Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, 45 Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe, If I forgive 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 50 Of full three thousand ducats. What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, 55 60 65 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, although 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. How much ye would? Shy. Is he yet possess'd 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 Abram 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? 70 Shy. 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 75 The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands, 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. 85 Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast; Ant. An evil soul producing holy witness 90 Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart: 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 rate 95 Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Shy. 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, Well then, it now appears you need my help: 105 Go to, then; you come to me, and you say, 66 'Shylock, we would have moneys: " you say so; You, that did void your rheum upon my beard And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold: moneys is your suit. A cur can lend three thousand ducats? "9 Or 120 "Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, As to thy friends; for when did friendship take 125 But lend it rather to thine enemy, Who, if he break, thou mayest with better face Shy. Why, look you, how you storm! Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me: Bass. This were kindness. This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there In such a place, such sum or sums as are 140 Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken Ant. Content, i' 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: 145 I'll rather dwell in my necessity. 150 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 Abram, what these Christians are, 155 A pound of man's flesh taken from a man 160 And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not. Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's; Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and purse the ducats straight, 165 See to my house, left in the fearful guard Of an unthrifty knave, and presently 170 I will be with you. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. [Exit SHYLOCK. The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind. Bass. I like not fair terms and a villain's mind. Ant. Come on: in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt. ACT II SCENE I. Belmont. A room in PORTIA's house Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO and his train; PORTIA, NERISSA, and others attending. Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion, To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. Have loved it too: I would not change this hue, 15 Besides, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: But if my father had not scanted me And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself His wife who wins me by that means I told you, 20 Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair As any comer I have look'd on yet For my affection. Mor. Even for that I thank you: Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets 25 That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince |