Shy.
Three thousand ducats for three months, you said.
Humph! well, I'll think of it.

Bass.
You're not afraid
To take Antonio's bond? or, if his bail
Be insufficient, be sure mine shan't fail.

Shy.
Three thousand ducats for three lunar months?
I must think twice ere I reply at once;
Three thousand ducats is a good round sum—

Bass.
For which Antonio's bound: your answer, come?
I'm not the sort of man to seek a flaw
In the entangled meshes of our law,
Nor try escape through any hole or cranny.

Shy.
Oh!
I could not think base any how, Bassanio!

Bass.
But fair and plain with all.

Shy.
A virtue rare! (aside)
In my opinion, much more plain than fair.

Bass.
Upright and downright is my constant rule.

Shy.
Doubtless an upright man, (aside) a downright fool. (aloud)
Antonio's a good man.

Bass.
Yes—do you know
Aught contrary?

Shy.
Oh! tout au contraire—No!

At him, believe me, I don't mean a rap at all,
But all his property is floating capital,
Which, while it floats, all's well—but then his ventures
Are such as, you must own, sir, prudence censures;
For, if report speaks truly of his fleet,
One's to the Indies bound and one to Crete,
Which ventures, at the least, are Indis-crete.
And others widely squandered—then again
Ships are but boards and sailors naught but men;
Add to the ocean's perils, too, the fears
Of the more free than welcome Buccaneers.
Without a “by your leave” or “if you please” upon it,
Whate'er they sees upon the seas they seize upon it.
Yet may I take this bond, I think—

Bass.
You may;
Here comes Antonio. Enter Antonio at door C, from street.

Ant.
Gentlemen, good day. (Antonio and Bassanio converse apart)

Shy, (aside)
How like a swindling Publican he looks,
Applying for his license, when the books
Are crowded with complaints of open house
At two o'clock A.M., and drunken rows!
I hate him as a conscientious nuisance
Who'd bring down our Venetian rate of usance! (aloud)
This is indeed an honour, sir—good day.
Is there no little business in my way,
Such as a watch or handkerchief to spout,
That I can serve you in? (aside) And serve you out.

Ant.
Shylock, you know I borrow not, nor lend
In general—yet to oblige a friend,
I will negociate a trifling loan o' you.

Shy.
I marvel you're seen here, Signor Antonio.

Ant.
For once I break a custom, so, my buck,
Hand over.

Shy.
Stop though, I've a crow to pluck
With you.

Ant.
'Twere pity now we've gone so far,
That any crow of yours should a bar
To our transactions.

Bass.
Come—you'll see about it,
Just now we really can't get on without it.

Duett. Air.—“Sprig of Shillelah.” Shy.
Good Mister Antonio, often when on
The Rialto, my gaberdine you've spit upon,
And rated and chaffed at my 60 per cent,
You've called me “Old Fagin,” “usurious dog,”
And said, though a Jew, I could go the whole hog.
Yet here you come now and say “Shylock do lend
Me some money!” I wish you may get it, my friend;
  So don't think you shall have it, nor Shylock so green! Ant.
Expectorate, Shylock, I did on your dress,
But a rating I did not expect I confess,
For I'll give you my bill at your 60 per cent. Shy.
Who voided his rheum on my beard, I presume,
In decency should have a-voided my room,
For though I'm a Jew, you'll discover at need,
I'm no animal of the Jerusalem breed,
  So, my sprig, you shall have it—when Shylock's so green.

Shall I say, “Would'nt ask money from a cur?”
Or, bending low speak humbly thus, “Fair sir,
‘Last week you graciously were pleased to lick me,
“On Thursday you were good enough to kick me.
“Yes, though my figure might a Christian melt,
“On the Rialto your real-toe I've felt!
“Full many a time, too, stooping humbly down,
“By a low bob I've saved an entire crown,
“And kept the peace—for which, and like facetiæ,
“You're welcome, sir, to all I boast in specie!”

Ant.
A truce, sir, to this jesting—you refuse?

Shy.
It does sound like it.

Bass.
Oh! just as you choose. (they are leaving, arm in arm)

Shy.
Why, how now, signor—look you how you storm,
I've given you no cause to wax so warm;
I would be friends with you—whate'er you want,
Lend willingly and take no interest on't.

Ant.
Whatever sum?

Shy.
I've said it—what-sum-ever.

Ant.
I never knew such self-denial—never! (they shake hands)
You'll take some interest for the loan though?

Shy.
Pooh!
The interest alone I feel for you;

Or, if you will, you shall—for mere form's sake,
My merry cove, a merry cove-nant make:
That, if you can't the trifling loan repay
Conveniently by such and such a day,
A pound of flesh t'will then be mine to claim
From any part of you I choose to name.
Ha! ha! the humorous notion make me laugh!

Ant. (doubtfully)
Does it indeed? Well, I don't like it half;
Yet, where's the odds—for very well I see
'Tis but a spree, Jew—

Shy.
But a jeu d' esprit.
'Tis but—pray don't misconstrue my intent—
I have a leaning towards you, it is lent.
Reflect besides, the forfeiture would be
But pain to you, sir, and not paying to me;
A pound of man's flesh is not, by your leave,
Of half the value of a pound of beef,
Nor were it worth my while to cut and run,
And carry off, what is but carri-on;
It is to buy your favour I extend
This friendship, if you choose to be my friend.
Shake hands—our quarrel is forgot, I hope?

Bass.
I don't like quarrels washed out with palm soap.

Ant.
I'll seal this bond—Bassanio, hold your tongue,
In this proceeding there can be no wrong.

Shy.
Let's off then to the Notary's.

Ant.
We will.

Shy.
Before the Beak we can draw up the bill. (retires to take down hat and comforter at back)

Bass. (to Ant.)
It grieves me much that you should undertake
This inconvenience for Bassanio's sake;
I'd ne'er forgive myself did ill betide
So good a friend!

Ant. (to Bass.)
Why if I can't provide
The necessary coin which some fast men,
Defying mineralogy, call “tin,”
Why, when the bill's done running—I'll begin! (Shylock comes down)

Trio—Polka. Shy.
Pen and ink, pen and ink—stamp upon the paper,
Surely soon your figure-head to a point will taper,
If upon your body I for flesh should be a scraper,
  You think not only I, sir, but the Devil was to pay!

Bass.
Never think, never think I shall run away sir,
Safe as death and quarter day, I am sure to pay, sir,
And to you as to a friend the longest odds I'll lay, sir,
I'm as firm as any bank by Lombard's wealthy way! Ant.
Never shrink, never shrink from a bit of paper!
If it serves to help a friend to carry on a caper.
Stick at it until you see the chance of paying taper,
Off to California then and wish your friend good day! (ensemble—and dance off

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