To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood With jubilee advanced; and as they went, Book VI. v. 710-799; 827-892. PASSAGES FROM SHAKSPEARE. SHYLOCK, THE JEW, LOANS BASSANIO THREE THOUSAND DUCATS ON THE SECURITY OF A POUND OF ANTONIO's FLESH. [Bassanio, one of the suitors of Portia, a rich lady of Belmont, having "disabled his estate, by something showing a more swelling port than his faint means would grant continuance," applies to his friend Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, for a loan of money to enable him "to hold a rival place," with her more wealthy suitors. To his appeal, Antonio replies: Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea; To raise a present sum: therefore go forth, Try what my credit can in Venice do; That shall be racked, even to the uttermost, Bassanio accordingly goes forth in search of a money-lender, and meets with Shylock, the Jew, whom he asks for a loan of three thousand ducats, on Antonio's security:] Shy. Three thousand ducats,—well. Shy. For three months, -well. 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? 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, squandered 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 If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift, Bass. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store; What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me. But soft; how many months Your worship was the last man in our mouths. Ant. Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow, By taking nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I'll break a custom. Is he yet possessed, How much you would? [76 BASSANIO.] 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, Ant. I do never use it. Shy. When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep, This 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? Shy. No, not take interest; not, as you would say, Directly interest; mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromised, That all the eanlings which were streaked, and pied, The skilful shepherd peeled me certain wands, Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time Ant. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But swayed and fashioned by the hand of Heaven. Or is your gold and silver, ewes and rams ? Ant. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite scripture for his purpose A goodly apple rotten at the heart; 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 |