Page 57 - William_Shakespeare_-_The_Merchant_of_Venice_191

If I do not display a staid demeanor,° 83 / sober manner
Talk with respect, and swear but now and then,
84
Hold a prayer-book in my hand, look demurely—
Nay, more—while saying grace,° cover mine eyes 85 {while grace is saying}
Thus, with my hat, and sigh, and say, ‘Amen,’
86
And follow every count of good behavior—° / manner of politeness
Like one well-studied° in a sad expression° / well-versed {sad ostent}
To please his grandma—never trust me more.° 87 / ne’er trust me again

—Bassanio
Well, we shall see the way you hold yourself.

—Gratziano
88
Nay, but I drink tonight: you shall not judge° me {gauge}
By what we do tonight.

—Bassanio No, t’were a pity. 89 /’Twould be a pity
I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth; for we have friends
That want some merriment.° But fare you well 90 / a good party
I have some business.

—Gratziano
And I must meet° Lorenzo and the rest. {to}
But we will visit you at suppertime.

Exeunt
________________________________________________

83. {If I do not put on a sober habit}
sober habit: a) solemn, serious, funeral-like behavior, b) sober clothing, a sober garb—referring to a sober
exterior look.
84. {Wear prayer-books in my pocket}
85. / Nay, more—while grace is being said, look down
86. {Use all observance of civility} / Observe all manner of good behavior / And use all manner of civility / And
observe all counts of civility / And employ every manner of politeness
87. / So as to please his grandma—trust me never.
88. {Nay, but I bar tonight}
but I bar tonight: a) only if I behave (suppress, stop, bar) myself tonight—which I am not going to do, so
do not judge my actions by my raucous actions tonight. b) Nay, but I bar (refuse to accept any such restrictions)
tonight; I am exempted from any such restrictions tonight.
89. {No, that were a pity}
No, that would be a pity (if you were barred from drinking and having fun tonight)
90. {That purpose merriment. But fare you well} / Who’re set on merriment
/ That want a rousing party. But farewell