Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/37

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The Merchant of Venice, II. ii
23

Gob. Your worship's friend, and Launcelot,
sir. 60

Laun. But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I be-
seech you, talk you of young Master Launcelot?

Gob. Of Launcelot, an 't please your master-
ship. 64

Laun. Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of
Master Launcelot, father; for the young gentle-
man,—according to Fates and Destinies and such
odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches 68
of learning,—is, indeed, deceased; or, as you
would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

Gob. Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very
staff of my age, my very prop. 72

Laun. [Aside.] Do I look like a cudgel or a
hovel-post, a staff or a prop? Do you know me,
father?

Gob. Alack the day! I know you not, young 76
gentleman: but I pray you, tell me, is my boy,—
God rest his soul!—alive or dead?

Laun. Do you not know me, father?

Gob. Alack, sir, I am sand-blind; I know you 80
not.

Laun. Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes,
you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise
father that knows his own child. Well, old man, 84
I will tell you news of your son. Give me your
blessing; truth will come to light; murder can-
not be hid long; a man's son may, but, in the
end, truth will out. 88

Gob. Pray you, sir, stand up. I am sure you
are not Launcelot, my boy.

Laun. Pray you, let's have no more fooling

61, 62 Cf. n.
74 hovel-post: a supporting stick