to myself, as your worship shall know by this 152
honest old man; and, though I say it, though
old man, yet poor man, my father.
Bass. One speak for both. What would you?
Laun. Serve you, sir. 156
Gob. That is the very defect of the matter,
sir.
Bass. I know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit:
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day, 160
And hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment
To leave a rich Jew's service, to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman.
Laun. The old proverb is very well parted 164
between my master Shylock and you, sir: you
have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough.
Bass. Thou speak'st it well. Go, father, with thy son.
Take leave of thy old master, and inquire 168
My lodging out. [To his followers.] Give him a livery
More guarded than his fellows': see it done.
Laun. Father, in. I cannot get a service, no;
I have ne'er a tongue in my head. Well, [Look- 172
ing on his palm] 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: 176
alas! fifteen wives is nothing: a 'leven 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; 180
here are simple 'scapes. Well, if Fortune be a
woman, she's a good wench for this gear. Father,
161 preferr'd: recommended
preferment: advancement
164 The old proverb; cf. n.
170 guarded: adorned with facings
174 table; cf. n.
178 simple coming-in: small inheritance
