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  • Title: The Merchant of Venice (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Janelle Jenstad

    • Copyright Janelle Jenstad. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Janelle Jenstad
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merchant of Venice (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter the Iew, and Solanio, and Anthonio,
    1685and the Iaylor.
    Iew. Iaylor, looke to him, tell not me of mercy,
    This is the foole that lends out money gratis.
    Iaylor, looke to him.
    Ant. Heare me yet good Shylok.
    1690Iew. Ile haue my bond, speake not against my bond,
    I haue sworne an oath that I will haue my bond:
    Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause,
    But since I am a dog, beware my phangs,
    The Duke shall grant me iustice, I do wonder
    1695Thou naughty Iaylor, that thou art so fond
    To come abroad with him at his request.
    Ant. I pray thee heare me speake.
    Iew. Ile haue my bond, I will not heare thee speake,
    Ile haue my bond, and therefore speake no more.
    1700Ile not be made a soft and dull ey'd foole,
    To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yeeld
    To Christian intercessors: follow not,
    Ile haue no speaking, I will haue my bond. Exit Iew.
    Sol. It is the most impenetrable curre
    1705That euer kept with men.
    Ant. Let him alone,
    Ile follow him no more with bootlesse prayers:
    He seekes my life, his reason well I know;
    I oft deliuer'd from his forfeitures
    1710Many that haue at times made mone to me,
    Therefore he hates me.
    Sol. I am sure the Duke will neuer grant
    this forfeiture to hold.
    An. The Duke cannot deny the course of law:
    1715For the commoditie that strangers haue
    With vs in Venice, if it be denied,
    Will much impeach the iustice of the State,
    Since that the trade and profit of the citty
    Consisteth of all Nations. Therefore goe,
    1720These greefes and losses haue so bated mee,
    That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
    To morrow, to my bloudy Creditor.
    Well Iaylor, on, pray God Bassanio come
    To see me pay his debt, and then I care not. Exeunt.
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