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Detail from page A2 (recto) of The excellent history of the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

This edition was printed in London by William Jaggard for Thomas Pavier in 1619.

Author Index | The Merchant of Venice

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Extract from The Merchant of Venice, which begins with Anthony's lament. He says, "In sooth I know not why I am so sad, It wearies me, you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuffe tis made off, whereof it is borne, I am to learne: & such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself." Salarino replies, "Your minde is tossing on the Ocean, There where your Argosies with portly sayle, Like Signiors and rich Burgars on the flood, Or as it were the Pageants of the Sea, Doe over-peere the petty traffiquers, That cursie to them, do them reverence, As they flie by them with their woven wings."
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