Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/54

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Salar. 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.

Salan. 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.

Salar.Do we so.

Exeunt.

Ner. Quick, quick, I pray thee; draw the curtain straight:

The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,

And comes to his election presently.

 39 Slubber: spoil by scamping

42 mind of love: loving mind

44 ostents: displays

45 conveniently: properly

48 sensible: charged with feeling

52 embraced heaviness: the sorrow that he so clings to

 3 election: choice 