Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? Por. Why, this bond is forfeit ; Hath been most sound; I charge you by the law, Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court 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 the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Shy. 'Tis very true! O wise and upright judge! So says the bond — doth it not, noble judge?— The flesh? 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? 'Twere good you do so much for charity. Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Repent not you that you shall lose your friend, Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife Nerissa. Your wife will 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; I would she were in heaven, so she could Por. 'Tis well you offer it behind her back; Shy. These be the Christian husbands. I have a daughter: 'Would any of the stock of Barabbas 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. Shy. Most rightful judge! Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast, The law allows it, and the court awards it. Shy. Most learned judge! —A sentence; come, prepare The words expressly are a pound of flesh; But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Unto the state of Venice. Gra. O upright judge!— Mark, Jew! — O learned judge Shy. Is that the law? Por. Thyself shall see the act ; For, as thou urgest justice, be assured Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest. Gra. O learned judge! — Mark, Jew! a learned judge Shy. I take this offer then;-pay the bond thrice. He shall have nothing but the penalty. Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate Gra A second Daniel! a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip. Por. Why doth the Jew pause? Take the forfeiture. Gra. A Daniel, still say I! a second Daniel! Shy. Why, then, I'll - I'll — why, I'll stay no longer question. Por. Tarry, Jew.. The law hath yet another hold on you The party, 'gainst the which he doth contrive, The danger formerly by me rehearsed. Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke. Gra. Beg that thou mayst 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 hanged at the state's charge. Duke. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit, I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it: Por. Ay, for the state; not for Antonio. Shy. Nay, take my life and all; pardon not that : Por. What mercy can you render him, Antonio? Ant. So please my lord the duke, and all the court, To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it, Upon his death, unto the gentleman - Two things provided more, that, for this favor, The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possessed, 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? 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; send the deed after me, And I will sign it. Duke. Get thee gone, but do it. |