I hate him for he is a Christian :
But more, for that, in low simplicity,
He lends out money gratis, and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation; and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest: Cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him !
Bass.

Shylock, do you hear?
Shy. I am debating of my present store;
And, by the near guess of my memory,
I cannot instantly raise the gross
Of full three thousand ducats : What of that?
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,
Will furnish me: But soft; How many months
Do you desire ? — Rest you fair, good signior;

[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,

,
Yet, to supply the ripe wants 8 of my friend,
I'll break a custom : Is he yet possess’d,
How much

you would ? Shy.

Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Ant. And for three months. Shy. I had forgot, - three months, you told me

up

so.

hear you;

Well then, your bond; and, let me see, But Methought, you said, you neither lend nor bor

row, Upon advantage. Ant.

I do never use it.

$ Wants which admit no longer delay.

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 beholden 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;
For sufferance 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 say,
Shylock, we would have monies ; You say so ;
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your
threshold; monies is

your

suit.
What should I say 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 whispering 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.
Ant. I am as like to call thee so again,
To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends ; (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'st with better face
Exact the penalty.
Shy.

Why, look

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:
This is kind I offer.

Ant. This were kindness.
Shy.

This kindness will I show :
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond ; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum, or sums, as are
Express'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 pleaseth me.

Ant. Content, in faith ; I'll seal to such a bond, And say,

there is much kindness in the Jew. 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,
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship :
If he will take it, so; if not, adieu ;
And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.

I
Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;
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
Of an unthrifty knave; and presently
I will be with you.

[Eait. Ant.

Hie thee, gentle Jew. This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.

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

Ant. Come on: in this there can be no dismay, My ships come home a month before the day.

[Exeunt.

a

ACT THE SECOND.

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 Attendants.

Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun,
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phæbus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incision ? for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd 3 the valiant ; 'by my love, I swear,
The best regarded virgins of our clime

9. Allusion to the eastern custom for lovers to testify their passion by cutting themselves in their mistresscs’ sight.

3 Terrify’d.

Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden's

eyes : Besides, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing : But, if my father had not scanted me, And hedg’d me by his wit, to yield myself His wife, who wins me by that means I told you, Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair, As any comer I have look'd on yet, For my

affection. Mor.

Even for that I thank you; Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets, To try my fortune. By this scimitar, That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince, That won three fields of Sultan Solyman, I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look, Out-brave the heart most daring on the earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady : But, alas the while ! If Hercules, and Lichas, play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw May turn by fortune from the weaker hand : So is Alcides beaten by his page; And so may I, blind fortune leading me, Miss that which one unworthier may attain, And die with grieving, Por.

You must take

your chance; And either not attempt to choose at all, Or swear, before you choose, — if you choose