Portia. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good à heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. 119 Whiles we shut the gates upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. A public place. Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK. Shylock. Three thousand ducats; well. Shylock. For three months; well. Bassanio. be bound. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall Shylock. Antonio shall become bound; well. Bassanio. May you stead me? will you pleasure me? shall I know your answer? Shylock. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound. Bassanio. Your answer to that. ΙΟ Shylock. Antonio is a good man. Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shylock. Oh, 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, squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men : there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and landthieves, 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. Bassanio. Be assured you may. Shylock. I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio? Bassanio. If it please you to dine with us. 29 Shylock. 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. Bassanio. This is Signior Antonio. Shylock. [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. Shylock. I am debating of my present store, Of full three thousand ducats. What of that? Will furnish me. But soft! how many months Antonio. Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow 40 50 By taking nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, Shylock. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Antonio. And for three months. Shylock. 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. 60 Shylock. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep— This Jacob from our holy Abram was, As his wise mother wrought in his behalf, The third possessor; ay, he was the third Antonio. And what of him? did he take interest? Shylock. No, not take interest, not, as you would say, Directly interest: mark what Jacob did When Laban and himself were compromised That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied Should fall as Jacob's hire. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest: And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not. 70 Antonio. 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. Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? Shylock. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast: But note me, signior. Antonio. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! 80 90 Shylock. Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate Antonio. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Shylock. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances: Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, And all for use of that which is mine own. A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or 'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; Antonio. I am as like to call thee so again, Who if he break, thou mayst with better face Shylock. Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you and have your love, 120 Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with, Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me: Bassanio. This were kindness. Shylock. 130 This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there 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. Antonio. Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bond 140 And say there is much kindness in the Jew. Bassanio. You shall not seal to such a bond for me: I'll rather dwell in my necessity. Antonio. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it; Of thrice three times the value of this bond. Shylock. O father Abram, what these Christians are, A pound of man's flesh taken from a man To buy his favour, I extend this friendship: 150 Antonio. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Shylock. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's; 160 Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and purse the ducats straight, |