Portia: Is thy name Shylock? Shylock: Yes. Portia: Of a strange nature is the suit you follow. (To Antonio): You stand within his danger, do you not? Antonio: Ay, so he says. Portia: Do you confess the bond? Antonio: I do.
Portia: Then must the Jew be merciful. Shylock: On what compulsion must I? Portia: The quality of mercy is not strained; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice blest, it blesses him that gives and him that takes. It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown. It is an attribute to God Himself; and earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice. Shylock: My deed upon my head! I crave the law, the penalty of my bond. Portia: Is he not able to discharge the money?Bassanio: Yes, here I tender it for him in the court.
Yes, 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, and my heart: If that will not suffice, it must appear that malice bears down truth. I beseech thee, wrest once the law to your authority: To do a great right, do a little wrong, and curb this cruel devil of his will. Portia: It must not be. There is no power in Venice can alter decree established. Shylock: A Daniel has come to judgement! O, wise young judge, how I do honour thee.
Portia: I pray you to let me look upon the bond. Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered. Shylock: An oath, and oath, I have an oath in heaven.Portia: This bond is forfeit and lawfully by this the Jew may claim a pound of flesh to be cut off nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful: Take thrice the money and bid me tear the bond. Shylock: I insist to have the penalty.
Antonio: I call upon the court to give the judgement. Portia: then do prepare your knife. Shylock: A Daniel has come to judgement! O, wise and upright judge. How much more elder than thy looks! Antonio: I am prepared. Portia: You, Merchant, have you anything to say? Antonio: But little.
I am armed and well-prepared. Give me your hand, Bassanio, and fare you well! Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you. Commend me to your honorable wife: Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death, And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge whether Bassanio had not once a love. Bassanio: Antonio, I am married to a wife which is a dear to me as life itself, but life itself, my wife, and all theworld are not with me esteemed above thy life. I would sacrifice them to this devil for you. Portia: Your wife would give you little thanks for that is she was by to hear you make the offer.
Shylock: We waste time. Come.Portia: Tarry a little. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; the words expressly are “a pound of flesh”.Take,then, thy bond.
But, in the cutting it, if thou does shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto Venice. Bassanio: Oh, upright judge! Mark, Jew; A Daniel has come to judgement! Shylock: Is that the law?Portia: As thou urgent justice, thou shalt have justice, more than thou desires. Shylock: I take this offer, then. Pay the bond thrice, and let the Christian go. Bassanio: Here is the money. Portia: Soft.
The Jew shall have all justice. Soft; no haste. He shall have nothing but the penalty. Graciano: A second Daniel! A Daniel, Jew! Portia: Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture. Shylock: Give me my principal, and let me go.
Portia: He hath refused it in open court. He shall have merely justice and his bond. Graciano: A Daniel, still I say; A second Daniel. I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word. Shylock: Shall I not have barely my principal?Portia: Thou shalt have nothing but thy forfeiture, to be taken at thy risk.
Shylock: Why, then, the devil give him good of it! Portia: Tarry, Jew. The law hath yet another hold on you. By the laws of Venice, your wealth is forfeited to the state for having conspired against the life of one of its citizens. Your life lies at the mercy of him you conspired against.
Therefore, down on your knees, and beg pardon. Graciano: 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, though must be hanged at the state’s charge.Antonio: I forgive thee before thou asks on the condition that you give half of all you possess to your daughter and become a Christian. Portia: Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say. Shylock: I am content.
