Some men there are, love not a gaping pig; Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood Of what it likes or loathes: Now, for your answer: 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. 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 with the Jew: You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height; As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) BASS. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them, I would have my bond. DUKE, How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none? You have among you many a purchased slave, Because you bought them:-Shall I say to you, Is dearly bought, is mine, and I will have it, There is no force in the decrees of Venice: 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, ANT. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. DUKE. Come 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? And for thy life let justice be accus'd. That souls of animals infuse themselves Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Are wolfish, bloody, starved, and ravenous. SHY. 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 THE TRIAL SCENE. To cureless ruin.-I stand here for law. DUKE. This letter from Bellario doth commenu A young and learned doctor to our court:Where is he? NER. He attendeth here hard by, 141 To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. (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 ac"quainted 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 impor"tunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead. I be"seech 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. 66 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? Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? SHY. Shylock is my name. POR. Of a strange nature is the suit you foilow; Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed,— You stand within his danger, do you not? (to ANTONIO.) ANT. Ay, so he says. POR. Do you confess the bond? ANT. I do. POR. Then must the Jew be merciful. SHY. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. POR. The quality of mercy is not strain'd; 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 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; If this will not suffice, it must appear, 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, Will rush into the state. It cannot be. SHY. A Daniel come to judgment-yea, a Daniel!— O wise young judge, how I do honor 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 Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, ANT. Most heartily I do beseech the court 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! O wise and upright judge! How much more elder art thou than thy looks! POR. Therefore lay bare your bosom. SHY. Ay, his breast: So says the bond.-Doth it not, noble judge ?— 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 anything to say? To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Commend me to your honourable wife : Say, how I loved you, speak me fair in death; |