SECTION XIX. BASSANIO-SHYLOCK-ANTONIO......Ibid. Shylock. THREE thousand ducats,-well. Bas. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bas. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound? Bas. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. Bas. 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, squander'd abroad: But ships are but boards, sailors but men ; there be land-rats, and water-rats, water-thieves, and landthieves; 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 1 his bond. Bas. 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? Bas. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork! 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? Bas. This is signior Antonio. [Enter 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, SECTION XIX. BASSANIO-SHYLOCK-ANTONIO......lbid. Shylock. THREE thousand ducats,-well. Bas. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bas. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound? Bas. Your answer to that. Bas. 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, squander'd abroad: But ships are but boards, sailors but men ; there be land-rats, and water-rats, water-thieves, and landthieves; 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 1 his bond. Bas. 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 ? Bas. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork! 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? Bas. This is signior Antonio. [Enter 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. Bas. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store; Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? 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 never lend nor borrow, By taking, nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. 'Tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft, In the Rialto you have rated me About my monies, and my usances: A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' or F 54 Say this, Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; Ant. 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. Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me : Ant. This were kindness. In such a place, such sum or sums, as are Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me. Ant. Content in faith; I'll seal to such a bond, And say, there is much kindness in the Jew. Bas. You shall not seal to such a bond for me, I'd 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. Shy. O father Abraham, what these Christians are; 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? A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man, |