Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time 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? Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast:But note me, signior. Ant. Mark you this, Bassanio, Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; A goodly apple rotten at the heart; 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. In the Rialto you have rated me About my monies, and my usances': Still have I borne it with a patient shrug; And all for use of that which is mine own. "This thrift." MALONE. 7 my usances] Use and usance are both words anciently employ'd for usury, both in its favourable and unfavourable sense. But Mr. Ritson says, that Use and usance mean nothing more than interest; and the former word is still used by country people in the same sense. Shylock, we would have monies; You say so; 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, 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. Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me: Shylock,] Our author, as Dr. Farmer informs me, took the name of his Jew from an old pamphlet entitled, Caleb Shillocke, his Prophesie: or the Jewes Prediction. London, printed for T. P. (Thomas Pavyer.) No date. STEEVENS. 9 A breed for barren metal of his friend?] A breed, that is, interest money bred from the principal. By the epithet barren, the author would instruct us in the argument on which the advocates against usury went, which is this; that money is a barren thing, and caunot, like corn and cattle, multiply itself. And to set off the absurdity of this kind of usury, he put breed and barren in opposition. WARBURTON. Ant. This were kindness. This kindness will I show: Go with me to a notary, seal me there Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond, 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. Shy. O father Abraham, what these Christians are; Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this; If he should break his day, what should I gain By the exaction of the forfeiture? A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. 1 left in the fearful guard, &c.] Fearful guard, is a guard that is not to be trusted, but gives cause of fear. To fear was anciently to give as well as feel terrours. JOHNSON. Of an unthrifty knave; and presently I will be with you. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. [Exit. This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind. 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 other of her Attend ants. Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion, To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine. Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue, 2 To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.] To understand how the tawny prince, whose savage dignity is very well supported, means to recommend himself by this challenge, it must be remembered that red blood is a traditionary sign of courage: Thus Macbeth calls one of his frighted soldiers, a lily-liver'd boy ; again, in this play, cowards are said to have livers as white as milk; and an effeminate and timorous man is termed a milksop. JOHNSON. Hath fear'd the valiant ;] i. e. terrify'd. To fear is often used by our old writers, in this sense. Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: His wife, who wins me by that means I told you, For my affection. Mor. And so may I, blind fortune leading me, Por. You must take your chance; And either not attempt to choose at all, Or swear, before you choose,-if you choose wrong, In way of marriage; therefore be advis'd'. Mor. Nor will not; come, bring me unto my chance. Por. First, forward to the temple; after dinner Your hazard shall be made. 4 therefore be advis'd.] consider well what you are to do. to rash. Therefore be not precipitant; Advis'd is the word opposite |