To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Shy. We trifle time; I pray thee pursue sentence. 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; The law allows it, and the court awards it. Shy. Most learned judge!—A sentence; come, prepare. One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Unto the state of Venice. Gra. O upright judge!-Mark, Jew!-O learned judge! Shy. Is that the law? Por. Thyself shalt see the act : For, as thou urgest justice, be assured 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. Here is the money. Por. Soft. The Jew shall have all justice ;-soft ;- -no haste ; Gra. O Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! Of one poor scruple,-nay, if the scales do turn Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. Gra. A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have thee 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! Por. Tarry Jew; The law hath yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice,— The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive, In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st. Duke. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit, I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it: For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's ; Shy. Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that: You take house when my you That doth sustain my house; you take my life, When you do take the means whereby I live. Ant. So please my lord the Duke, and all the court, To quit the fine for one half of his goods; I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it, That lately stole his daughter. Duke. He shall do this; or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here. Por. Art thou contented, Jew; what dost thou say? I pray you give me leave to go from hence: I am not well: send the deed after me, And I will sign it. Duke. Get thee gone, but do it. SHAKESPERE. THE TWO FOSCARI. The Doge and Attendants. Att. My lord, the deputation is in waiting; But add, that if another hour would better Accord with your will, they will make it theirs. Doge. To me all hours are like. Let them approach. [Exit Attendant. An Officer. Prince, I have done your bidding. Doge. What command ? Officer. A melancholy one-to call the attendance Of Doge. True-true-true: I crave your pardon. I Begin to fail in apprehension, and Wax very old-old almost as my years. Till now I fought them off, but they begin To overtake me. Enter the Deputation, consisting of six of the Signori and the Chief of the Ten. Doge. Noblemen, your pleasure! Chief of the Ten. In the first place, the council doth condole With the Doge on his late and private grief. Doge. No more no more of that. Chief of the Ten. Will not the duke Accept the homage of respect? Accept it as 't is given-proceed. With a selected giunta from the senate Of the republic, and the o'erwhelming cares Which you have worn so long and venerably: Chief of the Ten. Need I say again? Chief of the Ten. I have spoken. Twenty-four Hours are accorded you to give an answer. Will now retire. Doge. Stay! Four and twenty hours Will alter nothing which I have to say. Chief of the Ten. Speak! Loge. When I twice before reiterated My wish to abdicate, it was refused me: And not alone refused, but ye exacted An oath from me that I would never more Renew this instance. I have sworn to die In full exertion of the functions, which My country called me here to exercise, According to my honour and my conscience— I cannot break my oath. Chief of the Ten. Reduce us not To the alternative of a decree, Instead of your compliance. Doge. Providence Prolongs my days to prove and chasten me; But ye have no right to reproach my length Of days, since every hour has been the country's. As I have laid down dearer things than life: But for my dignity-I hold it of The whole republic; when the general will Is manifest, then you shall all be answered. Chief of the Ten. We grieve for such an answer, but it cannot Avail you aught. Doge. I can submit to all things, But nothing will advance; no, not a moment. Chief of the Ten. Hear you then the last decree, Doge. To the point To the point! I know of old the forms of office, And gentle preludes to strong acts-Go on! Chief of the Ten. You are no longer Doge; you are re leased From your imperial oath as sovereign; : Your ducal robes must be put off but for Doge. That last clause, old age I am proud to say, would not enrich the treasury. Chief of the Ten. If you would have the three days named extended, |