(C) We are not to imagine the word _royal_ to be only a ranting, sounding epithet. It is used with great propriety, and shows the poet well acquainted with the history of the people whom he here brings upon the stage. For when the French and Venetians, in the beginning of the thirteenth century, had won Constantinople, the French, under the Emperor Henry, endeavoured to extend their conquests into the provinces of the Grecian Empire on the _Terra firma_; while the Venetians, who were masters of the sea, gave liberty to any subjects of the republic, who would fit out vessels, to make themselves masters of the isles of the Archipelago, and other maritime places; and to enjoy their conquests in sovereignty: only doing homage to the republic for their several principalities. By virtue of this licence, the Sanudi, the Justinianii, the Grimaldi, the Summaripi, and others, all Venetian _merchants_, erected principalities in several places of the Archipelago (which their descendants enjoyed for many generations), and thereby became truly and properly _royal merchants_, which, indeed was the title generally given them all over Europe. Hence, the most eminent of our own merchants (while publick spirit resided amongst them, and before it was aped by faction), were called _royal merchants_.--_Warburton_. This epithet was in our poet's time more striking and better understood, because Gresham was then commonly dignified with the title of the _royal merchant.--Johnson_. (D) This judgment is related by _Gracian_, the celebrated Spanish Jesuit, in his _Hero_, with a reflection at the conclusion of it;-- "The vivacity of that great Turke enters into competition with that of Solomon: a _Jew_ pretended to cut an ounce of the flesh of a Christian upon a penalty of usury; he urged it to the Prince, with as much obstinacy, as perfidiousness towards God. The great Judge commanded a pair of scales to be brought, threatening the _Jew_ with death if he cut either more or less: And this was to give a sharp decision to a malicious process, and to the world a miracle of subtilty."--_The Hero_, p. 24, &c. Gregorio Leti, in his _Life of Sixtus V_., has a similar story. The papacy of Sixtus began in 1583. He died Aug. 29, 1590.--_Steevens_ ACT V. SCENE I.--BELMONT. AVENUE TO PORTIA'S HOUSE. _Enter_ LORENZO _and_ JESSICA. _Lor_. The moon shines bright:--In such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, And they did make no noise,--in such a night, Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls, And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents, Where Cressid lay that night. _Jes_. In such a night Bid young Lorenzo swear he lov'd me well; Stealing my soul with many vows of faith, And ne'er a true one. _Lor_. In such a night, Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave it her. _Jes_. I would out-night you, did no body come: But, hark, I hear the footing of a man. _Enter_ BALTHAZAR.