Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act 3 - Scene 3
Venice. A street.
Shylock : Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy;
[p]This is the fool that
lent out money gratis:
[p]Gaoler, look to him.
Antonio : Hear me yet, good Shylock.
Shylock : I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond:
[p]I have sworn an oath
that I will have my bond.
[p]Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a
cause;
[p]But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:
[p]The duke shall
grant me justice. I do wonder,
[p]Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art
so fond
[p]To come abroad with him at his request.
Antonio : I pray thee, hear me speak.
Shylock : I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:
[p]I'll have my bond;
and therefore speak no more.
[p]I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed
fool,
[p]To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
[p]To
Christian intercessors. Follow not;
[p]I'll have no speaking: I will
have my bond.
Salarino : It is the most impenetrable cur
[p]That ever kept with men.
Antonio : Let him alone:
[p]I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
[p]He
seeks my life; his reason well I know:
[p]I oft deliver'd from his
forfeitures
[p]Many that have at times made moan to me;
[p]Therefore
he hates me.
Salarino : I am sure the duke
[p]Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
Antonio : The duke cannot deny the course of law:
[p]For the commodity that
strangers have
[p]With us in Venice, if it be denied,
[p]Will much
impeach the justice of his state;
[p]Since that the trade and profit
of the city
[p]Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
[p]These
griefs and losses have so bated me,
[p]That I shall hardly spare a
pound of flesh
[p]To-morrow to my bloody creditor.
[p]Well, gaoler,
on. Pray God, Bassanio come
[p]To see me pay his debt, and then I care
not!
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Next: Act 3 - Scene 4
