SCC,

bond;

Bass. Ere I

ope
his letter,

Before a friend of this description
I pray you, tell me, how my good friend doth.

Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault.
Sale. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; First, go with me to church, and call me wife:
Nor well, unless in mind : his letter there

And then away to Venice to your friend !
Will show you his estate.

For never shall you lie by Portia's side
Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon’stranger; bid her welcome.- With an unquietsoul. You shall have gold
Your hand, Salerio; what's the news from Venice? To pay the petty debt twenty times over;
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? When it is paid, bring your true friend along:
I know, he will be glad of our success ;

My maid Nerissa, and myself, mean time,
We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

Will live as maids and widows. Come, away;
Sale.'Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! For you shall hence upon your wedding-day:
Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon' same Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer;
paper,

Since you are dear-bouglit, I will love you dear.-
That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek:

But let me hear the letter of your friend.
Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all
Could turn so much the constitution

miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is Ofany constant man. What, worse and worse?- very low, my bond to the Jewis forfeit; and since, in With leave, Bassanio ; I am half yourself,

paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are And I must freely have the half of any thing,

cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at That this same paper brings you.

my death; notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if Bass. O, sweet Portia,

your love do not persuade you to come, let not my Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words,

letter. That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady,

Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone! When I did first impart my love to you,

Bass. Since I have your good leave to go away,
I freely told you, all the wealth I had,

I will make haste: but, till I come again,
Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman;

No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay,
And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady,

No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. (Exeunt.
Rating myself at nothing, you shall

SCENE III.- Venice. A street.
How much I was a braggart. When I told yon

Enter SayLock, SALANTO, Antonio, and Gaoler.
My state was nothing, I should then liave told you, Shy. Gaoler, look to him;— tell not me of mercy;
That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed,

This is the fool that lent out money gratis ;-
I have engag'd myself to a dear friend,

Gaoler, look to him.
Engag’d my friend to his mere enemy,

Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock !
To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady;

Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my
The paper as the body of my friend,

I have sworn an oath, that I will have my

bond : And every word in it a gaping wound,

Thou call’dst me dog before thou had'sta cause:
Issuing life-blood. But it is true, Salerio?

But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs!
Have all his ventures failed ?-What, not one hit? The duke shall grant me justice.--I do wonder,
From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond,
From Lisbon, Barbary, and India ?

To come abroad with him at his request!
And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch

Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak!
Of merchant-marring rocks?

Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:
Sale. Not one, my lord.

I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more!
Besides, it should appear, that if he had

I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool,
The present money to discharge the Jew,

To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
He would not take it. Never did I know

To Christian intercessors. Follow not;
A creature, that did bear the shape ofman,

I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond.
So keen and greedy to confound a man:

[Exit Shylock. Heplies the duke at morning, and at night;

Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur,
And doth impeach the freedom of the state,

That ever kept with men.
If they deny him justice: twenty merchants,

Ant. Let him alone;
The duke himself, and the magnificoes

I'll follow him uo more with bootless prayers.
of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; He seeks my life; his reason well I know;
But none can drive him from the envious plea

I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures
Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond.

Many, that have at times made moan to me;
Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, Therefore he hates me.
To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen,

Salan. I am sure, the duke
That he would rather have Antonio's flesh,

Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
Than twenty times the value of the sum

Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law;
That he didowe him: and I know, my lord,

For the commodity that strangers have
If law, authority, and power deny not,

With us in Venice, if it be denied,
It will go hard with poor Antonio.

Will much impeach the justice of the state ;
Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Since that the trade and profit of the city
Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
The best condition’d and unwearied spirit

These griefs and losses have so’bated me,
In doing courtesies; and one, in whom

That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
The ancient Roman honour more appears,

To-morrow to my bloody creditor.-
Than any that draws breath in Italy.

Well gaoler, on-Pray God, Bassanio come
Por. What sum owes hethe Jew?

To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! (Exeunt.
Bass. For me, three thousand ducats.

SCENE IV.- Belinont. A room in Portia's house. Por.' What, no more?

Enter Portia, Nerissa, LORENZO, Jessica, and
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;

BALTHAZAR.
Double six thousand, and then treble that,

Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence,

319

r

1

a

both ways:

You have a noble and a true conceit
I could not do with all;-then I'll repent,

Lau
Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly And wish, for all that, that I had not kill'd them:
In bearing thus the absence of your lord.

And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell,
But, if you knew to whom you show this honour, That men shall swear, I have discontinued school

giver How true a gentleman you send relief, Above a twelvemonth. --I have within my mind

lor How dear a lover of my lord your husband,

A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks,
I know, you would be prouder of the work,

Which I will practise.
Than customary bounty can enforce you.
Ner. Why, shall we turn to men?

Carni Por. I never did repent.for doing good,

Por. Fie! what a question's that,
Nor shall not now: for in companions,

Ifthou wert near a lewd interpreter?
That do converse and waste the time together, But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device,
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,

When I am in my coach, which stays for us
There must be needs a like proportion

At the park gate; and therefore haste away, Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;

For we must measure twenty miles to-day. [Exeunt. Which makes me think, that this Antonio,

for, Being the lover of my lord,

SCENEV. The same. A garden. Must needs be like my lord. If it beso,

Enter LAUNCELOT and Jessica.

brei How little is the cost I have bestow'd,

Laun. Yes, truly:--for, look you, the sins of the In purchasing this semblance of my soul father are to be laid upon the children; therefore, I

ud From out the state of hellish cruelty! promise you, I fear you. I was always plain with you,

And This comes too near the praising of myself; and so now I speak my agitation of the matter: there

Post Therefore, no more ofit: hear other things !- fore, be of good cheer; for, truly, I think, you are

hat Lorenzo, I commit into your hands damned. There is but one hope in it that can do any

L The husbandry and manage of my house, good; and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither.

Has Until my lord's return: for mine own part,

Jess. And what hope is that, I pray thee? I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow,

Je Laun. Marry, you may partly hope that your father

L To live in prayer and comtemplation, got you not, that you are not the Jew's daughter.

JE Ouly attended by Nerissa here, Jess. That were a kind of bastard hope, indeed; so

1 Until her husband and my lord's return:

the sins of my mother should be visited upon me. There is a monastery two miles off, Laun. Truly then I fear you are damned both by fa

Is And there we will abide. I do desire you,

ther and mother: thus when I shun Scylla, your father, Not to deny this imposition ;

I fall into Charybdis, your mother: well, you are gone
The which my love, and some necessity,
Now lays upon you.

Jess. I shall be saved by my husband ; le hath made
Lor. Madam, with all my heart;

me a Christian, I shall obey you in all fair commands.

Laun. Truly, the more to blame he: we were ChriPor. My people do already know my mind, stians enough before ; e'en as many as could well live, And will acknowledge you and Jessica

one by another: this making of Christians will raise In place of lord Bassanio and myself.

the price of hogs; if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we So fare you well, till we shall meet again.

shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money. Lor. Fair thonghts, and happy hours, attend on you! Jer. I wish your ladyship all heart's content.

Enter LORENZO. Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas’d Jess. I'll tell my husband, Launcelot, what you say;

1 To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica !

here he comes. [Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo. Lor. I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Launcelot, Now, Balthazar,

if

you thus get my wife into corners. As I have ever found thee honest, true,

Jes. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo; Launcelot So let me find thee still: take this same letter, and I are out : he tells me flatly, there is no mercy for And use thou all the endeavour of a man,

me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter: and he In speed to Padua; see thou render this

says, you are no good member of the commonwealth; Into.my cousin's hand, doctor Bellario;

for, in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, priceof pork. Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed

Lor. Ishall answer that better to the commonwealth Unto the tranect, to the common ferry,

than you can the getting up of the negro's belly; the
Which trades to Venice:-waste no time in words, Moor is with child by you, Launcelot.
But get thee goue; I shall be there before thee. Laun. It is much, that the Moor should be more than
Balth. Madam, I go with all convenient speed. (Exit. reason: but if she be less than an honest woman, she

Por. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand, is, indeed, more than I took her for.
That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands, Lor. Howevery fool can play upon the word! I think,
Before they think of us,

the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence; Ner. Shall they see us?

and discourse grow commendable in none only but Por. They shall, Nerissa; butin such a habit, parrots.—Go in, sirrah ; bid them prepare for dinner. That they shall think, we are accomplished

Laun. That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. With what we lack. I'll hold thee any wager, Lord. Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you ! then When we are both accouter'd like young men,

bid them prepare

dinner. I'll prove the prettiet fellow of the two,

Laun. That is done too, sir ; only, cover is the word.
And wear my dagger with the braver grace;

Lor. Will you cover then, sir?
And speak, between the change of man and boy, Laun. Not so, sir, neither; I know my daty.
With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occasion!
Into a manly stride; and speak of frays,

Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an in-
Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lies, stant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain

ia How honourable ladies sought my love,

meaning: go to thy fellows ; bid them cover the table, Which I denying, they fell sick and died;

serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.

а

IV.

Laun. For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the To offices of tender courtesy.
meat, sir,it shall be covered; for your coming in to din- We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
ner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose;
govern.

(Exit Launcelot. And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn,
Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited! To have the due and forfeit of my bond.
The fool hath planted in his memory

If you deny it, let the danger light
An army of good words; and I do know

Upon your charter, and your city's freedom.
A many fools, that stand in better place,

You'll ask me, why I rather choose to have
Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word

A weight of carrion flesh, than to receive
Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica ?

Three thousand ducats : I'll not answer that:
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,

But, say, it is my humour: is it answer'd ?
How dost thou like the lord Bassanio's wife?

What if my house be troubled with a rat,
Jes. Past all expressing: it is very meet,

And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats
The lord Bassanio live an upright life;

To have it baned? What, are you answer'd yet?
For, having such a blessing in his lady,

Some men there are, love not a gaping pig;
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth;

Some, that are mad, if they hehold a cat;
And, if on earth he do not mean it, it

And others, when the bag-pipe sings i’ the nose,
Is reason he should never come to heaven.

Cannot contain their urine; for affection,
Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match, Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood
And on the wager lay two earthly women,

Of what it likes, or loaths. Now, for your answer:
And Portia one, there must be something else As there is no firm reason to be render'd,
Pawn'd with the other: for the poor rude world Why he cannot abide a gaping pig;
Hath not her fellow.

Why he a harmless necessary cat;
Lor. Even such a husband

Why he a swollen bag-pipe; but of force
Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife.

Must yield to such inevitable shame,
Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.

As to offend, himself being offended ;
Lor. I will anon; first, let us go to dinner.

So can I give no reason, nor I will not,
Jes. Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach, More than a lodg’d hate, and a certain loathing,
Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; I bear Antonio, that I follow thus
Then, howsoe'er thou speak’st, ’mong other things, A losing suit against him. Are you answer’d?
I shall digest it.

Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,
Jes. Well, I'll set you forth.

[Exeunt. To excuse the current of thy cruelty.

Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. А ст

Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not love?

Shy. Hates any man the thing, he would not kill ?
SCENE 1.–Venice. A court of justice. Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first.
Enter the Duke, the Magnificues ; Antonio, Bassanio, Shy. What, woald'st thou have a serpent sting thee
GratiaNO, SALARINO, Salario, and others.

twice?
Duke. What, is Antonio here?
Ant. Ready, so please your grace.

Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew:

You may as well go stand upon the beach,
Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer And bid the inain flood bate his usual height;
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,

You may as well use question with the wolf,
Uncapable of pity, void and empty

Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;
From any dram of mercy.

You may as well forbid the mountain pines
Ant. I have heard,

To wag their high tops, and to make no noise,
Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven;
His rigorous course; but since lre stands obdurate, You may as well do anything most hrard,
And that no lawful means can carry me

As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?)
Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose

His Jewish heart:- therefore, I do beseech yon,
My patience to his fury; and am arm’d

Make no more offers, use no farther means,
To suffer, with a quietness of spirit,

But, with all brief and plain conveniency,
The very tyranny and rage
of his.

Let me have judgement, and the Jew his will.
Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court ! Bass. For thy three thousand ducats here is six.
Salan. He's ready at the door: he comes, my lord. Shy. If every ducat in six thousand ducats

Were in six parts, and every part a ducat,
Enter SarLOCK.

I would not draw them, I would have my bond.
Duke. Makeroom, and let him stand before our face !- Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,

none?
That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought,

Shy.What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?
Thou’lt
show thy mercy, and remorse, more strange Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules,

You have among you many a purchas'd slave,
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty:

You use in abject and in slavish parts,
And where thou now exact'st the penalty,
(Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,)

Because you bought them :— shall I say to you,
Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture,

Let them be free, marry them to your heirs ?
But, touch'd with human gentleness and love,

Why sweat they under burdens? let their beds
Forgive a moiety of the principal ;

Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates
Glaucing an eye of pity on hislosses,

Be season'd with such viands ? You will answer,
That have of late so huddled on his back;

The slaves are ours :-so do I answer you:
Enough to press a royal merchant down,

The pound of flesh, which I demand of him,
And pluck commiseration of his state

Is dearly bought, is mine, and I will have it:
From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts offlint,

If you deny me, fie upon your law!
From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd

There is no force in the decrees of Venice:
I stand for judgement: answer; shall I have it?

ruke. Upon my power, I may dismiss this court, Are you acquainted with the difference Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,

That holds this present question in the court? Whom I have sent for to determine this,

Por. I am informed throughly of the cause. Come here to-day.

Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Salar. My lord, here stays without

Duke. Antonio and old Slıylock, both stand forth. A messenger withletters from the doctor,

Por. Is your name Shylock?
New come from Padua.

Shy. Sliylock is my name.
Duke. Bring us the letters ; call the messenger! Por. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow;
Bass. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man? courage yet! Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed.
Lre thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood, You stand within his danger,do yon not?[To Antonio.
Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock,

Ant. Ay, so he says.
Meetest for death; the weakest kind of fruit

Por. Do you confess the bond? Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me:

Ant, I do. You cannot better be employ’d, Bassanio,

Por. Then must the Jew be merciful. Than to live still and write mine epitaph.

Shy. On what compulsion must I ? tell me that.

Por. The quality of mercy is not strain'd; Enter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk.

It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven
Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Upon the place beneath; it is twice bless'd;
Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes :

| Presents a letter. "Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? The throned monarch better than his crown:
Sly. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
Gra. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, The attribute to awe and majesty,
Thou mak'st thy knife keen: but no metal can, Wherein doth sitthe dread and fear of kings;
No, not the hangman's ax, bear half the keenness But mercy is above this scepter'd sway,
Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
Sly. No, none that thou hast wit enough to make. It is an attributeto God himself;
Gra. 0, be thou damn’d, inexorable dog!

Aud earthly power doth then show likest God's
And for thy life let justice be accus’d.

When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Thou almost mak’st me waver in nıyfaith,

Though justice be thy plea, consider this, -To hold opinion with Pythagoras,

That, in the course of justice, none of us That souls of animals infuse themselves

Should see salvation: we do

pray

for mercy, Into the trunks of'men: thy currish spirit

And that same prayer doth teach us all to rcuder
Govern’d a wolf, who, liang'd for human slaughter, The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,

To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
And, whilst thou lay'st in thy uhallow'd dam, Which ifthou follow, this strict court of Venice
Infus’d itself in thee; for thy desires

Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. Are wolfish, bloody, starvd, and ravenous.

Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
Shy. Till thou can'st rail the seal from off my bond, The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
Thou but oftend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Por. Is he not able to discharge the money?
Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall

Bass. Yes, here Itender it for him in the court:
To cureless ruin. - I stand here for law.

Yea twice thesum: if that will not suffice,
Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er,
A young and learned doctor to our court:-

On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart:
Where is he?

If this will not suflice, it must appear,
Ner. He attendeth here hard by,

| That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. Wrest once the law to your authority:

Duke.With all my heart:--some three or four of you, To do a great right, do a little wrong ;
Go give him courteous conduct to this place!-- And curb this oruel devil of his will!
Mean time, the court shall hear Bellario's letter. Por. It must not be; there is no power in Venice

(Clerk reads.] Your grace shall understand, that, at Can alter a decree established:
the receipt of your letier, I am very sick: but in the in- 'Twill be recorded for a precedent;
stani that your messenger came, in loving visitation And many an error, by the same example
was with mea young doctor of Rome,his name is Bal- Willrush into the state: it cannot be.
thasar: I aeqnainted him with the cause in controver- Shy. A Daniel come to judgment:-yea, a Daniel!-
sy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we o wise young judge, how do I honour thee!
turned o'er many books together: he is furnish'd with Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond!
my opinion ; which, better'd with his own learning, Shy. Here'tis

, most reverend doctor, here itis.
(the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend, Por. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee.
comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your shy. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven:
grace's request in my stead Ibeseech you,let hislackof Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
years

be no impediment to let him lack a reverend No, not for Venice.
estimation ; for I never knew so young a body with so Por. Why, this bond is forfeit;
old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, And lawfully by this the Jew may claim
whose trial shall better publish his commendation. A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off

Duke. You hear the learu'd Bellario, what he writes : Nearest the merchant's heart:- be merciful;
And here, I tak it, is thee doctor come.-

Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.
Enter Portia, dressed like a doctor of laws.

Shy. When it is paid according to the tenour.

It doth appear, you are a worthy judge;
Give me your hand: cameyou from old Bellario? You know the law, your exposition
Por. I did, my lord.

Ilath been most sound : I charge you by the law,
Duke. You are welcome: take your place!

Whereofyou are a well-deserving pillar,

Proceed to judgement! by my soul I swear, Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;
There is no power in the tongue of man

But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
To alter me: I stay here on my bond.

One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods
Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court

Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate
To give the judgment.

Unto the state of Venice.
Por. Why then, thus it is:

Gra.O upright judge!-Mark,Jew;-0 learned judge!
You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

Shy. Is that the law?
Shy. O noble judge! O excellent young man! Por. Thyself shalt see the act:
Por. For the intent and purpose of the law

For, as thou argest justice, be assur'd,
Hath full relation to the penalty,

Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir'st.
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

Gar.O learned judge!-Mark,Jew;—a learned judge!
Shy. 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge! Shy. I take this offer then; --pay the bond thrice,
How much more elder art thou, than thy looks! And let the Christian go!
Por. Therefore lay bare your bosom!

Bass. Here is the money.
Shy. Ay, his breast:

Por. Soft;
So says the bond; — doth it not, noble judge?- The Jew shall have all justice; -- soft!--no haste !--
Nearest his heart, those are the very words.

He shall have nothing but the penalty.
Por. It is so. Are there balance here, to weigh Gar. O Jew! au upright judge, a learned judge!
The flesh ?

Por. Therefore, prepare thee to cut off the flesh!
Shy. I have them ready.

Shed thou no blood ; nor cut thou less, nor more,
Por. Haveby some surgeon,Shylock,on, your charge, But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak’st more,
To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. Or less, than a just ponud, -beit but so much
Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond ?

As makes it light, or heavy, in the substance,
Por. It is not so express'd; but what of that? Or the division of the twentieth part
'Twere good you do so much for charity.

Ofone poor scruple; nay, if the scale do turn
Shy. I cannot find it;'tis not in the bond.

But in the estimation of a hair,-
Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say? Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
Ant. But little; I am arm’d, and well prepar’d.- Gra. A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!
Give me your hand, Bassanio; fare you well! Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip.
Grieve not, that I am fallen to this for you;

Por. Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture!
For herein fortune shows herself more kind,

Shy. Give me my principal, and let me go!
Than is her custom ; it is still her use,

Buss. I have it ready for thee; here it is.
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,

Por. He hath refus'd it in the open court;
To view with hollow eye, and wrinkled brow, He shall have merely justice, and his bond.
An age of poverty; from which lingering penance Gra. A Daniel, still say I; a second Daniel !
Of such a misery doth she cut me off.

I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.
Commend me to your honourable wife:

Shy. Shall I not have barely my principal?
Tell her the process of Antonio's end,

Por. Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture
Say, how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death; To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.
And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge, Shy. Why then the devil give him good of it!
Whether Bassanio had not once a love!

I'll stay no longer question.
Repent not you, that you shall lose your friend, Por. Tarry, Jew;
And he repents not, that he pays your debt; The law hath yet another hold on you.
For, if the Jew do cut but deep enough,

It is enacted in the laws of Venice, -,
I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.

Ifit be prov'd against an alien,
Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife,

That by direct, or indirect, attempts,
Which is as dear to me, as life itself;

He seek the life of any citizen,
But life itself, my wife, and all the world,

The party, 'gainst the which he doth contrive,
Are not with me esteem'd above thy life:

Shall seize one half his goods: the other half
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all

Comes to the privy coffer of the state;
Here to this devil, to deliver you.

And the oflender's life lies in the mercy
Por. Your wife would give you little thanks for that, of the dukeonly, 'gainst all other voice.
If she were by, to hear you make the offer.

In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st:
Gra. I have a wife, whom, I protest, I love; For it appears by manifest proceeding,
I would she were in heaven, so she could

That, indirectly, and directly too,
Entreat some power to changethis currish Jew. Thon hast contriv'd against the very life
Ner. 'Tis well you offer it behind her back;

Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd
The wish would make else an unquiet house. The danger formerly by me rehears’d.
Shy. These be the Christian husbands: I have a Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke!
daughter;

Gra.Beg, that thou may'st have leave to hang thyself!
Would, any of the stock of Barrabas

And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,
Had been her husband , rather than a Christian! Thou hast not left the value of a cord;

[ Aside. Therefore, thou must be hang'd at the state's charge. We trifle time; I pray thee, pursue sentence!

Duke. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,
Por. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine; I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it:
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.

For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;
Shy. Most rightful judge!

The other half comes to the general state,
Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast;Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
The law allows it, and the court awards it.

Por. Ay, for the state; not for Antonio.
Shy.Most learned judge!— A sentence;come, prepare! Shy. Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that!
Por. Tarry a little; -- there is something else.

You take my house, when you do take the prop This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;

That doth sustain my house ; you take my life, The words expressly are: a pound of flesh.

When you do take the means, whereby I live.