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 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,

185 Yea, twice the sum : if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er, On forfeit of my bands, my head, my heart : If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth.28 And I beseech you

190 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 :

195 "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.

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 ?

205 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. 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, 215
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.

Why then, thus it is :
You must prepare your bosom for his knife-
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-

220

Shy. 'Tis very true : 0 wise and upright judge i

225 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 31 here to weigh the flesh?

230 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 expressed : but what of that?

235 "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

32

say?

240

Ant. But little: I am armed and well

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

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

33

250

Tell her the process of Antonio's end;
Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death ;
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, 255
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 : 260
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.

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 Christian !

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

is thine: The court awards it and the law doth give it - 275

Shy. Most rightful judge !

270

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

flesh;

290

But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and
goods

285
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 learnèd judge !—Mark, Jew :-a

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

;-
thrice,
And let the Christian go.
Bass.

Here is the money.
Por. Soft!
The Jew shall have all justice ;-soft!-no
baste;

295 He shall have nothing but the penalty.