Defy the matter.' How far'ft thou, Jeffica? In reafon he fhould never come to heav'n. Lor. Even fuch a husband Halt thou of me, as fhe is for a wife. Jef. Nay, but afk my opinion too of that. Jef. Nay, let me praife you while I have a ftomach. Jef. Well, I'll fet you forth. [Exeunt. Enter the Duke, the Senators; Anthonio, Baffanio, and Gratiano, at the bar. Duke. THAT, is Anthonio here? WHAT Anth. Ready, fo please your Grace. Duke. I'm forry for thee; thou art come to anfwer A ftony adverfary, an inhumane wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From dram of mercy. any Ant. I have heard, Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rig'rous courfe; but fince he ftands obdurate, Το To fuffer, with a quietnefs of fpirit, The very tyranny and rage of his. Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Sal. He's ready at the door: he comes, my Lord. Euter Shylock. 1 Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. And, where thou now exact'st the penalty, Glancing an eye of pity on his loffes, From braffy bofoms, and rough hearts of flint; We all expect a gentle anfwer, Jew. Shy. I have poffefs'd your Grace of what I purpose; And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond. VOL II. * That is, they are fo affected with it. L Masters Mafters of paffion fway it to the mood Of what it likes or lothes. Now, for your answer. A lofing fuit against him. Are you answer'd? Shy. I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Shy. What, would't thou have a ferpent fting thee twice ? Ant. I pray you, think, you queftion with a Jew. As feek to foften that, (than which what's harder!) Shy. What judgment fhall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas'd flave, Which, like your affes, and your dogs, and mules, Because you bought them. Shall I fay to you, The pound of flesh which I demand of him, There is no force in the decrees of Venice. Whom I have fent for to determine this, Come here to-day. Sal. My Lord, here ftays without, A meffenger with letters from the Doctor, Duke. Bring us the letters, call the meffenger. Baff. Good cheer, Anthonio: what, man, courage yet: The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, Ere thou fhalt lofe for me one drop of blood. Ant. I am a tainted weather of the flock, Meeteft for death: the weakest kind of fruit. Drops earliest to the ground, and fo let me. You cannot better be employ'd, Baffanio, Than to live ftill, and write mine epitaph. Enter Neriffa, drefs'd like a lawyer's clerk, Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario? Baff. Why doft thou whet thy knife fo earneftly? [The Few whetting his knife on the fole of his shoe. Shy. To cut the forfeit from that bankrupt there. Gra. Not on thy fole, but on thy foul harth Jew, Thou mak'ft thy knife keen; for no metal can, No, not the hangman's ax, bear half the keennefs Of thy fharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee? That fouls of animals infufe themselves Are wolfish, bloody, ftarv'd, and ravenous. Shy. Till thou canft rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'ft thy lungs to fpeak fo loud. Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To curelefs ruin. I ftand 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. OUR Grace fall understand, that, at the receipt of YOU your meffenger came, in loving vifitation was with me a young Doctor of Rome, his name is Balthafar. I acquainted him with the caufe in controverfy between the Jew and Anthonio the merchant. We turn'd o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning, (the greatnefs whereof I cannot enough commend), comes with him at my importunity, to fill up your Grace's request in my ftead. I befeech you, let his lack of years be no impediment, to let him lack a reverend eftimation; for I never knew fo young a body with fo old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whofe trial fhall better publish his commendation. Enter Portia, dreffed like a Doctor of Laws. Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario what he writes, And |