And here, I take it, is the doctor come.—

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?

170

Por. I am informed thoroughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Duke. Anthonio 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, as you do proceed. You stand within his danger, do you not?

180

[To ANTHONIO.

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;
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 shews the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

Iiij

190

But

But mercy is above this scepter'd sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then shew likest God's, 200
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?

211

Bass. Yes, here I tender it for him in the court; Yea, twice 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. And I beseech you,
Wrest once the law to your authority:

To do a great right, do a little wrong;

And curb this cruel devil of his will.

220

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.

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.
Par. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd

thee.

231

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.

Anth. 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 the penalty,

Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

241

250

Shy

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, noble 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.

259

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?

4

270

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 any thing to say?
Anth. But little; I am arm'd, and well prepar'd.-
Give me your hand, Bassanio; fare you well!
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you;
For herein fortune shews herself more kind
Than is her custom: it is still her use,

To let the wretched man out-live 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 honourable wife :
Tell her the process of Anthonio's end,
Say, how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death;
And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge,

280

Whether

Whether Bassanio 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.
Bass. Anthonio, 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 esteein❜d above thy life:
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, to deliver you.

290

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; I would she were in heaven, so she could

Entreat some power to change this currish Jew. 300 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 Barrabas

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!

309

Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast;

The