Antonio. I pray you, think you question with the Jew: And bid the main flood bate his usual height; Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; As seek to soften that-than which what's harder? His Jewish heart: therefore, I do beseech you, Make no more offers, use no farther means, But with all brief and plain conveniency Let me have judgment and the Jew his will. Bassanio. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. Were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them-I would have my bond. Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it. There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? Whom I have sent for to determine this, 70. think you question: that is, remember that you are arguing. 72. main flood, high tide; bate, abate. 76. to make no noise. As this phrase certain Polish monarch, might claim to be a king above grammar (rex super grammaticam). 77. fretten, fretted; that is, shaken. also is under the government 83. judgment. The word is here used of "forbid," it expresses just in its legal sense of sentence. the opposite of what is meant, 95. Upon my power on my authoriand is, therefore, a grammatical ty. slip; but Shakespeare, like a 97. determine, decide. Salerio. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters; call the messenger. Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Bassanio. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Shylock. No, none that thou hast wit* enough to make. * Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. you 100 105 110 115 II. Enter PORTIA, dressed like a doctor of laws. Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario? Portia. I did, my lord. Duke. 120 You are welcome; take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference 107. sole... soul. Notice the play on 109. hangman. The word is here used in a generic sense for execution er. III. wit, sense, sharpness. 122, 123. the difference That holds, etc. : Portia. I am informed throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? Duke. Antonio and old Shylock, both 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.— You stand within his danger, do you not? Portia. Antonio. I do. Portia. says. [To Antonis. Do you confess the bond? Then must the Jew be merciful. Shylock. 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 absolute sense-that of compu sion. Portia rebukes him for thus connecting compulsion with mercy. 'The quality of mercy is not strained.' And this reproof strikes the keynote of the famous speech which follows." DALGLEISH: Merchant of Venice. 132. within his danger: that is, within 140. twice blest, doubly blest. 125 130 135 140 145 150 When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Portia. Is he not able to discharge the money? I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er, On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart. That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, 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 Shylock. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how I do honor thee! Portia. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. 155 160 165 170 175 180 Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice. Portia. Why, this bond is forfeit; 183 And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off It doth appear you are a worthy judge; Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Antonio. Most heartily I do beseech the court 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. Shylock. 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge! Ay, his breast: So says the bond-doth it not, noble judge?— Shylock. I have them ready. Portia. Have by some surgeon,* Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. 204. Hath full relation: that is, is fully applicable. 207. more elder. See note, page 14, line 190. 212. Are there balance. here treated as a plural, per haps because a balance consists of a pair of scales. 215. on your charge, at your expense. "Balance" is 216. do bleed: subjunctive mood. |