Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates There is no force in the decrees of Venice. 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, New come from Padua. 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 employed, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph. Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace. [Presents a letter. 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. Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend young and learned doctor to our court: Where is he? A 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. Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter. [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 Balthasar. 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 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 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? Por. I did, my lord. 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 impugn you, as you do proceed. [To ANT.] You stand within his danger, do you not? Ant. Ay, so he says. Por. Ant. I do. Por. Do you confess the bond? Then must the Jew be merciful. Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, 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, That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, 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: '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 do I honour 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 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. Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, There is no power in the tongue of man Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court Por. Which here appeareth due upon the bond: 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. 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. 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. To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Say, how I loved you; speak me fair in death; Are not with me esteemed above thy life; I would lose all, ay sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to deliver you. 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 heaven, so she could Shy. [Aside. These be the Christian husbands: I have a daughter; Would any of the stock of Barrabas Had been her husband rather than a Christian! [Aloud.] 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, prepare. Por. Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Gra. O upright judge! Mark, Jew! O learned judge! Thyself shall see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assured Thou shalt have justice more than thou desirest. 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. Por. Soft; Here is the money. The Jew shall have all justice; soft; no haste; He shall have nothing but the penalty. |