Cinna’s Easy Plays from Shakespeare 4

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

SCENE 1

(Enter ANOTNIO and BASSSANIO.)

Bassanio (unhappy) : Oh, Antonio, Antonio !

Antonio: Bassanio ! What's the matter with you ? You are usually so happy. Has the lovely Portia married some other fellow ?

Bassanio: Married ? No, she has not married yet, but she soon will. Portia is the richest girl in Italy, and I am the poorest man. How can I hope to win her ?

Antonio: Does Portia love you ?

Bassanio: I think she does, but she is not free.

Antonio: What do you mean ?

Bassanio: Her father was a rich man.

Antonio: Very rich !

Bassanio: He died and left a strange will. Portia can receive no money until she marries, but she must marry the man who succeeds in a strange gamble her father prepared.

Antonio: What kind of gamble is that ?

Bassanio: I do not know, because it is a secret. If you enter the gamble, you must swear to tell no one.

Antonio: That is a very strange way to arrange a marriage.

Bassanio: It certainly is strange. But what embarrasses me is that Portia is accustomed to wealth and everything that money can buy. Many rich men are coming to Italy to woo her.

Antonio: But is the gamble the same for everybody ?

Bassanio: I suppose so. But I am poor, and so I am ashamed to try. Look at my old clothes. (Points to his poor clothes.)

Antonio: Nonsense ! I will give you the money.

Bassanio: You ? Do you have any money ?

Antonio: No, as a matter of fact I do not.

Bassanio: Then, what do you mean ?

Antonio: I will borrow. I have been a merchant in Venice for years. My reputation is good. My credit is excellent. Everybody trusts me.

Bassanio: If I take money from you now, I will repay it as soon as I can.

Antonio: Well, well; we can think of that later. Let's go and talk to Shylock or some of the other bankers. They will be certain to help ,us, Bassanio.

Bassanio: I hope so, Antonio.

(Exit both.)

SCENE 2

(Enter PORTIA and NERISSA.)

Portia (yawning) : I am so bored, Nerissa.

Nerissa: Lady Portia ! How can you be bored ? I should think it impossible. You are so rich ! So many men come here to woo you !

Portia (disgusted) : Men ! What men !

Nerissa: People become sick if they do not eat enough. That is the risk of poverty. But people may also become sick by eating too much, and that is the risk of wealth.

Portia (rather angry) : It's easy to tell other people how to live.

Nerissa: It's no less true for that. When your father died he left you the richest girl in Italy.

Portia: And also the unhappiest.

Nerissa: He made you rich, but you make yourself unhappy.

Portia: Do I ? Am I free to marry? Greedy men have come from Spain, Africa, the moon, I don't know where; what do they want? Me? No. My money ? Yes.

Nerissa: Ah, but the young lord Bassanio...

Portia (gently): Bassanio ! Yes...there is the man for me. But I am not free. My father's will forces me to marry the man who opens the right box. What a stupid gamble !

Nerissa: Bassanio is a fine boy, but there are others .

Portia: Oh? '

Nerissa: Well, certainly. How about the prince of Naples ?

Portia: Naples ! He isn't interested in me. He talks of nothing but his horses.

Nerissa: Well then, the Count Palatine.

Portia: The man is half dead. Does he smile ?

Nerissa: No.

Portia: Does he laugh ?

Nerissa: No.

Portia: Let's hope he doesn't win me. I'd rather marry a corpse.

Nerissa: The French lord Monsieur Le Bon is no corpse.

Portia: No, indeed. He is just the opposite. He never stops laughing and smiling. The fellow is completely mad, if you ask me.

Nerissa: I'm sure he laughs in bed all night.

(Both scream with laughter.)

Nerissa: What do you have to say about the young lord from England, Falconbridge ?

Portia: Falconbridge ! I can say nothing. He speaks no Italian, no French, no Latin ; I cannot speak English. And his clothes ! They must be old clothes other people have given to him. If I could talk with him, I'd lecture him on his dress.

Nerissa: The German dresses well. I mean the duke of Saxony's nephew.

Portia: His dress is fine, but his behaviour is disgusting. I dislike him. in the morning, when he is sober, and I dislike him more in the evening when he is drunk.

Nerissa: Remember, madam, if he wins the gamble, you must marry him.

Portia: I'd rather swim in a sea of alcohol.

Nerissa: Then I have good news for you.

Portia: Really ?

Nerissa: Yes. These suitors learned the conditions of the gamble and they have decided not to try. The conditions are too hard for them, and they will soon be going home. ,

Portia (very happy) : Excellent ! That is the best news I've heard in a long time.

Nerissa: But three men remain.

Portia (unhappy) : Who ?

Nerissa: The prince of Aragon.

Portia: Um.

Nerissa: The prince of Morocco.

Portia: Ummm.

Nerissa: And one more.

Portia: Who is that ?

Nerissa: This is bad news.

Portia: Tell me !

Nerissa: Bassanio.

Portia (delighted) : That's good news.

Nerissa: No, it is not. He must gamble. Supposing he loses ?

Portia: He must win, Nerissa, he must win !

Nerissa: I hope so, Lady Portia; he would be a fine lord for you. Each man must look at three boxes, and choose one.

Portia: Bassanio must choose the right box ! I am the prize !

Nerissa: Shall we go and see the gentlemen ?

Portia: Yes, let's go. This waiting makes me nervous.

(Exit both.)

SCENE 3

(Enter ANOTNIO, SHYLOCK, BASSANIO.)

Shylock: So you want to borrow three thousand ducats ?

Bassanio: For three months, Shylock.

Shylock: Three thousand for three months.

Bassanio: Yes.

Antonio: And I will be the security.

Shylock: So if Bassanio cannot repay it, then you must repay it, Antonio.

Antonio: That's right.

Shylock: Three thousand ducats for three months.

Bassanio (impatiently) : Yes, that's right. Now, what is your answer ? Will you lend the money ?

Shylock: Antonio is a good business man.

Bassanio: He is my closest friend, Shylock.

Shylock: But he is a Christian.

Antonio: What of that?

Shylock: How many times have you insulted me, Antonio ? How many times have you called me "dog" ? How many times have you scorned the Jews of Venice ?

Antonio: Shylock, will you lend this money or not ?

Shylock: I think you have sometimes lent money without interest, have you not?

Antonio: Yes, I have. What interest do you ask for this loan now ?

Shylock: Antonio, you spat on me once, didn't you ?

Antonio: I don't recall.

Shylock: I do. You spat on me. You insulted me.

Antonio: Then I am your enemy. Lend money to your enemy. If he does not repay, why, you exact your punishment according to the contract.

Shylock: Punishment ! No, no, no. We have been enemies, but this is a time to become friends. Let us make a contract. There is the lawyer's office. Walk over with me.

Antonio: What terms ?

Shylock: Why, none.

Bassanio: None ?

Shylock: No, I will lend you the money, free and without interest, as Antonio once lent money.

Bassanio: Thank you, Shylock. This is very generous.

Shylock: Yes, I will show kindness. But let us go , and write the contract. Just for a little joke, let us write that if the money is not repaid within three months. . . .

Antonio: Then what ?

Shylock: . . . I may cut a pound of flesh from , any part of your body.

Antonio: Certainly.

Bassanio: Antonio ! This is madness !

Antonio: No, no. Within two months my ships will reach Venice and I shall have far more than three thousand ducats.

Shylock: Bravo. Agreed. Come with me and sign the contract.

Bassanio: Come to my house for dinner, Shylock. Bring the paper with you.

Shylock: Very well. I will go and prepare it.

(Exit SHYLOCK')

Bassanio: Can you really make such a mad agreement ?

Antonio: It's not so mad. My ships are on the sea. They will be here in time.

Bassanio: Ships do not always arrive. Anything might happen.

Antonio: Pigs might fly !

Bassanio: Very well, if you wish. Let's go home.

(Exit both.)

SCENE 4

(Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, MOROCCO.)

Morocco (a negro) : Lady Portia, do not hate my skin. The sun has burned it black in the hot deserts of Africa. And so I'm come to the cool waters of Venice to seek the hand of the lovely lady whose skin is fair. Are we different ? My blood is red, and so I think is yours.

Portia (not friendly) : I am not free to choose a husband, sir. My father's will makes me obey the gamble of three boxes. You must choose one box, and open it. Inside is a message. One message permits you to marry me. But if you choose the wrong box, you must never tell any one of this secret.

Morocco: I will never tell.

Portia: And you must marry no other girl.

Morocco: These conditions are hard.

Portia: If you do not like them, you are free to go.

Morocco: No, I will stay and make my choice for you.

Portia: As you wish. Come, and I will show you the boxes.

(Exit all.)

SCENE 5

Gobbo (Enters with broom.) : Shylock is a hard master ! "Gobbo come here ! Gobbo run there. Gobbo do this. Gobbo do that." How I hate him! The Jew!

Shylock (offstage): Gobbo come here !

Gobbo (mimicking SHYLOCK) : "Gobbo come here."

Shylock (entering) : Gobbo ! You lazy boy. What are you doing ?

Gobbo (quickly begins to sweep.) : I am cleaning, sir.

Shylock: Stop.

Gobbo (Immediately stops.) : Stop ?

Shylock: Yes. Go to Bassanio's house and tell him I will come to dinner immediately.

Gobbo: Yes, sir.

Shylock: Then hurry back.

Gobbo: Yes sir.

Shylock: And then sweep this floor.

(Exit SHYLOCK')

Gobbo (mimiching) : "And then sweep this floor."

(Exit GOBBO.)

Shylock (off) : Jessica ! Jessica!

Jessica (entering) : Yes, father.

Shylock (entering) : Jessica.

Jessica: I'm here, father.

Shylock: Ah. I'm going to Bassanio's for dinner.

Jessica: Yes, father.

Shylock: Here are my keys. Take great care of the house.

Jessica: Yes, father.

Shylock: All my money is here. Lock the doors. Let no one in. :

Jessica: No, father.

Shylock: Speak to nobody.

Jessica: No, father.

Shylock: I'll return as soon as possible.

(Exit SHYLOCK')

Jessica: Gobbo ! Gobbo!

Gobbo: Yes madam

Jessica: What are you doing ?

Gobbo: I'm going to Bassanio's house.

Jessica: Excellent. Do you know the Signor Lorenzo ?

Gobbo: Yes.

Jessica: Then give him this.

(Gives a letter to GOBBO.)

Gobbo: Yes, madam.

Jessica: It's a secret, so tell nobody.

Gobbo: Yes, madam.

(Exit JESSICA.)

Gobbo (opening the letter) : A secret, eh ? Tell nobody ? Miss Jessica sending messages to the Signor Lorenzo ? Very interesting ! Very interesting ! I must learn to read.

Jessica (off) : Hurry, Gobbo, hurry.

Gobbo (mimicking) : "Hurry, Gobbo, hurry."

(Exit GOBBO.)

SCENE 6

(Enter BASSANIO and LORENZO.)

Bassanio: Lorenzo, Shylock and Antonio are coming here to dinner. I hope you will come, too .

Lorenzo: Thank you, but I cannot.

Bassanio: Oh ? Why?

Lorenzo: I have some very important business.

Bassanio: That's too bad. I would like you to meet Shylock.

Lorenzo: As it happens I particularly do not want to meet Shylock.

Bassanio: Oh, come now, he is not such a bad fellow.

(Enter GOBBO)

Gobbo (breathing heavily, as after running) : Lord Bassanio .

Bassanio: Yes ?

Gobbo: I…. oh…. I....

Bassanio: What's the matter ? Are you ill ?

Gobbo: No . . . . . I....my master Shylock . . . .

Bassanio: Shylock ? Yes ?

Gobbo: Is coming.

Bassanio: And ?

Gobbo: That's all.

Bassanio (surprised) : Thank you.

Gobbo: And Lord Lorenzo.

Lorenzo: Yes ?

Gobbo: I have a letter for you.

Lorenzo: A letter from Shylock ?

Gobbo: Here you are, sir.

(Gives a letter to LORENZO.)

Lorenzo: Who are you, my man ?

Gobbo: I am Gobbo, sir.

Lorenzo: Gobbo ?

Gobbo: Yes, Gobbo.

Bassanio (to LORENZO) : I suppose that you have some business with Shylock ?

Gobbo: Oh, no, not with Shylock, but with his

Lorenzo (embarrassed) : Shhh !

Gobbo: Oh, I beg your pardon.

Bassanio (laughing) : A secret, I suppose.

Gobbo: I don't know.

Lorenzo: Yes, it is a secret.

Gobbo: Is it?

Lorenzo (giving money to GOBBO) : Yes.

Gobbo: Perhaps.

(LORENZO gives more money.)

Gobbo: Probably.

(LORENZO gives still more money.)

Gobbo: Yes, it's definitely a secret.

Bassanio: Well, I don't know what you two are talking about.

(Exit all separately.)

SCENE 7

(Enter SHYLOCK and JESSICA)

Shylock: Good night, dear child.

Jessica: Good night, father.

Shylock: Now, remember to lock everything.

Jessica: Yes, father.

Shylock: Speak to nobody.

Jessica: No, father.

Shylock: Don't answer the door.

Jessica: No, father.

Shylock: Except to me.

Jessica: Yes, father.

Shylock: Do you remember everything I said ?

Jessica: Yes, father.

Shylock: It's so dangerous. I don't like to leave you alone, but I'll be back in two or three hours . (Exit SHYLOCK.)

Jessica (laughing) : Good-bye, dear father.

(Enter GOBBO.)

Jessica : Gobbo! Did you find Lorenzo ?

Gobbo: I did, madam.

Jessica: Did you give him my letter ?

Gobbo: I did, madam.

Jessica: What did he say ?

Gobbo: It is a secret.

Jessica: What is a secret? :

Gobbo: The secret is a secret.

Jessica: What do you mean ?

Gobbo: I must not tell you. Everything is a secret.

(JESSICA laughs and exits. GOBBO takes broom and sweeps floor again, but soon stops, sits down, rests, and then sleeps.)

Lorenzo (entering stealthily) : Jessica ! Jessica !

(JESSICA enters dressed as a boy. LORENZO does not recognise her.) '

Lorenzo: Jessica !

Jessica: Can't you see me ?

Lorenzo: Jessica! What a surprise!

Jessica: Did you not recognise me ?

Lorenzo: No.

Jessica: Good. That means my disguise is excellent.

Lorenzo: It's very good.

(LORENZO and JESSICA embrace.)

Jessica: Take this box.

Lorenzo: What is it ?

Jessica: Something.

Lorenzo: Money ?

Jessica: Gold.

Lorenzo: Ah, ha !

Jessica: Shh ! Look. Gobbo.

Lorenzo: Is he sleeping ?

Jessica: Yes.

Lorenzo: Then let's escape quickly.

Jessica: Where shall we go ?

Lorenzo: Let's go out into the country and hide in Portia's house.

Jessica: Come on, then;.

(Exit JESSICA and LORENZO)

Gobbo (opening his eyes) : No, he is not sleeping. Thieves ? The daughter steals the father's gold ? Lorenzo steals the daughter ? Very strange, very strange. What shall I do ? Shylock told me to sweep the floor. So I had better do that.

(GOBBO takes broom and sweeps floor again, exit.)

SCENE 8

(Enter PORTIA, NERISSA and PRINCE OF MOROCCO .)

Portia: Show the boxes to the Prince of Morocco.

(NERISSA shows boxes.)

Morocco: A box of gold. On it is written ; " If you choose me, you receive what many men desire." A box of silver; it says ; "If you choose me, you receive what you deserve." And last a box of lead. I read here; "If you choose me. you must give everything and risk everything." How can I decide?

Portia: One box contains my picture. If you choose that box, then I am your wife.

Morocco: And if I do not?

Portia: Then you must go in silence, and never marry.

Morocco: It's a hard choice. Lead. No, I cannot give everything for lead. Silver. What do I deserve ? I deserve the Lady Portia, surely. I am rich, handsome and powerful. "You will receive what many men desire." That is the message on the gold box. Many men desire Portia, so that seems to be the best choice. Give me the key.

(NERISSA gives him the key. MOROCCO opens the box.)

Morocco : Oh, hell ! What is this !(He takes a skull from the box.)A skull ! And in the eye-socket a letter. (He reads.) "All that glisters is not gold." Many men have died for me, and yet golden tombs are full of worms. You may not marry Portia. Good bye. It says '<Good-bye."

Portia: Then I say the same. Good-bye.

(Exit MOROCCO.)

Portia: And good riddance.

Nerissa: What a conceited man ! ,

Portia: I hope all fools choose in the same way.

(Exit PORTIA and NERISSA.)

SCENE 9

(Enter SHYLOCK shouting and weeping.)

Shylock: My daughter ! My gold ! My daughter ! Stolen! Thieves ! Justice ! Find my ' daughter! Police ! Police ! Police! (Exit.)

SCENE 10

(Enter PORTIA, PRINCE OF ARAGON, NERISSA.)

Portia: Show the boxes to the noble prince of Aragon.

Aragon: Yes, show me.

Portia: If you choose the right box, you marry me. If you fail, you must leave here and never marry.

Aragon: Agreed ! If I cannot marry Portia, I do not wish to marry another.

Nerissa (shows boxes) : Here you are, sir.

Aragon: A box of lead; "If you choose me, you must give everything and risk everything." I don't like that. This one of gold; "If you choose me, you receive what many men desire." Many men. Many men are often fools. They choose without thinking. I am no fool. The love of Portia is rare and beautiful. Many men cannot have this fine feeling. A box of silver; "If you choose me, you receive what you deserve." This must be for me. Surely I deserve Portia. Give me the key.

(NERISSA gives key. ARAGON opens box. He takes out a paper.)A picture. A picture of a fool !

(NERISSA and PORTIA laugh.)

Aragon: A fool !

(Exit ARAGON.)

Nerissa: Good-bye, Aragon.

Portia: Good-bye, arrogant Aragon.

Nerissa: What a big head that man has !

Portia: I feel much better. Think of having to marry a man like that !

Nerissa: Impossible !

Portia: Let's go and walk in the garden.

Nerissa: No, madam, another gentleman is here.

Portia (angry) : Another man !

Nerissa: Yes.

Portia: Who ?

Nerissa