Guilt.

Whose howl's his watch) thus with his stealthy
pace,
Like Tarquin's ravishing strides, toward his de-
sign
Moves like a ghost-Thou sound and firm-set

earth,

Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for

fear

The very stones should prate of royal blood
Soon to be spilt. [Shakesp. MACBETH.]

Tenderness. SOLE partner, and sole part of all these joys,

Awe.

Pity.

Dearer thyself than all. Needs must the Pow'r,
That made us, and for us this ample world,
Be infinitely good, and of his good

As liberal and free, as infinite;

Gratitude. That rais'd us from the dust, and plac'd us here

In all this happiness, who at his hand
Have nothing merited, nor can perform
Ought whereof he hath need; he who requires
From us no other service, than to keep
This one, this easy charge, of all the trees
In paradise, that bear delicious fruit
So various, not to taste that only tree
Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life;

Apprehens. So near grows death to life; whate'er death is;
Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou

know'st
God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree,
The only sign of our obedience left,

Gratitude. Among so many signs of pow'r and rule
Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given

Over all other creatures, that possess

Earth air, and sea.

Then let us not think hard

One easy prohibition, who enjoy

Free leave so large to all things else, and choice

Unlimited, of manifold delights,

But let us ever praise him, and extol

His bounty, following our delightful task

To prune these growing plants, and 'tend these

flowers,

Which, were it toilsome, yet with thee-were

sweet.

LVII.

INTERCESSION. OBSTINACY. CRUEL--
TY. FORCED SUBMISSION.

Interesting scene from Shakespeare's Merchant of
Venice, in which the Jew Shylock, by his per--
severing malice against Antonio, is completely.
humbled and punished.

DUKE, SHYLOCK, ANTONIO, BASSANIO, POR

TIA, and GRATIANO..

Duke. MAKE room,

Pity.

Joy.

and let him stand before Authority.

:

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, 'tis thought
Thoul't shew 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 (1)
Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture,
But, touch'd with humane gentleness and love,

i

Forgive a moiety of the principal,
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses,

(1) See the note, page 155

P2

Pleading.

Pity.

Pleading.

Pity. Obstinacy.

That have of late brought down such ruin on

him,
Enough to make a royal merchant, bankrupt.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.

Shyl, I have possess'd your grace of what I

purpose,
Hypocrify. (2) And by our holy sabbath have I sworn
Cruelty.
To have the due and forfeit of my bond.

Threaten. If you deny it, let the danger light

Malice.

Upon your charter, and your city's freedom You'll ask, me, why I rather chuse to have A weight of carrion flesh, than to receive Obstinacy. Three thousand ducats ? I'll not answer that; But, say it is my humour; Is it answered ? Obstinacy. What if my house be troubled with a rat,

Malice.

Reproof.

Malice.

Deject.

Intreat.

Obstinacy.

Grave.

Obstinacy.

And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats,
To have it ban'd? What, are you answer'd yet?
Bassanio. This is no answer, thou unfeeling

man,

T' excuse the current of thy cruelty.
Shyl. I am not bound to please thee with my

answer.

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 plead pity with the wolf,
When you behold the ewe bleat for the lamb,
As try to melt his Jewish heart to kindness.

Bass. For thy three thousand ducats, here are

six.

Shyl. If ev'ry ducat in six thousand ducats
Were in six parts, and ev'ry part a ducat,
I would not draw them; I would have my bond.
Duke. How shalt thou hope for mercy, ren-

dering none?

Shyl. 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, (1) See Affellation, hypocritical, page 27.

[Enter Portia, disguised like a Doct. of Laws.] Duke. Give me your hand. You come from Welcoming

learn'd Bellario?

Portia. I do, my Lord.

Duke. You're welcome: take your place. Are you acqainted with the cause in question. ? Question. Portia. I am informed thoroughly of the case. Answer. Which is the merchant here? and which the Question.

Jew?

Duke. Antonio and Shylock; both stand forth. Authority. Port. [To Shylock.] Is your name Shylock? Question.

Shyl. Shylock is my name.

Obstinacy.

Port. [To Antonio.] You are obnoxious to Question.

him, are you not?

Ant. Ay, so he says.

Deject.

Port. Do you confess the bond?

Question.

Ant. I do.

Deject.

Port, Then must the Jew be merciful.

Intreat.

Shyl. On what compulsion must I? Tell me Obstinacy.

that.

Port. The quality of mercy is not strained. Advising.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heav'n

Upon the happy soil. It is twice blest,

In him, who gives it; and in him, who takes. 'Tis mightiest in the Mightiest. It becomes The throned monarch better that his crown;

Itself enthroned in the hearts of kings.

It is the loveliest attribute of Deity;

And earthly pow'r shews likest to divine,

Pleasure.

Reverence.

When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Advising.

Tho' 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 pray'r doth teach us all to render

Serious

Reflection.

Obstinacy.

Bass. For once I beg the court to bend the law Intreat.

There is no pow'r in Forbidding.

Venice

Applaufe.

Curiosity.

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.

Shyl. A Daniel come to judgment! Yea,

a Daniel.

O wise young judge! How do I honor thee!
Port. I pray you let me look upon the bond.
Shyl. Here'tis, most reverend doctor! Here

Applaufe.

it is.

Advising.

Port. Shylock! - there's thrice thy money

offer'd thee.

Hypocrify.

Shyl. An oath! An oath! I have an oath

in Heav'n!

Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

Declam.

No, not for Venice.

Advis.

- Port. (1) 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.

Obstinacy.

Shyl. When it is paid according to the tenor.
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me. I stay upon my bond.

Dejection.

Paffing

Sentence.

Thirst of

Blood.

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

Port. Why then, thus it is;

You must prepare your bosom for this knife.

Shyl. Ay, his breast;

So saith the bond; doth it not, noble judge?

These are the very words.

Port. Have here a surgeon, Shylock, at your

To stop his wounds, least he should bleed to death.
Shyl. Is it so nominated in the bond?

(1) Portia speaks all, to "Stop him, guards," without looking off the bond.