Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/39

The Merchant of Venice, II. ii

comes the man: to him, father; for I am a Jew,

if I serve the Jew any longer.

Bass. 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.] Laun. To him, father.

Gob. God bless your worship!

Bass. Gramercy! wouldst thou aught with

me?

Gob. Here's my son, sir, a poor boy,—

Laun. Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich

Jew's man; that would, sir,—as my father shall

specify,—

Gob. He hath a great infection, sir, as one

would say, to serve—

Laun. Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve

the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall

specify,—

Gob. His master and he, saving your wor-

ship's reverence, are scarce cater-cousins,—

Laun. 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,—

Gob. I have here a dish of doves that I

would bestow upon your worship, and my suit

is,—

Laun. In very brief, the suit is impertinent

 131 Gramercy: grand merci, many thanks

143 cater-cousins: speaking acquaintances

147 frutify: i.e., notify (?)

151 impertinent: i.e., pertinent, relating 