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: 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? 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 impugn1 you, as you do proceed.- Por. [To Antonio. Do you confess the bond? Then must the Jew be merciful. Shy. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. Por. The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven (1) Oppose. (2) Reach or control. Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; 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 Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. Shy. My deed's 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 heart : If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, To do a great right, do a little wrong; 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! 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 ; Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court 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 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?Nearest his heart, those are the very words. 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 do bleed to death. Por. It is not so express'd; But what of that? To let the wretched man out-live his wealth, Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife, Por. Your wife would give you little thanks for If she were by, to hear you make the offer. 'Would any of the stock of Barabbas 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. Por, And you must cut this flesh from off his breast; 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 : Take then 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. Gra. O upright judge!-Mark, Jew ;-O learned judge! Shy. Is that the law? Por. Thyself shalt 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 |