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The third possessor; ay, he was the third,--
ANTONIO. And what of him? Did he take interest?
SHYLOCK. No, not take interest; not, as you would say, Directly interest; mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromis ' d That all the eanlings which were streak ' d and pied Should fall as Jacob ' s hire, the ewes, being rank, In end of autumn turned to the rams; And when the work of generation was Between these woolly breeders in the act, The skilful shepherd peel ' d me certain wands, And, in the doing of the deed of kind, He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time Fall parti-colour ' d lambs, and those were Jacob ' s. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
ANTONIO. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv ' d for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But sway ' d and fashion ' d by the hand of heaven. Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
SHYLOCK. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast. But note me, signior.
ANTONIO. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.