T A public Place in VENICE. Shy. Baff. Ay, Sir, for three months. HREE thousand ducats? well, Shy. For three months? well. Baff. For the which, as I told you, Anthonio fhall be bound. Shy. Anthonio fhall become bound? well. Baff. May you ftead me? will you pleasure me? fhall I know your answer? Shy, Three thousand ducats for thee months, and Anthonio bound? Baff. Your answer to that. Shy. Anthonio is a good man. Baff. Have trary? you heard any imputation to the con Shy. No, no, no, no; my meaning, in faying he is a good man, is to have you understand me, that he is fufficient: yet his means are in fuppofition: he hath an Argoly bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Ryalto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England; and other ventures he hath, fqander'd abroad. But fhips are but boards, failors 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 fufficient; three thousand ducats? I think, I may take his bond. Baff. Be affur'd, you may. Shy. I will be affur'd, I may; and that I may be affur'd, I will bethink me; may I fpeak with Anthonio? Baff. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to fmell, pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjur'd the devil into! I will buy with you, fell with you, talk with you, you, walk with you, and fo following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Ryalto?- -who is he, comes here? Enter Anthonio. Baff. This is Signior Anthonio. Shy. [Afide.] How like a fawning Publican he looks! I hate him, for he is a christian: But more, for that in low fimplicity He lends out money gratis, and brings down I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Baff. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store, Of full three thousand ducats: what of that? Will furnish me; but foft, how many months [To Anth. Your worship was the last man in our mouths. Anth. Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow By taking, nor by giving of excess, Yet, to fupply the ripe wants of my friend, I'll break a cuftom.Is he yet poffeft, How much you would? Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Shy. I had forgot, three months, you told me fo; Well then, your bond; and let me fee,but hear you, Me Methought, you faid, you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage. Anth. I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's fheep,This Jacob from our holy Abraham was (As his wife mother wrought in his behalf). The third poffeffor; ay, he was the third. Anth. And what of him? did he take intereft? When Laban and himself were compromis'd, Anth. This was a venture, Sir, that Jacob ferv'd for; Or is your gold, and filver, ewes and rams? Anth. Mark you this, Baffanio? The devil can cite fcripture for his purpose.- O, what a goodly outfide's falfhood hath! Shy. Three thousand ducats! 'tis a good round fum. Three months from twelve, then let me fee the rate. VOL. II. K Anth. Anth. Well, Shylock, fhall we be beholden to you? Shy. Signior Anthonio, many a time and oft In the Ryalto you have rated me, About my monies and my ufances. Still have I born it with a patient shrug; (For fufferance is the badge of all our tribe.) You call me mifbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine; And all for use of that, which is my 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 fay fo; You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me, as you spurn a ftranger cur Over threshold: money is your your fuit; What should I say to you? fhould I not say, Hath a dog money? is it poffible, A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or Anth. I am as like to call thee so again, But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who, if he break, thou may'st with better face Shy. Why, 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 present wants, and take no doit Of ufance for my monies, and you'll not hear me : This is kind I offer. Anth. Anth. This were kindnefs. Shy. This kindness will I fhow; Go with me to a Notary, seal me there Of your fair flefh, to be cut off and taken Anth. 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 chriftians are! A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I fay, I will be with you. Anth. Hie thee, gentle Jew. This Hebrew will turn chriftian; he grows kind. K 2 [Exit. Baff. |