about it, but give me your blessing: I am 92
Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is,
your child that shall be.
Gob. I cannot think you are my son.
Laun. I know not what I shall think of that; 96
but I am Launcelot, the Jew's man, and I am
sure Margery your wife is my mother.
Gob. Her name is Margery, indeed: I'll be
sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own 100
flesh and blood. Lord worshipped might he be!
what a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more
hair on thy chin than Dobbin my phill-horse has
on his tail. 104
Laun. It should seem then that Dobbin's tail
grows backward: I am sure he had more hair on
his tail than I have on my face, when I last saw
him. 108
Gob. Lord! how art thou changed. How dost
thou and thy master agree? I have brought him
a present. How 'gree you now?
Laun. Well, well: but, for mine own part, as 112
I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not
rest till I have run some ground. My master's a
very Jew: give him a present! give him a halter:
I am famished in his service: you may tell every 116
finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad
you are come: give me your present to one
Master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new
liveries. If I serve not him, I will run as far 120
as God has any ground. O rare fortune! here
101 Lord . . . be: Praise the Lord!
102 what a beard; cf. n.
103 phill-horse: shaft-horse
113 set up my rest: staked all, resolved absolutely (card-game term)
116 tell: count; cf. n.
121 God has any ground: He had little in Venice
