The words exprefly are, a pound of flesh. One drop of chriftian blood; thy lands and goods [judge! Gra. O upright judge--mark, Jew, O learned Shy. Is that the law? Per. Thy felf shall see the Act: For as thou urgeft juftice, be affur'd, Thou shalt have juftice, more than thou defir'st. Baff. Here is the mony. Por. The few fhall have all juftice-foft! no hafteHe shall have nothing but the penalty. Gra. O few, an upright judge! a learned judge! Thou dieft, and all thy goods are confiscate. Το To be so taken at thy peril, Jew. Shy. Why, then the devil give him good of it! I'll ftay no longer question. Por. Tarry, Jew. The law hath yet another hold on you. The party, 'gainst the which he doth contrive, Thou haft contriv'd against the very life Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke. Gra. Beg, that thou may'ft have leave to hang thy felf: And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Therefore, thou must be hang'd at the state's charge. Duke. That thou may'ft fee the diff'rence of our fpirit, I pardon thee thy life before thou afk it. Gra. Gra. A halter gratis; nothing else, for God's fake. Anth. So please my lord the Duke, and all the Court, To quit the fine for one half of his goods; I am content, fo he will let me have The other half in ufe, to render it Upon his death unto the gentleman, Two things provided more, that for this favour The other, that he do record a Gift Here in the Court, of all he dies poffefs'd, Duke. He fhall do this, or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here. Por. Art thou contented, Jew? what doft thou say? Shy. I am content. Por. Clerk, draw a Deed of gift. Shy. I pray you, give me leave to go from hence; I am not well; fend the Deed after me, And I will fign it. Duke. Get thee gone, but do it. Gra. In chrift'ning thou fhalt have two godfathers. Had I been judge, thou shouldft have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not the font. [Exit Shylock Duke. Sir, I intreat you home with me to dinner. Por. I humbly do defire your Grace's pardon; I must away this night to Padua, And it is meet, I prefently fet forth. Duke. I'm forry, that your leisure serves you not. Anthonio, gratify this gentleman; For, in my mind, you are much bound to him. [Exit Duke and his train. Baff. Moft worthy gentleman, I and my friend Por. He is well paid, that is well fatisfy'd; Baff. Dear Sir, of force I must attempt you further. Por. You prefs me far, and therefore I will yield. Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your fake; And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you. Do not draw back your hand, I'll take no more; And you in love fhall not deny me this. Baff. This ring, good Sir, alas, it is a trifle; Baff. There's more depends on this, than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation; Only for this, I pray you, pardon me. Por. I fee, Sir, you are liberal in offers; You taught me firit to beg, and now, methinks, You teach me how a beggar fhould be answer'd. Por. That's 'fcufe ferves many men to fave their gifts; And if your wife be not a mad woman, And know how well I have deferv'd the ring, [Exit with Neriffa. Baff. Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him, Re-enter Portia and Neriffa. [Exeunt. Por. Enquire the Jew's house out, give him this Deed, And let him fign it. We'll away to night, And be a day before our husbands home. Enter Gratiano. Gra. Fair Sir, you are well o'erta'en: Por. That cannot be. This ring I do accept most thankfully. And fo, I pray you, tell him. Furthermore, Ner. Sir, I would fpeak with you. I'll fee if I can get my hufband's ring: Hh 2 [To Por. Which |