If you deny it, let the danger light Of what it likes, or loaths: Now, for your answer: More than a lodg'd hate, and a certain loathing A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? To excuse the current of thy cruelty. Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. What, would'st thou have a serpent sting thee twice! Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew: 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, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) I would not draw them, I would have my bond. Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none! Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? 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 burdens? 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, is 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 Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salar. 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 loose for me one drop of blood. Enter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? And for thy life let justice be accused. That souls of animals infuse themselves Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, 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; Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend Ner. He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. [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 loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome, his name is Balthazer; 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, better'd 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. 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. That holds this present question in the court? Duke. Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth. Shy. Shylock is my name. Por. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Por. Ant. I do. [To Antonio. Do you confess the bond? Por. Then must the Jew be merciful. Shy. On what compulsion must I? tell me that. It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice |