For it appears by manifest proceeding, Thou hast contriv'd against the very life Gra. Beg, that thou may'st have leave to hang And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, 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: 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, Por. What mercy can you render him, Antonio? 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, That lately stole his daughter. Two things provided more,-That, for this favour, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Duke. He shall do this; or else I do recant 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 christening thou shalt have two godfa thers; Had I been judge, thou should'st have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not the font. [Exit Shylock. Duke. Sir, I entreat you home with me to din ner. Por. I humbly do desire your grace I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet, I presently set forth. of pardon; 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, Magnificoes, and 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, Por. He is well paid, that is well satisfied; Bass. Dear sir, of force I must attempt you fur ther; Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute, Por. You press me far, and therefore I will yield. Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake; And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you:Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more; And you in love shall not deny me this. Bass. This ring, good sir,-alas, it is a trifle; I will not shame myself to give you this. Por. I will have nothing else but only this; And now, methinks, I have a mind to it. Bass. There's more depends on this, than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation; Only for this, I pray you, pardon me. Por. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers: You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks, You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd. Bass. Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; And, when she put it on, she made me vow, Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts. An if your wife be not a mad woman, And know how well I have deserv'd this ring, Ant. My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring; [Exit Gratiano. Come, you and I will thither presently; SCENE II. THE SAME. A STREET. Enter Portia and Nerissa. [Exeunt. Por. Enquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it; we'll away to-night, Enter Gratiano. Gra. Fair sir, you are well overtaken: Hath sent you here this ring; and doth entreat Por. That cannot be: This ring I do accept most thankfully, And so, I pray you, tell him: Furthermore, I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house. Gra. That will I do. Ner. Sir, I would speak with you:I'll see if I can get my husband's ring, [to Portia. Which I did make him swear to keep for ever. Por. Thou may'st, I warrant: We shall have old swearing, That they did give the rings away to men; [Exeunt. |