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The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings:
It is an attribute to God himself;

But mercy is above this scepter'd sway,

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;

And earthly pow'r doth then shew likest Heav'n's, When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Tho' justice be thy plea, consider this,

That, in the course of justice, none of us

Should see salvation.

And that same pray'r

We do

We do pray for mercy;

doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much, To mitigate the justice of thy plea;

Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs givesentence'gainst the merchant there. Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

Por. Is he not able to discharge the money? Bass. Yes, here I tender it for him in the court; Yea, twice the sum; if that will not suffice,

I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er,
On forfeit of my hands, my head, my

If that will not suffice, it must appear

heart,

That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you,

Wrest once the law to your authority;

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.

'Twill be recorded for a precedent;

And many an error by the same example,
Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

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 'tis most reverend doctor, here it is. Por. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offered thee. [Heav'n. Shy. An oath, an oath-I have an oath in Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

No, not for Venice.

Por. Why this bond is forfeit ;

And lawfully by this the Jew may claim
A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off.
Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful,
Take thrice thy money bid me tear thy bond.
Shy. When it is paid, according to the tenour.
It doth appear you are a worthy judge;
You know the law: your exposition

Hath been most sound. I charge you, by the law,
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,
"Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear,

There is no power in the tongue of man,

To alter me. I stay here on my bond.

Anth. Most heartily I do beseech the court

To give the judgment.

Por. Why then thus it is;

You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

Shy. O noble judge! O excellent young man! Por. For the intent and purpose of the law, Hath full relation to the penalty,

Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

Shy. 'Tis very true. O wise and upright judge,
How much more older art thou than thy looks!
Por. Therefore lay bare your bosom.
Shy. Ay, his breast:

So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?
Nearest his heart; those are the very words.

Por. It is so. Are there scales, to weigh the
Shy. I have them ready. (60)

[flesh? Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your

charge,

To stop his wounds, lest he should bleed to death. Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond?

Por. It is not so express'd but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much, for charity.

Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.
Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say?
Anth. But little: I am arm'd, and well prepar❜d.

(60) I have the scales ready. If the form of the rays of light on Gratiano's person (who is the same as Talgol in Hudibras) be observed with reference to their position in regard to Shylock, they will be seen to exhibit a resemblance to a pair of scales, held as it were under Shylock's

arm.

Give me your hand Bassanio; fare you well!
Grieve not that I am fall'n to this for you:
For herein fortune shews herself more kind,
Than is her custom. It is still her use,

To let the wretched man out-live his wealth;
To view with hollow eye, and wrinkled brow,
An age of poverty; from which ling'ring penance
Of such misery doth she cut me off,

Commend me to your honourable wife;

Tell her the process of Anthonio's end;

Say, how I lov'd you; speak me fair in death;
And, when the tale is told bid her be judge,
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Repent not that you should lose your friend;
And he repents not, that he pays your debt;
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,

I'll

pay

it instantly with all my heart. Bass. Anthonio, I am married to a wife, Which is as dear to me as life itself;

But life itself, my wife, and all the world,

Are not with me esteemed above thy life.

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;
I would she were in Heav'n, so she could
Intreat some pow'r to change this currish Jew.
Ner. 'Tis well you offer it behind her back:
The wish would make else an unquiet house.

Shy. These be the christian husbands! I've a Would any of the stock of Barabbas [daughter; Had been her husband, rather than a christian !

[Aside.

We trifle time; I pray thee, pursue sentence.
Por. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is

thine,

The court awards it and the law doth give it.
Shy. Most rightful judge!

[breast,
Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his
The law allows it, and the court awards it. [pare.
Shy. Most learned judge! a sentence; come, pre-
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 the pound of flesh;
But, in the cutting of it, if thou dost shed
One drop of christian blood, thy lands and goods
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscated

Unto the state of Venice.

[judge!

Gra. O upright Judge! mark, jew; O learned 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.

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