 | The Jew of Venice |  |
SCENE returns to Venice.
Enter Bassanio, and Shylock the Jew.
Shyl.
Three Thousand Duccats. Well.
Bass.
Ay Sir, for Three Months.
Shyl.
For Three Months. Well.
Bass.
And as I told you, Antonio will be bound.
Shyl.
Antonio bound. Well.
Bass.
Will you oblige me, shall I know your Answer?
Shyl.
Three Thousand Duccats for Three Months, and
Antonio bound!
Bass.
Your Answer to that?
Shyl.
Antonio is a good Man.
Bass.
Have you heard any Imputation to the contrary.
Shyl.
No, no, no; my Meaning in saying he is a good
Man, is to have yon understand that I think him
A sufficient Man. ‘When a Man is rich, we say
‘He is a good Man,
‘As on the contrary, when he has nothing, we say a
‘Poor Rascal: 'tis the Phrase, 'tis the Phrase. Let me
‘Consider, one Argosy from Tripoli, another to the Indies,
A Third at Mexico; I understand moreover a fourth
For England, And other Ventures he has, scatter'd
Abroad; but Ventures are but Ventures, Ships are
But Planks, Sailers but Men: There are Land-Rats
And Water-Rats, Water-Theives and Land-Thieves:
And then there is the Peril of Waters, Winds and Rocks.
The Man notwithstanding is a sufficient Man. Three Thousand
Duccats—humph—I think I may venture to take his Bond.
Bass.
Be assur'd you may.
Shyl.
I will be assur'd; and that I may be assur'd, I will bethink
Me, where I may speak with Antonio.
Bass.
If you will please to dine with us.
Shyl.
Yes, to smell Pork, to ear of the Habitation, which
Your Prophet conjur'd the Devil into. I will buy
With you, Sell with you, talk with you, walk with you,
And so forth,—but I will neither eat with you, drink
With you, nor pray with you, that's flat.
Enter Antonio.
Bassa.
Here is Seignior Antonio.
Shyl.
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 could catch him once upon the Hip,
I would 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-worn Thrift,
Which he calls Interest: Curst be my Tribe,
If I forgive him.—
Bassa.
Shyloc, do you hear?
Shyl.
I was debating of my private Stock:
And if my Computation's right,
I cannot instantly raise up the Gross
Of full Three Thousand Duccats, what of that?
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of our Tribe
Shall furnish me; but soft! How many Months
Is't you desire?
Rest you fair, good Seignior,
You were the last Man in our Mouths.
Ant.
Shyloc, altho' I neither lend nor borrow,
By taking or by giving of Excess,
Yet to supply my Friend, I'll break a Custom:
Is he yet resolv'd, how much will serve?
Shyl.
Ay, ay, Three Thousand Duccats,
Anto.
And for Three Months.
Shyl.
I had forgot, Three Months he told me so,
Well then, your Bond. But soft a little, methoughts
You said, you neither lend nor borrow
Upon Advantage.
Anto.
I do never use it.
Shyl.
When Jacob graz'd his Uncle Laban's Sheep,
This Jacob from our holy Abraham was,
As his wise Mother wrought on his behalf,
The third Possessor, ay,—he was the third.
Anto.
And what of him? Did he take Interest?
Shyl.
No, not as you wou'd say, directly interest—
‘You know the Story. 'Twas a way to thrive.
‘And he was blest: For Gain is Blessing,
So Men steal it not.
Anto.
Was this inserted to make Interest good?
Shyl.
Note, my good Seignior!—
Anto.
Mark you this, Bassanio?
The Devil can cite Scripture for a Turn,
An evil Soul producing holy Witness
Is like a Villain, with a smiling Cheek.
Oh, what a goodly Outside Falshood wears?
Shyl.
Seignior Antonio, many a time and oft
On the Ryalto have you rated me,
About my Monies and my Usances;
Still have I born it with a patient Shrug,
For Sufferance is the Badge of all our Tribe.
You call me Misbeliever, Cut-throat Dog,
And spet 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 that did void your Rheum upon my Beard,
And foot me, as you spurn a stranger Cur
Over your Threshold: Mony is your Suit,
What shou'd I answer? should I not say,
Has a Dog Money? Can a Cur
Lend Three Thousand Duccats? or shall I bend down low,
And in a Bondman's Key, with softned Voice,
And whispering Humbleness,—Say thus!
Fair Sir, on Wednesday last, you spet on me
You spurn'd me such a day, another time;
You call'd me Dog, and for these Courtesies
I'll lend you so much Monies.
Anto.
I am as like to call thee so again.
To spet 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 of sordid Mettal of his Friend!
But lend it rather as to thy Enemy,
Who, if he fails, thou may'st with better Face
Exact the Penalty.
Shyl.
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,
Supply your present Wants, and take no Doit
Of Usance for my Monies—And you'll
Not hear me—‘were this Offer kind?
Bassa.
This were Kindness.
Shyl.
This Kindness will I shew; nay more, I'll take
Antonio's single Bond: And that we may henceforth
‘Be Friends, no Penalty will I exact
‘But this, meerly for Mirth—
If you repay me not on such a day, in such a Place,
Such Sum or Sums as are exprest—Be this
The Forfeiture.
‘Let me see, What think you of your Nose,
‘Or of an Eye—or of—a Pound of Flesh
To be cut off, and taken from what Part
Of your Body—I shall think fit to name.
‘Thou art too portly, Christian!
‘Too much pamper'd—What say you then
‘To such a merry Bond?
Anto.
The Jew grows witty; 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—
‘There is some Trick, some farther Fetch in this;
You shall not seal to such a Bond for me.
Anto.
Fear not, my Friend, within two Months, that is
A Month before the Bond expires, I expect Returns
Of thrice three times the Value of this Bond.
Shyl.
O Father Abraham, what these Christians are?
Whose own hard Dealings teach 'em to suspect
The Truth of others. Pray tell me, shou'd he fail
His Day,—what should I get by the Exaction
Of the Penalty? A Pound of Man's Flesh?
Nor to be sold nor eaten.—
To buy his Favour, I propos'd these Terms,
Such as I thought could bear no wrong
Construction; but since you're so suspicious,
Fare you well.
[Going.
Anto.
Stay, Shylock, I will seal as you propose.
Shyl.
Then meet me at the Notary's,
[Returning.
Give him Directions to prepare the Bond,
In the mean time, I'll fetch the Duccats;
See to my House, least some unthrifty Knave
Be on the Guard! Christian, thy Hand,
I'll presently be with you.
[Exit Jew.
Ant.
Thou'rt now a very gentle Jew.
This Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind.
Bass.
I like not yet the Terms,
‘A Villain, when he most seems kind,
‘Is most to be suspected.
Anto.
There is not the least Danger, nor can be,
‘Or if there were, what is a Pound of Flesh,
‘What my whole Body, every Drop of Blood,
‘To purchase my Friend's Quiet! Heav'n still is good
‘To those who seek the Good of others: Come Bassanio,
‘Be chearful, for 'tis lucky Gold we borrow:
‘Of all the Joys that generous Minds receive,
‘The noblest is, the God-like Power to give.
[Exeunt.
Enter Bassanio, and Shylock the Jew.
Shyl.
Three Thousand Duccats. Well.
Bass.
Ay Sir, for Three Months.
Shyl.
For Three Months. Well.
Bass.
And as I told you, Antonio will be bound.
Shyl.
Antonio bound. Well.
Bass.
Will you oblige me, shall I know your Answer?
Shyl.
Three Thousand Duccats for Three Months, and
Antonio bound!
Bass.
Your Answer to that?
Shyl.
Antonio is a good Man.
Bass.
Have you heard any Imputation to the contrary.
Shyl.
No, no, no; my Meaning in saying he is a good
Man, is to have yon understand that I think him
6
‘He is a good Man,
‘As on the contrary, when he has nothing, we say a
‘Poor Rascal: 'tis the Phrase, 'tis the Phrase. Let me
‘Consider, one Argosy from Tripoli, another to the Indies,
A Third at Mexico; I understand moreover a fourth
For England, And other Ventures he has, scatter'd
Abroad; but Ventures are but Ventures, Ships are
But Planks, Sailers but Men: There are Land-Rats
And Water-Rats, Water-Theives and Land-Thieves:
And then there is the Peril of Waters, Winds and Rocks.
The Man notwithstanding is a sufficient Man. Three Thousand
Duccats—humph—I think I may venture to take his Bond.
Bass.
Be assur'd you may.
Shyl.
I will be assur'd; and that I may be assur'd, I will bethink
Me, where I may speak with Antonio.
Bass.
If you will please to dine with us.
Shyl.
Yes, to smell Pork, to ear of the Habitation, which
Your Prophet conjur'd the Devil into. I will buy
With you, Sell with you, talk with you, walk with you,
And so forth,—but I will neither eat with you, drink
With you, nor pray with you, that's flat.
Enter Antonio.
Bassa.
Here is Seignior Antonio.
Shyl.
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 could catch him once upon the Hip,
I would 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-worn Thrift,
Which he calls Interest: Curst be my Tribe,
If I forgive him.—
Bassa.
Shyloc, do you hear?
Shyl.
I was debating of my private Stock:
And if my Computation's right,
I cannot instantly raise up the Gross
Of full Three Thousand Duccats, what of that?
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of our Tribe
7
Is't you desire?
Rest you fair, good Seignior,
You were the last Man in our Mouths.
Ant.
Shyloc, altho' I neither lend nor borrow,
By taking or by giving of Excess,
Yet to supply my Friend, I'll break a Custom:
Is he yet resolv'd, how much will serve?
Shyl.
Ay, ay, Three Thousand Duccats,
Anto.
And for Three Months.
Shyl.
I had forgot, Three Months he told me so,
Well then, your Bond. But soft a little, methoughts
You said, you neither lend nor borrow
Upon Advantage.
Anto.
I do never use it.
Shyl.
When Jacob graz'd his Uncle Laban's Sheep,
This Jacob from our holy Abraham was,
As his wise Mother wrought on his behalf,
The third Possessor, ay,—he was the third.
Anto.
And what of him? Did he take Interest?
Shyl.
No, not as you wou'd say, directly interest—
‘You know the Story. 'Twas a way to thrive.
‘And he was blest: For Gain is Blessing,
So Men steal it not.
Anto.
Was this inserted to make Interest good?
Shyl.
Note, my good Seignior!—
Anto.
Mark you this, Bassanio?
The Devil can cite Scripture for a Turn,
An evil Soul producing holy Witness
Is like a Villain, with a smiling Cheek.
Oh, what a goodly Outside Falshood wears?
Shyl.
Seignior Antonio, many a time and oft
On the Ryalto have you rated me,
About my Monies and my Usances;
Still have I born it with a patient Shrug,
For Sufferance is the Badge of all our Tribe.
You call me Misbeliever, Cut-throat Dog,
And spet 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 that did void your Rheum upon my Beard,
And foot me, as you spurn a stranger Cur
Over your Threshold: Mony is your Suit,
What shou'd I answer? should I not say,
Has a Dog Money? Can a Cur
8
And in a Bondman's Key, with softned Voice,
And whispering Humbleness,—Say thus!
Fair Sir, on Wednesday last, you spet on me
You spurn'd me such a day, another time;
You call'd me Dog, and for these Courtesies
I'll lend you so much Monies.
Anto.
I am as like to call thee so again.
To spet 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 of sordid Mettal of his Friend!
But lend it rather as to thy Enemy,
Who, if he fails, thou may'st with better Face
Exact the Penalty.
Shyl.
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,
Supply your present Wants, and take no Doit
Of Usance for my Monies—And you'll
Not hear me—‘were this Offer kind?
Bassa.
This were Kindness.
Shyl.
This Kindness will I shew; nay more, I'll take
Antonio's single Bond: And that we may henceforth
‘Be Friends, no Penalty will I exact
‘But this, meerly for Mirth—
If you repay me not on such a day, in such a Place,
Such Sum or Sums as are exprest—Be this
The Forfeiture.
‘Let me see, What think you of your Nose,
‘Or of an Eye—or of—a Pound of Flesh
To be cut off, and taken from what Part
Of your Body—I shall think fit to name.
‘Thou art too portly, Christian!
‘Too much pamper'd—What say you then
‘To such a merry Bond?
Anto.
The Jew grows witty; 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—
‘There is some Trick, some farther Fetch in this;
You shall not seal to such a Bond for me.
Anto.
Fear not, my Friend, within two Months, that is
A Month before the Bond expires, I expect Returns
Of thrice three times the Value of this Bond.
9
O Father Abraham, what these Christians are?
Whose own hard Dealings teach 'em to suspect
The Truth of others. Pray tell me, shou'd he fail
His Day,—what should I get by the Exaction
Of the Penalty? A Pound of Man's Flesh?
Nor to be sold nor eaten.—
To buy his Favour, I propos'd these Terms,
Such as I thought could bear no wrong
Construction; but since you're so suspicious,
Fare you well.
[Going.
Anto.
Stay, Shylock, I will seal as you propose.
Shyl.
Then meet me at the Notary's,
[Returning.
Give him Directions to prepare the Bond,
In the mean time, I'll fetch the Duccats;
See to my House, least some unthrifty Knave
Be on the Guard! Christian, thy Hand,
I'll presently be with you.
[Exit Jew.
Ant.
Thou'rt now a very gentle Jew.
This Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind.
Bass.
I like not yet the Terms,
‘A Villain, when he most seems kind,
‘Is most to be suspected.
Anto.
There is not the least Danger, nor can be,
‘Or if there were, what is a Pound of Flesh,
‘What my whole Body, every Drop of Blood,
‘To purchase my Friend's Quiet! Heav'n still is good
‘To those who seek the Good of others: Come Bassanio,
‘Be chearful, for 'tis lucky Gold we borrow:
‘Of all the Joys that generous Minds receive,
‘The noblest is, the God-like Power to give.
[Exeunt.
| The Jew of Venice | |