SHYLOCK.
Antonio shall become bound, well.
BASSANIO.
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?
SHYLOCK.
Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound.
BASSANIO.
Your answer to that.
SHYLOCK.
Antonio is a good man.
BASSANIO.
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
SHYLOCK.
Ho, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies. I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves—I mean pirates—and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his bond.
BASSANIO.
Be assured you may.
SHYLOCK.
I will be assured I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?
BASSANIO.
If it please you to dine with us.