William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (220 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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NERISSA 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.
Go give him courteous conduct to this place.
Exeunt three or four
Meantime the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.
(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 loving visitation was with me
a young doctor of Rome; his name is Balthasar. 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 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.’
(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 loving visitation was with me
a young doctor of Rome; his name is Balthasar. 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 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.’
Enter
⌈
three or four with
⌉
Portia as Balthasar
⌈
three or four with
⌉
Portia as Balthasar
You hear the learn’d Bellario, what he writes;
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
(To Portia) Give me your hand. Come you from old
Bellario?
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
(To Portia) Give me your hand. Come you from old
Bellario?
PORTIA
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?
That holds this present question in the court?
PORTIA
I am informed throughly of the cause.
Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?
Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?
DUKE
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.
Antonio and Shylock stand forth
PORTIA
Is your name Shylock?
SHYLOCK Shylock is my name.
PORTIA
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.
(
To Antonio
) You stand within his danger, do you not?
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.
(
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? Tell me that.
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 blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
The thronèd 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 this 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.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
The thronèd 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 this 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.
SHYLOCK
My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
PORTIA
Is he not able to discharge the money?
BASSANIO
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.
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.
PORTIA
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.
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.
SHYLOCK
A Daniel come to judgement, yea, a Daniel!
O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!
PORTIA
I pray you let me look upon the bond.
SHYLOCK
Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.
PORTIA
Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee.
SHYLOCK
An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven.
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
No, not for Venice.
PORTIA 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. (
To Shylock
) Be merciful.
Take thrice thy money. Bid me tear the bond.
A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off
Nearest the merchant’s heart. (
To Shylock
) Be merciful.
Take thrice thy money. Bid me tear the bond.
SHYLOCK
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 judgement. By my soul I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me. I stay here on my bond.
Hath been most sound. I charge you, by the law
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,
Proceed to judgement. By my soul I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me. I stay here on my bond.
ANTONIO
Most heartily I do beseech the court
To give the judgement.
To give the judgement.
PORTIA Why, then thus it is:
You must prepare your bosom for his knife—
SHYLOCK
O noble judge, O excellent young man!
PORTIA
For the intent and purpose of the law
Hath full relation to the penalty
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
Hath full relation to the penalty
Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
SHYLOCK
’Tis very true. O wise and upright judge!
How much more elder art thou than thy looks!
PORTIA (
to Antonio
)
to Antonio
)
Therefore lay bare your bosom.
SHYLOCK Ay, his breast.
So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?
‘Nearest his heart’—those are the very words.
PORTIA
It is so. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh?
SHYLOCK I have them ready.
PORTIA
Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge
To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.
SHYLOCK
Is it so nominated in the bond?
PORTIA
It is not so expressed, but what of that?
’Twere good you do so much for charity.
SHYLOCK
I cannot find it. ’Tis not in the bond.
PORTIA (
to Antonio
)
to Antonio
)
You, merchant, have you anything to say?
ANTONIO
But little. I am armed and well prepared.
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 loved you. Speak me fair in death,
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Repent but 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.
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 loved you. Speak me fair in death,
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Repent but 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.
BASSANIO
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 esteemed above thy life.
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, to deliver you.
Which is as dear to me as life itself,
But life itself, my wife, and all the world
Are not with me esteemed above thy life.
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, to deliver you.
PORTIA ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
Your wife would give you little thanks for that
If she were by to hear you make the offer.
If she were by to hear you make the offer.
GRAZIANO
I have a wife who, I protest, I love.
I would she were in heaven so she could
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.
NERISSA ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
’Tis well you offer it behind her back;
The wish would make else an unquiet house.
The wish would make else an unquiet house.
SHYLOCK ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
These be the Christian husbands. I have a daughter.
Would any of the stock of Barabbas
Had been her husband rather than a Christian.
(
Aloud
) We trifle time. I pray thee pursue sentence.
Would any of the stock of Barabbas
Had been her husband rather than a Christian.
(
Aloud
) We trifle time. I pray thee pursue sentence.
PORTIA
A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine.
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.
SHYLOCK Most rightful judge!
PORTIA
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.
The law allows it, and the court awards it.
The law allows it, and the court awards it.
SHYLOCK
Most learned judge! A sentence: (
to Antonio
) come,
prepare.
to Antonio
) come,
prepare.
PORTIA
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.
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.
GRAZIANO O upright judge!
Mark, Jew! O learned judge!
SHYLOCK Is that the law?
PORTIA Thyself shalt see the act;
For as thou urgest justice, be assured
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir’st.
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir’st.
GRAZIANO
O learnèd judge! Mark, Jew—a learnèd judge!
SHYLOCK
I take this offer, then. Pay the bond thrice,
And let the Christian go.
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.
He shall have nothing but the penalty.
GRAZIANO
O Jew, an upright judge, a learned judge!
PORTIA (
to Shylock
)
to Shylock
)
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more
But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak’st more
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple—nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more
But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak’st more
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple—nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
GRAZIANO
A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!
Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.
PORTIA
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
SHYLOCK
Give me my principal, and let me go.
BASSANIO
I have it ready for thee. Here it is.
PORTIA
He hath refused it in the open court.
He shall have merely justice and his bond.
GRAZIANO
A Daniel, still say I, 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 the forfeiture
To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.
To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.
SHYLOCK
Why then, the devil give him good of it.
I’ll stay no longer question.
PORTIA Tarry, Jew.
The law hath yet another hold on you.
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,
If it be proved against an alien
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen,
The party ‘gainst the which he doth contrive
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 contrived against the very life
Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred
The danger formerly by me rehearsed.
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
If it be proved against an alien
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen,
The party ‘gainst the which he doth contrive
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 contrived against the very life
Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred
The danger formerly by me rehearsed.
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
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