Por. Therefore, lay bare your bosom. So says the bond; — Doth it not, noble judge? Por. It is so. Are there balance here to weigh Shy. I have them ready. Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond? Por. It is not so expressed; but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity. Shy. I cannot find it: 'tis not in the bond. Por. Come, merchant, have you any thing to say? To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, Gra. I have a wife, whom, I protest, I love; I would she were in heaven, so she could Entreat some power to change this currish Jew. Shy. These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter; Would any of the stock of Barabbas Had been her husband, rather than a Christian! [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; The law allows it, and the court awards it. Shy. Most learned judge! A sentence! come, prepare. Por. 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 : One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Unto the State of Venice. Gra. (R.) judge! Oh, upright judge! - Mark, Jew: : Shy. Is that the law? Por. Thyself shall see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assured Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir❜st. a learned Gra. Oh, 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. Oh, Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! Of one poor scruple! nay, if the scale 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. Bass. I have it ready for thee: here it is. 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, 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, [going R.] Gra. Beg that thou may'st have leave to hang thyself; And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Thou hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore, thou must be hanged at the state's charge. Por. Ay, for the state; not for Antonio. Shy. Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that: Gra. A halter gratis; nothing else, for Heaven's sake. 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, for this favor, Two things provided more Here in the court, of all he dies possessed, Por. Clerk, draw a deed of gift. What dost thou say? Shy. 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. [SHYLOCK crosses, R.] Gra. (L.) In christening thou shalt have two godfathers; Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not the font. [Exit SHY., R.] Por. He is well paid that is well satisfied, THE SISTERS. ANNIE and Rhoda, sisters twain, The rush of wind, the ramp and roar “I hear the sea, and the plash of rain, "Get thee back to the bed so warm, "What is it to thee, I fain would know, No lover of thine's afloat to miss The harbor-lights on a night like this." "But I heard a voice cry out my name, Twice and thrice have I heard it call, On her pillow the sister tossed her head. "In the tautest schooner that ever swam He rides at anchor in Anisquam. And, if in peril from swamping sea Or lee-shore rocks, would he call on thee?" But the girl heard only the wind and tide, "O Sister Rhoda! there's something wrong; 'Annie! Annie!' I hear it call, And the voice is the voice of Estwick Hall." Up sprang the elder, with eyes aflame, If he did, I would pray the wind and sea Then out of the sea blew a dreadful blast; The young girl hushed on her lips a groan, |