For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir'st. Gra. O learned judge!—Mark, Jew!—a learned judge! And let the Christian go. Bass.-Here is the money. The Jew shall have all justice ;-soft!—no haste ;— Gra.-O, Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! Of one poor scruple! nay, if the scale do turn Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. Por.-Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture. Shy. Why then the devil give him good of it! Por.-Tarry, Jew: That by direct or indirect attempts, He seek the life of any citizen, The party, 'gainst the which he doth contrive, [Retires to the Duke.] Gra.-Beg, that thou may'st have leave to hang thyself: And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Thou hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore, thou must be hang'd at the state's charge. Duke. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit: I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's ; Which humbleness may drive into a fine. Por. [Seated by the DUKE.]-Ay, for the state; not for Antonio. Por. What mercy can you render him, Antonio ? I am content, so he will let me have Two things provided more-that, for this favor, The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess❜d, Unto his son Lorenzo, and his daughter. Duke. He shall do this; or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here. Por.-Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say? I pray you, give me leave to go from hence; I am not well; send the deed after me, And I will sign it. Duke. Get thee gone, but do it. Gra.-In christening thou shalt have two godfathers; [Exit SHYLOCK.] Por.-I humbly desire your grace of pardon; I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth. [TO PORTIA.] Duke. I am sorry that your leisure serves you not. Antonio, gratify this gentleman, For, in my mind, you are much bound to him. [The Court breaks up—äll go out.] SCENE FROM HENRY VIII.-SHAKS. [The tone of WOLSEY should be that of a proud spirit, broken, but not subdued; and at last agonised with remorse. That of CROMWELL should mark the humble, but faithful and sympathising friend.] WOLSEY-[alone.] FAREWELL, a long farewell to all my greatness!This is the state of man; to-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms, Never to hope again!— At Enter CROMWELL. Wol.-Why, how now, Cromwell? my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder, A great man should decline? Nay, an' you weep, Crom.-How does your grace? Wol.-Why, well; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. I know myself now; and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. Crom.-I'm glad your grace has made that right use of it. Wol.-I hope I have: I'm able now, methinks, Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far, Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer.- Crom.-The heaviest and worst Is your displeasure with the king. Crom.-The next is that Sir Thomas More is chosen Wol.-That's somewhat sudden : But he's a learned man. May he continue For truth's sake and his conscience, that his bones, Crom.-That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, Wol.-That's news indeed! Crom.-Last, that the lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secresy long married, Going to chapel: and the voice is now Only about her coronation. Wol.-There was the weight that pull'd me down! O Cromwell! The king has gone beyond me; all my glories, In that one woman, I have lost for ever: No sun shall ever usher forth my honors, Or gild again the noble troops that waited On my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell! I am a poor fall'n man, unworthy now To be thy lord and master: seek the king: I have told him What and how true thou art; he will advance thee: Some little memory of me will stir him, (I know his noble nature) not to let, Thy hopeful service perish too:-go, Cromwell! |