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: 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. 300 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; But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed 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. The law hath yet another hold on you. If it be proved against an alien 345 He seek the life of any citizen, The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive |