coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesb, ) and conceits shall govern. [Exit LAUNCELOT. Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture,

Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited! But touch'd with human gentleness and love, The fool hath planted in his memory

Forgive a moiety of the principal ; do army of good words ; And I do know

Glancing an eye of pity on his losses,
A many fools, that stand in better place,

That have of late so buddled on his back;
Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word Enough to press a royal mercbant down,
Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou Jessica ? And pluck commiseration of his state
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,

From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of fint, How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife? From stubborn Turks, and Tartars, Dever train'd Jes. Past all expressing : It is very meet,

To offices of teodor court-sy. The Lord Bassanio live an upright life;

We all expect a gentle answer, Jew, For, haring such a blessing in his lady,

Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I pure He finds the joys of heaven here on eartb ;

pose; And, if on earth he do not mean it, it

And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, Is reason he shouid never come to heaven. To have the due and forfeit of my bond: Why, if two gods should play some heavenly If you deny it, let the danger light patch,

Upon your charter, and your city's freedom. And on the wager lay two earthly women, You'll ask me, why I rather cbo ise to bave And Porria on-, there must be something else A weight of carrion flesh, than 10 receive Pawn'd with the other; for the poor rude world Three Ibousand ducats : I'll not answer that : Hath not her fellow.

But, say, it is my humour; Is it answer'd ?
Lor.
Even such a husband

What if my bouse be troubled with e rat,
Hast thou of me, as she is for a wife.

And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that. To have it ban'd? Wbat, are you answer'd get ? Lor. I will anon; first, let us go to dinner. Some men there are, love not a gaping pig; Jes. Nay, let me praise you, wbile I have a sto- Some, that are mad, if they bebold a cat; mach,

And otbers, when the bagpipe sings i' the nose, Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk ; Cannot contain their urine ; for affec'ion, Tben, bowsoe'er, thou speak’st, 'mong other things Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood I shall digest it.

Of wbat it likes, or loaths: Now, for your answoj,
Jes.
Well, I'll set you forth. (Exeunt. As tiere is no firm reason to be render'd,

Why he cannot abide a gaping pig;
Why be, a barmless necessary cat;
Why he, a swollen bagpipe ; but of force
Must yield to such inevitable

shame,
As to offend, bimself being offended ;

So can I give no reason, nor I will not,
ACT IV.

More than a lodg’d bate, and a certain loathing,

I bear Antonio, that I follow thus SCENE 1.-Venice. A Court of Justice.

A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd ?

Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes ; Antonio, Bas- To excuse the current of thy cruelly. SANIO, GRATIANO, SALARINO, SALANIO, and others.

Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my ap. Duke. What, is Antonio here?

Bass. Do all men kill the things they do not Ant. Ready, so please your grace.

love? Duke. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill

Buss. Every offence is not a hate at first. A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch

Shy. What, would'st thou have a serpent sting Uncapable of pity, void and empty

thee twice? From any dram of mercy.

Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Ant. I have beard,

Jew : Your grace bath ta'en great pains to qualify You may as well go stand upon the beach, His rigurous course ; but since he stands obdurate, And bid the main flood bate bis usual height; And that no lawful means can carry me

You may as well use question with the wolf, Out of bis envy's reach, I do oppose

Wby he bath made tbe ewe bleat for the lamb; My patience to bis fury; and am arm'd

You may as well forbid the mountain pines To suffer, with a quietness of spirit,

To wag their high tops, and to make to noise, The very tyranny and rage of his.

When they are fretted with the gusts of lieaven, Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. You may as well do anything most hard, Salan. He's ready at the door: he comes, my lord. As seek to soften that (thun which what's harder ?)

His Jewish heart :-lherefore, 1 do beseech you, Enter SHYLOCK.

Make r o more offers, use no further means, Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our But, with all brie: and plain conveniency, face.

Let me bave judgment, and the Jew his will. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, Bass. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice Shy. If every ducat in six thousand ducats, To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thcught, Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, Tbou'lt show thy mercy and remorse, more strange I would not draw them, I would bave my bond. Tban is tby strange apparent cruelty :

Duurz. How shalt thou hope for mercy rer:d'ring And where thou now exact’st the penalty,

swer.

answer

Shy.

Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no Go give bim courteous conduct to this place.wrong?

Meantime, ihe court shall bear Bellario's letter. You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, [Clerk reads.] Your grace shall understand, that You use in abject and in slavish parts,

at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick : but in Because you bought them :-Shall I say to you, the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitaLet them be free, marry them to your heirs ? tion was with me a young doctor of Rome, his Why sweat they under burdens ? let their beds name is Balthasar : I acquainted him with the cause Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merBe season'd with such viands? You will answer, chant ; we turned o'er many books together; he is The slaves are ours :-So do I answer you; furnish'd with my opinion ; which, better'd with his The pound of Aesh, which I demand of him, own learning (the greatness whereof I cannot enough Is dearly bought, is mine, and I will bave it : commend), comes with him, at my importunity, to If you deny me, fy upon your law!

fill up your grace's request in my stead. I beseech There is no force in the decrees of Venice : you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? lack a reverend estimation ; for I never knew so young Duke. Upon my power, I may dismiss this a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracourt,

cious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,

commendation. Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come bere co-day.

Duke. You bear the learned Bellario, what he Salar. My lord, here stays without

writes : A messenger with letters from the doctor,

And bere, I take it, is the doctor come.-
New come from Padua.
Duke. Bring us the letters; Call the messenger.

Enter Portia, dressed like a doctor of laus. Bass. Good cheer, Antonio! What, man ? cou. Give me your band : Came you from old Bellarie? rage yet!

Por. I did, my lord. The Jew shall have my filesh, blood, bones, and all, Duke. You are welcome: take your place. Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood. Are you acquainted with the difference Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock,

That holds this present question in the court ? Meetest for death; the weakest kiod of fruit

Por. I am informed througbly of the cause. Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me;

Which is the merchant bere, and which the Jew ? You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio,

Duke. Antonio and old Sbylock, both stand Tban to live still, and write mine epitaph.

forth.

Por. Is your name Shylock ? Enter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk.

Shylock is my name. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Por. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow ; Ner. From both, my lord : Bellario greets your Yet in such a rule, that the Venetian law grace.

[Presents a letter. Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed.Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? You stand within bis danger, do you not ? Shy. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt

[To Astonio. there.

Ant. Ay, so he says. Gra. Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh

Por.

Do you confess the bonel? Jew,

Ant. I do. Thou mak'st thy knife keen : but no metal can,

Por.

Then must the Jew be merciful. No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness Shy. On what compulsion must I ? tell me that. Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? Por. The quality of mercy is not straia'd; Shý. No, none that thou hast wit enough to It droppeth, as the gentle rain from beaven make.

Upon the place beneath : it is twice bless'd; Gra. O, be thou damn'd, inexorable dog! It blessetb bim that gives, and him that takes : And for thy life let justice be accus'd.

'T'is migbtiest in the mightiest; it becomes Thou almust mak'st me waver in my faith,

The throned monarch better than his crown; To hold opinion with Pythagoras,

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, That souls of animals infuse themselves

The attribute to awe and majesty,
Into the trunks of men; tby currish spirit

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings ;
Govern'd a wolf, who, hang’d for human slaughter, But mercy is above this scepter'd sway,
Even from the gallows did his fell soul feet, It is enthron'd in the bearts of kings,
And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, It is an attribute to God himself;
Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires

And earthly power doth then show likest God's
Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Shy. Till thou can'st rail the seal from off my Though justice be thy plea, consider this-
bond,

That in ihe course of justice, none of us Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Should see salvation; we do pray for mercy ; Repair thy wit, good youth; or it will fall And that same prayer doth teach us all to render To cureless ruin.-I stand bere for law.

The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much, Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend To mitigate the justice of thy plea ; A young and learned doctor to our court :

Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Where is he?

Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant Ner. He attendeth here bard by,

there. To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave ihe law, Duke. With all my heart :-some three or four The penalty and forfeit of my bond. of you,

Por. Is he not able to discharge the money?

not.

Por.

Shy. Give me my principal, and let me go. Had I been judge, thou should'st have had ten Bass. I have it ready for thee; bere it is.

more, Por. He hath refus'd it in the open court; To bring thee to the gallows, not the font. He shall have merely justice, and his bond.

(Exit SuYLOCK Gra. A Daniel, still say I; a second Daniel:- Duke. Sir, I entreat you home with me to I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

dinner. Shy. Shall I not have barely my principal ? Por. I humbly do desire your grace of pardon,

Por. Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture, I must away this night toward Padja. To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.

And it is meet I presently set f rth. Shy. Wly then the devil give him good of it! Duke. I am sorry that your leisure serves you I'll stay no longer question.

Tarry, Jew; Antonio, gratify tbis gentleman; The law bath yet another hold on you.

For, in my mind, you are much bound to him. It is enacted in the laws of Venice,

[Exeunt Duke, Magnificoes and Train. If it be prov'd against an alien,

Bass. Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend That by direct or indirect attempts,

Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted He seek the life of any citizen,

Of grievous penalties; in lieu whereof,
The party, 'gainst the wbich he doth contrive, Three thousand ducats, due unto the Jew,
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half We freely cope your courteous pains witbal.
Comes to the privy coffer of the state ;

Ant. And stand indebted, over and above,
And the offender's life lies in the mercy

In love and service to you evermore.
Of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice.

Por. He is well paid that is well satisfied:
In which predicoment, I say, thou stand'st: And I, delivering you, am satisfied,
For it appears by inanitest proceeding,

And therein do account myself well paid ; 'l hat, indirectly, and dire ctly too,

My mind was never get more mercenary. 'I hou hast contriv'd against the very lise

I pray you, know me, when we meet again; lif the defendant ; and thou hast incu r'd

I wish you well, and so I take my leave. l'he danger formerly by me rehears'd.

Bass. Dear sir, of force I must attempt you Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke.

further; Gra. Beg that thou may'st bave leave to hang Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute, thy self:

Not as a fee : grant me two things, I pray you And yet, tly wealth being forfeit to the state, Not to deny me, and to pardon me. T'hou hast not left the value of a cord;

Por. You press me far, and therefore I will Therefore, thou must be hang 'd at the state's charge.

yield Duke. That thou shalt see the difference of our Give me your gloves, l'll wear them for your spirit,

sake; I pardon thee thy lise before thcu ask it :

Ard, for your love, I'll take this ring from you :För half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;

Do not diaw back your band; I'll take no more; The otiier half comes to the general state,

And you in love shall not deny me this. Wbich humbleness may drive unto a fine.

Bass. This ring, good sir,-alas, it is a trifle ; Por. Ay, for the state; not for Antonio.

I will not shame myself to give you this. Shy. Nay, take my life and all, pardou not that : Por. I will have nothing else but only this; You take my house, when you do take the prop And now, m thinks, I have a mind to it. That doth sustain my house ; you take my life, Bass. There's more depends on this than on the When you do take the neans whereby i live.

value. Por.'What mercy can you render him. Antonio ? The dearest ring in Ven ce will I give you, Gra. A halter, gratis ;' nothing e'se ; for God's And find it out by proclamation ; sake.

Only for this, I pray you pardon me. Ant. So please my lord the duke, and all the Por. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers : court,

You taagbt me first toʻoeg; and now, methinks, To quit the fine for one half of bis goods ;

You teach me how a beggur should be answer'd. I am content, so be will let me bave

Bass. Good sir, this ring was given me by my Tho other half in use,- to render it,

wife; Upon his death, unto the gentleman

And, when she put it on, she made me vow, ibat lately stole his daughter;

That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it, Two things provided more,—That for this favour, Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their He presently become a Christian ;

gifts. The other, that he do record a gift,

An if your wife be uot a mad woman,
Here in the court, of all be dies possess'd, And know how well I have deseru'd tbis ring,
Uno bis son Lorenzo, and his daughter.

She would not hold out enemy for ever,
Duke. He shall do this ; or else I do recant For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
The pardon, that I late pronounced here.

[Exeunt Portia and Nerissa. Por. Art thou contented, Jew, what dost thou Ant. My Lord Bassanio, let him bave the ring;

Let his deservings, and my love witbal, Shy. I am content.

Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment. Per.

Clerk, draw a deed of gift. Bass. Go, Gratiano, run and overtake bin, Sly. I pray you give me leave to go from bence ; Give him the ring; and bring him, if thou can'st, I am not well ; send the doed after me,

Unto Antonio's house :-away, make haste. And I will sign it.

[Erit GRATIANO. Duke.

Get thee gone, but do it. Come, you and I will thither presently; Gra. In christening thou shalt lave two god. And in the morning early will we both fathers;

Fly toward Belmont: Come, Antonio. . [Exeun:

say?