With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, And I must freely have the half of any thing, Bass. O sweet Portia, Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words, From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had If they deny him justice: twenty merchants, Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, It will go hard with poor Antonio. Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one, in whom Than any that draws breath in Italy. Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Por. What, no more? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; Shall loose a hair through Bassanio's fault. For never shall you lie by Portia's side My maid Nerissa, and myself, mean time, Bass. [Reads.] 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, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-Venice. A Street. Enter SHYLOCK, SALANIO, ANTONIO, and Gaoler. Shy. Gaoler, look to him;-Tell not me of mer cy ; This is the fool that lent out money gratis ; Gaoler, look to him. Ant. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond: Thou call'dst me dog, before thou had'st a cause: But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs: The duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak. Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To Christian intercessors. Follow not; I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit SHYLOCK. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur,, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many, that have at times made moan to me: Salan. I am sure, the duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; Well, gaoler, on: Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Belmont. A Room in PORTIA's house. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly But, if you knew to whom you show this honour, Por. I never did repent for doing good, |