SCENE IV.—VENICE. THE COLUMNS OF ST. MARK. (c).

Enter SHYLOCK, SALARINO, ANTONIO, and GAOLER.

Shy

, Gaoler, look to him. Tell not me of mercy;—

This is the fool that lends out money gratis;—

Gaoler, look to him.

Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock.

Shy

. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond;

I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond:

Thou call'dst me dog, before thou had'st a cause:

But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:

The duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder,

Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond

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To come abroad with him at his request.

Ant

. I pray thee, hear me speak.

Shy

. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:

I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more.

I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool,

To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield

To Christian intercessors. Follow not;

I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond.

[

Exit

SHYLOCK.

Salar

. It is the most impenetrable cur

That ever kept with men.

Ant

. Let him alone;

I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.

He seeks my life.

Salar

. I am sure the duke

Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

Ant

. The duke cannot deny the course of law,

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For the commodity that strangers have

With us in Venice, if it be denied,

'Twill much impeach the justice of the state;

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Since that the trade and profit of the city

Consisteth of all nations.

Well, gaoler, on:—Pray heaven, Bassanio come

To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.

[

Exeunt

.