Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/80

66

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 con-

verting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of

pork.

Lor. I shall answer that better to the com-

monwealth than you can the getting up of the

negro's belly: the Moor is with child by you,

Launcelot.

Laun. 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.

Lor. 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.

Laun. That is done, sir; they have all

stomachs.

Lor. Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are

you! then bid them prepare dinner.

Laun. That is done too, sir; only, 'cover' is

the word.

Lor. Will you cover, then, sir?

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

Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occasion!

Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in

an instant? I pray thee, 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.

Laun. For the table, sir, it shall be served in;

 57 cover: cf. n.

61 quarrelling with occasion: splitting hairs at every opportunity 