The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886 Part 4

_Enter_ NERISSA, _dressed like a lawyer's clerk._

_Duke._ Came you from Padua, from Bellario?

_Nerissa._ From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace.

[_Presents a letter._

_Ba.s.sanio._ Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

_Shylock._ To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.

_Gratiano._ Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, Thou mak'st thy knife keen; but no metal can, No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?

_Shylock._ No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.

_Gratiano._ O, be thou d.a.m.n'd, inexorable dog!

And for thy life let justice be accus'd.

Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires Are wolfish, b.l.o.o.d.y, starv'd, and ravenous.

_Shylock._ Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.

_Duke._ This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court:-- Where is he?

_Nerissa._ He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.

_Duke._ With all my heart.--Some three or four of you Go give him courteous conduct to this place.-- Meantime the court shall hear Bellario's letter.

[Clerk reads.] _Your grace shall understand, that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick: but, in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome; his name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turned o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion: which, bettered with his own learning, the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend, comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation; for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation._

_Duke._ You hear the learned Bellario, what he writes: And here, I take it, is the doctor come.--

_Enter_ PORTIA, _dressed like a doctor of laws._

Give me your hand: came you from old Bellario?

_Portia._ I did, my lord.

_Duke._ You are welcome; take your place.

Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court?

_Portia._ I am informed, throughly of the cause.

Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?

_Duke._ Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

_Portia._ Is your name Shylock?

_Shylock._ Shylock is my name.

_Portia._ Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.-- You stand within his danger, do you not? [_To_ ANTONIO.

_Antonio._ Ay, so he says.

_Portia._ Do you confess the bond?

_Antonio._ I do.

_Portia._ Then must the Jew be merciful.

_Shylock._ On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

_Portia._ The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to G.o.d himself; And earthly power doth then show likest G.o.d's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this,-- That, in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.

_Shylock._ My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

_Portia._ Is he not able to discharge the money?

_Ba.s.sanio._ Yes, here I tender it for him in the court; Yea, twice the sum: if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er, On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart: If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority: To do a great right, do a little wrong; And curb this cruel devil of his will.

_Portia._ It must not be; there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established: 'Twill be recorded for a precedent; And many an error, by the same example, Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

_Shylock._ A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!

O wise young judge, how do I honour thee!

_Portia._ I pray you, let me look upon the bond.

_Shylock._ Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.

_Portia._ Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee.

_Shylock._ An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven: Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

No, not for Venice.

_Portia._ Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart.--Be merciful; Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.

_Shylock._ When it is paid according to the tenor.

It doth appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law, your exposition Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me: I stay here on my bond.

_Antonio._ Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment.

_Portia._ Why, then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife;--

_Shylock._ O n.o.ble judge! O excellent young man!

_Portia._--For the intent and purpose of the law Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

_Shylock._ 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge!

How much more elder art thou than thy looks!