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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    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
    The comicall Historie of
    hee seekes my life, his reason well I know;
    I oft deliuerd from his forfeytures
    many that haue at times made mone to me,
    1645therefore he hates me.
    Sal. I am sure the Duke will neuer grant
    this forfaiture to hold.
    An. The Duke cannot denie the course of law:
    for the commoditie that strangers haue
    1650with vs in Venice, if it be denyed,
    will much impeach the iustice of the state,
    since that the trade and profit of the citty
    consisteth of all Nations. Therefore goe,
    these griefes and losses haue so bated me
    1655that I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
    to morrow, to my bloody Creditor.
    Well Iaylor on, pray God Bassanio come
    to see me pay his debt, and then I care not. Exeunt.
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