Solarino.

Now, what news on the Ryalto?

Sal.

Why yet it lives there uncheckt, that Anthonio hath a ship of rich lading wrackt on the narrow seas; the Godwins, I think, they call the place; a very dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcases of many a tall ship lye bury'd, as they say, if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word.

Sola.

I would she were as lying a gossip in that, as ever knapt ginger; or made her neighbours believe, she wept for the death of a third husband. But it is true, without any slips of prolixity, or crossing the plain high-way of talk, that the good Anthonio, the honest Anthonio—O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company!

Sal.

Come, the full stop.

Sola.

Ha, what say'st thou? why the end is, he hath lost a ship.

Sal.

I would, it might prove the end of his losses.

Sola.

Let me say Amen betimes, lest the devil cross thy prayer,(15) ^note for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew. How now, Shylock, what news among the merchants?

Shy.

You knew (none so well, none so well as you) of my daughter's flight.

Sal.

That's certain; I, for my part, knew the taylor that made the wings she flew withal.

Sola.

And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledg'd, and then it is the complection of them all to leave the dam.

Shy.

She is damn'd for it.

Sal.

That's certain, if the devil may be her judge.

Shy.

My own flesh and blood to rebel!

Sola.

Out upon it, old carrion, rebels it at these years?

Shy.

I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.

Sal.

There 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 Anthonio have had any loss at sea or no?

Shy.

There I have another bad match; a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dares scarce shew his head on the Ryalto; a beggar, that us'd 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 courtesie; let him look to his bond.

Sal.

Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for?

Shy.

To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge; he hath disgrac'd me, and hinder'd me half a million, laught at my losses, mockt at my gains, scorn'd my nation, thwarted my bargains, cool'd my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's 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, heal'd by the same means, warm'd and cool'd 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 villany, you teach me, I will execute; and it shall go hard, but I will better the instruction.

Ser.

Gentlemen, my master Anthonio is at his house, and desires to speak with you both.

Sal.

We have been up and down to seek him.

Sola.

Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be match'd, unless the devil himself turn Jew.