If you be well pleas'd with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is, And claim her with a loving kiss." A gentle scroll.-Fair lady, by your leave: [Kissing her.
I come by note, to give and to receive. Like one of two contending in a prize, That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing, in a doubt Whether those peals of praise be his or no; So, thrice fair lady, stand I, even so, As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you.
Por. You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am though, for myself alone, I would not be ambitious in my wish, To wish myself much better; yet, for you, 1 would be trebled twenty times myself;
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich;
That only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, Exceed account: but the full sum of me is sum of nothing; which, to term in gross, Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd: Happy in this, she is not yet so old But she may learn; and happier than this, She is not bred so dull but she can learn ; Happiest of all is, that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed, As from her lord, her governor, her king. Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours Is now converted: but now, I was the lord Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now, This house, these servants, and this same myself, Are yours, my lord :-I give them with this ring; Which when you part from, lose, or give away, Let it presage the ruin of your love, And be my vantage to exclaim on you.
Bass. Madam, you have bereft me of all words; Only my blood speaks to you in my veins : And there is such confusion in my powers, As, after some oration fairly spoke By a beloved prince, there doth appear Among the buzzing pleased multitude, Where every something, being blent together, Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, Express'd, and not express'd. But when this ring Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence; O, then be bold to say, Bassanio's dead.
Ner. My lord and lady, it is now our time, That have stood by, and seen our wishes prosper, To cry, good joy! Good joy, my lord and lady! Gra. My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish, For I am sure you can wish none from me; And, when your honours mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, Even at that time I may be married too.
Bass. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.
Gra. I thank your lordship; you have got me My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid; You lov'd, I lov'd; for intermission
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. Your fortune stood upon the caskets there; And so did mine too, as the matter falls: For wooing here, until I sweat again, And swearing, till my very roof was dry With oaths of love, at last,--if promise last,-
I got a promise of this fair one here, To have her love, provided that your fortune Achiev'd her mistress.
Por. Is this true, Nerissa? Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal. Bass. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Gra. Yes, 'faith, my lord. [your marriage. Bass. Our feast shall be much honour'd in Gra. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel?
What! and my old Venetian friend, Salerio?
Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO. Bass. Lorenzo, and Salerio, welcome hither. If that the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome :-By your leave I bid my very friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome.
Por. So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome. [lord, Lor. I thank your honour :-For my part, my My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Sale.
I did, my lord, Signior Antonio
And I have reason for it. Commends him to you. [Gives BASSANIO a letter. Ere I ope his letter,
I pray you tell me how my good friend doth. Sale. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate.
[come. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welYour hand, Salerio. What's the news from Venice?
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio ? I know he will be glad of our success; We are the Jasons; we have won the fleece. Sale. I would you had won the fleece that he [same paper,
Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek; Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Could turn so much the constitution
Of any constant man. What, worse and worse? With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, And I must freely have the half of any thing That this same paper brings you.
Bass. Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady, When I did first impart my love to you, I freely told you, all the wealth I had Ran in my veins,-I was a gentleman; And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, Rating myself at nothing, you shall see How much I was a braggart. When I told you My state was nothing, I should then have told you That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed, I have engag'd myself to a dear friend, Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy, To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady; The paper as the body of my friend, And every word in it a gaping wound, Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio? Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit? From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Of merchant-marring rocks?
Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had The present money to discharge the Jew, He would not take it. Never did I know A creature that did bear the shape of man,
The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour more appears, Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. Por. What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Double six thousand, and then treble that, Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through my Bassanio's fault. First, go with me to church, and call me wife, And then away to Venice to your friend; For never shall you lie by Portia's side With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold To pay the petty debt twenty times over; When it is paid, bring your true friend along : My maid Nerissa, and myself, meantime, Will live as maids and widows. Come, away; For you shall hence upon your wedding-day: Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer: + Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. But let me hear the letter of your friend.
Bass. [Reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are clear'd between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.
Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Bass. Since I have your good leave to go away, I will make haste; but, till I come again, No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay, Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain.
SCENE III.-Venice. A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler.
Shy. Gaoler, look to him. Tell not me of mercy;
This is the fool that lent out money gratis ;- Gaoler, look to him.
Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond;
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond: Thou call'dst me dog, before thou hadst a cause: But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs : The duke shall grant me justice.-I do wonder, Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond To come abroad with him at his request. Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. [speak: Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee + Face. + Foolish.
I'll have my bond; and, therefore, speak no
I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To Christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit SHY. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Let him alone;
Ant. I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. He seeks my life; his reason well I know: I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; Therefore he hates me. Salan. I am sure the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied,
Will much impeach the justice of the state; Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go; These griefs and losses have so 'bated me, That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh To-morrow to my bloody creditor. Well, gaoler, on:-Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt.
Belmont. A Room in PORTIA'S House. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR.
Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence,
You have a noble and a true conceit Of godlike amity; which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But, if you knew to whom you show this honour, How true a gentleman you send relief, How dear a lover of my lord, your husband, I know you would be prouder of the work, Than customary bounty can enforce you.
Por. I never did repent for doing good, Nor shall not now: for in companions That do converse and waste the time together, Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love, There must be needs a like proportion Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit: Which makes me think, that this Antonio, Being the bosom lover of my lord, Must needs be like my lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I have bestow'd In purchasing the semblance of my soul From out the state of hellish cruelty! This comes too near the praising of myself; Therefore, no more of it: hear other things. Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage of my house, Until my lord's return: for mine own part, I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return: There is a monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition, The which my love, and some necessity, Now lays upon you. Lor.
Madam, with all my heart, I shall obey you in all fair commands. Por. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica In place of Lord Bassanio and myself: So fare you well, till we shall meet again. M 2
As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still. Take this same letter, And use thou all the endeavour of a man In speed to Padua; see thou render this Into cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario; my [thee, And, look, what notes and garments he doth give Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed Unto the Tranect, to the common ferry [words, Which trades to Venice:-Waste no time in But get thee gone; I shall be there before thee. Balth. Madam, I go with all convenient speed. Exit. Por. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands Before they think of us.
Shall they see us? Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, That they shall think we are accomplished With what we lack. I'll hold thee any wager, When we are both accoutred like young men, I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace; And speak, between the change of man and boy. But come; I'll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles to-day.
Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and LAUNCELOT. Lor. Go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner.
Laun. That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. Lor. What a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner.
Laun. That is done, too, sir: only, cover is the Lor. Will you cover then, sir?
Laun. Not so, sir, neither; I know my duty. Lor. Yet more quarrelling with occasion! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain meaning; go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.
Laun. For the table, sir, it shall be serv'd in; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern. [Exit LAUN. Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited!
The fool hath planted in his memory An army of good words; and I do know A many fools, that stand in better place, Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica? And now, good sweet, say thy opinion;- How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife? Jes. Past all expressing! It is very meet The Lord Bassanio live an upright life; For, having such a blessing in his lady, He finds the joys of heaven here on earth; And, if on earth he do not mean it, it
Is reason he should never come to heaven. Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match,
And on the wager lay two earthly women, And Portia one, there must be something else
Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face.
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought, Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse, more strange
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty: And where + thou now exact'st the penalty, (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,) Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, But, touched with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principal; Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, Enough to press a royal merchant down, And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd To offices of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my hond: If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter, and your city's freedom. You'll ask me, why I rather choose to have A weight of carrion flesh, than to receive Three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that: But, say, it is my humour: Is it answer'd? What if my house be troubled with a rat, And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats
To have it ban'd? What, are you answer'd yet? Some men there are love not a gaping pig; Some, that are mad if they behold a cat; As there is no firm reason to be render'd, Why he cannot abide a gaping pig; Why he, a harmless necessary cat; So can I give no reason, nor I will not, More than a lodg'd hate, and a certain loathing, I bear Antonio, that I follow thus
A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty. [answer. Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not love? Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice? [Jew: Ant. I pray you, think you question with the You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops, and to make no noise, When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do any thing most hard, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) His Jewish heart :-Therefore, I do beseech you, Make no more offers, use no further means, But, with all brief and plain conveniency, Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will. Bass. For thy three thousand ducats here are six. Shy. If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, 1 would not draw them,-I would have my bond. Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, ren- d'ring none? [wrong? Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules,
You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them :-Shall I say to you, Let them be free, marry them to your heirs? Why sweat they under burthens? let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Be season'd with such viands? You will answer, The slaves are ours :-So do I answer you: The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought; 'tis mine, and I will have it: If you deny me, fie upon your law!
There is no force in the decrees of Venice: I stand for judgment: answer, shall I have it? Duke. Upon my power, I may dismiss this court, Unless Beliario, a learned doctor,
Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day.
My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua.
Duke. Bring us the letters; call the messenger. Bass. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man! courage yet!
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood. Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death; the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me : You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph. Enter NERISSA, dressed like a Lawyer's Clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace, [Presents a letter. Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
Shy. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.
Gra. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, Thou mak'st thy knife keen; but no metal can, No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keen
Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? Shy. No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.
Gra. O, be thou curst, inexorable dog! And for thy life let justice be accus'd. Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaugh- ter,
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous.
Shy. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond,
Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin.-I stand here for law.
Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court: Where is he? Ner. He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. Duke. With all my heart :-some three or four of you
Go give him courteous conduct to this place.Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.
[Clerk reads.] "Your grace shall understand that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick but in the instant that your messenger came, in loviny visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome; his name is Balthazar: I ac
quainted him with the cause in controversy be
tween the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turn'd 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. 1 beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack 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.-- Enter PORTIA, dressed like a Doctor of Laws. 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?
Por. I am informed throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Duke. Antonio 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?
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 shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above his sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show 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 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. [law, Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave the 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; Yea, thrice 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 Wrest once the law to your authority: To do a great right, do a little wrong, And curb this cruel devil of his will.
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 su. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh?
Shy. I have them ready. [charge, Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your 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? '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? [par'd.- Ant. But little; I am arm'd, and well pre- 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 ling'ring penance Of such 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, 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
Por. It must not be. There is no power in Venice Here to this devil, to deliver you. 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. 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. 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. 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 tenor. 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.
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 the penalty,
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
[for that, Por. Your wife would give you little thanks 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. 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
'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!
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,
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, confiscate Unto the state of Venice.
[judge! Gra. O upright judge!-Mark, Jew!-Clearned Shy. Is that the law?
Thyself shall see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd Thou shalt have justice. more than thou desirest.
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