Lor. Even such a husband Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife. Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. Lor. I will anon; first, let us go to dinner. Jes. Nay, let me praise you, while I have a stomach. Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it. Jes. Well, I'll set you forth. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.-Venice. A Court of Justice. Enter the DUKE, the Magnificoes; ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, SALARINO, SOLANIO, and others. Duke. What, is Antonio here? Ant. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Ant. I have heard Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, Out of his envy's reach,a I do oppose My patience to his fury; and am arm'd Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Enter SHYLOCK. Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act; and then, 't is thought Thou 'It show thy mercy and remorse, more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty: And where thou now exact'st the penalty, (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,) a Envy's reach. Envy is here used in the sense of malice, hatred; as in the translation of the Bible (Mark xv. 10). Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond: Master of passion, sways it to the mood a Of what it likes, or loathes: Now, for your answer. Why he cannot abide a gaping pig; Why he, a harmless necessary cat ; Why he, a woollen bagpipe,-but of force Must yield to such inevitable shame, a Affection, either for love or dislike-sympathy or antipathy -being the master of passion-sways it (passion) to the mood of what it (affection) likes or loathes. As to offend, himself being offended; So can I give no reason, nor I will not, More than a lodg'd hate, and a certain loathing, A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Shy. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew,a As seek to soften that (than which what 's harder?) I would not draw them, I would have my bond. Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, a The construction of this line appears to us elliptical: we believe that it should be understood thus: "I pray you, think, [if] you question with the Jew." Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: I stand for judgment: answer, shall I have it? Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Solan. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters; Call the messenger. Bass. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man! courage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace. [Presents a letter. Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Shy. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrot there. |