SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny

SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny
Bassanio, what's wrong with you? You tell those you love!
Am I not now half of yourself?
BASSANIO: (shaking her hand)
O my beautiful Portia! very sad indeed,
Very sad is the tale tossed on this paper.
I told you frankly that nothing
Of my fortune remains to me: of my lands, nothing;
What I have, to serve you and your glory, finished;
The little gold that I had from birth, gone;
That the only treasure that remains to me is a sum
In my veins, and it's the blood of a gentleman.
But I didn't say everything, and I must add
That against my rivals, when struggle was necessary
I engaged from a friend fortune and life
Between the hands of a Jew whose implacable envy
Profits from a misfortune. Read then, in reading,
I thought I was seeing each word written with blood.
“My dear Bassanio, my ships have all perished. It's
Still only a vague rumor in Venice, but my creditors have
Already become cruel. I am reduced to nothing.
My bill on the Jew is going to expire in a few hours;
The three days of delay are going to expire and there will
Be no time to pay him; he no longer wants to accept money but to
Demand the accomplishment of the note. Since by fulfilling his
Conditions it's impossible for me to live, all debts will be quits
Between you and me, and I can see you only by my death.
Still, do what you please. If your friendship
Doesn't engage you to come, my letter won't.”
The dearest of friends, the most Roman soul
That remains in Italy and in the human species,
To this nameless trial is submitting himself for me!
PORTIA: How much does he owe to the Jew?
BASSANIO: Three thousand ducats.
PORTIA: What!
Nothing more! Give him six, give him twelve thousand!
Triple it if necessary, and leave for town
Immediately. Doubtless your friend will follow you.
ACT II 31