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  • Title: The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Quarto 1, 1600)

    the Merchant of Venice.
    and I if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, vse your plea-
    1610sure, if your loue do not perswade you to come, let not my letter.

    Por. O loue! dispatch all busines and be gone.
    Bass. Since I haue your good leaue to goe away,
    I will make hast; but till I come againe,
    no bed shall ere be guiltie of my stay,
    1615nor rest be interposer twixt vs twaine.

    Exeunt.

    Enter the Iew, and Salerio, and Anthonio,
    and the Iaylor.

    Iew. Iaylor, looke to him, tell not me of mercie,
    1620this is the foole that lent out money gratis.
    Iaylor, looke to him.
    Ant. Heare me yet good Shylock.
    Iew. Ile haue my bond, speake not against my bond,
    I haue sworne an oath, that I will haue my bond:
    1625thou call'dst me dogge before thou hadst a cause,
    but since I am a dog, beware my phanges,
    the Duke shall graunt me iustice, I do wonder
    thou naughtie Iaylor that thou art so fond
    to come abroade with him at his request.
    1630An. 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.
    Ile not be made a soft and dull eyde foole,
    to shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yeeld
    1635to christian intercessers: follow not,
    Ile haue no speaking, I will haue my bond.
    Exit Iew.
    Sol. It is the most impenitrable curre
    that euer kept with men.
    1640An. Let him alone,
    Ile follow him no more with bootlesse prayers.
    hee