The Merchant of VeniceModern English
The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 8
Original
Modern English
Enter Salarino and Solanio.
Salarino and Solanio come in.
Salarino1
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 is not on their ship.
Solanio4
The villain Jew with outcries rais’d the Duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.
That villain of a Jew woke the Duke with his shouting, and the Duke went with him to search Bassanio's ship.
Salarino6
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 arrived 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 that they were not with Bassanio on his ship.
Solanio12
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 jumbled outburst of feeling, so strange, so wild, and so 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 too."
Salarino23
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.
Indeed, all the boys in Venice are following him about, shouting: his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.
Solanio25
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 all this.
Salarino27
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.
Well remembered, indeed. I talked with a Frenchman yesterday, who told me that in the narrow seas that divide the French from the English a ship from our country was lost, richly loaded. I thought of Antonio when he told me, and silently hoped it wasn't his.
Solanio34
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 have heard — but don't do it abruptly, because it may distress him.
Salarino36
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 isn't a kinder gentleman walking the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio say goodbye. Bassanio told him he would hurry his return. Antonio answered, "Don't do that. Don't botch your business 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 courtship, and to such fine displays of love as will suit you well there." And right then, his eye swelling with tears, he turned his face away, put his hand behind him, and with wonderfully deep feeling he squeezed Bassanio's hand — and so they parted.
Solanio51
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 he loves the world only for Bassanio's sake. Please, let's go and find him and stir him out of the sadness he has taken to himself with some amusement or other.
Salarino55
Do we so.
Let's do that.
Exeunt.
They leave.
Original text: Project Gutenberg edition #1515 (public domain, edited by the PG Shakespeare Team). Modern English rendering by Storgy.