_Laun._ Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman, according to 55 Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven. _Gob._ Marry, God forbid! the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. 60 _Laun._ Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or a prop? Do you know me, father? _Gob._ Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman: but, I pray you, tell me, is my boy, God rest his soul, alive or dead? 65 _Laun._ Do you not know me, father? _Gob._ Alack, sir, I am sand-blind; I-know you not. _Laun._ Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: 70 give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man’s son may; but, at the length, truth will out. _Gob._ Pray you, sir, stand up: I am sure you are not Launcelot, my boy. 75 _Laun._ Pray you, let’s have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing: I am Launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be. _Gob._ I cannot think you are my son. _Laun._ I know not what I shall think of that: but 80 I am Launcelot, the Jew’s man; and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother. _Gob._ Her name is Margery, indeed: I’ll be sworn, if thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipped might he be! what a beard hast thou 85 got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail. _Laun._ It should seem, then, that Dobbin’s tail grows backward: I am sure he had more hair of his tail than I have of my face when I last saw him. 90 _Gob._ Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How ’gree you now? _Laun._ 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 95 run some ground. My master’s a very Jew: give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished 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 100 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. _Enter_ BASSANIO, _with_ LEONARDO _and other followers_. _Bass._ You may do so; but let it be so hasted, that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See 105 these letters delivered; put the liveries to making; and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging.