I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond.
Salar. It is the most impenetrable cur
That ever kept with men.
Ant.Let him alone:
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. 20
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.
Salar. I am sure the duke 24
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law:
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, if it be denied, 28
'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, 32
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! 36
Scene Four
[Belmont. A Room in Portia's House]
Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica, and a man of Portia's [Balthazar].
Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence,
You have a noble and a true conceit
19 kept: dwelt
26 deny: refuse
27 commodity: trading facilities
30 trade and profit: profitable trade
32 bated: thinned
2 conceit: conception
