The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)

by William Shakespeare

  In the places where the merchants gather

  About me, and my deals and my well-earned profit

  That he refers to as interest. Jews everywhere would be cursed

  If I were to forgive him!

  BASSANIO

  Shylock, do you hear?

  Shylock, did you hear me?

  SHYLOCK

  I am debating of my present store,

  And, by the near guess of my memory,

  I cannot instantly raise up the gross

  Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?

  Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,

  Will furnish me. But soft! how many months

  Do you desire?

  I am thinking about how much I have on hand,

  And, if my memory serves me right,

  I can’t instantly come up with the total

  Of the full three thousand ducats. But so what?

  Tubal, a wealthy jew I know

  will give it to me. But wait! How many months

  did you say you need it?

  To ANTONIO

  Rest you fair, good signior;

  Your worship was the last man in our mouths.

  How are you, signior?

  We were just talking about you.

  ANTONIO

  Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow

  By taking nor by giving of excess,

  Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,

  I'll break a custom. Is he yet possess'd

  How much ye would?

  Shylock, although I generally never lend or borrow

  By charging or paying interest,

  In order to help supply my friend’s needs

  I will do it this time. Does he know yet

  how much it is you need?

  SHYLOCK

  Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

  Oh, yes, three thousand ducats.

  ANTONIO

  And for three months.

  For three months.

  SHYLOCK

  I had forgot; three months; you told me so.

  Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you;

  Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow

  Upon advantage.

  I had forgotten—three months. You told me that.

  Well, then, your loan. Well, let me see. But, listen,

  I thought you said you never lend or borrow

  with interest?

  ANTONIO

  I do never use it.

  I don’t.

  SHYLOCK

  When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep--

  This Jacob from our holy Abram was,

  As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,

  The third possessor; ay, he was the third—

  When Jacob looked after his uncle Laban’s sheep—

  Jacob, by the way, was Abram’s grandson,

  And his mother had set it up to his advantage

  That he would be heir to Abram, yes, third in line—

  ANTONIO

  And what of him? did he take interest?

  What’s your point about him? Did he take interest?

  SHYLOCK

  No, not take interest, not, as you would say,

  Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.

  When Laban and himself were compromised

  That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied

  Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank,

  In the end of autumn turned to the rams,

  And, when the work of generation was

  Between these woolly breeders in the act,

  The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands,

  And, in the doing of the deed of kind,

  He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,

  Who then conceiving did in eaning time

  Fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.

  This was a way to thrive, and he was blest:

  And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.

  No, he did not take interest, not, as you would say,

  Direct interest, anyway. Listen, here is what he did:

  At the time Laban and Jacob agreed

  That all the baby lambs that were multi-colored

  Would be Jacob’s pay. The females were ready to breed

  Since it was the end of autumn, and turning to the males.

  While the sheep were in the act of breeding,

  Jacob cut and peeled multi-colored pieces of wood

  And while the sheep were mating

  He stuck the wood pieces in the ground in front of the females

  So that they would see them while conceiving

  And then bear multi-colored babies, which went to Jacob.

  This was a way to be successful and he was blessed.

  Profit is a blessing as long as you don’t steal it.

  ANTONIO

  This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for;

  A thing not in his power to bring to pass,

  But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven.

  Was this inserted to make interest good?

  Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?

  That was a business deal that Jacob worked for.

  It was not in his power to make it happen,

  It was influenced by the God’s will.

  Are you telling this story to justify charging interest?

  Are you comparing your gold and silver to breeding sheep?

  SHYLOCK

  I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast:

  But note me, signior.

  I can’t tell the difference. It multiplies just as fast.

  But listen to me, signior—

  ANTONIO

  Mark you this, Bassanio,

  The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

  An evil soul producing holy witness

  Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,

  A goodly apple rotten at the heart:

  O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

  Pay attention to this, Bassanio,

  The devil can cite Scripture to suit his purpose.

  An evil person who brings out holy evidence

  Is like a villain who smiles at you,

  A seemingly good apple can be rotten at the core,

  A seemingly honest appearance can hide lies!

  SHYLOCK

  Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.

  Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate—

  Three thousand ducats. That’s a good round amount.

  Three months out of twelve, well, let me see. The rate—

  ANTONIO

  Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?

  Well, Shylock, will you lend us the money?

  SHYLOCK

  Signior Antonio, many a time and oft

  In the Rialto you have rated me

  About my moneys and my usances:

  Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,

  For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.

  You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,

  And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,

  And all for use of that which is mine own.

  Well then, it now appears you need my help:

  Go to, then; you come to me, and you say

  'Shylock, we would have moneys:' you say so;

  You, that did void your rheum upon my beard

  And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur

  Over your threshold: moneys is your suit

  What should I say to you? Should I not say

  'Hath a dog money? is it possible

  A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or

  Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,

  With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this;

  'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;

  You spurn'd me such a day; another time

  You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies

  I'll lend y
ou thus much moneys'?

  Signior Antonio, you have often, many times,

  Judged my behavior in the Rialto

  Regarding how I use my money to earn interest.

  I have taken all of this with great patience,

  For suffering is just what Jews do.

  You call me a heretic, a murderous dog,

  And spit upon my Jewish cloak.

  All because I’m doing what I want with what is mine.

  And, well, now it seems you need my help.

  All right, then. So, you come to me and you say

  ‘Shylock, we need some money.’ You ask me for it.

  You, who spit on my beard

  And kicked me just like you would kick a stray dog

  Out the door. Here you are now asking for money.

  So, should I bow to you and in a slave-like tone,

  Holding my breath and whispering humbly, say

  ‘Oh, good sir, you spit on me last Wednesday

  and scorned me another day and another time

  called me a dog, and because of these gestures of respect

  I’ll lend you as much money as you need?’

  ANTONIO

  I am as like to call thee so again,

  To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.

  If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not

  As to thy friends; for when did friendship take

  A breed for barren metal of his friend?

  But lend it rather to thine enemy,

  Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face

  Exact the penalty.

  I’m likely to call you a dog again,

  And to spit on you again, and to scorn you, too.

  If you lend us the money, don’t lend it

  Like you would to friends. For since when do friends

  Expect the coins of his friend to reproduce for him?

  Instead, lend it as if you were lending it to an enemy,

  who—if he goes broke—you can more easily

  punish.

  SHYLOCK

  Why, look you, how you storm!

  I would be friends with you and have your love,

  Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,

  Supply your present wants and take no doit

  Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me:

  This is kind I offer.

  Well, look at how upset you are getting!

  I want to be friends with you and get along.

  I can forget all of the shameful things you’ve done to me

  And lend you the money without taking interest

  For the use of it. But you’ll not hear

  This kind offer I make.

  BASSANIO

  This were kindness.

  It would be kind.

  SHYLOCK

  This kindness will I show.

  Go with me to a notary, seal me there

  Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,

  If you repay me not on such a day,

  In such a place, such sum or sums as are

  Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit

  Be nominated for an equal pound

  Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

  In what part of your body pleaseth me.

  I can show this kindness.

  Go with me to a notary and let’s seal

  Your loan without interest. Then, for a joke,

  Let’s write in that if you don’t pay me on a particular day,

  At a particular location all of the money I lend to you,

  Let it be said that you will give me

  As a penalty an exact pound

  Of your flesh, which will be cut off and taken

  From whatever part of your body I want.

  ANTONIO

  Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bond

  And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

  I’ll accept that in good faith. I’ll sign the bond

  And even say that Jews are very kind.

  BASSANIO

  You shall not seal to such a bond for me:

  I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

  I will not let you sign such a loan for me.

  I’d rather go without the money.

  ANTONIO

  Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it:

  Within these two months, that's a month before

  This bond expires, I do expect return

  Of thrice three times the value of this bond.

  Don’t worry about it. I won’t forfeit it.

  Within the next two months, which is a month

  Before the amount is due, I expect profits

  Of three times the amount of this loan.

  SHYLOCK

  O father Abram, what these Christians are,

  Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect

  The thoughts of others! Pray you, tell me this;

  If he should break his day, what should I gain

  By the exaction of the forfeiture?

  A pound of man's flesh taken from a man

  Is not so estimable, profitable neither,

  As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,

  To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:

  If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;

  And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.

  Oh, father Abram, what kind of people these Christians are

  Whose own ways of dealing taught them to suspect

  The intentions of others! Please, just tell me this:

  If he should not have the money on time, what could I possibly gain

  By taking a pound of his flesh for the forfeit?

  A pound of a man’s flesh taken from his body

  Is not worth very much—it’s not even worth as much

  As the flesh of lambs, cows or goats. I’m saying

  To win his esteem, I am offering this friendship.

  If he will take it, good. If not, then goodbye.

  And please don’t slander me for making the offer.

  ANTONIO

  Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

  Yes, Shylock, I will sign for the loan by your terms.

  SHYLOCK

  Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;

  Give him direction for this merry bond,

  And I will go and purse the ducats straight,

  See to my house, left in the fearful guard

  Of an unthrifty knave, and presently

  I will be with you.

  Then meet me at the notary’s

  Give him the details of our little joke.

  I will go and get the money right away,

  First I have to check on my house—I left it under the care

  Of a useless servant. After that

  I will meet up with you.

  ANTONIO

  Hie thee, gentle Jew.

  Hurry up, my kind Jewish friend.

  Exit Shylock

  The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.

  The Jew is almost Christian, he’s being so kind.

  BASSANIO

  I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

  I don’t like pretty ways from someone with the mind of a villian.

  ANTONIO

  Come on: in this there can be no dismay;

  My ships come home a month before the day.

  Come on, there’s no need to worry.

  My ships return a month before the day the loan is due.

  Exeunt

  Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO and his train; PORTIA, NERISSA, and others attending

  MOROCCO

  Mislike me not for my complexion,

  The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun,

  To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.

  Bring me the fairest creature northward born,

  Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,

  And let us make incision for your love,

  To prove whose blood is reddes
t, his or mine.

  I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine

  Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love I swear

  The best-regarded virgins of our clime

  Have loved it too: I would not change this hue,

  Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

  Please don’t dislike me for my skin color,

  The sun has made my skin so dark

  Since I was born under it and lived near it.

  Show me the palest skinned man that was born in northern regions,

  Where the sun’s warmth barely thaws the icicles,

  And I will make a cut in my skin

  To prove my blood is just as red as his.

  I can tell you that the darkness of my skin

  Has made brave men fear me and I swear to you

  The finest young women in my region

  Have loved it. I would not change my color

  Except to find a place in your thoughts, gentle queen.

  PORTIA

  In terms of choice I am not solely led

  By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;

  Besides, the lottery of my destiny

  Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:

  But if my father had not scanted me

  And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself

  His wife who wins me by that means I told you,

  Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair

  As any comer I have look'd on yet

  For my affection.

  I am not led in my choice of a husband

  Based soley on how good looking a man is to the ladies.

  Besides, the contest with the trunks my father devised

  Takes away my right to freely choose.

  But if my father had not robbed me of chosing,

  and restricted me with his cleverness, I’d give myself

  As wife to any man who wins me fairly,

  And you, famous prince, would stand as much a chance