Act 1 — Scene III. Venice. A public place.

035 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 040 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, 045 On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift, Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe, If I forgive him! Bass. 047 Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store; And, by the near guess of my memory, 050 I cannot instantly raise up 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? [To Ant.] Rest you fair, good signior; 055 Your worship was the last man in our mouths. 056 Ant. Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow, By taking nor by giving of excess, 058 Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, 059 I’ll break a custom. Is he yet possess’d How much ye would? Shy. 060 Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Ant. And for three months. 062 Shy. I had forgot; three months, you told me so. 063 Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you; 064 Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage. Ant. 065 I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban’s sheep,— This Jacob from our holy Abram was, As his wise mother wrought in his behalf, The third possessor; ay, he was the third,— 070 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. 073 When Laban and himself were compromised 074 That all the eanlings which were streak’d and pied 075 Should fall as Jacob’s hire, the ewes, being rank, 076 In the end of autumn turned to the rams; 077 And when the work of generation was Between these woolly breeders in the act, 079 The skilful shepherd peel’d me certain wands, 080 And, in the doing of the deed of kind, He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, 082 Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time Fall parti-colour’d lambs, and those were Jacob’s. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest: 085 And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not. 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. 089 Was this inserted to make interest good? 090 Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? 091 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. An evil soul, producing holy witness, 095 Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; 096 A goodly apple rotten at the heart: 097 O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! Shy. Three thousand ducats; ’tis a good round sum. 099 Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate— 100 Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft 102 In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances: Still have I borne it with a patient shrug; 105 For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. 106 You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, 107 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: 110 Go to, then; you come to me, and you say 111 ‘Shylock, we would have moneys:’ you say so; You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold: moneys is your suit. 115 What should I say to you? Should I not say ‘Hath a dog money? is it possible 117 A cur can lend three thousand ducats?’ or Shall I bend low and in a bondman’s key, With bated breath and whispering humbleness, 120 Say this,— 121 ‘Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; 122 You spurn’d me such a day; another time You call’d me dog; and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys’? 125 Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, 126 To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not 128 As to thy friends; for when did friendship take 129 A breed for barren metal of his friend? 130 But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who if he break, thou mayst with better face 132 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, 135 Supply your present wants, and take no doit Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me: 137 This is kind I offer. 138 Bass. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there 140 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 145 Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken 146 In what part of your body pleaseth me. 147 Ant. Content, i’faith: I’ll seal to such a bond, 148 And say there is much kindness in the Jew. Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me: 150 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. 155 Shy. O father Abram, what these Christians are, 156 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? 160 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; 165 And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not. 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; 170 See to my house, left in the fearful guard Of an unthrifty knave; and presently 172 I will be with you. Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. [Exit Shylock. 173 The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind. 174 Bass. I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind. 175 Ant. Come on: in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day. [Exeunt.