The Merchant of Venice — Act 3, Scene 3: Venice. A street.

Shylock arrives with Salarino, Antonio, and a gaoler and refuses to listen to Antonio’s pleas for mercy. He demands that the bond be enforced and reminds Antonio of the insults he has suffered, insisting that the law must give him justice. Antonio tries to speak for himself, but Shylock cuts him off and leaves determined to claim his pound of flesh. After he goes, Salarino calls him cruel, and Antonio says Shylock is seeking his life because Antonio has often helped others escape similar debts. Salarino thinks the duke will stop the forfeiture, but Antonio replies that Venice’s law and trade depend on honoring such contracts. He accepts his danger and says only that he hopes Bassanio will come see him.

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Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy;

This is the fool that lent out money gratis:

Gaoler, look to him.

Hear me yet, good Shylock.

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 hadst 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

To come abroad with him at his request.

I pray thee, hear me speak.

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.

It is the most impenetrable cur

That ever kept with men.

Let him alone:

I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.

He seeks my life; his reason well I know:

I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures

Many that have at times made moan to me;

Therefore he hates me.

I am sure the duke

Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

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

To-morrow to my bloody creditor.

Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come

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