The Merchant of Venice Read online

  should marry twenty husbands. If he would despise me, I

  would forgive him, for if55 he love me to madness, I should

  never requite him.

  NERISSA What say you then to Falconbridge, the young

  baron of England?

  PORTIA You know I say59 nothing to him, for he understands

  not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian,

  and you will come into the court and swear61 that I have a

  poor pennyworth in the62 English. He is a proper man’s

  picture, but alas, who can converse with a dumb show63? How

  oddly he is suited64. I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his

  round hose65 in France, his bonnet in Germany, and his

  behaviour everywhere.

  NERISSA What think you of the other lord, his neighbour?

  PORTIA That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he

  borrowed69 a box of the ear of the Englishman and swore he

  would pay him again when he was able. I think the

  Frenchman became his surety71 and sealed under for another.

  NERISSA How like you the young German, the Duke of

  Saxony73’s nephew?

  PORTIA Very vilely in the morning when he is sober, and

  most vilely in the afternoon when he is drunk: when he is

  best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he

  is little better than a beast77. An the worst fall that ever fell, I

  hope I shall make shift78 to go without him.

  NERISSA If he should offer to choose, and choose the right

  casket, you should80 refuse to perform your father’s will, if you

  should refuse to accept him.

  PORTIA Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a

  deep glass of Rhenish wine83 on the contrary casket, for if the

  devil be within, and that temptation without84, I know he will

  choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to

  a sponge86.

  NERISSA You need not fear, lady, the having any of these

  lords. They have acquainted me with their determinations88,

  which is indeed to return to their home, and to trouble you

  with no more suit90, unless you may be won by some other sort

  than your father’s imposition91, depending on the caskets.

  PORTIA If I live to be as old as Sibylla92, I will die as chaste as

  Diana93, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father’s

  will. I am glad this parcel94 of wooers are so reasonable, for

  there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence,

  and I wish them a fair departure.

  NERISSA Do you not remember, lady, in your father’s time, a

  Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in

  company of the Marquis of Montferrat99?

  PORTIA Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I think, so was he called.

  NERISSA True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my

  foolish102 eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.

  PORTIA I remember him well, and I remember him worthy

  of thy praise.

  Enter a Servingman

  SERVANT The four strangers105 seek you, madam, to take their

  leave. And there is a forerunner106 come from a fifth, the Prince

  of Morocco, who brings word the prince his master will be

  here tonight.

  PORTIA If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as

  I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his

  approach. If he have the condition111 of a saint and the

  complexion of a devil112, I had rather he should shrive me than

  wive113 me. Come, Nerissa.—Sirrah, go before; whiles

  To the Servingman

  we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks

  at the door.

  Exeunt

  [Act 1 Scene 3]

  running scene 3

  Location: Venice

  Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew

  SHYLOCK Three thousand ducats1, well.

  BASSANIO Ay, sir, for three months.

  SHYLOCK For three months, well.

  BASSANIO For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be

  bound5.

  SHYLOCK Antonio shall become bound, well.

  BASSANIO May you stead7 me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I

  know your answer?

  SHYLOCK Three thousand ducats for three months and

  Antonio bound.

  BASSANIO Your answer to that.

  SHYLOCK Antonio is a good man.

  BASSANIO Have you heard any imputation13 to the contrary?

  SHYLOCK Ho, no, no, no, no! My meaning in saying he is a

  good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient15.

  Yet his means are in supposition16: he hath an argosy bound to

  Tripolis17, another to the Indies, I understand moreover, upon

  the Rialto18, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England,

  and other ventures he hath squandered19 abroad. But ships are

  but boards, sailors but men. There be land-rats and water-

  rats, water-thieves and land-thieves—I mean pirates21—and

  then there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks. The man is,

  notwithstanding23, sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I

  may take his bond.

  BASSANIO Be assured you may.

  SHYLOCK I will be assured26 I may. And that I may be assured, I

  will bethink me27. May I speak with Antonio?

  BASSANIO If it please you to dine with us.

  SHYLOCK Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation29 which

  your prophet the Nazarite30 conjured the devil into. I will buy

  with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so

  following32, 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

  BASSANIO This is Signior Antonio.

  SHYLOCK How like a fawning publican36 he looks!

  Aside

  I hate him for he is a Christian,

  But more, for that in low simplicity38

  He lends out money gratis39 and brings down

  The rate of usance40 here with us in Venice.

  If I can catch him once upon the hip41,

  I will feed fat42 the ancient grudge I bear him.

  He hates our sacred nation43, and he rails—

  Even there where merchants most do congregate44—

  On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift45,

  Which he calls interest. Cursèd be my tribe46,

  If I forgive him!

  BASSANIO Shylock, do you hear?

  SHYLOCK I am debating of my present store49,

  And by the near guess of my memory,

  I cannot instantly raise up the gross51

  Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?

  Tubal53, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,

  Will furnish54 me; but soft! How many months

  Do you desire?—Rest you fair55, good signior.

  To Antonio

  Your worship was the last man in our mouths56.

  ANTONIO Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow

  By taking nor by giving of excess58,

  Yet to supply the ripe wants59 of my friend,

  I’ll break a custom.—Is he yet possessed60

  To Bassanio

  How much ye would61?

  SHYLOCK Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

  ANTONIO And for three months.

  SHYLOCK I had forgot—three months—you told me so.

  Well then, your bond65. And let me see, but hear you,

  Methoughts you said you
neither lend nor borrow

  Upon advantage67.

  ANTONIO I do never use68 it.

  SHYLOCK When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban’s sheep69—

  This Jacob from70 our holy Abram was,

  As his wise mother wrought71 in his behalf,

  The third possessor72; ay, he was the third—

  ANTONIO And what of him? Did he take interest?

  SHYLOCK No, not take interest, not, as you would say,

  Directly interest. Mark75 what Jacob did:

  When Laban and himself were compromised76

  That all the eanlings77 which were streaked and pied

  Should fall as78 Jacob’s hire, the ewes, being rank,

  In end of autumn turnèd to the rams,

  And, when the work of generation80 was

  Between these woolly breeders in the act,

  The skilful shepherd peeled me certain wands82,

  And in the doing of the deed of kind83,

  He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes84,

  Who then conceiving, did in eaning85 time

  Fall86 parti-coloured lambs, and those were Jacob’s.

  This was a way to thrive87, and he was blest:

  And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.

  ANTONIO This was a venture89, sir, that Jacob served for,

  A thing not in his power to bring to pass,

  But swayed and fashioned91 by the hand of heaven.

  Was this inserted92 to make interest good?

  Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?

  SHYLOCK I cannot tell, I make it breed as fast.

  But note me, signior—

  ANTONIO Mark you this, Bassanio,

  The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

  An evil soul producing holy witness

  Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,

  A goodly100 apple rotten at the heart.

  O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

  SHYLOCK Three thousand ducats, ’tis a good round sum.

  Three months from twelve, then let me see, the rate—

  ANTONIO Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding104 to you?

  SHYLOCK Signior Antonio, many a time and oft

  In the Rialto you have rated106 me

  About my moneys and my usances.

  Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,

  For sufferance109 is the badge of all our tribe.

  You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,

  And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine111,

  And all for use112 of that which is mine own.

  Well then, it now appears you need my help.

  Go to114, then. You come to me and you say

  ‘Shylock, we would have moneys’—you say so,

  You that did void116 your rheum upon my beard,

  And foot117 me as you spurn a stranger cur

  Over your threshold. Moneys is your suit118.

  What should I say to you? Should I not say,

  ‘Hath a dog money? Is it possible

  A cur should lend three thousand ducats?’ Or

  Shall I bend low and in a bondman’s key122,

  With bated123 breath and whisp’ring humbleness,

  Say this: ‘Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last;

  You spurned me such a day; another time

  You called me dog, and for these courtesies

  I’ll lend you thus much moneys’?

  ANTONIO I am as like128 to call thee so again,

  To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.

  If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not

  As to thy friends, for when did friendship take

  A breed of barren metal132 of his friend?

  But lend it rather to thine enemy,

  Who, if he break134, thou mayst with better face

  Exact the penalties.

  SHYLOCK Why, look you how you storm!

  I would be friends with you and have your love,

  Forget the shames that you have stained me with,

  Supply your present wants and take no doit139

  Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me:

  This is kind141 I offer.

  BASSANIO This were142 kindness.

  SHYLOCK This kindness will I show:

  Go with me to a notary144, seal me there

  Your single145 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

  Expressed in the condition148, let the forfeit

  Be nominated for149 an equal pound

  Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

  In what part of your body it pleaseth me.

  ANTONIO Content, in faith, I’ll seal to such a bond

  And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

  BASSANIO You shall not seal to such a bond for me.

  I’ll rather dwell155 in my necessity.

  ANTONIO 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.

  SHYLOCK O father Abram, what these Christians are,

  Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect161

  The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this:

  If he should break his day163, what should I gain

  By the exaction164 of the forfeiture?

  A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man

  Is not so estimable166, profitable neither,

  As flesh of muttons, beefs or goats. I say

  To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:

  If he will take it, so169, if not, adieu.

  And for my love, I pray you wrong me not.

  ANTONIO Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

  SHYLOCK Then meet me forthwith172 at the notary’s,

  Give him direction173 for this merry bond,

  And I will go and purse174 the ducats straight,

  See175 to my house, left in the fearful guard

  Of an unthrifty176 knave, and presently

  I’ll be with you.

  ANTONIO Hie178 thee, gentle Jew.

  Exit

  This Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind179.

  BASSANIO I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.

  ANTONIO Come on, in this there can be no dismay.

  My ships come home a month before the day.

  Exeunt

  Act 2 [Scene 1]

  running scene 4

  Location: Belmont

  Enter Morocco, a tawny Moor, all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa and their train. Flourish cornets

  MOROCCO Mislike me not for my complexion,

  The shadowed livery2 of the burnished sun,

  To whom I am a neighbour and near bred3.

  Bring me the fairest creature northward born,

  Where Phoebus5’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,

  And let us make incision6 for your love,

  To prove whose blood is reddest7, his or mine.

  I tell thee, lady, this aspect8 of mine

  Hath feared9 the valiant. By my love I swear,

  The best-regarded virgins of our clime10

  Have loved it too: I would not change this hue11,

  Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

  PORTIA In terms of choice I am not solely led

  By nice14 direction of a maiden’s eyes.

  Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny

  Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.

  But if my father had not scanted17 me,

  And hedged18 me by his wit to yield myself

  His19 wife who wins me by that means I told you,

  Yourself, renownèd prince, then20 stood as fair

  As any comer I have looked on yet

  For22 my affection.

  MOROCCO Even for that I thank you:r />
  Therefore, I pray you lead me to the caskets

  To try my fortune. By this scimitar25

  That slew the Sophy26 and a Persian prince

  That won three fields27 of Sultan Solyman,

  I would o’erstare28 the sternest eyes that look,

  Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,

  Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,

  Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey

  To win thee, lady. But alas the while!

  If Hercules33 and Lichas play at dice

  Which is the better man, the greater throw

  May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:

  So is Alcides36 beaten by his page,

  And so may I, blind fortune leading me,

  Miss that which one unworthier may attain,

  And die with grieving.

  PORTIA You must take your chance,

  And either not attempt to choose at all

  Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong

  Never to speak to lady afterward

  In way of marriage: therefore be advised44.

  MOROCCO Nor will not45. Come, bring me unto my chance.

  PORTIA First, forward to the temple. After dinner

  Your hazard47 shall be made.

  MOROCCO Good fortune then!

  To make me blest or cursed’st among men.

  Cornets [and] exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 2]

  running scene 5

  Location: Venice

  Enter the Clown [Lancelet] alone

  LANCELET Certainly my conscience will serve1 me to run from

  this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and tempts me,

  saying to me, ‘Gobbo3, Lancelet Gobbo, good Lancelet’, or

  ‘Good Gobbo’, or ‘Good Lancelet Gobbo, use your legs, take the

  start5, run away.’ My conscience says, ‘No; take heed, honest

  Lancelet, take heed, honest Gobbo’, or, as aforesaid, ‘Honest

  Lancelet Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy heels7.’

  Well, the most courageous8 fiend bids me pack: ‘Fia!’ says the

  fiend, ‘Away!’ says the fiend, ‘For the heavens9, rouse up a brave

  mind’, says the fiend, ‘and run.’ Well, my conscience, hanging

  about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, ‘My honest

  friend Lancelet, being an honest12 man’s son’, or rather an

  honest woman’s son—for indeed my father did something13

  smack14, something grow to, he had a kind of taste—well, my

  conscience says ‘Lancelet, budge not.’ ‘Budge’, says the fiend.

  ‘Budge not’, says my conscience. ‘Conscience,’ say I, ‘you