Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond. Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none ? Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? Because you bought them.-Shall I say to you, There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salar. My lord, here stays without Duke. Bring us the letters; call the messenger. age yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Enter NERISSA, dressed like a Lawyer's Clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my lord. Bellario greets your [Presents a letter. grace. Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Shy. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there. Gra. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, Thou mak'st thy knife keen; but no metal can, No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? Shy. No, none that thou hast wit enough to make. Gra. O, be thou damned, inexorable dog! And for thy life let justice be accused. Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit, Governed a wolf, who, hanged for human slaughter, Are wolfish, bloody, starved, 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.— Ner. He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. [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 Bal thasar. I acquainted him with the cause in 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 1 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? 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 impugn1 you, as you do proceed 2 You stand within his danger, do you not? 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 strained; 1 To impugn is to oppose, to controvert. 2 i. e. within his reach or control. The phrase is thought to be derived from a similar one in the monkish Latin of the middle age. It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven 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? 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.1 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. 1 i. e. malice oppressed honesty; a true man, in old language, is an honest We now call the jury good men and true. man. Shy. A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel !--O wise young judge, how do I honor 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. 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, Por. Why, then, thus it is. 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?- 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. |