JES. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. LOR. I will anon; first, let us go to dinner. JES. Nay, let me praise you, while I have a stomach. LOR. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk ; Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it. JES. [Exeunt. SCENE THE FIRST.-VENICE. A Court of Justice. Enter the DUKE, the MAGNIFICOES, ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, SALARINO, SOLANIO, and others. DUKE. What, is Antonio here? ANT. Ready, so please your grace. DUKE. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, DUKE. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. SOLAN. He's ready at the door: he comes, my lord. Enter SHYLOCK. DUKE. Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, And where thou now exact'st the penalty, (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,) Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd To offices of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. SHY. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond. But, say, it is my humour. Is it answer'd? Master of passion, sways it to the mood Of what it likes, or loathes. Now, for your answer. Why he cannot abide a gaping pig; Why he, a harmless necessary cat ; Why he, a woollen bagpipe,—but of force So can I give no reason, nor I will not, A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? To excuse the current of thy cruelty. SHY. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. 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 with the Jew, You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf, Make no more offers, use no farther means, I would not draw them,-I would have my bond. DUKE. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? |