Gra. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, That souls of animals infuse themselves Are wolfish, bloody, sterv'd,b and ravenous. Shy. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth; or it will fall To cureless ruin.-I stand here for law. Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court :Where is he? Ner. He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you 'll admit him. you Go give him courteous conduct to this place.- [Clerk reads. "Your grace shall understand that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome; a Inexecrable. In is used as an augmentative particle, the sense being most execrable. Sterv'd-synonymous with starved, and used by Spenser and the elder poets. his name is Balthasar: I acquainted him with the cause în controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turned o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion; which, bettered with his own learning (the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend), comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation; for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation." Duke. You hear the learned Bellario, what he writes: And here, I take it, is the doctor come. Enter PORTIA, dressed like a doctor of laws. Give me your hand: Came you from old Bellario? Por. I did, my lord. Duke. You are welcome: take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court? Shy. Shylock is my name. Por. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed.- Por. Ant. I do. Por. [TO ANT. Do you confess the bond? Then must the Jew be merciful. Shy. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven a Dr. Jamieson says,-" In his dawnger, under his dawnger, in his power as a captive. The old French danger frequently occurs as signifying power, dominion." It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes : Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; And earthly power doth then show likest God's Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Por. Is he not able to discharge the money? On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart: That malice bears down truth.a And I beseech you, To do a great right do a little wrong; And curb this cruel devil of his will. Por. It must not be; there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established: "T will be recorded for a precedent; And many an error, by the same example, Will rush into the state: it cannot be. a Truth is here used in the sense of honesty. Shy. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how do I honour thee! Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shy. Here 't is, most reverend doctor, here it is. Por. Shylock, there 's thrice thy money offer'd thee. Shy. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven: Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice. Por. Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Por. Why, then, thus it is: Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Shy. T is very true: O wise and upright judge! How much more elder art thou than thy looks! Por. Therefore, lay bare your bosom. Shy. Ay, his breast: So says the bond;-Doth it not, noble judge?— Por. It is so. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh? Shy. I have them ready. Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he should bleed to death. Por. It is not so express'd; But what of that? 'T were good you do so much for charity. Shy. I cannot find it; 't is not in the bond. Commend me to your honourable wife: Say, how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death; Por. Your wife would give you little thanks for that, If she were by, to hear you make the offer. Gra. I have a wife, whom I protest I love; |