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 landrats, and water-rats, water-thieves, and land-thieves; I 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. [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; Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? Will furnish me: But soft; How many months Do you desire?-Rest you fair, good signior; [TO ANTONIO. Your worship was the last man in our mouths. Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, 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; 9 Wants which admit no longer delay. • Informed. 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, This 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? That all the eanlings which were streak'd, and pied, Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd for; Or is your gold and silver, ewes and rams ? Ant. Mark you this, Bassanio, 2 Nature. The devil can cite scripture for his purpose. O, what a goodly outside falshood hath! Shy. Three thousand ducats,-'tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft, In the Rialto you have rated me About my monies, and my usances :3 Still have I borne it with a patient shrug; your What should I say to you? Should I not say, A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; You spurn'd me such a day; another time 3 Interest. You call'd me-dog; and for these courtesies Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, As to thy friends; (for when did friendship take But lend it rather to thine enemy; 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. Ant. This were kindness. 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. 4 Abide. |