Launcelot.—I know not what I shall think of that: but I am Launcelot, the Jew’s man; and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother.
Gobbo.—Her name is Margery, indeed: I’ll be sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord, worship’d might he be! What a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin, my fill-horse, has on his tail.
Launcelot.—It should seem, then, that Dobbin’s tail grows backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail than I have on my face, when I last saw him.
Gobbo.—Lord, how art thou chang’d! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How ’gree you now?
Launcelot.—Well, well; but, for mine own part, as I have set up my rest to run away, so I will not rest till I have run some ground. My master’s a very Jew: give him a present! give him a halter: I am famish’d in his service; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come: give me your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries: if I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground.—O rare fortune! here comes the man:—to him, father, for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.
—Act II, Scene II, Lines 29-104.
HAMLET’S DECLARATION OF FRIENDSHIP
Hamlet. What ho! Horatio!
Horatio. Here, sweet lord, at your service.
Hamlet. Horatio, thou art e’en as just a man