Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Shy. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice! As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) bond. I would not draw them, I would have my You have among you many a purchased slave, say You will answer, Because you bought them: · Shall I There is no force in the decrees of Venice! I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? Duke. Upon my power, I may dismiss this court, Unless Bellario, a learnëd doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Solan. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, A Duke. Bring us the letters: call the messenger. Enter NERISSA. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? 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. Go, give him courteous conduct to this place. Enter PORTIA. Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario? Duke. You are welcome: Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court? Por. I am informed thoroughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Duke. Antonio and 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. Por. Do you confess the bond? Por. Then must the Jew be merciful. you, [TO ANTONIO. Shy. On what compulsion must I? Tell me that. Por. The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blessed; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway, 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? 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, If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you And curb this cruel villain of his will. 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, Will rush into the state: it cannot be. Shy. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel ! wise young judge, how do I honor thee! Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shy. Here 't is, 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; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim Hath been most sound; I charge you by the law, Proceed to judgment: There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me: I stay here on my bond. Ant. 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! Shy. Ay, his breast: So says the bond: Nearest the heart, Por. It is so. The flesh? Doth it not, noble judge? those are the very words. Are there balances here to weigh Shy. I have them ready. 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 expressed; but what of that? 'T were good you do so much for charity. Shy. I cannot find it; 't is not in the bond. Por. Come, merchant, have you anything to say? To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Shy. We trifle time; I pray thee pursue sentence. Shy. Most rightful judge! 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, pre pare. 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, One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Unto the state of Venice. Gra. O upright judge! - Mark, Jew! Por. Thyself shalt see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assured - O learnëd judge! Thou shalt have justice more than thou desirest. Gra. O learned judge! — Mark, Jew ; a learned judge! · pay the bond thrice, |