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 Bass. Shylock, do you hear ? Shy. I am debating on 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? Will furnish me:-But soft; How many months Ant. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow, 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; 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? When Laban and himself were compromis'd, The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands, He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes ; 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; Or is your gold and silver, ewes and rams? The devil can cite scripture for his purpose. An holy soul, producing holy witness, Shy. Three thousand ducats,-"Tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. About my monies, and my usances: A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, 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. Shy, This kindness will I show :— 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'd 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 dealing teaches them suspect A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew,- [Exit. SHYLOCK. This 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 THE SECOND. SCENE I. A Street in Venice, before SHYLOCK's House. Enter LAUNCELOT GOBBO. Laun. Certainly, my conscience will serve me to run from the Jew my master: This fiend is at mine elbow, and tempts me, saying to me, Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot, or good Gobbo, or good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away: My conscience says,-no; take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest Gobbo; or, as aforesaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn |