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 refuse1 to perform your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him.

102

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 determinations; which is, indeed, to return to their home, and to trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be won by some other sort3 than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets.

4

115

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: 10 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 squandered11 abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats and water-rats, land-thieves and water-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.

6 Condition, disposition.

7 Ducats, coins worth about five shillings each

8 May you stead me? can you help me?

9 A good man, a man of substance.

10 In supposition, doubtful.

11 Squandered, scattered about.

Shylock, do you hear?

Buss. Shy. I am debating of my present store; And, by the near guess of my memory, I cannot instantly raise up the gross3 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,5

62

This was a way to thrive, and he was blest:
And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob
serv'd for;

A thing not in his power to bring to pass,
But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of
heaven.

Was this inserted 14 to make interest good?
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
Shy. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast:-
But note me, signior.

8 Were compromis'd, had agreed together.
9Eanlings, lambs just born.

132

To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friend-for when did friendship take
A breed' for barren metal of his friend?-
But lend it rather to thine enemy;
Who if he break,2 thou mayst with better face
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,

140

Supply your present wants, and take no doit3
Of usance for my moneys,

And you'll not hear me: this is kind I offer.
Bass. This were kindness.
Sley
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 equal7 pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.

6

150

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 forme: 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

160

This bond expires, I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
Shy. O father Abraham, what these Chris-
tians are,

Whose own hard dealing 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 10 this friendship:
If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;
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,-

170

Give him direction for this merry bond;
And I will go and purse the ducats straight;
See to my house, left in the fearful 12 guard
Of an unthrifty knave; and presently
I will be with you.
Ant.

Hie thee, gentle Jew.
[Exit Shylock.

This Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.
Bass. I like not fair terms and a villain's