loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rorne; his name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turned o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion; which, bettered with his own learning, the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend,- comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack2 a reverend estimation; for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation."

Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes:

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

The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,—
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then shows likest
God's

When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this,—— That, in the course of justice, none of us 199 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,10 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? Bass. Yes, here I tender 't for him in the court;

And many an error, by the same example, Will rush into the state: it cannot be. 222 Shy. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!

wise young judge, how I do honour thee! Por. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shy. Here 't is, most reverend doctor, here it is.

Por. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee.

Shy. An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven:

Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
No, not for Venice.

229

Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on

your charge,2

To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond?
Por. It is not so express'd: but what of
that?

'T were good you do so much for charity.

201

Shy. I cannot find it; 't is not in the bond. Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say?

Ant. But little: I am arm'd and well prepar'd.

Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well!
Grieve not that I am fall'n 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
An age of poverty; from which lingering pen-

Of such a misery doth she cut me off.
Commend me to your honourable wife:
Tell her the process of Antonio's end;
Say how I lov'd you, speak me fair in death;
And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge
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, 20
I'll pay it instantly 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 esteem'd above thy life:
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, 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: I would she were in heaven, so she could 291 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,—

2 On your charge at your expense.

The law allows it, and the court awards it. Shy. Most learned judge! - A sentence! come, prepare!

Por. Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood,

The words expressly are, a pound of flesh: Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;

But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed

One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods

Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate1

Unto the state of Venice.

310

Or less than a just2 pound,-be 't but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance3
Or the division of the twentieth part5
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn

The party' 'gainst the which he doth contrive2
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state;
And the offender's life lies in the mercy
Of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice.
In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st;
For it appears, by manifest proceeding,
That indirectly, and directly too,
Thou hast contriv'd3 against the very life 360
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd
The danger formerly by me rehears'd.
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 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;
The other half comes to the general state,
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
Por. Ay, for the state,-not for Antonio.

1 Party person.

2 Contrive, plot.

370

3 Contriv'd, plotted.

A Formerly, i.e. above.

In use, i.e. in trust.

6 Presently, immediately

1 Cope, reward. Attempt you further, i.e. make a further attempt to persuade you.

[To Antonio] Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake;

[To Bassanio] 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 shall not deny me this.

Bass. This ring, good sir,-alas, it is a trifle! I will not shame myself to give you this. 431 Por. I will have nothing else but only this; And now methinks I have a mind to it.