Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/31

The Merchant of Venice, I. iii

'Hath a dog money? Is it possible

A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' or

Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key,

With bated breath, and whispering humbleness,

Say this:—

'Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last;

You spurn'd me such a day; another time

You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies

I'll lend you thus much moneys?'

Ant. I am as like to call thee so again,

To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too.

If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not

As to thy friends,—for when did friendship take

A breed for barren metal of his friend?—

But lend it rather to thine enemy;

Who if he break, thou mayst with better face

Exact the penalty.

Shy.Why, look you, how you storm!

I would be friends with you, and have your love,

Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,

Supply your present wants, and take no doit

Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me:

This is kind I offer.

Bass. This were kindness.

Shy.This kindness will I show.

Go with me to a notary, seal me there

Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,

If you repay me not on such a day,

In such a place, such sum or sums as are

Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit

Be nominated for an equal pound

Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

 127 spet: spat

141 doit: Dutch coin of small value

144 Bass.; cf. n.

146 Your single: merely your

150 equal: exact 