Reference > William Shakespeare > The Oxford Shakespeare > The Merchant of Venice > Act III. Scene III.
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William Shakespeare (1564–1616).  The Oxford Shakespeare.  1914.

The Merchant of Venice

Act III. Scene III.


Venice. A Street.
 
  
Enter SHYLOCK, SALARINO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler.
 
  Shy.  Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy; 
This is the fool that lent out money gratis:   4
Gaoler, look to him. 
  Ant.        Hear me yet, good Shylock. 
  Shy.  I’ll have my bond; speak not against my bond: 
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.   8
Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, 
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs: 
The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder, 
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond  12
To come abroad with him at his request. 
  Ant.  I pray thee, hear me speak. 
  Shy.  I’ll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: 
I’ll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.  16
I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, 
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield 
To Christian intercessors. Follow not; 
I’ll have no speaking; I will have my bond.  [Exit.  20
  Salar.  It is the most impenetrable cur 
That ever kept with men. 
  Ant.        Let him alone: 
I’ll follow him no more with bootless prayers.  24
He seeks my life; his reason well I know. 
I oft deliver’d from his forfeitures 
Many that have at times made moan to me; 
Therefore he hates me.  28
  Salar.        I am sure the duke 
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. 
  Ant.  The duke cannot deny the course of law: 
For the commodity that strangers have  32
With us in Venice, if it be denied, 
’Twill much impeach the justice of the state; 
Since that the trade and profit of the city 
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:  36
These griefs and losses have so bated me, 
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh 
To-morrow to my bloody creditor. 
Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come  40
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!  [Exeunt. 

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