Skip to content
Storgy

The Merchant of VeniceModern English

The Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Scene 3

Venice. A street.

The original text and a plain modern English rendering, side by side. Free, no sign-up.

Which text to show for Act 3, Scene 3

Original

Modern English

  1. Enter Shylock, Salarino, Antonio and Gaoler.

    Shylock, Salarino, Antonio and the Gaoler come in.

  2. Shylock1

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

    Gaoler, keep an eye on him. Don't talk to me about mercy. This is the fool who lent out money gratis. Gaoler, keep an eye on him.

  3. Antonio4

    Hear me yet, good Shylock.

    Listen to me a moment longer, good Shylock.

  4. Shylock5

    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'll have what my bond promises — don't speak against my bond. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. You called me a dog before you had any reason to; but since I am a dog, watch out for my fangs. The Duke will give me justice. I'm amazed, you wicked gaoler, that you're so foolish as to come out walking with him just because he asked you to.

  5. Antonio12

    I pray thee hear me speak.

    Please, listen to me speak.

  6. Shylock13

    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.

    I'll have my bond. I won't listen to you speak. I'll have my bond, so say no more. I won't be turned into a soft, dim-eyed fool who shakes his head, gives in, sighs, and surrenders to Christian pleaders. Don't follow me. There'll be no talking; I will have my bond.

  7. Exit.

    He leaves.

  8. Salarino19

    It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men.

    He's the most unfeeling dog that ever lived among men.

  9. Antonio21

    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.

    Leave him be. I'll chase after him no longer with useless pleading. He wants my life, and I know his reason well: I've often rescued people from the penalties he was owed, people who came to me at times with their complaints. That's why he hates me.

  10. Salarino27

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

    I'm certain the Duke will never allow this penalty to stand.

  11. Antonio29

    The Duke cannot deny the course of law, For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, ’Twill much impeach the justice of the 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, gaoler, on, pray God Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.

    The Duke can't refuse the process of law, because if the trading rights that foreigners have with us here in Venice were denied, it would badly damage the justice of the state, since the city's trade and profit depend on people of all nations. So go. These sorrows and losses have worn me down so much that I'll hardly have a pound of flesh to spare tomorrow for my bloody creditor. Well, gaoler, lead on. I pray to God that Bassanio comes to see me pay his debt, and then I don't care.

  12. Exeunt.

    They all leave.

Original text: Project Gutenberg edition #1515 (public domain, edited by the PG Shakespeare Team). Modern English rendering by Storgy.