The Merchant of Venice:
A Contemporary English Version, by Jonathan Star

ACT ONE - Scene One

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                                                                                  EMENDED OPENING

—Antonio

I know this hatred mocks all Christian virtue
But they I loathe; their very sight appalls me.                     
They’re none but vile infractions of nature,                          
A plague on all that is righteous and good.
And all the bonds they use to loan out money,                
Made ‘neath the guise of friendship and of trust,                
Are none but instruments of fell deceit
Used to entrap those who are most in need.                             
And if the sums are not repaid on time                                      
Then, as a forfeit, they will take and take.              
All that a man has gained throughout his life
Will come to naught and end in tearful ruin.                       
‘Tis an obscene, despisèd greed they show,                     
Those heartless usurers. There’s a special place                  
In hell made just for them
                                         
— Salanio                           Those damnèd Jews.                 

—Antonio 
‘Tis not a Jewish thing this usury,                                          
‘Tis but a godless thing, a cursèd thing,                                     
An aberration felling Jew and gentile,                            
A wretched thing. Enough of my complaints,
You know them well.                                                                
                                   
—Salarino                     And so we do, Antonio,
But here this face so sad ‘tis not a sight°                               
We know so well. Why look ye so, my friend?  
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—Antonio
In sooth I know not why I feel this way.  ...