An evil soul producing holy witness Three months from twelve; then let me see Ant. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding Shy. Siguior Antonio, many a time and oft, so; You, that did void your rheum 25 beard, 26 upon my 90 95 100 105 And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur 27 A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" Or "Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last: 115 Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, Who if he break, thou mayest with better face Shy. storm! Why, look you, how you I would be friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stain'd me Supply your present wants, and take no doit 28 29 hear me : This is kind I offer. Bass. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will 120 125 130 I show. Go with me to a notary,30 seal me there If you repay me not, on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken Y 135 140 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 32 in my necessity. Ant. Why, fear not, man; I will not for- Within these two months, that's a month before Of thrice three times the value of this bond. are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect this: If he should break his day, what should I gain 33 A pound of man's flesh taken from a man 34 Ant. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Give him directions for this merry bond, 145 150 155 160 165 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. NOTES. 1 (l. 1). Ducats. The silver ducat was valued at 4s. 6d. ; the gold one at 9s. The coin was so named from being struck in the dominions of a duke (L. dux, ducis). 2 (1. 4). Bound, will give bond or become surety. 3 (1.6). Stead, help or support. From stay, stayed. 4 (l. 9). Good man here means that he was able to fulfil his contract. 5 (l. 14). In supposition, in a doubtful state. 6 (l. 14). Argosy, a very large merchant ship. 7 (l. 15). Tripolis, one of the Moorish states of N. África, on the Mediterranean Sea. 8 (l. 15). Indies, the West Indian Islands. 9 (l. 16). The Rialto, the name of a famous bridge over the Grand Canal at Venice. It was here that merchants were in the habit of meeting, as on an exchange, for the transaction of business. 10 (l. 17). Mexico, a country situated between N. and S. America, and which, at that time, belonged to Spain. 11 (1. 18). Ventures, those things sent to trade with at sea, and consequently placed in a state of hazard. 12 ( 18). Squandered here means dispersed or scattered broadcast. 13 ( 29). Pork, the Mosaic law forbade its use as food. 14 (l. 37). Publican. A publican, as meant here, among the Romans, was a farmer of the taxes and public revenues. As a class they 15 [Exeunt. were much disliked by the Hebrew nation. (l. 42). Upon the hip, having a person in one's power. 16 (7. 47). Tribe here means the whole Jewish nation. 17 (1.51). The gross, the whole sum. 18 (55). Signior, a title of respect generally in use among the nations of Southern Europe. Senior; Fr. Seigneur. L. 19 (1. 59). Ripe wants, those requiring to be immediately attended to. 20 ( 61). Ye would, you would wish to have. 21 (1. 67). Advantage, profit, interest. 22 (1. 72). The Third, reckoning Abraham as the first. 23 (1. 77). Pied, spotted. 24 (l. 102). Gaberdine, a long coarse frock. 25 (l. 107). Void your rheum, to spit at him. 26 (1. 108). Foot me, kick me. 27 (l. 113). Bondman's key, in the manner and tone of a slave. 28 (1..129). Doit, a small Dutch coin, value half a farthing. 29 (l. 130). Usance, interest. 30 (1. 134). Notary, an officer authorised to attest contracts, &c. 31 (l. 138). Condition, agreement. 32 (l. 145). Dwell, continue. 33 (l. 157). Muttons, beefs. These words are formed after the plural of the French nouns mouton, a sheep; bœuf, an ox. 34 (1. 158). Extend, offer. 35 . 165). Fearful, untrustworthy. 36 (l. 168). Hie, hasten; from AngloSaxon, higan. 170 ANTONIO'S LOSSES. ACT III. SCENE II. SCENE. BELMONT. Portia's House. Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO, with letter giving an account of Antonio's losses. Bass. Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither; If that the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome.-By your leave. I bid my very friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome. Lor. I thank your honour.-For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; He did entreat me, past all saying nay,' Saler. And I have reason for it. Bass. I did, my lord; Signior Antonio [Gives Bassanio a letter. Ere I ope this letter, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Saler. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there 2 [BASS. reads the letter. 5 10 15 |