Directly intereft :-Mark what Jacob did!
When Laban and himself were compromis'd,
That all the yeanlings, which were ftreak'd and
pied

Should fall as Jacob's hire,

The skilful fhepherd peel'd me certain wands,
And stuck them up before the fulfome ewes,
Which did, in yeaning time,

Fall party-color'd lambs, and thofe were Jacob's.
This was a way to thrive, and he was bleft;
And thrift is bleffing, if men steal it not!

Ant. This was a venture, fir, that Jacob ferv'd

for;

A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
But fway'd and fashion'd by the will of Heav'n.
Was this inferted to make intereft good?

Or is your gold and filver, ewes and rams?

Shy. I cannot tell;-I make it breed as faft!

Ant. Mark you this, Baffanio,

The devil can cite fcripture for his purpose.
An evil foul, producing holy witness,
Is like a villain with a fmiling face!

A goodly apple rotten at the heart:

O, what a goodly outfide falfehood hath!

Shy. Three thousand ducats!-'Tis a good
W round fum.

Three months from twelve, then let me fee the rate

1

Ant

Ant. Well! Shylock, fhall we be beholden to

you?

Shy. Signor Antonio ! many a time and oft, On the Rialto you have rated me

About my monies, and my ufances:

Still have I borne it with a patient shrug;
For fufferance is the badge of all our tribe:
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
And all for use of that, which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears you need my help:
Go to then; you come to me, and you fay,
Shylock, we would have monies; You say fo;
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me, as you fpurn a ftranger cur
Over your threshold;-monies is your fuit!
What fhould I fay to you? Should I not say,
Hath a dog money? is it possible

A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or

Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key,

With 'bated breath, and whisp'ring humbleness,
Say this:-

Fair Sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last ;
You spurn'd me such a day; another time

You call'd me-dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much monies ?

D2

Ant.

Ant. I am as like to call thee fo again,
To fpit on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not

As to thy friend; (for when did friendship take
A breed for barren metal of his friend?)

But lend it rather to thine enemy;

Who if he break, thou may'ft with better face
Exact the penalty.

Shy. Why! look you, how you ftorm!
I would be friends with you, and have your love,
Forget the fhames that you have ftain'd me with
Supply your prefent wants, and take no doit
Of ufance for my monies, and you'll not hear me :
This is kind I offer.

Ant. This were kindnefs.

Shy. This kindness will I fhow.-
Go with me to a notary, feal me there
Your fingle bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on fuch a day,
In fuch a place, fuch fum, or fums, as are
Exprefs'd in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleafeth me..

Ant. Content, in faith; I'll feal to fuch a bond, And fay, there is much kindness in the Jew.

Bass.

Bass. You fhall not feal to fuch a bond for ine, I'd rather dwell in my neceffity.

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 thefe Chriftians

are;

Whofe own hard dealings teach them to fufpect
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,
Is not fo eftimable, profitable neither,
As fleflt of muttons, beefs, or goats. I fay,
To buy his favor, I extend this friendship:
If he will take it, fo; if not, adieu;
And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not!

Ant. Yes! Shylock, I will feal unto this bond.
Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and purfe the ducats straight;
See to my house, left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave; and presently

I will be with you.

(Exit SHY.

Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew!

This Hebrew will turn Chriftian; he grows kind..

Bass.

Bass. I like not fair terms with a villain's mind.

Ant. Come on! in this there can be no difmay, My fhips come home a month before the day!

(Exeunt

ACT II.

SCENE I.

Before the Rialto.

Enter LAUNCELOT GOBBO.

Laun. CERTAINLY, my confcience will

serve me to run from this Jew my mafter: The fiend is at mine elbow; and tempts me, faying 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 aforefaid, honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels.-Well! the most courageous fiend bids me pack; via! fays the fiend; away! fays the fiend, for the havens; rouse up a brave mind, fays the fiend, and run-Well! my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, fays very wifely to me, my honest friend Launcelot, budge not!-budge, fays the fiend!-budge not, fays my conscience!-Conscience, say I, you counfel well; fiend, fay I, you counfel well: to

be