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. [Aside.] 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 Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me: But soft: How many months Do you desire?-[To ANT.] Rest you fair, good signior; Your worship was the last man in our mouths. Ant. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow, By taking, nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I'll break a custom :-[To BASS.] 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. Shy. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheepThis Jacob from our holy Abraham was (As his wise mother wrought in his behalf) The third possessor; ay, he was the third Ant. And what of him? did he take interest? Shy. No, not take interest, not, as you would say, Directly interest; mark what Jacob did. Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for ; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven :- Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? An evil soul, producing holy witness, Is like a villain with a smiling cheek ;— O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! Shy. Three thousand ducats,-'tis a good round sum,Three months from twelve,-then let me see the rateAnt. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft On the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances; Still have I borne it with a patient shrug ;- A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" or Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key, 'Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last; Ant. I am as like to call thee so again; That, if he break, thou mayst 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 ; Of usance for my moneys; and you'll not hear me :— Bass. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show : Go with me to a notary; seal me there If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me. 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, Whose own hard dealings teach them to suspect The thoughts of others! Pray ye, tell me this :If he should break his day, what should I gain By the exaction of the forfeiture ? A pound of man's flesh taken from a man, Is not so estimable, profitable neither, Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. I will be with you. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. [Exit. [Exeunt. THE CELEBRATED TRIAL SCENE. SCENE-Venice. A Court of Justice. Enter the DUKE, ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, SALARINO, and SALANIO. Duke. What is Antonio here? Ant. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer A stony adversary,— --an inhuman wretch Incapable of pity, void and empty From any drachm of mercy. Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose |