Supply your present wants, and take no doit

Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me:
This is kind° I offer.

Bass. This were kindness.

Shy.

This kindness will I show.

Go with me to a notary, 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 sum or sums as are
Express'd 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.

Ant. Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bond,
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

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 Abram, 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

140

150

By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man's flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:
If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;

And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.
Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Shy. Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;
Give him direction for this merry bond;

And I will go and purse the ducats straight;
See to my house, left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave°; and presently°
I will be with you.

160

17

Ant. Hie thee, gentle Jew. [Exit SHYLOCK. The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind. Bass. I like not fair terms and a villain's mind. Ant. Come on: in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day.

[Exeunt.

ACT SECOND. - -SCENE L

Belmont. A room in Portia's house.

Flourish of cornets. and his train; attending.

Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO
PORTIA, NERISSA, and others

Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phœbus" fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incision for your love,

To prove whose blood is reddest,° his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love, I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime

Have loved it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

Por. In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lottery of my destiny

Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But if my father had not scanted me

And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself

His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair°

As any comer I have look'd on yet

For my affection.

Mor.

Even for that I thank you:
Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
To try my fortune. By this scimitar
That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
I would outstare 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 Hercules and Lichas° play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
So is Alcides beaten by his page;

And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

Por.

You must take

your chance

And either not attempt to choose at all,

Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong,

20

30

40

Never to speak to lady afterward

In way of marriage: therefore be advised."

Mor. Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.°

Por. First, forward to the temple: after dinner Your hazard shall be made.

Mor.

To make me blest° or cursed'st° among men.

Good fortune then!

[Cornets, and exeunt.

SCENE II.

Venice. A street.

Enter LAUNCELOT."

Laun. Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow, and tempts me, saying to me, "Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot," or "good Gobbo," or "good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away." My conscience says, "No; take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest Gobbo," or, as aforesaid, "honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels." Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: "Via!" says the fiend;