Por. That he hath a neighbourly Charity in him, for he borrow'd a Box of the Ear of the English-man, and fwore he would pay him again when he was able. I think the French-man became his Surety, and fealed under for another. Ner. How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's Nephew? Por. Very vildly in the Morning when he is fober, and moft vildly in the Afternoon when he is drunk; when he is beft, he is a little worfe than a Man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a Beaft; and the worft Fall that ever fell, I hope I fhall make fhift to go without him. Nor. If he fhould offer to chufe, and chufe the right Casket, you should refuse to perform your Father's Will, if you should refufe to accept him. Por. Therefore for fear of the worst, I pray thee fet a deep Glafs of Rhenifh Wine on the contrary Casket, for if the Devil be within, and the Temptation without, I know he will chufe it. I will do any thing, Neriffa, e'er I will be marry'd to a Spunge. Ner. You need not fear Lady the having any of these Lords, they have acquainted me with their Determination, which is indeed to return to their Home, and to trouble you with no more Suits, unless you may be won by fome other fort than your Father's Impofition, depending on the Caskets. Per. If I live to be as old as Sibilla, I will die as chafte as Diana, unlefs I be obtain'd by the manner of my Father's Will: I am glad this Parcel of Wooers are fo reafonable, for there is not one among them but I doat on his very Abfence, and with them a fair Departure. Ner. Do you not remember, Lady, in your Father's time, a Venetian, a Scholar and a Soldier that came hither in Company of the Marquifs of Mountferrat? Por. Yes, yes, it was Baffanio, as I think, fo was he call'd. Ner. True Madam, he of all the Men that ever my foolish Eyes look'd upon, was the beft deferving a fair Lady. Por. I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy Praife. Enter Enter a Servant. Ser. The four Strangers feek you, Madam, to take their Leave; and there is a Fore-runner come from a fifth, The Prince of Morocco, who brings Word the Prince his Mafter will be here to Night. Por. If I could bid the Fifth welcome with fo good Heart as I can bid the other four farewel, I fhould be glad of his Approach; if he have the Condition of a Saint, and the Complexion of a Devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come Neriffa, Sirrah go before; whiles we shut the Gate upon one Wooer, another knocks at the Door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Venice. Enter Baffanio and Shylock. Shy. Three thoufand Ducats, well. Shy. For three Months, well. Baff. For the which, as I told you, Anthonio fhall be bound. Shy. Anthonio fhall become bound, well, Ball. May you ftead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your Answer? Shy. Three thoufand Ducats for three Months, And Anthonio bound. Baff. Your Anfwer to that. Shy. Anthonio is a good Man: Baff. Have you heard any Imputation to the contrary? Shy. No, no, no, no; my Meaning in faying he is a good Man, is to have you understand me, that he is fufficient? yet his Means are in fuppofition: He hath an Argofie bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover upon the Ryalto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other Ventures he hath fquandred Abroad. But Ships are but Boards, Sailers but Men; there be Land Rats, and Water Rats, Water Thieves and Land Thieves, I mean Pyrates; and then there is the Peril of Waters, Winds, and Rocks; the Man is notwithstanding fufficient; three thousand Ducats, I think I may take his Bond. F 3 Baff Baff. Be affur'd you may. Few. I will be affur'd I may; and that I may be affur'd, I will bethink me; may I fpeak with Anthonio? Baff. If it pleafe you to dine with us. Jew. Yes, to fmell Pork, to eat of the Habitation which your Prophet the Nazarite conjur'd the Devil into ; I will buy with you, fell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and fo following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What News on the Ryalto; who comes here? Enter Anthonio. Baff. This is Signior Anthonio. Few. [Afide.] How like a fawning Publican he looks! I hate him, for he is a Chriftian: But more, for that in low Simplicity He lends out Mony Gratis, and brings down I will feed fat the antient Grudge I bear him. Even there where Merchants most do congregate, Baff. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating of my prefent Store, Of full three thoufand Ducats: What of that? Yet to fupply the ripe Wants of my Friend, How much he would? Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand Ducats. [To Anth. Shy. I had forgot, three Months you told me fo; Well then, your Bond: But let me fee, but hear you Methoughts you faid, you neither lend nor borrow Upon Advantage. Anth. I did never ufe it. Shy. When Jacob graz'd his Uncle Laban's Sheep, When Laban and himself were compromiz'd And when the Work of Generation was Anth. This was a Venture, Sir, that Jacob ferv'd for; A thing not in his Power to bring to pafs, But fway'd and fashion'd by the Hand of Heav'n: Or is your Gold and Silver Ewes and Rams? Anth. Mark you this, Baffanio, The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. Shy. Three thoufand Ducats, 'tis a good round Sum. Three Months from twelve, then let me fee the Rate. Anth, Wel, Shylock, fhall we be beholding to you?' F 4 Shy. Shy. Signior Anthonio, many a Time and oft, And all for ufe of that which is mine own. A Cur fhould lend three thoufand Ducats? or You call'd me Dog; and for these Curtefies Anth. I am as like to call thee so again, But lend it rather to thine Enemy, Who if he break, thou may'ft with better Face Shy. Why look you how you ftorm. I would be Friends with you, and have your Love, Forget the Shames that you have ftain'd me with, Supply your prefent Wants, and take no Doit Of Ufage for my Monies, and you'll not hear me : This is kind I offer. Baff. This were Kindness. Shy. This Kindness will I fhow; Go with me to a Notary, feal me there |