 | The Jew of Venice |  |
ACT IV.
Scene I.
A Court of Justice. The Duke and Nobles seated, Officers of the Court attending Antonio as a Prisoner, Bassanio and Gratiano.Duke.
What is Antonio here?
Ant.
Ready, so please your Grace.
Duke.
I am sorry for thee, thou art come to answer
A Stony Adversary; an Inhumane Wretch
Incapable of Pity. Go one and call the Jew
Into the Court.
Enter Shylock.
Duke.
Make room, and let him stand before our Face.
Shylock, the World does think, and so do I,
That thou but lead'st this Fashion of thy Malice
To the last Hour of Act, and then 'tis hop'd
Thou'lt show thy Mercy, and Remorse, as strange
As is thy strange apparent Cruelty,
Glancing an Eye of Pity on his Losses,
31
Enow to press a Royal Merchant down,
And pluck Comiseration of his State
From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd
‘To Offices of tender Curtesy.
We all expect a gentle Answer, Jew.
Shyl.
I have possest your Grace, of what I purpose,
And by our Holy Sabbath have I sworn,
To have the Due, and Forfeit of my Bond:
If you deny it, let the Danger light
Upon your Charter and the City's Freedom:
You'l ask me why I rather chuse to have
A weight of Carrion-Flesh, than to receive
3000 Ducats. I reply to that,
It is my Humour: Is that question answer'd,
What if my House be troubled with a Rat,
And I am pleas'd to give 10000 Duccats
To have it ban'd; What, are you answer'd yet?
My Humour is my Reason. Are you answer'd?
Bass.
This is no Answer; thou hard-hearted Man.
Anto.
I pray you think you question with a Jew;
You may as well expostulate with Wolves;
You may as well go stand upon the Beach,
And bid the Waves be still, and Winds be husht;
You may as well forbid the Mountain-pines
To wag their Tops, and dance about their Leaves,
When the rude Gusts of Heav'n are whistling round.
You may as well do any thing most hard,
As seek to soften that, than which what harder?
His Jewish Heart: Therefore I do beseech you
Make no more Offers, use no father Means,
But with all Brief, and plain Conveniency,
Let me have Judgment, and the Jew his Will.
Bass.
For thy 3000 Ducats here are Six.
Shyl.
If every Ducat in 6000 Ducats,
Were in six Parts, and every Part a Ducat,
I would not draw 'em: I will have my Bond.
Duke.
How mayst thou hope for Mercy, rend'ring none?
Shyl.
What Judgments shall I dread, doing no wrong?
You have among you many a purchas'd Slave,
Whom, like your Asses, and your Doggs, and Mules,
You use in abject and in slavish part,
Because you bought 'em: Shall I say to you
Let 'em be free: Marry 'em to your Heirs
32
Be made as soft as yours; and let their Pallats
Be season'd with such Dainties. You will answer,
The Slaves are ours; so do I answer you,
The Penalty which I demand of him,
Is dearly bought, 'tis mine, and I will have it:
If you deny me, shame upon your Laws,
There is no force in the Decrees of Venice;
I stand for Judgment. Answer; shall I have it?
Duke.
The Court will first advise. Here is a Letter
From fam'd Bellario, which does much commend
A young and learned Docter in our Court,
Whose Wisdom shall direct us. Where is he?
Call in the Council.
Bassa.
Fear not, Antonio: This greedy Dogg
Shall have my Flesh, Blood, Sinews, Bones, and all,
E'er thou shalt lose one drop of Blood for me.
To Shylock.]
Why dost thou whet thy Knife so earnestly?
Shyl.
To cut the Forfeit from that Bankrupt there.
Bass.
Can no Pray'rs peirce thee?
Shyl.
None that thou has Wit enough to make.
Bass.
Oh be thou damn'd, inexorable Jew,
And that thou liv'st, let Justice be accus'd,
‘And Heaven accus'd that such a Wretch was born.
Thou almost make me waver in my Faith;
To hold Opinion with Pathygoras,
That Souls of Animals infuse themselves
Into the Trunks of Men: Thy Currish Spirit
Govern'd a Woolf, who hang'd for Humane Slaughter,
Even from the Gallows, did his fell-soul fleet,
And whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallowed Dam,
Infus'd it self in Thee.
Shyl.
Till thou canst rail the Seal from off my Bond,
Thou but offends thy Lungs to speak so loud;
‘Thy Curses fall on thy own Head, for thus
‘Ensnaring thy best Freind, thou didst it, and not I.
‘I stand for Law: Thy Prodigality brought him
To this.
Bass.
‘Inhumane Dog!
Offic.
Room for the Council there.
33
Duke.
Take your Place.
Are you acquainted with the Difference
Which holds the present Question in the Court?
Port.
I am instructed fully in the Case.
Which is Antonio, and which the Jew?
Duke.
Antonio and old Shylock both stand forth.
Port.
Is your Name Shylock?
Shyl.
Shylock is my Name?
Port.
Of a strange Nature is the Suit you follow.
Is the Bond prov'd? Or does he confess it?
Anto.
I do confess it.
Port.
Then must the Jew be merciful.
Shyl.
On what Compulsion? Must I? Tell me that.
Port.
The Quality of Mercy is not strain'd;
It drops as does the gentle Dew from Heav'n
Upon the Place beneath: It is twice blest,
It blesses him that gives, and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest, in the mightiest: It becomes
The Crown'd Monarch, better than his Crown;
It is the first of Sacred Attributes,
And Earthly Power does then seem most Divine,
When Mercy seasons Justice. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the Rigour of thy Plea;
For if thou followest this strict Course of Law,
Then must Antonio stand condemn'd.
Shyl.
My Deeds upon my Head. I crave the Law,
The Penalty and Forfeit of the Bond.
Port.
Is he not able to discharge the Bond?
Bass.
Yes, here I tender't for him in the Court;
Twice, thrice the Sum; if that will not suffice,
I will be bound to pay it ten times over,
On Forfeit of my Hands, my Head, my Heart:
If this will not prevail, it must appear
That Malice bears down Truth.
Port.
There is no Power in Venice
Can alter a Decree establish'd;
'Twill be recorded for a President;
And many an Error by the same Example
May rush into the State. It cannot be.
Shyl.
A Daniel, a Daniel: So ripe in Wisdom,
34
Port.
I pray you let me see the Bond.
Shyl.
Here 'tis, most reverend Doctor. Here it is.
Port.
Shylock, there's thrice the Money offer'd thee.
Shyl.
An Oath, an Oath; I have an Oath in Heaven:
Shall I lay Perjury upon my Soul:
No, not for Venice.
Port.
Be merciful, take thrice thy Money:
Bid me tear the Bond.
Shyl.
It has appear'd you are an upright Judge;
You know the Law; your Exposition
Has 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 do insist upon my Bond;
The Time's expir'd; I claim the Penalty.
Anto.
Most heartily I do beseech the Court
To pass the Sentence.
Port.
Why then thus it is:
You must prepare your Bosom for the Knife;
For the intent and purpose of the Law
Has full relation to the Penalty,
Which plainly appears due upon the Bond.
Shyl.
'Tis very true. O wise and upright Judge!
Port.
‘Prepare, Antonio: Officers, be ready
To lay bare his Bosom.
Shyl.
Ay, his Breast; so says the Bond:
Does it not, noble Doctor: nearest his Heart;
Those are his Words.
Port.
Have by some Surgeon, Shylock, at your Charge,
To stop his Wound, lest he should bleed to Death.
Shyl.
It is not nominated in the Bond.
Port.
Not so express'd in Words: But what of that?
'Twere good to allow so much for Charity.
Shyl.
I cannot find it: 'Tis not in the Bond.
Port.
Then do your Office.
Duke.
‘Hold awhile Antonio:
Have you any thing to say to hinder Sentence?
Anto.
But little, I am arm'd and well prepar'd:
Give me your Hand, Bassanio: Fare you well:
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you,
For herein, Fortune shows her self more kind
Then is her Custom: It is still her use
35
To view with Hollow Eye, and wrinckled Brow
An Age of Poverty, from which lingring Penance
‘She kindly cuts me off: Once more farewell:
‘Grieve not my Friend, that you thus lose a Friend,
‘For I repent not thus to pay your debt
‘Even with my Blood and Life: ‘Now, do your Office,
‘Cut deep enough be sure, and whet thy Knife
‘With keenest Malice; for I would have my Heart
‘Seen by my Friend.
Shyl.
Doubt it not, Christian; thus far I will be Courteous.
Duke.
Antonio, is this all thou hast to say?
Anto.
'Tis all.
Bass.
‘Stand off. I have a word in his behalf,
‘Since even more than in his Avarice,
‘In Cruelty, this Jew's insatiable;
‘Here stand I for my Freind. Body for Body,
‘To endure the Torture: But one pound of Flesh
‘Is due from him: Take every peice of mine,
‘And tear it off with Pincers: whatever way
‘Invention can contrive to torture Man,
‘Practice on me: Let but my Friend go safe,
‘Thy Cruelty is limited on him;
‘Unbounded let it loose on me: Say, Jew,
‘Here's Interest upon Interest in Flesh;
‘Will that content you?
Ant.
‘It may him, not me.
Bass.
‘Cruel Antonio.
Ant.
‘Unjust Bassanio.
[Jew laughs.
Bass.
‘Why Grins the Dog?
Shyl.
‘To hear a Fool propose: Thou shallow Christian!
‘To think that I'd consent: I know thee well.
‘When he has paid the Forfeit of his Bond,
‘Thou canst not chuse but hang thy self for being
‘The Cause: And so my ends are serv'd on both.
‘Proceed to Execution
Bass.
Then thus I interpose.
[Draws and stands before Antonio: The Jew starts back. Antonio interposes.
Ant.
“Forbear Bassanio, this is certain Death
“To both.
Bass.
‘In one, both dye: since it must be,
36
Duke.
‘Before our Face this Insolence! And in a Court
‘Of Justice. Disarm and seize him.
Port.
‘Spare him, my Lord; I have a way to tame him.
‘Hear me one word.
Shyl.
‘Hear, hear the Doctor: Now for a Sentence
‘To sweep these Christian Vermin, 'coupled
‘To the Shambles. O 'tis a Solomon!
Port.
Heark you, Shylock, I have view'd this Bond,
And find it gives thee not one drop of Blood.
The Words expresly are, A Pound of Flesh.
No more. Take thou that Flesh,
But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
One drop of Christian Blood, thy Lands and Goods
Are, by the Laws of Venice, mark you me,
Confiscate to the State.
[Shylock starts surpriz'd.
Shyl.
Humph.
Bass.
O, upright Judge! Mark, Jew. O learned Judge!
‘Forgive, most potent Duke, and Reverend Seigniors,
‘That thus enforc'd by my Despair—
Duke.
‘We do forgive thee, and admire thy Virtue
‘More than we blame thy Passion. But proceed.
Port.
Shylock, thy self shall see the Act,
And Letter of the Law: For as thou urgest Justice,
Be sure thou shalt have Justice.
Shyl.
I take this Offer then; pay the Bond, thrice
And let the Christian go.
Bass.
Here is the Money.
Port.
Soft! The Jew shall have all Justice: Soft, no haste!
He shall have nothing but the Penalty.
Grat.
‘A Daniel! A Daniel! Now Infidel,
We have thee on the Hip.
Port.
Why does the Jew pause? Take thy Forfeiture.
Shyl.
Give me my Principal, and let me go.
Port.
He has refus'd it in the open Court,
He shall have meerly Justice and his Bond.
Shyl.
Shall I not have barely my Principal?
Port.
Thou shalt have barely thy Forfeiture,
To be so taken at thy Peril, Jew.
Shyl.
Why then the Devil give you good of it;
I'll stay no longer Question—
Port.
Tarry Jew.
The Law has yet another hold of you:
It is enacted in the Laws of Venice,
37
That by direct or indirect Attempt,
He seek the Life of any Citizen,
The party against whom he shall contrive,
Shall seize on half his Goods: The other half
Comes to the privy Coffers of the State,
And the Offenders Life lies in the Mercy
Of the Duke only, against all other Voice;
In which Predicament, I say, thou stand'st;
For it appears by manifest proceeding,
That indirectly and directly too
Thou had'st contriv'd against the very Life
Of the Defendant; and therefore hast incurr'd
These several Penalties of Life and Goods.
Duke.
That thou may'st see the difference of our Spirits,
I pardon thee thy Life, before thou ask it;
But half thy Wealth shall be Antonio's,
The other half the States.
Shyl.
Nay, take my Life and all; pardon not that:
You take my House, when you do take the Prop
That does sustain my House: You take my Life,
When you do take the means by which I live.
Duke.
What Mercy can you render him, Antonio?
Ant.
So please my Lord the Duke
To quit the Fine of one half of his Goods.
I am content, so he will let me have
The other half in use, to render it upon
His Death to young Lorenzo,
Who lately has espous'd his Daughter.
Duke.
He shall do this, or else I do recant
The Pardon of his Life.
Port.
Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?
Shyl.
Pray give me leave to go from hence;
I am not well: send after me your Deeds,
And I will sign 'em.
Duke.
Get thee gone; but do it.
[Ex. Shyloc.
Port.
Clerk, draw a Deed of Gift.
[The Duke and Court rise.
Duke.
‘Antonio, I rejoyce at this Conclusion;
‘And I congratulate with you Bassanio,
‘Your Friends escape: You will do well
To gratify that learned Councellor,
For in my Mind you both are in his debt.
[Exit Duke with his Train, the Court breaking up.
38
‘Let me embrace the Man, by whom my Freind
‘Has Life: For in that Life I live—
3000 Ducats due on Shylock's Bond
I freely offer to requite your Pain.
Ant.
And stand indebted over and above
In Love and Gratitude for evermore.
Port.
He is well paid, who is well satisfy'd,
My Mind was never yet more Mercinary:
I pray you, know me, when we meet agen:
I wish you well, and take my leave.
Bass.
‘Not as a Fee, but as a small Remembrance;
‘A Token of our Loves and Gratitude.
Port.
Give me your Gloves: I'll wear 'em for your Sake,
Or else that Ring—
Bass.
This Ring! alas it is a Trifle;
‘Not fit for me to give, or you to take.
Port.
I see Sir, you are liberal in Offers:
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks
You teach me how a Beggar shou'd be answer'd.
Bass.
There's more depends on this than on the Value;
The dearest Ring in Venice will I give you,
And find it out, by Proclamation;
Only for this, I pray you pardon me.
Port.
‘Such slight Excuses well I understand.
Well—Peace be with you hoth.
[Exit Port. and Nerissa.
Ant.
My Lord Bassanio, let him have the Ring;
Let his Deservings, and my Love withall,
‘Be valu'd against every other Scruple.
Bass.
Prithee Gratiano, run and overtake him:
Give him the Ring; and bring him, if thou can'st,
To my Antonio's House—away, make haste.
[Exit. Gratiano.
‘Once more, let me embrace my Friend, welcom to Life,
‘And welcome to my Arms, thou best of Men:
‘Thus of my Love and of my Friend possess'd,
‘With such a double Shield upon my Breast,
‘Fate cannot peirce me now, securely Blest.
[As they go off, Re-enter Portia and Nerissa, Gratiano following.
Grat.
Sir, Sir, you are well overtaken;
My Lord Bassanio, upon more Advice,
Has sent you here the Ring; and does entreat
Your Company at Dinner.
39
For that he must excuse me: His Ring
I do accept with Thanks; and so, pray tell him:
And further more oblige my Clerk to show him
Shylock's House—These Writings he must Sign.
Grat.
That I will do: 'Tis a pert pretty youth,
I had much talk with him, during the Tryal.
Nerissa aside.]
Now will I see if I can get a Ring
I gave him too at parting, which he swore
As much never to part from.
Port.
Thou may'st, I warrant: We shall have old
Swearing, that they gave these Rings to Men,
But we'll out face 'em, and out-swear 'em too.
[Aloud.]
Make hast, I pray: Thou know'st where I will
Tarry.
Grat.
‘Come on, Sir: The first Cause I have to split,
‘You shall have all my Practice.
Neriss.
‘That may be sooner than you dream of,
‘Sir, I follow you.
‘So many Shapes have Women for Deceipt,
‘That every Man's a Fool, when we think fit.
[Exeunt.
| The Jew of Venice | |