diffidence, as I have at present before me only the abridgment of the novel which Mr.
Johnson has given us at the end of his Commentary on Shakspeare's play. The
translation of the Italian story at large is not easy to be met with, having I believe
never been published, though it was printed some years ago with this title,--"The
NOVEL, from which theMerchant of Venicewritten by Shakspeare is taken,
translated from the Italian. To which is added a Translation of a Novel from the
Decameroneof Boccacio." London, printed for M. Cooper, 1755, 8vo.
NOTES
- Warton, ubi supra.
- Compared with the Ashmole copy.
- hercow, &c. seems to have suggested to Shakspeare Shylock's argument for usury
taken from Jacob's management of Laban's sheep, act i. to which Antonio replies:
"Was this inserted to make interest good?
Or are your gold and silverewesand rams?
Shylock. I cannot tell, I make itbreed as fast."- The passage in Shakspeare bears so strong a resemblance to this, as to render it
probable that the one suggested the other. See act iv. sc. 2.
Bass. "Why doest thou whet thy knife so earnestly? &c."