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! Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. [Presents a letter Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? And for thy life let justice be accus'd. That souls of animals infuse themselves Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. Shy. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, To cureless ruin. I stand here for law. 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 turn'd o'er many books together: he is furnish'd with my opinion; which, better'd with his mon 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? You are welcome: take your place. That holds this present question in the court? Shy. 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; It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's [T ANTONIO To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Por. Is he not able to discharge the money? 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: "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 honor thee! Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shy. Here it 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. Why, this bond is forfeit ; Shy. When it is paid according to the tenor.- Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Por. Why then, thus it is. Hath full relation to the penalty, 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. 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 express'd; But what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity. Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say? Repent not you that you shall lose your friend, Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife, 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 Entreat some power to change this currish Jew. Ner. "Tis well you offer it behind her back; The wish would make else an unquiet house. Shy. These be the Christian husbands: I have a daughter; 'Would, any of the stock of Barrabas Had been her husband, rather than a Christian! We trifle time; I pray thee, pursue sentence. Por. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine, The court awards it, and the law doth give it. 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. One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Unto the state of Venice. Gra. O upright judge !—Mark, Jew ;—O learned judge! Por. Thyself shall see the act; For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd, Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir'st. Gra. O learned judge!-Mark, Jew;-a learned judge! Bass. Here is the money. Por. Soft; Gra. O Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! Of one poor scruple: nay, if the scale do turn Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip. Por. Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture. [Aside |