The Merchant of Venice
Shakescleare Translation

The Merchant of Venice Translation Act 3, Scene 3

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Enter SHYLOCK, SOLANIO, ANTONIO, and the jailer

SHYLOCK

Jailer, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.This is the fool that lent out money gratis.Jailer, look to him.

SHYLOCK

Jailer, keep an eye on him. Don't say anything about mercy. That's the fool that lent out money with no interest. Keep an eye on him, jailer.

ANTONIO

Hear me yet, good Shylock.

ANTONIO

Just listen to me, good Shylock.

SHYLOCK

I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. Thou calledst me dog before thou hadst a cause. But since I am a dog, beware my fangs. The duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fond To come abroad with him at his request.

SHYLOCK

I'll have what you owe me. Don't try to reason your way out of it. I have sworn an oath that I will have what you owe me. You called me a dog without any reason. Well, if I'm a dog then look out for my bite. The Duke will grant me justice. I wonder, you naughty jailer, why you like him so much to have come outside the jail with him as he asked.

ANTONIO

I pray thee, hear me speak.

ANTONIO

I beg you, listen to what I have to say.

SHYLOCK

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-eyed 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.

SHYLOCK

I'll have what you owe me. I won't listen to anything you say. I'll have what you owe me, so don't say another word to me. I won't be a lenient, dull fool and just shake my head, sigh, and give in to the Christians who plead on your behalf. Don't follow me. I won't listen to you. I will have what you owe me.

Exit SHYLOCK

SOLANIO

It is the most impenetrable curThat ever kept with men.

SOLANIO

He is the most stubborn beast that ever kept company with men.

ANTONIO

Let him alone. I’ll follow him no more with bootless prayers. He seeks my life. His reason well I know. I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me. Therefore he hates me.

ANTONIO

Leave him alone. I won't follow after him anymore with my useless pleas. He wants my life. And I know why. Often I helped men who owed things to him at the last minute, when they begged me. That's why he hates me.

SOLANIO

I am sure the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

SOLANIO

I am sure the Duke will never allow him to take the pound of flesh.

ANTONIO

The duke cannot deny the course of law. For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of his state, Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations. Therefore go. These griefs and losses have so bated me, That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.— Well, jailer, on.—Pray God Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.

ANTONIO

The Duke cannot deny the law. If he goes against the law, foreign merchants will lose confidence in the justice of Venice, and the city's profit relies on foreigners. So go. I've been so worried and upset that I've hardly been eating anything; I don't know if I even have a pound of flesh to spare to my bloody creditor tomorrow. Well, let's go, jailer. I pray that Bassanio will come and see me pay his debt. That's all I care about now.

Exeunt