Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/28

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tion which your prophet the Nazarite conjured

the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you,

talk with you, walk with you, and so following;

but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor

pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who

is he comes here?

Bass. This is Signior Antonio.

Shy. [Aside.] How like a fawning publican he looks!

I hate him for he is a Christian;

But more for that in low simplicity

He lends out money gratis, and brings down

The rate of usance here with us in Venice.

If I can catch him once upon the hip,

I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.

He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,

Even there where merchants most do congregate,

On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,

Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe,

If I forgive him!

Bass. Shylock, do you hear?

Shy. I am debating of my present store,

And, by the near guess of my memory,

I cannot instantly raise up the gross

Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?

Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,

Will furnish me. But soft! how many months

Do you desire? [To Antonio.] Rest you fair, good signior;

Your worship was the last man in our mouths.

 35 Nazarite; cf. n.

42 fawning publican: ''see Luke 18. 10–14.''

44 low simplicity: meek folly

46 usance: interest

47 upon the hip: a wrestling grip

56 gross: total sum 