I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Will show you his estate. Gratiano. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. [Nerissa moves to Jessica, while Bassanio opens the letter. Portia notices him start and turn pale at the opening words. Your hand, Salanio: what's the news from Venice ? How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio ? I know he will be glad of our success; We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. 85 Salanio. I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Portia. There are some shrewd contènts in yon same paper, That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek: 90 Of any constant man. What, worse and worse! [She goes to Bassanio. O sweet Portia, With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, How much I was a braggart. When I told you 95 100 My state was nothing, I should then have told you 105 I have engaged myself to a dear friend, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India ? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Salanio. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; 115 120 125 Jessica. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, 131 To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh Than twenty times the value of the sum That he did owe him and I know, my lord, 135 140 Portia. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; 145 150 155 Will live as maids and widows. Come, away; 160 [Bassanio, unable to speak, silently puts the letter in her hand, and she reads it aloud. 'Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, 165 use your pleasure if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.' O love, dispatch all business and be gone. Bassanio returns to Venice at once with Salanio. When Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand Nerissa. Shall they see us? Portia. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, And wish, for all that, that I had not killed them : 170 175 180 185 Nerissa. Why, shall we turn to men? 190 Portia. But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles to-day. [Exeunt. SCENE V. FORFEIT. Enter Shylock, Salarino, Antonio, and Gaoler. Shylock. Gaoler, look to him; tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lends out money gratis : Gaoler, look to him. Antonio. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shylock. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond! I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. 5 IO Shylock. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I'll have no speaking: I will have my bond. Let him alone; Antonio. I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; Salarino. I am sure the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. 15 [Exit. 20 25 Antonio. The Duke cannot deny the course of law: Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. SCENE VI. THE TRIAL. The Duke of Venice enters in state, attended by the Magnificoes or Noblemen, to preside at the trial in the Court of Venice. Antonio is brought in, guarded; his friends, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salarino, and Salario come with him. The Court is crowded. The Duke and the Magnificoes take their seats. Duke. What, is Antonio here ? Antonio. Ready, so please your grace. Duke. I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Antonio. I have heard, Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdúrate, And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury; and am armed The very tyranny and rage of his. 5 IO Duke, Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Salanio. He is ready at the door: he comes, my lord. Enter Shylock with a knife and a pair of scales. The crowd hiss him. 16 Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our face. [Shylock steps forward, and bows to the Duke. 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, Thou'lt show 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), Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture, 20 But, touched with human gentleness and love, 25 Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, Enow to press a royal merchant down, And pluck commiseration of his state |