The Merchant of Venice

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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

To see me pay his debt, and then I care not![Exeunt.