If you. deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgement: answer; shall I have it? Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salerio. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua. Duke. Bring us the letters; call the messenger. 100 109 Bassanio. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Antonio. I am a tainted wether of the flock, 118 Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Nerissa. From both, my lord. Bellario greets your grace. [Presenting a letter. Bassanio. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Shylock. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there. Gratiano. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, Thou makest 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? Shylock. No, none that thou hast wit enough to make. Gratiano. O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog! And for thy life let justice be accused. Thou almost makest me waver in my faith To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves 130 Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit Are wolvish, bloody, starved and ravenous. Shylock. 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. Nerissa. He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. 140 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. 148 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 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. Come you from old Bellario? 164 Duke. You are welcome: take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference Shylock. Shylock is my name. Portia. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed. You stand within his danger, do you not? Antonio. Ay, so he says. Portia. Do you confess the bond? 170 Antonio. I do. Portia. Then must the Jew be merciful. Shylock. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. Portia. The quality of mercy is not strain'd, 180 190 And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Portia. Is he not able to discharge the money? 200 Bassanio. 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, 210 To do a great right, do a little wrong, Portia. 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 Shylock. A Daniel come to judgement! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how I do honour thee! 220 Portia. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shylock. Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is. Portia. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee. Shylock. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven: Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice. Portia. Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful: Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond. 230 Shylock. When it is paid according to the tenour. It doth appear you are a worthy judge; Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Proceed to judgement: by my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man Antonio. Most heartily I do beseech the court Portia. Why then, thus it is You must prepare your bosom for his knife. Shylock. O noble judge! O excellent young man! Portia. For the intent and purpose of the law Hath full relation to the penalty Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Shylock. 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge! How much more elder art thou than thy looks! Portia. Therefore lay bare your bosom. Shylock. 240 Ay, his breast: So says the bond: doth it not, noble judge? 250 Portia. It is so. The flesh? Shylock. I have them ready. Portia. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. Shylock. Is it so nominated in the bond? Portia. It is not so express'd: but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity. Shylock. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. Portia. You, merchant, have you any thing to say? Antonio. But little: I am arm'd and well prepared. 260 Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well! |