To have it baned? What, are you answer'd yet? Of what it likes or loaths: now, for your answer : A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd ? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice? Ant. I pray you, think you question Jew: with the You may as well go stand upon the beach, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) none? • Crying. + Prejudice. Converse. Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchased slave, Because you bought them:-Shall I say to you, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? Whom I have sent for to determine this, Salar. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters; Call the messenger. yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Enter NERISSA, dress'd like a Lawyer's Clerk. 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! And for thy life let justice be accused. That souls of animals infuse themselves. Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Are woolfish, bloody, starved, and ravenous. Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: 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 Balthazar: I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turn'd 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 his 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. [writes: Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he And here, I take it, is the doctor come. Enter PORTIA, dress'd like a Doctor of Laws. Give me your hand: Came you from old Bellario? Por. I did, my lord. 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; Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed- Ant. Ay, so he says. Por. Do you confess the bond? Ant. I do. Por. Then must the Jew be merciful. [To Antonio. Shy. On what compulsion must I? Tell me that. Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then shew likest God's, Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. 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, On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart: That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, + Reach or control. • Oppose. Wrest once the law to your authority: 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, Shy. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how do I honour thee! 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, 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: Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Shy. 'Tis very true: 0 wise and upright judge So says the bond:-Doth it not, noble judge ?- Por. It is so. Are there balance here, to weigh The flesh? Shy. I have them ready. |