Than when 'twas styled the granary of great Rome, Can yield our numerous fry bread: we must starve, Or eat up one another. Ador. The king hears With much attention. Ast. And seems moved with what Bertholdo hath deliver❜d. Bert. May you live long, sir, The king of peace, so you deny not us Shrink up with sloth, nor, for want of employment, May move you more than arguments, look on England And unto whom alone ours yields precedence ; The mistress of the ocean, her navies Ador. In his looks he seems To break ope Janus' temple. Ast. How these younglings Take fire from him! Ador. It works an alteration Upon the king. Ant. I can forbear no longer : War, war, my sovereign! Ful. The king appears Resolved, and does prepare to speak. Rob. Think not Our counsel's built upon so weak a base, O' your master's sufferings, since these gallants, weary No way compelled by us, they may make trial, Of their boasted valours. Bert. We desire no more. Rob. 'Tis well; and, but my grant in this, expect not Assistance from me. Govern, as you please, The province you make choice of; for, I vow You have MASSINGER. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. First Selection. Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK. Shy. Three thousand ducats,-well. Bass. Ay, sir, for three months. 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. O 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? 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 I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Bass. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my present store: Of full three thousand ducats: What of that? [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, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, Shy. Ay, ay; three thousand ducats. 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, Upon advantage. Ant. I do never use it. Shy. Three thousand ducats,—'tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve, then let me see the rate. Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you? Shy. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me And all for use of that which is mine own. Shylock, we would have monies": You say so; A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" or Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last; Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, As to thy friends (for when did friendship take But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who, if he break, thou may'st with better face Shy. Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love; Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me : Ant. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show: Go with me to a notary: seal me there In such a place, such sum, or sums, as are Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken Ant. Content, in faith; I'll seal to such a bond, Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me; 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. Shy. O father Abraham, what these Christians 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, Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. And I will go and purse the ducats straight; I will be with you. ΣΕ |