And that same prayer doth teach us all to

render

The deeds of mercy.-I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;

Which if thou follow this strict court of Venice 180 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:
If this will not suffice, it must appear

That malice bears down truth.28 And I beseech

you

Wrest once 29

the law to your authority: 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 honour thee!
Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond.

185

190

195

200

Shy. Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here

it is.

Por. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offered thee.

Shy. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven :

Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

No, not for Venice!

205

Por. Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart.-Be merciful: Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond. 210 Shy. When it is paid according to the

tenour.

It doth appear you are a worthy judge;
You know the law, your exposition

Hath been most sound: I charge you by the

law,

Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,
Proceed to judgment :-by my life I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me: I stay here on my bond.

Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court
To give the judgment.

Por.

215

Why then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife- 220 Shy. O noble judge! O excellent young

man!

Por. For the intent and purpose of the law Hath full relation to 30 the penalty,

Which here appeareth due upon the bond

Shy. "Tis very true: O wise and upright

judge I

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-
"Nearest his heart:" those are the very words.
Por. It is so.-Are there balance si here to
weigh the flesh ?
Shy. I have them ready.

31

Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on
your charge, 32

To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond?

Por. It is not so expressed: but what of that?

'Twere good you do so much for charity.
Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.
Por. You, merchant, have you anything to
say?

Ant. But little: I am armed and well

pre

pared.-
Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well!
Grieve not that I have fallen to this for you;
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
Than is her custom; it is still her use,
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,

225

230

235

240

To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow 245 An age of poverty; from which from which lingering

penance

Of such misery doth she cut me off.
Commend me to your honourable wife:

Tell her the process of Antonio's end;

33

Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death ; 3°3 250
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Repent but you that you shall lose your friend,
And he repents not that he pays your debt;
For, if the Jew do cut but deep enough,
I'll pay it presently with all my heart.

Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife
Which is as dear to me as life itself;
But life itself, my wife, and all the world
Are not with me esteemed above thy life:
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this fiend, to deliver you.

Por. Your wife would give you little thanks
for that,

If she were by, to hear you make the offer.

255

260

Gra. I have a wife, whom I protest I love: 265 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 Bárabbas

Had been her husband, rather than a Chris

tian

[Aside. We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence. Por. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine:

270

The court awards it and the law doth give it-275 Shy. Most rightful judge!

Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast:

The law allows it and the court awards itShy. Most learnèd judge-A sentence ! come prepare!

34

Por. Tarry a little; there is something else.— 280 This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are, "A pound of flesh :" Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;

But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed

One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods

Are by the laws of Venice confiscate

Unto the state of Venice.

Gra. O upright judge! Mark, Jew:-0 learnéd judge!

Shy. Is that the law?

Por.

Thyself shalt see the act : For, as thou urgest justice, be assured

Thou shalt have justice more than thou desirest.

Gra. O learned judge !-Mark, Jew:-a learned judge!

Shy. I take his offer, then ;-pay the bond

thrice,

And let the Christian go.

Bass.

Por. Soft!

Here is the money.

The Jew shall have all justice ;-soft-no

haste;

He shall have nothing but the penalty.

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290

295