a saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come in, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A public Place. Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK. ΤΗ Bass. Ay, sir, for three months. Shy. For three months,-well. Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound. Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shy. Ho, no, no, no, no; my meaning, in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me, that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath squander'd abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land-rats, and water-rats, land-thieves, and water-thieves, mean, pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think, I may take his bond. Bass. Be assured you may. Shy. I will be assured I may; and that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio ? Bass. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the Devil into! I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here? Enter ANTONIO. Bass. This is Signior Antonio. Shy. How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian. But more, for that, in low simplicity, He lends out money gratis, and brings down I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Bass. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store; And, by the near guess of my memory, I cannot instantly raise up the gross [Aside. Of full three thousand ducats. What of that? [To ANT. Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I'll break a custom.-Is he yet possess'd, Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Ant. And for three months. Shy. I had forgot; three months, you told me so. Well then, your bond; and, let me see ... but hear you; Methought, you said, you neither lend, nor borrow, Upon advantage. Ant. I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep Fall party-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's. Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But sway'd, and fashion'd, by the hand of Heaven. Ant. -Mark you this, Bassanio, The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul, producing holy witness, A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness, Say this: Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; You spurn'd me such a day; another time You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much monies? Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, As to thy friends-for when did Friendship take Who, if he break, thou may'st with better face Shy. Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with, Supply your present wants, and take no doit Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me. This is kind I offer you. Ant. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show.- In such a place, such sum, or sums, as are Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond, And say, there is much kindness in the Jew. Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me, I'll rather dwell in my necessity. Ant. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it. Within these two months, that's a month before This bond expires, I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond. Shy. O father Abraham, what these Christians are, A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. |