not be quarreling, old man,
I have a message that I want to give.

_Shylock_ No message from my daughter--none to me.

_Portia_ I meant not message, what I have is news.
Poor Jessica has come to sorry straits.
Her husband, having heard of what you spoke,
The loss of what Antonio received,
The tricks you have been playing with your own,
Fell out with Jessica; they came to words;
From words, they say, to blows. And so it seems
He left her in a pitiable state.

_Shylock_ (_laughing wildly_) Good, good, good, good. I prithee
tell me more.

_Gratiano_ The fiends fly off with thee. Hast thou a heart
And canst thou hear the sorrows of thy child
In laughter and with joy?

_Shylock_ She is no child
Of mine. She is a wench who lied and stole
Repaid my love with treason. Broke my heart
And left me weakened for mine enemies
To ruin and to taunt. Tell me the rest,
Leave not a portion out. Describe her pain,
Her hunger, her remorse. I would know all.

_Portia_ The font has failed to change thy cruel soul;
Thou art a Christian, Shylock, but in name.

_Shylock_ Well, blame thy sacred water. Blame not me.

_Gratiano_ And so poor Jessica must starve and die?

_Shylock_ Why, no. For you and she (_pointing to Portia_) should be
her friends.
You Christians will not let a Christian fall.

_Gratiano_ Now there we cut the venom from thy tongue
For Jessica will not accept our aid.

_Portia_ Indeed, old man, we know not where she is.
We told you, that you might go search for her.
Bassanio did offer her employment
But she refused, belike because her shame
Would not permit that we should see her shame.
And so she fled.

_Gratiano_ And may not be alive.

_Shylock_ These circumstances you should tell unto
Lorenzo. 'Twas he took her upon himself
For better or for worse. Fare you well.
I have affairs that interest me more.

_Gratiano_ Come, Lady Portia. 'Tis a waste of time.
The Bible