To offices of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond: Of what it likes, or loaths: Now, for your answer : Why he, a harmless necessary cat; 40 49 60 More than a lodg'd hate, and a certain loathing, A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? Bass. Bass. This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty. Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my an swers. Bass. Do all men kill the thing they do not love? Shy. Hates any man the thing he would not kill? Bass. Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. What, would'st thou have a serpent sting thee twice? 70 Anth. I pray you, think you question with the Jew: You may as well go stand upon the beach, 79 As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) none? 89 Shy. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, · Because you bought them :-Shall I say to you, 100 There is no force in the decrees of Venice: Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Sala. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, 110 Duke. Bring us the letters; Call the messenger. Bass. Good cheer, Anthonio! What, man? cou rage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood. Anth. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death; the weakest kind of fruit Drops Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me : Enter NERISSA, dress'd like a Lawyer's Clerk. 120 Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Ner. From both, my lord: Bellario greets your grace,' Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? Shy. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there. Gra. Not on thy soal, but on thy soul, harsh Jew, And for thy life let justice be accus'd. Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit 130 Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. 140 Shy. 'Till thou can'st rail the seal from off my Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court :Where is he? Ner. 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.- 150 Your grace shall understand, that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick: but at 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 Anthonio the merchant: we turn'd o'er many books together: he is furnish'd with my opinion; which, better'd 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 an head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation. Enter PORTIA, dress'd like a Doctor of Laws. Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes; And |