ACT IV. SCENE I. Venice. A Court of Justice. Enter the DUKE; the Magnificoes; ANTONIO, BASSANIO, Duke. What, is Antonio here? Ant. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Ant. I have heard, Your grace hath ta’en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, The very tyranny and rage of his. Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. He comes, my lord. Enter SHYLOCK. Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act; and then, 't is thought, Thou 'It show thy mercy and remorse, more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty; And where thou now exact'st the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh, Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; Of what it likes, or loaths. Now, for your answer Why he, a harmless necessary cat; A losing suit against him. Are you answer'd? 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 answer. 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? Ant. I pray you, think you question with the Jew. You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height; As seek to soften that (than which what's harder?) But with all brief and plain conveniency, Bass. For thy three thousand ducats here is six. Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, Because you bought them: - shall I say to you, I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? Duke. Upon my power I may dismiss this court, Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Salar. My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua. Duke. Bring us the letters: call the messenger. Bass. Good cheer, Antonio! What man, courage yet! Ant. I am a tainted wether of the flock, Enter NERISSA, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. Bass. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? And for thy life let justice be accus'd! Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. Shy. Till thou can'st rail the seal from off my bond, 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? 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. Mean time, 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 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 a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation." Duke. You hear the learn'd 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? Por. I did, my lord. You are welcome: take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court? |