The Merchant of Venice

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter the Clowne alone .Enter Launcelot Gobbo, alone MV II.ii.1
Clo. LAUNCELOT 
Certainely, my conscience will serue me to runCertainly my conscience will serve me to run MV II.ii.1
from this Iew my Maister: the fiend is at mine elbow, and from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and MV II.ii.2
tempts me, saying to me, Iobbe, Launcelet Iobbe, tempts me, saying to me ‘ Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, MV II.ii.3
good Launcelet, or good Iobbe, or good Launceletgood Launcelot,’ or ‘ Good Gobbo,’ or ‘ Good Launcelot MV II.ii.4
Iobbe, vse your legs, take the start, run awaie: my conscience Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away.’ My consciencestart (n.)
advantage, edge, upper hand
MV II.ii.5
saies no; take heede honest Launcelet, take says ‘ No, take heed, honest Launcelot, take MV II.ii.6
heed honest Iobbe, or as afore-said honest Launcelet heed, honest Gobbo,’ or as aforesaid, ‘ Honest Launcelot MV II.ii.7
Iobbe, doe not runne, scorne running with thy heeles; well, Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy heels.’ Well, MV II.ii.8
the most coragious fiend bids me packe, fia saies the the most courageous fiend bids me pack. ‘ Fia!’ says thepack (v.)

old form: packe
take [oneself] off, be off, depart
MV II.ii.9
via, fia (int.)
come / go on, hurry up
fiend, away saies the fiend, for the heauens rouse vp a fiend; ‘ Away!’ says the fiend. ‘ For the heavens, rouse up a MV II.ii.10
braue minde saies the fiend, and run; well, my conscience brave mind,’ says the fiend, ‘ and run.’ Well, my consciencebrave (adj.)

old form: braue
audacious, daring, bold
MV II.ii.11
hanging about the necke of my heart, saies verie hanging about the neck of my heart says very MV II.ii.12
wisely to me: my honest friend Launcelet, being an wisely to me, ‘ My honest friend Launcelot ’, being an MV II.ii.13
honest mans sonne, or rather an honest womans sonne, for honest man's son or rather an honest woman's son, forhonest (adj.)
chaste, pure, virtuous
MV II.ii.14
indeede my Father did something smack, something grow indeed my father did something smack, something growsomething (adv.)
a little, to some extent
MV II.ii.15
smack (v.)
have a taste, like the flavour
grow to (v.)

old form: too
be an integral part of, become one with
too; he had a kinde of taste; wel, my conscience saies to, he had a kind of taste – well, my conscience says, MV II.ii.16
Lancelet bouge not, bouge saies the fiend, bouge ‘ Launcelot, budge not.’ ‘ Budge,’ says the fiend. ‘ Budge MV II.ii.17
not saies my conscience, conscience say I you counsaile not,’ says my conscience. ‘ Conscience,’ say I, ‘ you counsel MV II.ii.18
well, fiend say I you counsaile well, to be rul'd well.’ ‘ Fiend,’ say I, ‘ you counsel well.’ To be ruled  MV II.ii.19
by my conscience I should stay with the Iew my Maister, by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master MV II.ii.20
(who God blesse the marke) is a kinde of diuell; and to run who, God bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and to run MV II.ii.21
away from the Iew I should be ruled by the fiend, who away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, MV II.ii.22
sauing your reuerence is the diuell himselfe: certainely the saving your reverence, is the devil himself. Certainly the MV II.ii.23
Iew is the verie diuell incarnation, and in my conscience, Jew is the very devil incarnation; and in my conscience,incarnation (n.)
malapropism for ‘incarnate’
MV II.ii.24
my conscience is a kinde of hard conscience, to offer to my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience to offer to MV II.ii.25
counsaile me to stay with the Iew; the fiend giues the counsel me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the MV II.ii.26
more friendly counsaile: I will runne fiend, my heeles are at more friendly counsel. I will run, fiend; my heels are at MV II.ii.27
your commandement, I will runne.your commandment; I will run.commandment, commandement (n.)

old form: commandement
command, instruction, order
MV II.ii.28
Enter old Gobbo with a Basket.Enter Old Gobbo with a basket MV II.ii.29
Gob. GOBBO 
Maister yong-man, you I praie you, which is theMaster young man, you I pray you, which is the MV II.ii.29
waie to Maister Iewes?way to Master Jew's? MV II.ii.30
Lan. LAUNCELOT  
(aside) MV II.ii.31
O heauens, this is my true begotten O heavens, this is my true-begotten MV II.ii.31
Father, who being more then sand-blinde, high grauel blinde, father who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel-blind,sand-blind (adj.)

old form: sand-blinde
half-blind, dim-sighted
MV II.ii.32
knows me not, I will trie confusions with him.knows me not. I will try confusions with him.confusions, try

old form: trie
malapropism for ‘try conclusions’ [= see what happens]
MV II.ii.33
Gob. GOBBO 
Maister yong Gentleman, I praie you which is the Master young gentleman, I pray you which is the MV II.ii.34
waie to Maister Iewes.way to Master Jew's? MV II.ii.35
Laun. LAUNCELOT 
Turne vpon your right hand at the next turning, Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, MV II.ii.36
but at the next turning of all on your left; marrie at but at the next turning of all, on your left, marry, atmarry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
MV II.ii.37
the verie next turning, turne of no hand, but turn downthe very next turning turn of no hand, but turn down MV II.ii.38
indirectlie to the Iewes house.indirectly to the Jew's house. MV II.ii.39
Gob. GOBBO 
Be Gods sonties 'twill be a hard waie to hit, canBy God's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit! Cansonties (n.)
saints
MV II.ii.40
you tell me whether one Launcelet that dwels with him,you tell me whether one Launcelot that dwells with him, MV II.ii.41
dwell with him or no.dwell with him or no? MV II.ii.42
Laun. LAUNCELOT 
Talke you of yong Master Launcelet, Talk you of young Master Launcelot? MV II.ii.43
marke me now, now will I raise the waters; talke (aside) Mark me now, now will I raise the waters. – Talkmark (v.)
note, pay attention [to], take notice [of]
MV II.ii.44
water (n.)
tears
you of yong Maister Launcelet?you of young Master Launcelot? MV II.ii.45
Gob. GOBBO 
No Maister sir, but a poore mans sonne, his Father No master, sir, but a poor man's son. His father, MV II.ii.46
though I say't is an honest exceeding poore man, and though I say't, is an honest exceeding poor man and,exceeding (adv.)
exceedingly, extremely, very
MV II.ii.47
God be thanked well to liue.God be thanked, well to live.well to live (adj.)

old form: liue
well-to-do, well-off, prosperous
MV II.ii.48
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Well, let his Father be what a will, wee talke ofWell, let his father be what a' will, we talk of MV II.ii.49
yong Maister Launcelet.young Master Launcelot. MV II.ii.50
Gob. GOBBO 
Your worships friend and Launcelet.Your worship's friend, and Launcelot, sir. MV II.ii.51
Laun. LAUNCELOT 
But I praie you ergo old man, ergo I beseech But I pray you, ergo old man, ergo I beseechergo (adv.)
therefore
MV II.ii.52
you, talke you of yong Maister Launcelet.you, talk you of young Master Launcelot. MV II.ii.53
Gob. GOBBO 
Of Launcelet, ant please your maistership.Of Launcelot, an't please your mastership. MV II.ii.54
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Ergo Maister Lancelet, talke not of maister Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master MV II.ii.55
Lancelet Father, for the yong gentleman according to Launcelot, father, for the young gentleman, according tofather (n.)
old man, venerable sir
MV II.ii.56
fates and destinies, and such odde sayings, the sisters Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the SistersFates (n.)
trio of goddesses who control human destiny: Atropos (‘the inflexible’) cuts the thread of life allotted and spun by Lachesis (‘the distributor’) and Clotho (‘the spinner’)
MV II.ii.57
three, & such branches of learning, is indeede deceased, Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased,branch (n.)
division, section, part [of an argument]
MV II.ii.58
or as you would say in plaine tearmes, gone to heauen.or as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven. MV II.ii.59
Gob. GOBBO 
Marrie God forbid, the boy was the verie staffe of Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of MV II.ii.60
my age, my verie prop.my age, my very prop. MV II.ii.61
Lau. LAUNCELOT 
Do I look like a cudgell or a houell-post, a Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, ahovel-post (n.)

old form: houell-post
door-post of a hovel
MV II.ii.62
staffe or a prop: doe you know me Father.staff or a prop? Do you know me, father? MV II.ii.63
Gob. GOBBO 
Alacke the day, I know you not yong Gentleman, Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman! MV II.ii.64
but I praie you tell me, is my boy God rest his souleBut I pray you tell me, is my boy, God rest his soul, MV II.ii.65
aliue or dead.alive or dead? MV II.ii.66
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Doe you not know me Father.Do you not know me, father? MV II.ii.67
Gob. GOBBO 
Alacke sir I am sand blinde, I know you not.Alack, sir, I am sand-blind! I know you not.sand-blind (adj.)

old form: sand blinde
half-blind, dim-sighted
MV II.ii.68
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Nay, indeede if you had your eies you mightNay, indeed if you had your eyes you might MV II.ii.69
faile of the knowing me: it is a wise Father that knowes his fail of the knowing me; it is a wise father that knows his MV II.ii.70
owne childe. Well, old man, I will tell you newes of your own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your MV II.ii.71
son, giue me your blessing, truth will come son. (He kneels) Give me your blessing. Truth will come MV II.ii.72
to light, murder cannot be hid long, a mans sonne may,to light; murder cannot be hid long – a man's son may, MV II.ii.73
but in the end truth will out.but in the end truth will out. MV II.ii.74
Gob. GOBBO 
Praie you sir stand vp, I am sure you are notPray you, sir, stand up. I am sure you are not MV II.ii.75
Lancelet my boy.Launcelot my boy. MV II.ii.76
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Praie you let's haue no more fooling about it, Pray you let's have no more fooling about it, MV II.ii.77
but giue mee your blessing: I am Lancelet your boy but give me your blessing. I am Launcelot, your boy MV II.ii.78
that was, your sonne that is, your childe that shall be.that was, your son that is, your child that shall be. MV II.ii.79
Gob. GOBBO 
I cannot thinke you are my sonne.I cannot think you are my son. MV II.ii.80
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
I know not what I shall thinke of that: but I I know not what I shall think of that; but I MV II.ii.81
am Lancelet the Iewes man, and I am sure Margerie am Launcelot, the Jew's man, and I am sure Margery MV II.ii.82
your wife is my mother.your wife is my mother. MV II.ii.83
Gob. GOBBO 
Her name is Margerie indeede, Ile be sworne if thou Her name is Margery indeed. I'll be sworn, if thou MV II.ii.84
be Lancelet, thou art mine owne flesh and blood: Lord be Launcelot thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord MV II.ii.85
worshipt might he be, what a beard hast thou got;worshipped might he be, what a beard hast thou got! MV II.ii.86
thou hast got more haire on thy chin, then Dobbin myThou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my MV II.ii.87
philhorse has on his taile.fill-horse has on his tail.fill-horse (n.)

old form: philhorse
draught-horse, horse which goes between shafts
MV II.ii.88
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
It should seeme then that Dobbins taile growes It should seem then that Dobbin's tail grows MV II.ii.89
backeward. I am sure he had more haire of hisbackward. I am sure he had more hair on his tail than I MV II.ii.90
taile then I haue of my face when I lost saw him.have on my face when I last saw him. MV II.ii.91
Gob. GOBBO 
Lord how art thou chang'd: how doost thou and Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and MV II.ii.92
thy Master agree, I haue brought him a present; howthy master agree? I have brought him a present. How MV II.ii.93
gree you now?'gree you now? MV II.ii.94
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Well, well, but for mine owne part, as I haue Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have MV II.ii.95
set vp my rest to run awaie, so I will not rest till I haue set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I haveset up one's rest (n.)

old form: vp
[in primero] venture one's final stake, stake all
MV II.ii.96
run some ground; my Maister's a verie Iew, giue him a run some ground. My master's a very Jew. Give him a MV II.ii.97
present, giue him a halter, I am famisht in his seruice. present? Give him a halter! I am famished in his service; MV II.ii.98
You may tell euerie finger I haue with my ribs: Father I you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I MV II.ii.99
am glad you are come, giue me your present to one am glad you are come. Give me your present to one MV II.ii.100
Maister Bassanio, who indeede giues rare new Liuories, if Master Bassanio, who indeed gives rare new liveries. Ifrare (adj.)
marvellous, splendid, excellent
MV II.ii.101
livery (n.)

old form: Liuories
uniform, costume, special clothing
I serue not him, I will run as far as God has anie ground. I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. MV II.ii.102
O rare fortune, here comes the man, to him Father, for O rare fortune, here comes the man! To him, father, forrare (adj.)
marvellous, splendid, excellent
MV II.ii.103
I am a Iew if I serue the Iew anie longer.I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer. MV II.ii.104
Enter Bassanio with a follower or two.Enter Bassanio, with Leonardo and a follower or two MV II.ii.105.1
Bass. BASSANIO 
You may doe so, but let it be so hasted that supper You may do so, but let it be so hasted that supperhaste (v.)
hurry, speed up, accelerate
MV II.ii.105
be readie at the farthest by fiue of the clocke: see these be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See these MV II.ii.106
Letters deliuered, put the Liueries to making, and desire letters delivered, put the liveries to making, and desirelivery (n.)

old form: Liueries
uniform, costume, special clothing
MV II.ii.107
Gratiano to come anone to my lodging. Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.anon (adv.)

old form: anone
soon, shortly, presently
MV II.ii.108
Exit one of his men MV II.ii.108
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
To him Father.To him, father! MV II.ii.109
Gob. GOBBO 
God blesse your worship.God bless your worship! MV II.ii.110
Bass. BASSANIO 
Gramercie, would'st thou ought with me.Gramercy. Wouldst thou aught with me?gramercy, gramercies (int.)
great thanks
MV II.ii.111
aught (n.)

old form: ought
anything, [with negative word] nothing
Gob. GOBBO 
Here's my sonne sir, a poore boy.Here's my son, sir, a poor boy ... MV II.ii.112
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Not a poore boy sir, but the rich Iewes man thatNot a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew's man MV II.ii.113
would sir as my Father shall specifie.that would, sir, as my father shall specify ... MV II.ii.114
Gob. GOBBO 
He hath a great infection sir, as one would sayHe hath a great infection, sir, as one would say,infection (n.)
malapropism for ‘affection’
MV II.ii.115
to serue.to serve ... MV II.ii.116
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Indeede the short and the long is, I serue theIndeed, the short and the long is, I serve the MV II.ii.117
Iew, and haue a desire as my Father shall specifie.Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify ... MV II.ii.118
Gob. GOBBO 
His Maister and he (sauing your worships reuerence) His master and he, saving your worship's reverence, MV II.ii.119
are scarce catercosins.are scarce cater-cousins.scarce (adv.)
scarcely, hardly, barely, only just
MV II.ii.120
cater-cousins (n.)

old form: catercosins
good friends, people on the best of terms
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
To be briefe, the verie truth is, that the IewTo be brief, the very truth is that the Jew MV II.ii.121
hauing done me wrong, doth cause me as my Father having done me wrong doth cause me, as my father, MV II.ii.122
being I hope an old man shall frutifie vnto you.being I hope an old man, shall frutify unto you ...frutify (v.)

old form: frutifie
malapropism for ‘certify’
MV II.ii.123
Gob. GOBBO 
I haue here a dish of Doues that I would bestowI have here a dish of doves that I would bestow MV II.ii.124
vpon your worship, and my suite is.upon your worship, and my suit is ...suit (n.)

old form: suite
formal request, entreaty, petition
MV II.ii.125
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
In verie briefe, the suite is impertinent to In very brief, the suit is impertinent toimpertinent (adj.)
malapropism for ‘pertinent’
MV II.ii.126
my selfe, as your worship shall know by this honest old myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old MV II.ii.127
man, and though I say it, though old man, yet poore man man, and though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, MV II.ii.128
my Father.my father ... MV II.ii.129
Bass. BASSANIO 
One speake for both, what would you?One speak for both. What would you? MV II.ii.130
Lan. LAUNCELOT 
Serue you sir.Serve you, sir. MV II.ii.131
Gob. GOBBO 
That is the verie defect of the matter sir.That is the very defect of the matter, sir.defect (n.)
malapropism for ‘effect’
MV II.ii.132
Bass. BASSANIO 
I know thee well, thou hast obtain'd thy suite,I know thee well, thou hast obtained thy suit.suit (n.)

old form: suite
formal request, entreaty, petition
MV II.ii.133
Shylocke thy Maister spoke with me this daie,Shylock thy master spoke with me this day, MV II.ii.134
And hath prefer'd thee, if it be prefermentAnd hath preferred thee, if it be prefermentprefer (v.)

old form: prefer'd
promote, advance, recommend
MV II.ii.135
preferment (n.)
advancement, promotion
To leaue a rich Iewes seruice, to becomeTo leave a rich Jew's service to become MV II.ii.136
The follower of so poore a Gentleman.The follower of so poor a gentleman. MV II.ii.137
Clo. LAUNCELOT 
The old prouerbe is verie well parted betweeneThe old proverb is very well parted betweenpart (v.)
divide, share, split up
MV II.ii.138
my Maister Shylocke and you sir, you haue the grace ofmy master Shylock and you, sir. You have the grace of MV II.ii.139
God sir, and he hath enough.God, sir, and he hath enough. MV II.ii.140
Bass. BASSANIO 
Thou speak'st it well; go Father with thy Son,Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son; MV II.ii.141
Take leaue of thy old Maister, and enquireTake leave of thy old master and inquire MV II.ii.142
My lodging out, giue him a LiuerieMy lodging out. (To a Servant) Give him a liverylivery (n.)
uniform, costume, special clothing
MV II.ii.143
More garded then his fellowes: see it done.More guarded than his fellows'. See it done.guarded (adj.)

old form: garded
ornamented, trimmed, tricked out
MV II.ii.144
Clo. LAUNCELOT 
Father in, I cannot get a seruice, no, I haue Father, in. I cannot get a service, no! I have MV II.ii.145
nere a tongue in my head, well: if ne'er a tongue in my head, well! (He looks at his palm) If MV II.ii.146
anie man in Italie haue a fairer table which doth offer to any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth offer totable (n.)
[palmistry] area between various lines on the palm
MV II.ii.147
sweare vpon a booke, I shall haue good fortune; goe too, swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune! Go to, MV II.ii.148
here's a simple line of life, here's a small trifle of wiues, here's a simple line of life. Here's a small trifle of wives!simple (adj.)
common, ordinary, average, humble
MV II.ii.149
alas, fifteene wiues is nothing, a leuen widdowes and nine Alas, fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows and ninealeven (adj.)

old form: a leuen
eleven
MV II.ii.150
maides is a simple comming in for one man, and then to maids is a simple coming-in for one man. And then tocoming-in, comings-in (n.)

old form: comming in
income, revenue, yield
MV II.ii.151
scape drowning thrice, and to be in perill of my life with scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life withscape, 'scape (v.)
escape, avoid
MV II.ii.152
the edge of a featherbed, here are simple scapes: well, the edge of a feather-bed! Here are simple scapes. Well,scape, 'scape (n.)
escape
MV II.ii.153
if Fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gere: if Fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear.wench (n.)
girl, lass
MV II.ii.154
gear (n.)

old form: gere
business, affair, matter
Fortune (n.)
Roman goddess, shown as a woman at a spinning-wheel, or controlling a rudder, and as blind
Father come, Ile take my leaue of the Iew in the Father, come. I'll take my leave of the Jew in the MV II.ii.155
twinkling.twinkling. MV II.ii.156
Exit Clowne.Exeunt Launcelot, with Old Gobbo MV II.ii.156
Bass. BASSANIO 
I praie thee good Leonardo thinke on this,I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this. MV II.ii.157
These things being bought and orderly bestowedThese things being bought and orderly bestowed,bestow (v.)
stow away, dispose of
MV II.ii.158
Returne in haste, for I doe feast to nightReturn in haste, for I do feast tonight MV II.ii.159
My best esteemd acquaintance, hie thee goe.My best-esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go.hie (v.)
hasten, hurry, speed
MV II.ii.160
Leon. LEONARDO 
My best endeuors shall be done herein. My best endeavours shall be done herein. MV II.ii.161
Enter Gratiano.Enter Gratiano MV II.ii.162
Gra. GRATIANO 
Where's your Maister.Where is your master? MV II.ii.162.1
Leon. LEONARDO 
Yonder sir he walkes.Yonder, sir, he walks. MV II.ii.162.2
Exit Le.Exit MV II.ii.162
Gra. GRATIANO 
Signior Bassanio.Signor Bassanio! MV II.ii.163
Bas. BASSANIO 
Gratiano.Gratiano! MV II.ii.164
Gra. GRATIANO 
I haue a sute to you.I have suit to you.suit (n.)

old form: sute
formal request, entreaty, petition
MV II.ii.165.1
Bass. BASSANIO 
You haue obtain'd it.You have obtained it. MV II.ii.165.2
Gra. GRATIANO 
You must not denie me, I must goe with you to Belmont.You must not deny me. I must go with you to Belmont.deny (v.)

old form: denie
disallow, forbid, refuse permission [for]
MV II.ii.166
Bass. BASSANIO 
Why then you must: but heare thee Gratiano,Why then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano: MV II.ii.167
Thou art to wilde, to rude, and bold of voyce,Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice,rude (adj.)
cacophonous, raucous, barbarous
MV II.ii.168
Parts that become thee happily enough,Parts that become thee happily enoughpart (n.)
quality, attribute, gift, accomplishment [of mind or body]
MV II.ii.169
become (v.)
put a good front on, give a pleasing appearance to
And in such eyes as ours appeare not faults;And in such eyes as ours appear not faults, MV II.ii.170
But where they are not knowne, why there they showBut where thou art not known, why there they show MV II.ii.171
Something too liberall, pray thee take paineSomething too liberal. Pray thee take painpain (n.)

old form: paine
effort, endeavour, exertion, labour
MV II.ii.172
something (adv.)
somewhat, rather
liberal (adj.)

old form: liberall
overgenerous, licentious
To allay with some cold drops of modestieTo allay with some cold drops of modestyallay (v.)
subside, abate, diminish, quell
MV II.ii.173
Thy skipping spirit, least through thy wilde behauiourThy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behaviourskipping (adj.)
frivolous, flighty, frolicsome
MV II.ii.174
I be misconsterd in the place I goe to,I be misconstered in the place I go to,misconster (v.)

old form: misconsterd
misconstrue, misinterpret, take wrongly
MV II.ii.175
And loose my hopes.And lose my hopes. MV II.ii.176.1
Gra. GRATIANO 
Signor Bassanio, heare me,Signor Bassanio, hear me: MV II.ii.176.2
If I doe not put on a sober habite,If I do not put on a sober habit,habit (n.)

old form: habite
behaviour, bearing, demeanour
MV II.ii.177
Talke with respect, and sweare but now and than,Talk with respect, and swear but now and then, MV II.ii.178
Weare prayer bookes in my pocket, looke demurely,Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demurely,demurely (adv.)
gently, in a subdued way; or: solemnly
MV II.ii.179
Nay more, while grace is saying hood mine eyesNay more, while grace is saying hood mine eyes MV II.ii.180
Thus with my hat, and sigh and say Amen:Thus with my hat, and sigh and say amen, MV II.ii.181
Vse all the obseruance of ciuillitieUse all the observance of civilitycivility (n.)

old form: ciuillitie
civilized conduct, courteous behaviour, good manners
MV II.ii.182
Like one well studied in a sad ostentLike one well studied in a sad ostentostent (n.)
display, show, manifestation
MV II.ii.183
sad (adj.)
serious, grave, solemn
studied (adj.)
prepared, equipped, fitted
To please his Grandam, neuer trust me more.To please his grandam, never trust me more.grandam (n.)
grandmother
MV II.ii.184
Bas. BASSANIO 
Well, we shall see your bearing.Well, we shall see your bearing. MV II.ii.185
Gra. GRATIANO 
Nay but I barre to night, you shall not gage meNay, but I bar tonight. You shall not gauge me MV II.ii.186
By what we doe to night.By what we do tonight. MV II.ii.187.1
Bas. BASSANIO 
No that were pittie,No, that were pity. MV II.ii.187.2
I would intreate you rather to put onI would entreat you rather to put on MV II.ii.188
Your boldest suite of mirth, for we haue friendsYour boldest suit of mirth, for we have friendssuit (n.)

old form: suite
clothing, dress, garb
MV II.ii.189
That purpose merriment: but far you well,That purpose merriment. But fare you well;purpose (v.)
intend, plan
MV II.ii.190
fare ... well (int.)

old form: far you well
goodbye [to an individual]
I haue some businesse.I have some business. MV II.ii.191
Gra. GRATIANO 
And I must to Lorenso and the rest,And I must to Lorenzo and the rest, MV II.ii.192
But we will visite you at supper time.But we will visit you at supper-time. MV II.ii.193
Exeunt.Exeunt MV II.ii.193
 Previous Act II, Scene II Next  
x

Jump directly to