱上了我啦，我不接受她的好意，她害起病来死啦，我怎么心
中不忍，后悔不该害了人家的性命啦，以及二十个诸如此类的无关紧要的谎话，人
家听见了，一定以为我走出学校的门还不满一年。这些爱吹牛的娃娃们的鬼花样儿
我有一千种在脑袋里，都可以搬出来应用。

    尼莉莎 怎么，我们要扮成男人吗？

    鲍西娅 为什么不？ 来，车子在林苑门口等着我们；我们上了车，我可以把我
的整个计划一路告诉你。快去吧，今天我们要赶二十哩路呢。（同下。）

Enter LAUNCELOT and JESSICA

Yes, truly; for, look you, the sins of the father
are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I
promise ye, I fear you. I was always plain with
you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter:
therefore be of good cheer, for truly I think you
are damned. There is but one hope in it that can do
you any good; and that is but a kind of bastard
hope neither.

And what hope is that, I pray thee?

Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you
not, that you are not the Jew's daughter.

That were a kind of bastard hope, indeed: so the
sins of my mother should be visited upon me.

Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and
mother: thus when I shun Scylla, your father, I
fall into Charybdis, your mother: well, you are
gone both ways.

I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a
Christian.

Truly, the more to blame he: we were Christians
enow before; e'en as many as could well live, one by
another. This making Christians will raise the
price of hogs: if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we
shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money.

Enter LORENZO

I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you say: here he comes.

I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot, if
you thus get my wife into corners.

Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo: Launcelot and I
are out. He tells me flatly, there is no mercy for
me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter: and he
says, you are no good member of the commonwealth,
for in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the
price of pork.

I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than
you can the getting up of the negro's belly: the
Moor is with child by you, Launcelot.

It is much that the Moor should be more than reason:
but if she be less than an honest woman, she is
indeed more than I took her for.

How every fool can play upon the word! I think the
best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence,
and discourse grow commendable in none only but
parrots. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner.

That is done, sir; they have all stomachs.

Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then bid
them prepare dinner.

That is done too, sir; only 'cover' is the word.

Will you cover then, sir?

Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty.

Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show
the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray
tree, understand a plain man in his plain meaning:
go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve
in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.

For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the
meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in
to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and
conceits shall govern.

Exit

O dear discretion, how his words are suited!
The fool hath planted in his memory
An army of good words; and I do know
A many fools, that stand in better place,
Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word
Defy the matter. How cheerest thou, Jessica?
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife?

Past all expressing. It is very meet
The Lord Bassanio live an upright life;
For, having such a blessing in his lady,
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth;
And if on earth he do not mean it, then
In reason he should never come to heaven
Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match
And on the wager lay two earthly women,
And Portia one, there must be something else
Pawn'd with the other, for the poor rude world
Hath not her fellow.

Even such a husband
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.

Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.

I will anon: first, let us go to dinner.

Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.

No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk;
' Then, howso'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things
I shall digest it.

Well, I'll set you forth.

Exeunt

第五场 同前。花园

    朗斯洛特及杰西卡上。

    朗斯洛特 真的， 不骗您，父亲的罪恶是要子女承当的，所以我倒真的在替您
捏着一把汗呢。我一向喜欢对您说老实话，所以现在我也老老实实把我心里所担忧
的事情告诉您；您放心吧，我想您总免不了下地狱。只有一个希望也许可以帮帮您
的忙，可是那也是个不大高妙的希望。

    杰西卡 请问你，是什么希望呢？

    朗斯洛特 嗯， 您可以存着一半儿的希望，希望您不是您的父亲所生，不是这
个犹太人的女儿。

    杰西卡 这个希望可真的太不高妙啦； 这样说来，我的母亲的罪恶又要降到我
的身上来了。

    朗斯洛特 那倒也是真的，您不是为您的父亲下地狱，就是为您的母亲下地狱；
逃过了凶恶的礁石，逃不过危险的漩涡。好，您下地狱是下定了。

    杰西卡 我可以靠着我的丈夫得救；他已经使我变成一个基督徒了。

    朗斯洛特 这就是他大大的不该。 咱们本来已经有很多的基督徒，简直快要挤
都挤不下啦；要是再这样把基督徒一批一批制造出来，猪肉的价钱一定会飞涨，大
家吃起猪肉来，恐怕每人只好分到一片薄薄的咸肉了。

    杰西卡 朗斯洛特，你这样胡说八道，我一定要告诉我的丈夫。他来啦。

    罗兰佐上。

    罗兰佐 朗斯洛特， 你要是再拉着我的妻子在壁角里说话，我真的要吃起醋来
了。

    杰西卡 不， 罗兰佐，你放心好了，我已经跟朗斯洛特翻脸啦。他老实不客气
地告诉我，上天不会对我发慈悲，因为我是一个犹太人的女儿；他又说你不是国家
的好公民，因为你把犹太人变成了基督徒，提高了猪肉的价钱。

    罗兰佐 要是政府向我质问起来， 我自有话说。可是，朗斯洛特，你把那黑人
的女儿弄大了肚子，这该是什么罪名呢？

    朗斯洛特 那个摩尔姑娘会失去理智， 给人弄大肚子，固然是件严重的事；可
是如果她算不上是个规矩女人，那么我才是看错人啦。

    罗兰佐 看， 连傻瓜都会说起俏皮话来啦！照这样下去，连口才最好的才子，
也只好哑口无言了。到时候就只听见八哥在那儿咭咭呱呱出风头！给我进去，小鬼，
叫他们准备好开饭了。

    朗斯洛特 先生，他们早已准备好了；他们都是有肚子的呢。

    罗兰佐 老天爷，你的嘴真尖利！那么关照他们把饭菜准备起来。

    朗斯洛特 饭和菜，他们也准备好了，大爷。您应当说：把饭菜端上来。

    罗兰佐 那么就有劳尊驾吩咐下去：把饭菜端上来。

    朗斯洛特 小的可没有这样大的气派，不敢这样使唤人啊。

    罗兰佐 要怎样才能跟你讲得清楚！ 你可是打算把你的看家本领在今天一齐使
出来？我求你啦——我是个老实人，不会跟你瞎扯。去对你那些同伴们说，桌子可
以铺起来，饭菜可以端上来，我们要进来吃饭啦。

    朗斯洛特 是， 先生，我就去叫他们把饭菜铺起来，桌子端上来；至于您进不
进来吃饭，那可悉随尊便。（下。）

    罗兰佐 啊， 看他心眼儿多么“尖巧”，说话多么“合拍”！这个傻瓜，脑子
里塞满了一大堆“动听的” 字眼。 我知道有好多傻瓜，地位比他高，跟他一样，
“满腹锦绣”，一件事扯到哪儿他不管，只是卖弄了再说。你好吗，杰西卡？亲爱
的好人儿，现在告诉我，你对于巴萨尼奥的夫人有什么意见？

    杰西卡 好到没有话说。 巴萨尼奥大爷娶到这样一位好夫人，享尽了人世天堂
的幸福，自然应该不会走上邪路了。要是有两个天神打赌，各自拿一个人间的女子
做赌注，如其一个是鲍西娅，那么还有一个必须另外加上些什么，才可以彼此相抵，
因为这一个寒伧的世界还不能产生一个跟她同样好的人来。

    罗兰佐 他娶到了这么一个好妻子，你也嫁着了我这么一个好丈夫。

    杰西卡 那可要先问问我的意见。

    罗兰佐 可以可以，可是先让我们吃了饭再说。

    杰西卡 不，让我趁着胃口没有倒之前，先把你恭维两句。

    罗兰佐 不， 你有话还是留到吃饭的时候说吧；那么不论你说得好说得坏，我
都可以连着饭菜一起吞下去。

    杰西卡 好，你且等着听我怎样说你吧。（同下。）