I'll fly to her protection. Speak, what are you? 26 Rutilio. Of all that ever breathed, a man most wretched. Guiomar. I am sure you are a man of most ill manners; You could not with so little reverence else Press to my private chamber. Whither would you? Or what do you seek for? Rutilio. Gracious woman, hear me : I am a stranger, and in that I answer 30 Justice pursues me, And for that life I took unwillingly Your house is now my sanctuary; and the altar Guiomar. Are you a Castilian ? Rutilio. No, madam; Italy claims my birth. 35 40 I ask not With purpose to betray you; if you were If it lay in my power. Lift up these hangings ; 45 Into which enter. [Rutilio conceals himself.] So; but from this stir not: If the officers come, as you expect they will do, Rutilio. 50 The blest saints pay for me The infinite debt I owe you! How he quakes! 55 Guiomar [aside]. Thus far I feel his heart beat. [Aloud.] Be of comfort; Once more I give my promise for your safety. All men are subject to such accidents, Especially the valiant: [aside] and who knows not But that the charity I afford this stranger My only son elsewhere may stand in need of? Enter Page, Officers, and Servants, with the body of Guiomar's son Duarte. Lights are brought in. бо First Servant. Now, madam, if your wisdom ever could Raise up defences against floods of sorrow That haste to overwhelm you, make true use of Your great discretion. Second Servant. My Lord Duarte 's slain. Your only son His murderer, Pursued by us, was by a boy discovered 65 Madam ! Stand off: My sorrow is so dear and precious to me Like wounds that do bleed inward, to dispatch me. 70 [Aside.] O my Duarte, such an end as this Thy pride long since did prophesy. Thou art dead; Or thou fall unavenged. My soul's divided; That are to others angels, are my Furies: But that I must protect the murderer Or suffer in that faith he made his altar? 75 80 Motherly love, give place; the fault, made this way, To keep a vow to which high heaven is witness, Heaven may be pleased to pardon. 'Tis too late. 85 Enter Manuel du Sosa, Doctors, and Surgeons. Manuel. He's gone, past all recovery: now my reproof Were but unseasonable when I should give comfort; And yet remember, sister Guiomar. Oh, forbear! Search for the murderer, and remove the body We obey you до [They all leave her and take away the body. Rutilio [aside]. My spirits come back and now despair resigns Her place again to hope. Whate'er thou art Guiomar. 95 100 My vow once paid to heaven. [Rutilio comes forth with his face covered.] Thou hast taken from me The respiration of my heart, the light 105 Of my swoln eyes, in his life that sustained me: And so, farewell for ever. Let me first fall Before your feet and on them pay the duty I owe your goodness: next, all blessings to you, 115 XV. ANTONIO AND SHYLOCK BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SCENE I. THE SECOND ARROW. Antonio is a rich merchant in the city of Venice, which was once one of the great trading cities of the world. He is one of the most generous of men, never weary of doing his friends a kindness, lending without interest to those who are in difficulty, and spending large sums in relieving poor debtors. His greatest friend is Bassanio, a soldier and scholar, frank and open, but careless of his money and heavily in debt. The scene is a street in Venice. Enter Antonio and Bassanio. Bassanio. 'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, 5 ΙΟ Antonio. I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it ; My purse, my person, my extremest means, 15 Bassanio. In my schooldays, when I had lost one shaft, I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The selfsame way with more advisèd watch, To find the other forth; and by adventuring both, 20 I oft found both: I urge this childhood proof, I owe you much; and, like a wilful youth, Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt 25 Antonio. You know me well; and herein spend but time To wind about my love with circumstance; Bassanio. In Belmont is a lady richly left, 30 35 40 45 Renowned suitors: and her sunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece; Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strand, O my Antonio, had I but the means 50 I have a mind presages me such thrift, That I should questionless be fortunate. Antonio. Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea; Neither have I money, nor commodity 55 To raise a present sum: therefore go forth, 60 [Exeunt. |