Original
Modern English
Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis: Gaoler, look to him.
Gaoler, watch him: don’t talk to me about mercy; This is the fool who lent money for free: Gaoler, watch him.
Hear me yet, good Shylock.
Please, hear me out, 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 want my bond; don’t argue about my bond: I’ve sworn an oath to get my bond. You called me a dog before you had a reason; But since I’m a dog, watch out for my fangs: The duke will give me justice. I wonder, You foolish gaoler, that you’re so foolish To come with him at his request.
I pray thee, hear me speak.
Please, let 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.
I want my bond; I won’t listen to you: I want my bond; so stop talking. I won’t be made a soft and foolish person, To shake my head, change my mind, sigh, and give in To Christian pleas. Don’t follow me; I won’t listen to you: I want my bond.
It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men.
He’s the most unapproachable dog That ever dealt with people.
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 alone: I won’t follow him anymore with useless prayers. He wants to kill me; I know why: I’ve often helped people get out of his debts Those who’ve complained to me before; That’s why he hates me.
I am sure the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
I’m sure the duke Will never let this debt go through.
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!
The duke can’t ignore the law: Because of the business that foreigners have With us in Venice, if it’s denied, It would seriously damage the fairness of his rule; Since the trade and profit of the city Relies on people from all nations. So, go: These troubles and losses have drained me, So much that I can barely give a pound of flesh To my bloodthirsty creditor tomorrow. Well, jailer, let’s go. I pray God, Bassanio comes To see me pay his debt, and then I don’t care!