No Fear Shakespeare-Merchant Of Venice

Act 2-Scene 8

SALARINO and SOLANIO enter

SALARINO

I saw Bassanio sail away, and Gratiano went with him. I'm sure Lorenzo isn't on their ship.

SOLANIO

That wicked Jew got the duke to listen to his complaints. The duke went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

SALARINO

He got there too late. The ship was already sailing. But once he got there, the duke learned that Lorenzo and his lover Jessica were together in a gondola. In any case, Antonio assured the duke they weren't with Bassanio on his ship.

SOLANIO

I've never heard such confused emotions as what that Jew dog was shouting in the streets. "My daughter, oh my ducats, oh my daughter! Ran 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."

SALARINO

I know, all the boys in Venice are following him, yelling, "His stones, his daughter, and his ducats!"

SOLANIO

I hope Antonio repays his loan on time, or he'll suffer for this.

SALARINO

That's a good point. I spoke with a Frenchman yesterday who said that a Venetian ship loaded with treasure was wrecked in the English Channel. I thought about Antonio when he told me. I silently hoped it wasn't his ship.

SOLANIO

You should tell Antonio what you hear-but don't do it suddenly, because it might upset him.

SALARINO

There's no nicer guy in the whole world. I saw Bassanio and Antonio say goodbye. Bassanio told him he'd try to hurry back. Antonio answered "Don't rush. Don't do a sloppy job for my sake, Bassanio. Stay until everything is finished. As for the Jew's contract, don't let it be a factor in your plans. Be happy and concentrate your thoughts on love and how to win your love." Then his eyes started tearing up. He turned his face away. Then he shook Bassanio's hand affectionately-and they separated.

SOLANIO

I think he only loves life because of Bassanio. Let's go find him and cheer him up.

SALARINO

Yes, let's do that.

They exit.