You ufe in abject and in flavish part, There is no force in the decrees of Venice. Whom I have fent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Sal. My Lord, here stays without, A meffenger with letters from the Doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters, call the meffenger. Baff. Good cheer, Anthonio; what, man, courage yet, The Jew fhall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Ere thou shalt lofe for me one drop of blood. Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meeteft for death: the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and fo let me. You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph. SCENE II. Enter Neriffa, drefs'd like a lawyer's clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my Lord. Bellario greets your Grace. Bal. Why doft thou whet thy knife fo earnestly? [The Few whetting his knife on the fole of his fhoe.] Shy. To cut the forfeit from that bankrupt there. Gra. Not on thy fole, but on thy foul, harfh Jew, Thou mak'ft thy knife keen; for no metal can, No, not the hangman's ax, bear half the keennefs Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? L 2. Sh Shy. No, Thy currifh fpirit Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human flaughter, Are wolfish, bloody, ftarv'd, and ravenous A my bond, Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend young and learned doctor to our court. Where is he? Ner. He attendeth here hard by To know your anfwer, whether you'll admit him. YOUR Grace fall understand, that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very fick: but at the inftant that your messenger came, in loving vifitation was with me a young Doctor of Rome, his name is Balthafar. I acquainted him with the caufe in controverfy between the Jew and Anthonio the merchant. We turn'd o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning, (the greatness whereaf I cannot enough commend,) comes with him at my importunity, to fill up your Grace's request in my flead. I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment, to let him lack a reverend eflimation; for I never knew so young a body with fo old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whofe trial all better publifh his commendation. Enter Portia, dress'd like a Doctor of Laws. Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes, And And here, I take it, is the Doctor come. Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario? Por. I did, my Lord. Duke. You're welcome; take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this prefent queftion in the court? Por. I am informed throughly of the cafe. Which is the merchant here? and which the Jew?' Duke. Anthonio and old Shylock, both ftand forth. Por. Is your name Shylock? Shy. Shylock is my name. Por. Of a frange nature is the fuit you follow; Yet in fuch rule, that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed. You ftand within his danger; do you not? Ant. Ay, fo he says. Por. Do you confefs the bond? Ant. I do. Por. Then muft the Jew be merciful. [To Anthe Shy. On what compulfion muft I? tell me that. • Wherein doth fit the dread and fear of kings;, • It is enthroned in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute to God himfelf; And earthly power doth then shew likeft God's, Should fee falvation. We do pray for mercy; Which if thou follow, this ftrict court of Venice Shy. Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, Por. Is he not able to discharge the money? That malice bears down truth. And I befeech you, To do a great right, do a little wrong; Por. It must not be; there is no pow'r in Venice 'Twill be recorded for a precedent: And many an error, by the fame example, Shy. A Daniel esme to judgment! yea, a Daniel. No, not for Venice. Por. Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim Hath been moft found. I charge you by the law, Proceed to judgment. By my foul 1 fwear, Ant. Moft heartily I do befeech the court To give the judgment. Por. Why, then thus it is; You muit prepare your bofom for his knife. Shy. 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 wife and upright judge, How much more elder art thou than thy looks! Por. Therefore lay bare your bofom. Shy. Ay, his breast; So fays the bond; doth it not, noble judge? very words. Por. It is fo. Are there fcales to weigh the flefh? Shy. I have them ready. Por. Have by fome furgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To ftop his wounds, left he should bleed to death. Shy. Is it fo nominated in the bond? Por. It is not fo exprefs'd; but what of that? "Twere good, you do fo much for charity. Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say? Ant. But little. I am arm'd, and well prepar'd. Give me your hand, Baffanio, fare you well! Grieve not that I am fall'n to this for you: "For herein fortune fhews herself more kind, "Than is her cuftom. It is still her use, "To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, "To view with hollow eye, and wrinkled brow, "An age of poverty:" from which ling'ring penance Of such a misery doth the cut me off. Commend me to your honourable wife; 1 |