Page 55 - William_Shakespeare_-_The_Merchant_of_Venice_191

Exeunt Launcelet and Old Gobbo

—Bassanio [continuing his instructions]
I pray, Leonardo, attend thee to this: 68
When everything is bought and stowed on board° 69 {orderly bestowed}
Return in haste, for I do feast tonight° 70 / entertain
71
With all my dearest friends.° Now hurry, go. / My best-esteemed companions

— Leonardo
My best endeavors shall be done herein.° / I’ll do my utmost to complete the task

Leonardo moves to exit. Enter Gratziano.

—Gratziano
Where’s your master?

—Leonardo Yonder, sir, he walks.

Exit Leonardo

—Gratziano
Signior Bassanio!

—Bassanio Signior Gratziano! 72

—Gratziano
I have a suit for you.° / I have but one request

—Bassanio You have obtained it.° / And I will grant it

—Gratziano

68. {I pray thee, good Leonardo, think on this} / I pray thee Leonard, attend to this
think on this: a) attend to these matters, b) think carefully about what I am saying
69. Bassanio is preparing to leave for Belmont and is having his provisions stowed on board his ship.
70. {for I do feast tonight}
feast: a) entertain, throw a feast for (my best-esteemed acquaintance); b) eat, party, enjoy myself at a feast (with
my best-esteemed acquaintance)
71. {. . . for I do feast tonight | My best-esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go.}
The reference here is singular; Bassanio refers to his best-esteemed acquaintance. This might be interpreted as a
reference to Antonio yet Antonio is his dearest friend not his best-esteemed acquaintance. Odd as it may seem, this
is most likely a reference to Shylock, who is an acquaintance (not a friend) and who is best-esteemed in that he
loaned Bassanio the money which enabled him to make his journey. Thus, Shylock as the best-esteemed
acquaintance will be the honored guest at Bassanio’s celebration.
72. Q1 has ‘Gratiano.’ Signior has been added to complete the meter, and to echo Gratziano’s words.