Shakespeare's play of the Merchant of Venice Part 15

_Enter_ PORTIA, _dressed like a Doctor of Laws_.

Give me your hand: Came you from old Bellario?

_Por_. I did, my lord.

_Duke_. You are welcome: take your place.

Are you acquainted with the difference That holds 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 follow; Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you,[104] as you do proceed.--You stand within his danger,[105] do you not?

[_To_ ANTONIO.

_Ant_. Ay, so he says.

_Por_. So 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;[106]

It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes; 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to G.o.d himself; And earthly power doth then show likest G.o.d's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this---That in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; 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 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?

_Bas_. Yes, here I tender it for him in the court; Yea, thrice 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.[107] And I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority: To do a great right to 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 do I honour 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 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.

_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 soul 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_. Why then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

_Shy_. O n.o.ble judge! O excellent young man!

_Por_. For the intent and purpose of the law 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.

_Shy_. Ay, his breast: So says the bond;--Doth it not, n.o.ble judge?--Nearest his heart, those are the very words.

_Por_. It is so. Are there balance here to weigh The flesh?

_Shy_. I have them ready.

_Por_. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he should 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?

_Ant_. But little; I am arm'd and well prepar'd.-- Give me your hand, Ba.s.sanio; fare you well!

Grieve not that I am 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, To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow, An age of poverty: from which lingering penance Of such a misery doth she cut me off.

Commend me to your honorable wife: Tell her the process of Antonio's end; Say, how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death; And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Ba.s.sanio had not once a love.

Repent not 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 instantly with all my heart.

_Bas_. 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 esteem'd above thy life; I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to deliver you.

_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.

_Shy_. These be the Christian husbands: I have a daughter; Would any of the stock of Barrabas[108]