than a beast: an the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. Ner. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to perform your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him. Por. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee, set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket: for, if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge. Ner. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords; they have acquainted me with their determination: which is indeed, to return to their home, and to trouble you with no more suit; unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets. Por. If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will: I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable; for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I pray God grant them a fair departure. Ner. Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, that came hither in company of the marquis of Montferrat? Por. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think so was he called. Ner. True, madam; he of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady. Por. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.-How now! what news? Enter a SERVANT. Serv. The four strangers seek for you, Madam, to take their leave and there is a fore-runner come from a fifth, the prince of Moroco, who brings word, the prince, his master, will be here to-night. Por. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good a heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition* of a saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa.-Sirrah, go before, Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. SCENE III-Venice. A public place. Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK. Shy. Three thousand ducats,-well. Bass. Ay, Sir, for three months. Shy. For three months,-well. [Exeunt. Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? *Temper, qualities. Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound. Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shy. Ho, no, no, no, no;-my meaning, in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me, that he is sufficient: yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England,- -and other ventures he hath, squander'd abroad: but ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats, and water-rats, water-thieves, and land-thieves; I mean, pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks: The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient;-three thousand ducats ;-I think, I may take his bond. Bass. Be assured you may. Shy. I will be assured, I may; and, that I may be assured, I will bethink me: May I speak with Antonio ? Bass. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet, the Nazarite, conjured the devil into: 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 ?-Who is he comes here? Enter ANTONIO. Bass. 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 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, 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 up the gross Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? Will furnish me; But soft; How many months Ant. Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow, Yet, to supply the ripe wantst of my friend, * Interest. [TO ANTONIO. + Wants which admit no longer delay. 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 so. Well then, your bond; and, let me see, -But hear you; Methought, you said, you neither lend, nor borrow, Upon advantage. Ant. I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheepThis Jacob from our holy Abraham was (As his wise mother wrought in his behalf), The third possessor; ay, he was the third Ant. And what of him? did he take interest? That all the eanlingst which were streak'd and pied, He stuck them up before the fulsome§ ewes; Fall party-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's. 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:-- But note me, signior. Ant. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite scripture for his purpose. O, what a goodly outside falsehood 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 beholden to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft, In the Rialto you have rated me About my monies, and my usances: And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, 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; Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, As to thy friends; (for when did friendship take Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face Shy. Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love, Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me: Ant. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show :- Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond, 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; * Abide. Whose own hard dealing teaches them suspect A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not. I will be with you. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. This Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind. [Exit. [Exeunt. 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 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, To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine. Have loved it too: I would not change this hue, Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: His wife, who wins me by that means I told you, *Terrified. |