66 He pitied, and many made a jest of his misery employed at great expense various messengers to seek after her; but though they were able to trace, they could not come up with her; so that Shylock sustained loss upon loss,-disappointment upon disappointment, till he began to think himself marked out for evil fortune, and told his countryman Tubal, with bitter tears, there was no ill luck stirring but what lighted on his shoulders; no sighs but of his breathing; no tears but of his shedding ;" and to complete his misfortunes, Antonio became a bankrupt for his ships were supposed to be lost, and sudden ruin came upon him. At first Shylock only felt the news as an addition of misery, in an accumulation of pecuniary loss: but when he reflected that the life of his bitterest enemy was thus in his power, he began to exult; so that when Antonio was cast into prison, he waited with impatience for the day of trial. The whole city of Venice was now thrown into confusion. The ruin of Antonio, who was much beloved, was a cause of universal regret; and the determined vengeance of the Jew inspired a general feeling of horror. The eventful day arrived, and the court was crowded, to witness this extraordinary trial. Bassanio appealed to Shylock, but in vain. he was immoveable. At length, a messenger from Bellario arrived, and announced a young doctor of laws from Padua, deputed by him to plead in the cause between Shylock and Antonio: when Portia, disguised as a doctor, entered the court, attended by Nerissa as her clerk. The youthful doctor had been recommended by Bellario as being wise and skilful; and the manner in which he opened the cause, and took his examination of the case, proved him not unworthy of the commendation bestowed. The bond he declared was accurately drawn; no flaw appeared on which to found any pretence of resistance to the Jew's claim. The doctor however appealed most eloquently to his compassion; Bassanio offered him his money three times told; and Gratiano, by noise, bluster, and abuse, strove to browbeat him out of his determination but ali were equally ineffectual. To the doctor's appeal for mercy he merely replied “ My deed's upon my head: I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond." On Gratiano he cast a sarcastic grin, saying-" Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, thou but offendest thy lungs to speak so loud." But when Bassanio offered the ducats, and the Duke urged him to receive them, he vehemently exclaimed If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them I would have my bond. *** The court was filled with horror; curses were muttered on every side; and so urgent was the request of Bassanio, that the learned doctor would for once 66 wrest the law to his own authority," that Shylock was alarmed lest any unexpected clause might be found to cheat him of his revenge. But when the simulated lawyer replied, such could not be that no power in Venice could alter a decree established, he bowed to him with the most profound reverence, kissed the hem of his robe, and declared him to be a second Daniel come to judgment. The hopes of the spectators began to fluctuate; and when the doctor sorrowfully inquired whether Antonio had any thing to say ere his death, and he took an affectionate leave of Bassanio, all present were deluged with tears-all wept save Shylock; but he, impatient at delay, furiously whetted his knife on the marble pavement, drew out his scales, and stood, in eager expectation, ready to pounce upon his victim the moment that judgment should pass. The doctor then solemnly summed up the evidence; while the Jew gasped with impatience, and at length burst out in a voice of thunder, which reverberated through the lofty pile-making every hearer shudder-" A sentence ! come, prepare !" and was darting forward to seize Antonio, when the doctor softly repelled him, saying-" Tarry, Jew! there is something else!!" The Jew looked surprised; while all present listened in trembling anxiety-and the awful pause, which followed, seemed like the prelude of fate! No sound was heard! the very act of breathing seemed almost suspended, while the doctor in an impressive manner pointed to the bond, and the Jew's looks wandered in quick succession from that to the commanding and steady countenance of the pretended lawyer; who with a deep and chilling tone of voice, addressed him, saying "SHYLOCK, THIS BOND DOTH GIVE THEE HERE NO JOT OF BLOOD!!! Shylock staggered back, the knife and scales dropped from his hands, and he fell gasping against a pillar, while a loud shout of acclamation burst from the court, and it was a considerable time ere the trial could proceed. At length the doctor bade the Jew take his bond-take his "pound of flesh; but if in cutting it he should shed one drop of Christian blood, his lands and goods were, by the laws of Venice, confiscated to the state. Gratiano now broke out in terms of exultation, seized Shylock by the arm, and whisking him round like a top, to the great amusement of all present, cried-"Ah! ah! brave Jew, where are you now? -an upright judge—a learned judge-mark, Jew, a learned judge-a Daniel come to judgment, yea a Daniel! Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip." The Jew, seeing his hopes thus blasted, said he would take the former offer to pay the bond thrice, and the Christian might depart. Bassanio instantly tendered the money; but the doctor forbade itsaying that he would distribute justice, and the Jew should only have the penalty. Therefore, prepare thee to cut off the flesh. See thou shed no blood; nor cut thou less nor more, Of one poor scruple; nay, if the scale do turn Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. * * Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture. *** Shylock then asked for his principal: it was of ferd, but again the doctor forbade-saying he had refused it in the open court, and now should only have justice and his bond. "What," said Shylock, "must I be robbedshall I not barely have my principal ?" Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture, So to be taken at thy peril, Jew. Why then the devil give him good of it,*** cried the Jew, and was going away, when the doc tor again commanded him to stay-and the expert Gratiano, seizing his arm, gave him another whisk round, and brought him to his place again. The doctor then proceeded to expound the law, saying that, according to the statutes of Venice, if an alien, by any means, either direct or indirect, should seek the life of a citizen-the party injured should receive in compensation the half of his goods-the other half being forfeit to the state, and the life of the offender at the mercy of the Duke, in which predicament the Jew now stood, and must pay the forfeiture. It would be therefore wisdom to fall down and beg mercy of the Duke. Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself, cried Gratiano; And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Therefore, thou must be hanged at the state's charge. *** The Duke gave him his life, without waiting for solicitation; but confirmed the decree of the doctor, that half of his wealth was Antonio's-the other half appertaining to the state; though due humility on his part might perhaps mitigate the penalty with a fine. Shylock sighed deeply as he addressed the court Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that! You take my house, when you do take the prop Antonio then generously offered to remit half the penalty granted to him-and only desired to retain the other half for the purpose of rendering it at his death to the husband of Shylock's daughter: but two things more premised, that he should record a deed of gift to his son in law of all he might die possessed of and that he himself should immediately become a Christian!!! |