The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 8

Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail; With him is Gratiano gone along; And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.

Come on, man, I saw Bassanio setting sail; Gratiano has gone with him; and I'm certain Lorenzo isn't on their ship.

The villain Jew with outcries rais’d the Duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.

That villain of a Jew roused the Duke with his shouting, and the Duke went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

He came too late, the ship was under sail; But there the Duke was given to understand That in a gondola were seen together Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica. Besides, Antonio certified the Duke They were not with Bassanio in his ship.

He came too late, the ship had already sailed. But while he was there the Duke was informed that Lorenzo and his loving Jessica had been seen together in a gondola. Besides, Antonio assured the Duke they were not with Bassanio on his ship.

I never heard a passion so confus’d, So strange, outrageous, and so variable As the dog Jew did utter in the streets. “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice! the law! my ducats and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stol’n from me by my daughter! And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stol’n by my daughter! Justice! find the girl, She hath the stones upon her and the ducats.”

I have never heard such a wild outburst of feeling, so strange, violent and changeable, as that dog of a Jew poured out in the streets. "My daughter! Oh, my ducats! Oh, my daughter! Run off with a Christian! Oh, my Christian ducats! Justice! The law! My ducats and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, stolen by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She has the stones on her, and the ducats."

Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.

Yes, and all the boys in Venice are following him, shouting about his stones, his daughter and his ducats.

Let good Antonio look he keep his day Or he shall pay for this.

Good Antonio had better make sure he keeps to his date, or he'll pay for this.

Marry, well rememb’red. I reason’d with a Frenchman yesterday, Who told me, in the narrow seas that part The French and English, there miscarried A vessel of our country richly fraught. I thought upon Antonio when he told me, And wish’d in silence that it were not his.

Indeed, that's a good reminder. I was talking with a Frenchman yesterday, who told me that in the narrow seas dividing France and England a ship from our country had been lost, richly loaded. I thought of Antonio when he told me, and silently hoped it wasn't his.

You were best to tell Antonio what you hear, Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.

You had better tell Antonio what you've heard — but not abruptly, because it may distress him.

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 answered “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.

There's no kinder gentleman walking the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio say goodbye. Bassanio told him he would hurry back. Antonio answered, "Don't do that. Don't spoil your business by rushing it for my sake, Bassanio, but wait until the time is fully ripe. And as for the Jew's bond that he holds against me, don't let it enter your loving mind. Be cheerful, and give your best thoughts to courting her, and to whatever handsome displays of love will suit you there." And right then, his eyes swelling with tears, he turned his face away, put his hand out behind him, and with astonishingly deep feeling he gripped Bassanio's hand — and so they parted.

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.

I think Bassanio is the only reason he cares for the world at all. Please, let's go and find him and lift the sadness he has taken to himself with some amusement or other.

Do we so.

Let's do that.