Shylock’s House.

[Enter SHYLOCK and NERISSA.]

Ner. A Christian now, so Christian deed perform.
Here is the deed of gift the court bids thee sign.
Pray do so, and quickly. Dwell not on thy ruin’d state,
But sign, and give me leave to go from hence.

Shy. I am wrack’d upon the reef of Misfortune.
Better a pound of flesh had been taken from my heart
Than such Christian mercies endure.
There, I have signed it. [Exit NERISSA.]
I will yet have my bond.

[Enter MRS. LOVETT.]

Love. How now, my lord, my love?

Shy. All my ventures damn’d.
My daughter ta’en, and I to penury reduced.
Antonio’s life is forfeit, and I will have it.

Love. Come then, and with resolve gird thyself.
The instrument of Antonio’s reward is at hand,
Of chased silver is its handle made, its blade like flame.

Shy. Is this a razor which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee, thy voice a pleasing cadence to my mind.
With foul contempt I depart, Antonio’s throat to find.

[Exeunt omnes.]