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How now, Shylock? What news among the merchants?Hows it going, Shylock? Whats the news among the merchants?

20SHYLOCKYou knewnone so well, none so well as youof my daughters flight.SHYLOCKYou knewno one knew, no one knew as well as you didabout my daughters plans to run away.

SALARINOThats certain. I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal.SALARINOThats true. I even knew the tailor who made the disguise she wore when she ran off.

SOLANIOAnd Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged, and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam.SOLANIOAnd Shylock knew his daughter was ready to run away. Its natural for children to leave their parents.

SHYLOCKShe is damned for it.SHYLOCKShell be damned for it.

SOLANIOThats certainif the devil may be her judge.SALARINOThats trueif the devils judging her.

SHYLOCKMy own flesh and blood to rebel!SHYLOCKMy own flesh and blood turned against me! A rebel!

SOLANIOOut upon it, old carrion! Rebels it at these years?SOLANIONo! YourFLESH STILL REBELSSolanio pretends to think Shylock means he cant control his own sexual urges.flesh still rebelsat your age?

30SHYLOCKI say my daughter is my flesh and blood.SHYLOCKI mean my daughter is my flesh and blood.

SALARINOThere is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory, more between your bloods than there is between red wine and rhenish. But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?SALARINOYou two are totally different. Your flesh is more different from hers than coal is from ivory. Theres more difference between your bloods than between red wine and white. But tell us, did you hear anything about Antonios loss at sea?

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35SHYLOCKThere I have another bad match!a bankrupt, a prodigal who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto, a beggar that was used to come so smug upon the mart. Let him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond. He was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy; let him look to his bond.SHYLOCKThats another bad deal Ive made!a bankrupt, a spendthrift, who now has to hide his head on the Rialto, a beggar who used to look so smug in front of the other merchants. Let him think about his own debt. He liked to call me a loan shark; let him think about his debt to me. He used to lend money as a favor between Christians; but now, let him think about his own debt.

SALARINOWhy, I am sure, if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh.Whats that good for?SALARINOBut you wont take his flesh if he cant pay. Whats that good for?

SHYLOCKTo bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemiesand whats his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will executeand it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.SHYLOCKIll use it for fish bait. You cant eat human flesh, but if it feeds nothing else, itll feed my revenge. Hes insulted me and cost me half a million ducats. Hes laughed at my losses, made fun of my earnings, humiliated my race, thwarted my deals, turned my friends against me, riled up my enemiesand why? Because Im a Jew. Doesnt a Jew have eyes? Doesnt a Jew have hands, bodily organs, a human shape, five senses, feelings, and passions? Doesnt a Jew eat the same food, get hurt with the same weapons, get sick with the same diseases, get healed by the same medicine, and warm up in summer and cool off in winter just like a Christian? If you prick us with a pin, dont we bleed? If you tickle us, dont we laugh? If you poison us, dont we die? And if you treat us badly, wont we try to get revenge? If were like you in everything else, well resemble you in that respect. If a Jew offends a Christian, whats the Christians kind and gentle reaction? Revenge. If a Christian offends a Jew, what punishment will he come up with if he follows the Christian example? Of course, the same thingrevenge! Ill treat you as badly as you Christians taught me toand youll be lucky if I dont outdo my teachers.

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Enter aMANfromANTONIOOne ofANTONIOsSERVANTSenters.

MAN(to SOLANIO and SALARINO) Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both.SERVANT(toSOLANIOandSALARINO)My master Antonio is at his house and would like to speak to you both.

65SALARINOWe have been up and down to seek him.SALARINOWeve been looking for him everywhere.

EnterTUBALTUBALenters.

SOLANIOHere comes another of the tribe. A third cannot be matched unless the devil himself turn Jew.SOLANIOHere comes another Jew. You couldnt find a third like these two unless the devil himself turned into a Jew.

ExeuntSOLANIO,SALARINO, andMANSOLANIO,SALARINO, andANTONIOsSERVANTexit.

SHYLOCKHow now, Tubal? What news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter?SHYLOCKHello, Tubal. Any news from Genoa? Did you find my daughter?

70TUBALI often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.TUBALI went to many places where I heard news about her, but I couldnt find her.

SHYLOCKWhy, there, there, there, there! A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurtthe curse never fell upon our nation till now! I never felt it till nowTwo thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed at my foot and the ducats in her coffin! No news of them? Why, so. And I know not whats spent in the search. Why thou, loss upon loss! The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thiefand no satisfaction, no revenge. Nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my shoulders, no sighs but o' my breathing, no tears but o' my shedding.SHYLOCKOh, oh, oh! One of the stolen diamonds cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurt! I never felt the curse of the Jews until now. I never felt it until nowtwo thousand ducats in that diamond, and other precious, precious jewels! I wish my daughter were dead at my feet wearing those jewels! I wish she were in her coffin here, with the ducats in her coffin! You couldnt find out anything about them? Why? I dont even know how much Im spending to find them. Loss upon loss! The thief left with so much, and Im spending so much to hunt down the thiefand still Im not satisfied! I havent gotten my revenge. The only luck I have is bad luck. Nobody suffers but me. Nobodys crying except me.

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TUBALYes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard inGenoaTUBALWell, other men have bad luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa

85SHYLOCKWhat, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck?SHYLOCKWhat, what, what? Bad luck, bad luck?

TUBALHath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis.TUBALHes had a ship wrecked coming from Tripolis.

SHYLOCKI thank God, I thank God! Is t true, is t true?SHYLOCKThank God, thank God! Is it true, is it true?

TUBALI spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack.TUBALI spoke with some of the sailors who survived the wreck.

SHYLOCKI thank thee, good Tubal. Good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa.SHYLOCKThank you, Tubal. Good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa.

TUBALYour daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, in one night fourscore ducats.TUBALI also heard that your daughter spent eighty ducats in Genoa one night.

SHYLOCKThou stickest a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore ducats at a sitting! Fourscore ducats!SHYLOCKOh, youre sticking a dagger in me! Ill never see my gold again. Eighty ducats in one shot! Eighty ducats!

95TUBALThere came divers of Antonios creditors in my company to Venice that swear he cannot choose but break.TUBALI came to Venice with a number of Antonios creditors who say he wont be able to avoid going bankrupt.

SHYLOCKI am very glad of it. Ill plague him. Ill torture him. I am glad of it.SHYLOCKIm very glad about that. Ill hound him. Ill torture him. Im very glad.

TUBALOne of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.TUBALOne creditor showed me a ring he got from your daughter in exchange for a monkey.

SHYLOCKOut upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise. I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.SHYLOCKDamn her! Youre torturing me, Tubal. That was my turquoise ring! Leah gave it to me before we were married. I wouldnt have given it away for a whole jungle of monkeys.

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TUBALBut Antonio is certainly undone.TUBALBut Antonios certainly ruined.

105SHYLOCKNay, thats true, thats very true. Go, Tubal, fee me an officer. Bespeak him a fortnight before.I will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will.Go, go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue. Go, good Tubal. At our synagogue, Tubal.SHYLOCKThats true, thats very true. Tubal, go find me a police officer to arrest Antonio. Get him ready two weeks ahead of time.Ill take Antonios heart if he cant pay. With him out of Venice, I can make whatever bargains I want when I lend money.Go, Tubal. Meet me at the synagogue.

Exeunt severally

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EnterNERISSAand a servitorNERISSAand a servant enter.

NERISSAQuick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight.The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oathAnd comes to his election presently.NERISSAHurry, hurry, close the curtain quick. The prince of Arragon has taken his oath, and hes coming to make his choice now.

Flourish cornets Enter the Prince ofARRAGON, his train, andPORTIATrumpets play. The Prince ofARRAGON, his entourage, andPORTIAenter.

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PORTIABehold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince.If you choose that wherein I am contained,Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,You must be gone from hence immediately.PORTIALook, here are the boxes, prince. If you choose the one that contains my picture, well be married right away. But if you fail, you have to leave immediately. No pleas will be allowed.

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15ARRAGONI am enjoined by oath to observe three things:First, never to unfold to any oneWhich casket twas I chose; next, if I failOf the right casket, never in my lifeTo woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly,If I do fail in fortune of my choice,Immediately to leave you and be gone.ARRAGONI swore Id do three things. First, I can never tell anyone what box I choose. Second, if I choose the wrong box, Ill never propose marriage for the rest of my life. Third, if I pick the wrong box, Ill leave immediately.

PORTIATo these injunctions every one doth swearThat comes to hazard for my worthless self.PORTIAEveryone who comes to gamble on winning me has to swear to these three rules.

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ARRAGONAnd so have I addressed me. Fortune nowTo my hearts hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see.Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.ARRAGONOkay, Im ready. I hope luck will give me what my heart hopes for! Gold, silver, and common lead. He who chooses me must give and risk all he has. Youd have to be more attractive for me to give or risk anything for you. What does the golden box say? Hmm, let me see:

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ARRAGONWhats here? The portrait of a blinking idiotPresenting me a schedule! I will read it.How much unlike art thou to Portia!How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves!Did I deserve no more than a fools head?Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?ARRAGONWhats this? A picture of an idiot holding a scroll up for me to read! Ill read it.It looks so unlike Portia! This outcome isnt what I hoped for, or what I deserve. The one who chooses me will get what he deserves! Didnt I deserve anything more than a fools head? Is this my prize? Dont I deserve more than this?

60PORTIATo offend and judge are distinct officesAnd of opposd natures.PORTIAJudging what you deserve is one thing. Offending you is something very different, so Ill keep my mouth shut.

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ARRAGONWhat is here?(reads)The fire seven times tried this,Seven times tried that judgment is,That did never choose amiss.Some there be that shadows kiss.Such have but a shadows bliss.There be fools alive, iwis,Silvered o'erand so was this.Take what wife you will to bed,I will ever be your head.So be gone. You are sped.Still more fool I shall appearBy the time I linger here.With one fools head I came to woo,But I go away with two.Sweet, adieu. Ill keep my oathPatiently to bear my wroth.ARRAGONWhat does this say?(he reads)This box was tested in the fire seven times.The person who never makes a wrong choiceHas wisdom that will stand the test.Some people kiss shadows.They only feel the shadow of joy.There are fools out thereWith silver hair and silver coins.This choice was as foolish as they are.Take whatever wife you want to bed with you,Youll have a fools head forever.So go away. Youre done here.The longer I stay, the more foolish I look. I came here with a fools head on my shoulders and now Im leaving with two.Goodbye, sweet lady. Ill keep my oath and patiently suffer through my anger.

ExeuntARRAGONand his train

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80PORTIAThus hath the candle singed the moth.O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.PORTIAThese men are like moths, drawn to these boxes as if they were flames. This is how the candle burned the moth. Oh, these fools! When they choose, they only know how to lose.

NERISSAThe ancient saying is no heresy.Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.NERISSAYou know what they say. Destiny chooses when youll die and who youll marry.

PORTIACome, draw the curtain, Nerissa.PORTIACome on, close the curtain, Nerissa.

EnterMESSENGERAMESSENGERenters.

85messengerWhere is my lady?MESSENGERWheres lady Portia?

PORTIAHere. What would my lord?PORTIAHere. How can I help you, sir?

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95MESSENGERMadam, there is alighted at your gateA young Venetian, one that comes beforeTo signify th' approaching of his lord,From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,To witbesides commends and courteous breathGifts of rich value. Yet I have not seenSo likely an ambassador of love.A day in April never came so sweetTo show how costly summer was at hand,As this forespurrer comes before his lord.MESSENGERMadam, a young Venetian man has arrived to tell us his master is about to arrive. This lord has sent gifts. Besides his nice polite greetings, his gifts are expensive. I havent seen such a promising candidate for your love. This servant has arrived before his master the way a sweet spring day hints about a lush summer. But theres never been an April day as promising as this.

100PORTIANo more, I pray thee. I am half afeardThou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,Thou spendst such high-day wit in praising him.Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to seeQuick Cupids post that comes so mannerly.PORTIAPlease dont tell me any more. Im almost afraid youre going to tell me hes a relative of yours, because youre going so crazy praising him. Come on, Nerissa, I want to go see this man whos come so courteously.

NERISSABassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!NERISSAI hope its Bassanio coming to win Portia!

Exeunt