Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/38

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about it, but give me your blessing: I am

Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is,

your child that shall be.

Gob. I cannot think you are my son.

Laun. 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.

Gob. 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 phill-horse has

on his tail.

Laun. It should seem then that Dobbin's tail

grows backward: I am sure he had more hair on

his tail than I have on my face, when I last saw

him.

Gob. Lord! how art thou changed. How dost

thou and thy master agree? I have brought him

a present. How 'gree you now?

Laun. 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

 101 Lord be: Praise the Lord!

102 what a beard; cf. n.

103 phill-horse: shaft-horse

113 set up my rest: staked all, resolved absolutely (card-game term)

116 tell: count; cf. n.

121 God has any ground: He had little in Venice 