Enter ANTONIO. Bas. 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 I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Bas. 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? Will furnish me. But soft; how many months [to Antonio. Your worship was the last man in our mouths. Ant. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow By taking nor by giving of excess, In allusion to the practice of wrestlers. Yet, to supply the ripe wants 1 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 ; hear you; -But Methought, you said, you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage. Shy. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep; This Jacob from our holy Abraham was 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 compromised, That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied, I Wants which admit no farther delay. 2 Informed. He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes ; Ant. 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. Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast :— Ant. An evil soul, producing holy witness, Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; 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. Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft, In the Rialto, you have rated me About my monies and my usances.1 Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, 1 Usury. For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. 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 mayst with better face 1 Coarse frock, or outward garment. 2 Interest money bred from the principal. Exact the penalty. 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. 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 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. Bas. 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 ? |