winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond. Bassanio. Be assured you may. Shylock. I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured, Shylock. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite1 conjured the devil into.2 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?3 Who is he comes here? Bassanio This is Signior1 Antonio. [Exits L., to meet him.] Shylock. [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,5 and brings down If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. If I forgive him! Curséd be my tribe 1 Nazarite (năz'ȧ-rīt): Nazarene. 2 conjured (kun'jerd) the devil into. Matthew viii. 31-32 gives the story of how Jesus allowed the devils he had cast out of two afflicted men to enter a herd of swine, and of how the swine then ran down into the sea and were drowned. 3 Rialto (ri-ǎl'tō): the board of trade at Venice, also a certain bridge near there. 5 4 Signior (sen'yer): Mr. gratis (gratis): for nothing. 6 usance (uz'ăns): interest. To charge any interest at all was wrong according to the Christians of that time. Antonio and Bassanio have entered conversing, and now they approach. Antonio. Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I'll break a custom. Shylock. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated1 me About my moneys and my usances. Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" As to thy friends, But lend it rather to thine enemy, Of whom if he break, thou mayst with better face 1 rated: berated, abused. 2 sufferance: bearing with patience. 3 gaberdine (găb'er-dēn): the long outer garment or frock that the Jews wore. Go to: an expression of admonition or rebuke. The accent, which falls upon the second word, shows much of the strength of the feeling. 5 rheum: spittle, saliva. Shylock. Why, look you, how you storm! I would supply your wants, and take no doit1 Of usance for my moneys. Go with me to a notary, seal me there If you repay me not on such a day, Let the forfeit Be a pound Of your fair flesh, to be cut off In what part of your body pleaseth me. Antonio. Content, i' faith,3 I'll seal to such a bond. Of thrice three times the value of this bond. ACT II A street before Shylock's house Bassanio enters [R.], tagged at the heels by Launcelot. Bassanio. [To Launcelot.] What would you?5 1 doit: a Dutch coin of insignificant value. 2 Your single bond. Shylock means that he will require no signatures of endorsers; Antonio's own signature will be enough. 3' faith: in faith: pronounced I-fath'. 4 do expect: old style for expect. Do is not emphatic. 5 What would you? What would you have? What do you wish? Bassanio. I know thee well; thou hast obtained thy suit. My lodging out. Return in haste, for I do feast tonight My best esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go. [Exit Bassanio L.] Launcelot goes into the Jew's house [C.]. He returns presently with Jessica. 1 Jessica. I am sorry 1 thou wilt leave my father so. But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee; And so farewell. Launcelot. Adieu! tears stop my tongue. Jessica. Farewell, good Launcelot. She turns to go into the house, and thinking Launcelot gone, says, half to herself, O Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife, Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. [Exit Jessica.] Launcelot moves away regretfully, and from looking backward and not watching where he is going, almost bumps into Lorenzo and Gratiano, who are entering [L.]. Lorenzo. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Launcelot. If it shall please you to open this [Gives him the letter], it shall seem to signify. 1 sorry. Jessica regrets Launcelot's departure not only out of politeness, but because Shylock's household is naturally a very sad and solemn one, and Launcelot, who has been one of the servants, is a merry fellow. |