No Fear Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 2, Scene 2, Page 7
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LAUNCELOT
Father, in. I cannot get a service, no. I have ne'er a tongue in my head.
(reading his own palm) Well, if any man in Italy have a
fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune. Go to,
here’s a simple line of life. Here’s a small trifle of wives. Alas,
fifteen wives is nothing! Eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man.
And then to ’scape drowning thrice and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a
feather-bed—here are simple ’scapes. Well, if Fortune be a woman,
she’s a good wench for this gear.—Father, come. I’ll take my
leave of the Jew in the twinkling.
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LAUNCELOT
Father, go ahead. I can’t get a job, can I? I can’t talk well, no.
(reading his own palm) If any man in Italy has a palm good
enough to swear on a Bible with, it’s me. I’ve got very good luck!
Here’s my life line. It shows a few wives—fifteen wives is nothing.
Eleven widows and nine maids is a humble beginning for one man. It seems I’ll
almost drown three times, and my life will be in danger when I’m caught in bed with
another man’s wife! But these little lines are the escape routes I can take to get
out of that one. If luck’s a lady, she’s good at this business. Father,
let’s go. I’ll leave the Jew behind in the blink of an eye.
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Exit LAUNCELOT the clown with Old
GOBBO
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LAUNCELOT and GOBBO
exit. |
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BASSANIO
I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this.
These things being bought and orderly bestowed,
Return in haste, for I do feast tonight
My best esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go.
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BASSANIO
Please, Leonardo, think about this
(he hands him a piece of paper). These things have been
bought and are ready. Hurry back here. I’m having dinner tonight with someone I
greatly respect. Go now.
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LEONARDO
My best endeavours shall be done herein.
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LEONARDO
I’ll do my best.
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Enter GRATIANO
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GRATIANO enters. |
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GRATIANO
(to LEONARDO) Where is
your master?
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GRATIANO
(to LEONARDO)
Where’s your master?
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LEONARDO
Yonder, sir, he
walks.
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LEONARDO
He’s walking over there, sir.
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Exit LEONARDO
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LEONARDO exits. |
