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 sheepThis 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, A goodly apple rotten at the heart: 80 O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! 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, For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, 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, 100 I IO 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. 130 This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there 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 Is not so estimable, profitable neither, 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, See to my house, left in the fearful guard I will be with you. Hie thee, gentle Jew. [Exit Shylock. Antonio. The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind. Bassanio. I like not fair terms and a villain's mind. Antonio. Come on: in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt. 169 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. Morocco. Mislike me not for my complexion, Have loved it too: I would not change this hue, Portia. In terms of choice I am not solely led Besides, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself His wife who wins me by that means I told you, As any comer I have look'd on yet For my affection. 10 20 Morocco. Even for that I thank you: Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets Which is the better man, the greater throw And so may I, blind fortune leading me, Portia. 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 advised. 30 40 Morocco. Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance. Portia. First, forward to the temple after dinner Your hazard shall be made. Launcelot. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master. The 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; |