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. Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew. As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) I would not draw them: I would have my bond. Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? Because you bought them:-shall I say to you, 1 in f. e. : You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb. VOL. II.-35 Be season'd with such viands? You will answer, There is no force in the decrees of Venice. Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salar. 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, Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood. Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death: the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me. You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph. Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. And for thy life let justice be accus'd! That souls of animals infuse themselves Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, 1 Not in f. e. 2 f. e., in part: inexerable. And whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, 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. Duke. With all my heart:-some three or four of 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; his name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio, the merchant: we turned o'er many books together: he is furnish'd with my opinion; which, better'd 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 learn'd 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. 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? Por. I am informed throughly of the cause.Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Duke. Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth. Por. Is your name Shylock? 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.— You stand within his danger,' do you not? [To ANTONIO. Ant. Ay, so he says. Por. Ant. I do. Por. Do you confess the bond? Then must the Jew be merciful. It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself, 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? That malice bears down truth: and, I beseech you, 1 An old phrase for being in the power of, as well as, indebted to. 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, Shy. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel !O, wise young judge, how I do honour thee! Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shy. Here 'tis, most reverend doctor; here it is. [Showing it. 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. Why, this bond is forfeit, You know the law; your exposition Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court Por. Shy. O, noble judge! O, excellent young man! Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Ay, his breast; 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. So says the bond:-doth it not, noble judge?— Nearest his heart: those are the very words. Por. It is so. Are there balance here to weigh The flesh? 1 Not in f. e. |