Por. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.-How now! what news? Enter a Servant. Serv. The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave: and there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the prince of Morocco; who brings word, the prince, his master, will be here to-night. Por. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good 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.-Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [Exeunt. SCENE III-Venice. A public place. Enter Shy. Three thousand ducats,-well. Shy. For three months,-well. Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound. Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. 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 (1) Temper, qualities. England, -and other ventures he hath, squander'd abroad: But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats, and water-rats, waterthieves, 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 I hate him, for he is a Christian: He lends out money gratis, and brings down 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, 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,—] hear you; -But 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? Shy. No, not take interest; not, as you would say, Directly interest: mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromis'd, That all the eanlings which were streak'd, and pied, Should fall as Jacob's hire; the ewes, being rank, (1) Wants which admit no longer delay. (3) Nature. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv'd 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? Ant. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite scripture for his purpose. 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 : Still have I borne it with a patient shrug; A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or, (1) Interest. With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness, Say this, 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. Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me : This is kind I offer. Ant. This were kindness. Shy. 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. (1) Abide. |