Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond? Shy. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; 270 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, Bass. Antonio, I am married to a wife Por. Your wife would give you little thanks for that, Gra. I have a wife, whom, I protest, I love: 285 I would she were in heaven, so she could Entreat some power to change this currish Jew. Ner. 'Tis well you offer it behind her back; The wish would make else an unquiet house. Shy. These be the Christian husbands. I have a daughter: 290 Would any of the stock of Barrabas 295 Had been her husband rather than a Christian! We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence. [Aside. Por. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine: The court awards it, and the law doth give it. Shy. Most rightful judge! Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: Shy. Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare! 300 This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods 305 Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice. Gra. O upright judge! Mark, Jew: O learned judge! Por. Thyself shall see the act: For as thou urgest justice, be assured 310 Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest. Gra. O learned judge! Mark, Jew: a learned judge! Shy. I take this offer, then; pay the bond thrice, And let the Christian go. Bass. Por. Soft! Here is the money. 315 The Jew shall have all justice; soft! no haste: He shall have nothing but the penalty. Gra. O Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! Por. Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh. Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more 320 But just a pound of flesh: if thou cut'st more Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn 325 But in the estimation of a hair, 330 Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate. Gra. A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have you on the hip. Por. Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture. Gra. A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel ! Shy. Why, then the devil give him good of it! 340 I'll stay no longer question. Por. Tarry, Jew: 345 He seek the life of any citizen, The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive |