The law allows it, and the court awards it.
Shy. Most learned judge !-A sentence; come,

prepare.
Por. Tarry a little ;-there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;
The words expressly are, a pound of flesh:
Then take thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;.'
But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate
Unto the state of Venice;

320 Gra. O upright judge?-Mark, Jew;- learned

judge! Shy. Is that the law?

Por. Thyself shall see the act : For, as thou urgest justice, be assur’d, Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir'st. Gra. O learned judge !—Mark, Jew ;-a learned

judge! Shy. I take this offer then ;-pay the bond thrice, And let the Christian go.

Bass. Here is the money.

Por. Soft; The Jew shall have all justice ;-soft!--no haste; He shall have nothing but the penalty.

Gra. O Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge!

Por. Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh. Shed thou no blood ; nor cut thou less, nor more, But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak’st more, Or less, than a just pound,—be it but so much

As

330

Bonbery del

Cook fèulp.

11 WACKLIJ’in SHILOCK. 's Mod learned fordype Lahentenee, com

frupare

corner,

London Printed for J.Bell Britith Library Strand, March 2017 88.