Riv. Why this is mending matters with a witness! And fo you think because I am not legally bound, I am under no neceffity of keeping my word! Sir Harry, laws were never made for men of honor; they want no bond but the rectitude of their own fentiments; and laws are of no ufe but to bind the villains of fociety. Sir Har. Well! But my dear Colonel, if you have no regard for me, fhew fome little regard for your daughter. Riv. I fhow the greatest regard for my daughter by giving her to a man of honor, and I must not be infulted with any further repetition of your propofals. Sir Har. Infult you, Colonel! Is the offer of my alliance an infult? Is my readiness to make what fettlements you think proper Riv. Sir Harry, I should confider the offer of a kingdom an infult, if it was to be purchased by the violation of my word. Befides, tho my daughter fhall never go a beggar to the arms of her husband, I would rather fee her happy than rich; and if fhe has enough to provide handfomely for a young family, and fomething to spare for the exigencies of a worthy friend, I fhall think her as affluent as if she was mistress of Mexico. Sir Har. Well, Colonel, I have done; but I believe Riv. Well, Sir Harry, and as our conference is done, we will, if you pleafe, retire to the ladies. I fhall be always glad of your acquaintance, though I cannot receive you as fon-inlaw; for a union of interest I look upon as a union of dif honor, and confider marriage for money, at beft but a legal proftitution. Scene between SHYLOCK and TUBAL.* Shy. How now, Tubal! What news from Genoa? Have you heard any thing of my backfliding daughter? Tub. I often came where I heard of her, but could not find her. Shy. Why, there, there, there, a diamond gone that coft me two thousand ducats at Frankfort! The curfe never fell upon the nation till now! I never felt it before! Two thoufand ducats in that and other precious jewels! I wifh fhe lay dead at my feet! No news of them! And I know not what fpent in the fearch. Lofs upon lofs. The thief gone with fo much, and fo much to find the thief; and no fatisfaction, no Fevenge; no ill luck ftirring but what lights on my shoulders. Tub. O yes, other men have ill luck too, Antonio, as I heard in Genoa Shy. [interrupting him.] What has he had ill luck? Tub. Has had a fhip caft away coming from Tripoli. Tub. I fpoke with fome of the failors that efcaped from the wreck. Shy. I thank you, good Tubal. Good news! Good news! What, in Genoa, you spoke with them. Tub. Your daughter, as I heard, fpent twenty ducats in one night. Shy. You ftick a dagger in me, Tubal. I never fhall fee my gold again. Twenty ducats in one night! Twenty ducats! O father Abraham! Tub. There came feveral of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice, who say he cannot but break. Shy. I am glad on't. I'll plague him; I'll torture him; I am glad on't. Tub. One of them fhewed me a ring he had of your daughter for a monkey. Shy. Out upon her; you turture me, Tubal! It was my Ruby. I would not have given it for as many monkies as could ftand together upon the Rialta. Tub. Antonia is certainly undone. Shy, Ay, ay, there is fome comfort in that. Go, Tubal, engage an officer. Tell him to be ready: I'll be revenged on Antonio: I'll wash my hands to the elbows in his heart's blood. Shylock had fent Tubal after his daughter, who had cloped from his houfe. Antonio was a merchant hated by Shylock. JUBA and SYPHAX. Jub. SYPHAX, I joy to meet thee thus alone. What are the thoughts that knit thy brow in frowns, Syph. 'Tis not my talent to conceal my thoughts, When difcontent fits heavy at my heart: Jub. Why dost thou caft out fuch ungenerous terms, Syph. Gods! Where's the worth that fets this people up Above your own Numidia's tawny fons ! Do they with tougher finews bend the bow? The fiery steed, and trains him to his hand? Syph. Patience, juft Heavens !-Excufe an old man's What are those wondrous civilizing arts, This Roman polifh, and this fmooth behaviour, warmth. Jub. To ftrike thee dumb, turn up thy eyes to Cato! There may'ft thou fee to what a godlike height, While good, and juft, and anxious for his friends, The pomp and pleasure which his foul can wish, Syph. Believe me, prince, there's not an African Bleffes his ftars, and thinks it luxury. Jub. Thy prejudices, Syphax, won't difcern What virtues grow from ignorance, and what from choice, Nor how the hero differs from the brute. But grant that others could with equal glory Look down on pleasures and the baits of fenfe; Where fhall we find the man that bears affliction, Heavens! with what ftrength, what fteadiness of mind, him! And thank the gods that threw the weight upon I think the Romans call it stoicifm. Had not your royal father thought fo highly Fub. Why doft thou call my forrows up a fresh Jub. Syphax, I fhould be more than twice an orphan, By fuch a lofs. Syph. Ay, there's the tie that binds you! Jub. Syphax, your zeal becomes importunate; And talk at large! but learn to keep it in, Calm and unruffled as a fummer's sea, When not a breath of wind flies o'er its furface. Syph. Alafs my prince, I'll guide you to your fafety. Fub. I do believe thou would'it; but tell me how? Syph. Fly from the fate of Cæfar's foes. Jub. My father fcorn'd to do it. Syph. And therefore dy'd. Fub. Better to die ten thousand deaths, Than wound my honor. |