The Merchant of Venice: Act 3, Scene 3
Enter [SHYLOCK] the Jew and [SOLANIO]
and ANTONIO and the JAILER.
SHYLOCK
1 Jailer, look to him: tell not me of mercy;
2 This is the fool that lent out money gratis:
3 Jailer, look to him.
ANTONIO
3 Hear me yet, good Shylock.
SHYLOCK
4 I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond:
5 I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
6 Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause;
7 But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:
8 The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,
9. naughty: worthless, good-for-nothing. fond: foolish.
9 Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fond
10 To come abroad with him at his request.
ANTONIO
11 I pray thee, hear me speak.
SHYLOCK
12 I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:
13 I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more.
14. dull-ey'd: i.e., easily put upon.
14 I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool,
15 To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
16 To Christian intercessors. Follow not;
17 I'll have no speaking: I will have my bond.
Exit Jew.
SOLANIO
18 It is the most impenetrable cur
19. kept: associated, dwelt.
19 That ever kept with men.
ANTONIO
19 Let him alone:
20. bootless: unavailing.
20 I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
21 He seeks my life; his reason well I know:
22 I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures
23 Many that have at times made moan to me;
24 Therefore he hates me.
SOLANIO
24 I am sure the duke
25 Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
ANTONIO
26. deny: refuse.
26 The duke cannot deny the course of law:
27. commodity: commercial activities. strangers: non-citizens, including Jews.
27 For the commodity that strangers have
28 With us in Venice, if it be denied,
29. impeach the justice of his state: call into serious question the willingness of Venice to enforce laws . . . more
29 Will much impeach the justice of his state;
30 Since that the trade and profit of the city
31 Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
32. bated: reduced.
32 These griefs and losses have so bated me,
33 That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
34 Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.
35 Well, jailer, on. Pray God, Bassanio come
36 To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!
Exeunt.