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dia you say? My dear brother in affliction', make me your confidant.

Capt. Eth. I intended to do só, or I should not have originated the subject. My father brought up the daughter of our steward, Bargrové, with my sister Agnes. I have therefore known Lucy from her infancy, and ought I to be ashamed to say how much I am in love with her'?

Capt. Mer. Etheridgè, this is a point on which', I am afraid' my advice would not be well received.

Capt. Eth. Of course you would imply that she must be renounced'.

Capt. Mer. Most assuredly; that is my opinion on a firs view of the case. You have your father's example.

Capt. Eth. I havè, but still there are many points in my favor. Bargrove is of a very old', though decayed family'; indeed', much more ancient than our own.

Capt. Mer. I grant you, therè is one difficulty removed. But still your relative position. He is now your father's steward.

Capt. Eth. That is certainly a great obstaclè; but on the other hand', she has really' been well educated.

Capt. Mer. Another point in your favor, I grant.
Capt. Eth. With respect to Lucy herself', she is

Capt. Mer. As your father thought your mother-perfection. Recollect, the soft paw of the cat conceals the talons.

Capt. Eth. Judge for yourself when you see and converse with her. I presume I am to consider myself blind'. At all events', I have decided upon nothing'; and have neither by word' or deed', allowed her to suppose an attachment on my part still it is a source of great anxiety. I almost wish that she were happily married'. By-the-by', my mother hates her. Capt. Mer. That's not in your favor, though it is in her's. Capt. Eth. And my father dotes upon her.

:

Capt. Mer. That's in favor of you bōth'.

Capt. Eth. Now you have the whole story', you may advise me as you please; but remember', I still preserve my veto.

Capt. Mer. My dear Etheridgé, with your permission', I will not advise at all. Your father tried in the same lottery', and drew a blank'; you may gain the highest prize'; but hopes with your sister render it a most delicate subject for my my opinion. Your own good sense must guide you.

Capt. Eth. Unfortunately it often happens, that when a man takes his feelings for a guidé, he walks too fast for good sense to keep pace with him.

Capt. Mer. At all events be not precipitatè; and do not

advance ōne step which', as a man of honor', you may not re

trace.

Capt. Eth. I will not if I can help it. But here comes Mr. Harness.

LESSON LXX.

PORTIA-DISGUISED AS A DOCTOR OF LAWS.

Portia. Is your name Shylock'?

Shylock.

Shylock is my name. Por. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow`; Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law' Cannot oppose you, as you do proceed.— You stand within his reach do you not'?

Antonio. Ay', so he says.

Por.

Ant. I dò.

[To Antonio.

Do you confess the bond'?

Por. Then must the Jew be merciful.
Shy. On what compulsion must I'? tell me that.
Por. The quality of mercy is not strained';

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven',
Upon the place beneath'; it is twice blessed';
It blesseth him' that gives', and him that takes^ :
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes'
The throned monarch better than his crown':
His scepter shows 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 sceptered sway^;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings`;
It is an attribute to God' himself';

And earthly power doth then show likest' God's
When mercy seasons justicè. Thereforè, Jew',
Though 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 prayēr doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much',
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;

Which if thou follow', this strict court of Venicé
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant thērè

Shy. My deed's upon my' head! I crave the law','
The penalty' and forfeit' of my bond.

Por. Is he not able to discharge the money' ?
Bassanio. Yes', here I tender it for him in the court:
Yea', twice the sum: if that will not sufficé,
I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er',
On forfeit of my hands', my head', my heart';
If this will not sufficé, it must appear'
That malicè bears down truth'. And I beseech you,
Wrest once the law to your authority':
To do a great right', do a little wrong,
And curb this cruel devil of his will.

Por. It must not bè; there is no power in Venicé
Can alter a decree established':

"Twill be recorded for a precedent';

And many an error', by the same examplé,
Will rush into the state: it cannot bè.
Shy. A Daniel' come to judgment'! yea a Daniel'!
O wise young judgè, how do I honor theè!

Por. I pray you let me look upon the bond.
Shy. Here 'tis', most reverend doctor', here it is'.
Por. Shylock', there's thrice thy money offered theé.
Shy. An oath', an oath', I have an oath in heaven':
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul' ?

Por.

Nò, not for Venice.

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 thricè thy money'; bid me tear' the bond
Shy. When it is pâid according to the tenor'.-
It doth appear, you are a worthy judgè;
You know the law', your exposition'

Hath been most sound; I charge you by the law,
Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar',
Proceed to judgment': by my soul I swear',
There is no power in the tongue of man'
To alter me: I stay here, on my bond'.
Ant. Most heartily I do beseech the court'
To give the judgment.

Por.

Why then', thus it is.
You must prepare your bosom for his knife.
Shy. O noble judgè! O excellent young man'!
Por. For the intent' and purpose of the law

Hath full relation to the penalty',

Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
Shy. 'Tis very truè: O wise and upright judgè!
And how much elder' art thou' than thy looks!
Por. Thereforè, lay bare your bosom`.

Shy.

Ay, his breast',

So says the bond';-Doth it not', noble judge'?—
Nearest his heart'; those are the very words`.
Is thére balance heré, to weigh

Por. It is so.

Shy.

The flesh' ?

I have them ready`.

Por. Have by some surgeon, Shylock', on your charge,
To stop his wounds', lest he do bleed to death.
Shy. Is it so nominated in the bond' ?

Por. It is not sò exprêssed; but what of that'?

"Twere good you do so much' for chârity'.
Shy. I cannot find it'; 'tis not in the bond`.
Por. Comè, merchant', have you any thing to say'?
Ant. But littlè; I am armed and well prepared'.-

Give me your hand`, Bassanio'; fare you

well' !
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you;
For herein fortune shows herself more kind'
Than is her custom; it is still her use'
To let the wretched` man outlive his wealth';
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow'
An age of poverty; from which lingering penancé
Of such a misery' doth she cut me off.
Commend me to your honorable wifè;
Tell her the process of Antonio's end';

Say how I loved you; speak me fair in death`;
And when the tale is told', bid her be judgé,
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Repent not that you shall lose your friend`;
And he repents not' that he pays your debt;
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough',
I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.

Shy. We trifle timè : Ĭ pray thee pursue sentence.
Por. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thinè ;
The court awards it', and the law doth give it'.
Shy. Most rightful judge!

Por. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast`;
The law allows it', and the court awards it.
Shy. Most learned judgè !—a sentencè; comè, preparè
Por. Tarry a littlè; there is something elsè.—

This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;
The words expressly arè, a pound of flesh';
But, in the cutting it', if thou dost shed'

One drop of Christian blood', thy lands and goods'
Are, by the laws of Venicé, confiscaté

Unto the state of Venice.

Gratiano. O upright judgè!-Mark, Jew;-0 learned judge!

Shy. Is that the law?

Por.

Thyself shalt see the act':

For', as thou urgest justice^, be assured',

Thou shalt have justicè, morè, than thou desir'st.
Gra. O learned judgè!-Mark', Jew';-a learned judgè!
Shy. I take this offer then`;-pay the bond thricè,
And let the Christian go.

Bass.
Por. Soft;

Here is the money.

The Jew shall have all justice ;-soft' !—no hastè ;—
He shall have nothing but the penalty.

Gra. O Jew! an upright judgè, a learned judgè!
Por. Therefore, prepare thee to cut off the flesh`.

Shed thou no blood'; nor cut thou less', nor morè,
But just a pound of flesh`: if thou tak'st more^,
Or less', than a just poûnd,—be it but so much'
As makes it light, or heavy', in the substancé,
Or the division of the twentieth part

Of one poor scruple^; nay', if the scale do turn'
But in the estimation of a hair^,-

--

Thou diest', and all thy goods are confiscate'.
Gra. A second Danièl, a Daniel', Jew!

Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip'.
Por. Why doth the Jew pausé? take thy forfeiture.
Shy. Give me my principal', and let me gò.
Bass. I have it ready for theè; here it is`.
Por. He hath refused it in the open court';

He shall have merely justice', and his bond.
Gra. A Daniel', still say I'; a second Daniel' !—

I thank thee, Jew', for teaching me that' word.
Shy. Shall I not have barely my principal'?
Por. Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture'.
To be so taken at thy peril`, Jew'.

Shy. Why', then', the devil do him good of it!
I'll stay no longer question.

Por.

Tarry', Jew`;
The law hath yet another hold on you.

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