II.-MERCY. (SHAKSPERE.) THE quality of mercy is not strained; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings. And earthly power doth then show likest God's III.-HAMLET ON DEATH. (SHAKSPERE.) To be, or not to be, that is the question: To sleep!-perchance to dream-ay, there's the rub.— When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, And makes us rather bear those ills we have, Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought; IV.-SHYLOCK, BASSANIO, AND ANTONIO. (SHAKSPERE.) Shy. THREE thousand ducats,—well. Bass. Ay, sir, for three months. Shy. For three months,-well. Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,—well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound. Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man. Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shy. Ho, no, no, no, no. My meaning, in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition. He hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England; and other ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards; sailors, but men. There be land rats and water rats, land thieves and water thieves; I mean pirates: and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient:-three thousand ducats;-I think I may take his bond. Bass. Be assured you may. Shy. I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio? Bass. If it please you to dine with us. Shy. Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation 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? [Enter Antonio. 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. Bass. Shylock, do you hear? Shy. I am debating on my present store; Of full three thousand ducats: what of that? Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend, Shy. Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Ant. And for three months. Shy. I had forgot,-three months, you told me so. Well then, your bond; and, let me see.--But hear you : Methought you said, you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage. Ant. I do never use it. Shy. Three thousand ducats-'tis a good round sum, About my monies and my usances: 66 'Shylock, we would have monies:" you say so; A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" Or 'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; Ant. I am as like to call thee so again, Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face Shy. Why, look you how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love, Ant. This were kindness. Shy. This kindness will I show :— Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken And say, there is much kindness in the Jew. Bass. You shall not seal to such a bond for me. I'd rather dwell in my necessity. Ant. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it: Within these two months, that's a month before This bond expires, I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond. Shy. O father Abraham! what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teach them to suspect The thoughts of others!-'Pray you, tell me this: If he should break his day, what should I gain |