That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice And, where thou now exact'st the penalty, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, 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 : Upon your charter, and your city's freedom. As there is no firm reason to be render'd, So can I give no reason, nor I will not, More than a lodg'd hate, and a certain loathing, I bear Antonio, that I follow thus A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with swer. my an 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; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops, and to make no noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well-do any thing most hard, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) His jewish heart:-Therefore, I do beseech you, Make no more offers, use no further means, But, with all brief and plain conveniency, Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will. Bass. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. Shy. If every ducat in six thousand ducats 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? Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? Because you bought them:-Shall I say to you, Why sweat they under their burdens? let their beds There is no force in the decrees of Venice. Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Sal. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters: Call the messenger. [Exit SALARINO. Bass. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man? courage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Enter SALARINO with NERISSA, dressed like a Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? 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 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, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin,—I stand here for law. Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend A young 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. [Exeunt SALANIO and SALARIno. Mean time, the court shall hear Bellario's letter. 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 furnished 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 him lack a reverent 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 learn'd Bellario, what he writes; And here, I take it, is the doctor come.— Enter SALARINO, PORTIA, Dressed like a Doctor of Give me your hand: Came you from old Bellario? Duke. You are welcome: take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That hold 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 Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed.-You stand within his danger, do you not? Ant. Ay, so he says. Por. Do you confess the bond? Ant. I do. Por. Then must the Jew be merciful. follow; Shy. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, And earthly power doth then show likest God's, |