You use in abject and in slavish parts, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salar. 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 employ'd, 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 ax, 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 damn'd, inexorable dog! That souls of animals infuse themselves Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. Shy. Till thou can'st rail the seal from off my bond, To cureless ruin.-I stand here for law. Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend 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.— Mean time, 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 furnish'd with my opinion; which, better'd 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: 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? Por. I am informed throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Duke. Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth. Por. Is your name Shylock ? Shy. Shylock is my name. Por. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Shy. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, And earthly power doth then show likest God's impugn-] Oppose, controvert. a You stand within his danger,] i. e. Within his reach or control. Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Por. Is he not able to discharge the money? On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart: That malice bears down truth. And I beseech And curb this cruel devil of his will. you 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. 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 'tis, 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. Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim Nearest the merchant's heart: Be merciful; Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, 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. Ay, his breast; Shy. Por. It is so. Are there balance here, to weigh Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, Por. It is not so express'd; But what of that? |