William Shakespeare : Complete Collection (37 plays, 160 sonnets and 5 Poetry...). William Shakespeare

Gra.

      A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel!

      I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

       Shy.

      Shall I not have barely my principal?

       Por.

      Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,

      To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.

       Shy.

      Why then the devil give him good of it!

      I’ll stay no longer question.

       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

      Shall seize one half his goods; the other half

      Comes to the privy coffer of the state,

      And the offender’s life lies in the mercy

      Of the Duke only, ’gainst all other voice:

      In which predicament I say thou stand’st;

      For it appears, by manifest proceeding,

      That indirectly, and directly too,

      Thou hast contrived against the very life

      Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr’d

      The danger formerly by me rehears’d.

      Down therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.

       Gra.

      Beg that thou mayst 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 hang’d at the state’s charge.

       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;

      The other half comes to the general state,

      Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

       Por.

      Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.

       Shy.

      Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that:

      You take my house when you do take the prop

      That doth sustain my house; you take my life

      When you do take the means whereby I live.

       Por.

      What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

       Gra.

      A halter gratis—nothing else, for God 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

      Upon his death unto the gentleman

      That lately stole his daughter.

      Two things provided more, that for this favor

      He presently become a Christian;

      The other, that he do record a gift,

      Here in the court, of all he dies possess’d

      Unto his son Lorenzo and 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?

       Shy.

      I am content.

       Por.

      Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

       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.

       [Gra.]

      In christ’ning shalt thou have two god-fathers:

      Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,

      To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.

       Exit [Shylock].

       Duke.

      Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

       Por.

      I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon,

      I must away this night toward Padua,

      And it is meet I presently set forth.

       Duke.

      I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.

      Antonio, gratify this gentleman,

      For in my mind you are much bound to him.

       Exeunt Duke and his Train.

       Bass.

      Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend

      Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted

      Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof

      Three thousand ducats, due unto the Jew,

      We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

       Ant.

      And stand indebted, over and above,

      In love and service to you evermore.

       Por.

      He is well paid that is well satisfied,

      And I, delivering you, am satisfied,

      And therein do account myself well paid.

      My mind was never yet more mercenary.

      I pray you know me when we meet again;

      I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

       Bass.

      Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.

      Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,

      Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you,

      Not to