PLEADING.

Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so toè,
That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act; and then, "tis thought,
Thou'lt shew thy mercy, and remorse more strunge,
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;

And, where thou now exact' st the penalty,

PITY.

Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,
Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture,

PLEADING.

But touch'd with human gentleness and love,
Forgive a moiety of the principal:

PITY.

Glancing an eye of pity on his losses,
That have of late so huddled on his back,
Enough to press a royal merchant down.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew

1

OSTENTATION.

Shylock. I have possessed your grace of what I pur

pose,

HYPOCRISY.

And by our holy sabbath have I sworn,

CRUELTY.

To have the due and forfeit of my bond

THREATENING. If you deny it, let the danger light

Upon your charter, and your city's freedom

MALICE.

You'll ask me, why I rather chuse to have
A weight of carrion flesh, than to receive

OSTENTATION.

Three thousand ducats? I'll not answer that,

MALICE.

But say, it is my humour! Is it answered?"

OSTENTATION.

What if my house be troubled with a rat,

And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats,
To have it bun'd? What, are you answered yet?
REPROVING.

Bassanio. This is no answer thou unfeeling man,
T'excuse the current of thy cruelty.

MALICE.

Shylock. I am not bound to please thee with my ans

swer.

DEJECTION.

Antonio. I pray you, think, you question with a Jew. You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height ; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb, As try to melt his Jewish heart to kindness.

INTREATING.

Bassanio. For thy three thousand ducats here are sit.
OSTENTATION.

Shylock. If ev'ry ducat in six thousand ducats,
Were in sir parts, and ev'ry part a ducat,
I would not draw them, I would have my bond.

GRAVE.

Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, end'ring none

OSTENTATION.

Shylock. What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong;

CRUELTY.

The pound of flesh which I demand of him,
Is dearly bought, 'tis mine, and I will have it.

[Enter Portia, disguised like a doctor of laws.

WELCOMING.

Duke. Give me your hand, you come from learned Bellario Portia. I do, my lord.

Duke. You're welcome, take your place..

QUESTION.

Are you acquainted with the difference

That holds the present question in the court?

ANSWER.

Portia. I am informed thoroughly of the case;

QUESTION.

Which is merchant here? and which the Jew?

Duke. Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

QUESTION. (to Shylock.)

Portia. Is your name, Shylock ?

OBSTINACY.

Shylock. Shylock is my name.

QUESTION. (to Antonio.)

Portia. You stand within his danger ;. do you not

Shylock. On what compulsion must I? tell me that

ADVICE.

Portia. The quality of mercy is not strain',

PLEASURE.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heav'n
Upon the place beneath; it is twice blest,
Blest in him that gives, and him that takes !

REVERENCE.

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shews 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 God himself,

And earthly power doth then shew likest God's,

ADVICE.

When mercy seasons justice! therefore Jew,
Tho' justice be thy plea, consider this,

SERIOUS REFLECTION.

That in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy:
And that same pray'r doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.

OBSTINACY.

Shylock. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law: The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

INTREATING.

Bassanio. Wrest once the law to your authority, To do a great right, do a little wrong:

And curb this cruel devil of his will.

FORBIDDING.

Portia. It must not be, there is no pow'r 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.

APPLAUSE.

Shylock. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, à Daniet! wise young judge! How do I honour thee!

REQUEST.

Portia. I pray you, let me look upon your bond.

APPLAUSE.

Shylock. Here 'tis, most reverend doctor! here it is.

ADVICE.

Portia. Shylock !-there's thrice thy money offered thee..

HYPOCRISY.

Shylock. An oath an oath! I have an oath in heav'n !" Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

No not for Venice.

DECLARATION.

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.

ADVICE.

Be merciful;

Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.

OBSTINACY.

Shylock. When it is paid, according to the tener! There is no power in the tongue of man

To alter me, I stay here on my bond.

DEJECTION.

Antonio. Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment.

PASSING SENTENCE.

Portia. Why then, thus it is,

You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

THIRST OF BLOOD.

Shylock. Ay, his breast,

So saith the bond, doth it not, noble judge?
Nearest his heart; these are the very words

QUESTION.

Portia. It is so! Are there scales to weigh the flesh? ANSWER.

Shylock. I have them ready.

INTERCESSION.

Portia. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,

To stop his wounds, lest he should bleed to death.

CRUELTY.

Shylock. Is it so nominated in the bond?

INTERCESSION.

Portia. It is not so expressed; but what of that ? Twere good you do so much for charity...

CRUELTY.

Shylock. I cannot find it, 'tis not in the bond,HDA

SENTENCEJOG

Portia. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thing, The court awards it, and the law doth givelit,d qmi,