The Merchant of Venice Page #3

Let me see the rate.

Well, Shylock,

shall we be beholden to you?

Signior Antonio...

many a time, and oft in the Rialto,

you have reviled me

about my moneys and my usances.

Still, I have borne it with a patient shrug,

for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.

You call me misbeliever,

cut-throat dog,

and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine.

And all for use of that which is my own.

Well, it now appears you need my help.

You come to me and you say,

"Shylock, we would have money. "

You say so. You, that did void

your rheum upon my beard

and kick me as you spurn a stranger cur

over your threshold.

Money is your suit.

What should I say to you?

Should I not say, "Hath a dog money?

"Is it possible a cur can lend

three thousand ducats?"

Or shall I bend low

and, in a slavish voice, with bated breath

and whispering humbleness say this -

"Fair sir, you spat on me

on Wednesday last,

"you spurned me such a day,

another time you called me dog.

"For these courtesies,

I'll lend you thus much moneys. "

(Antonio) I'm as like to call you so again,

to spit on you again, to spurn you too.

If you would lend this money,

lend it not unto your friends.

For when did friendship take

a breed for barren metal from his friends?

Lend it rather to your enemy who,

if he break,

you may with better face exact the penalty.

Why, look how you storm.

I would be friends with you

and have your love.

Forget the stains

that you have shamed me with.

Supply your present wants, and take not

a drop of interest for my moneys...

- (Sighs)

... and you'll not hear me.

- (Laughs)

- This is kind I offer.

- This is kindness.

- No...

This kindness I will show.

Go with me to a notary

and seal me there your single bond.

And in a merry sport,

if you repay me not on such a day

in such a place, such a sum or sums

as are expressed in the condition,

let the forfeit be nominated...

for an equal pound of your fair flesh

to be cut off and taken

in what part of your body pleaseth me.

(Chuckles)

Content, i'faith.

I'll seal to such a bond,

and say there is much kindness in the Jew.

You shall not seal such a bond for me.

I'd rather live 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.

O father Abraham,

what these Christians are,

whose own hard dealings teaches them

suspect the thoughts of others.

I pray you, tell me this.

If he should break his day, what should

I gain by the exaction of the forfeiture?

A pound of a man's flesh taken from a man

is not so estimable,

profitable neither,

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