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Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Love's Labour's Lost. To Jun. 15, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 9, 2013.
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The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
the Merchant of Venice.
that malice beares downe truth. And I beseech you
wrest once the law to your authoritie,
2050to doe a great right, doe a little wrong,
and curbe this cruell deuill of his will.
Por. It must not be, there is no power in Venice
can altar a decree established:
twill be recorded for a precedent,
2055and many an errour by the same example
will rush into the state, it cannot be.
Shy. A Daniell come to iudgement: yea a Daniell.
O wise young Iudge how I doe honour thee.
Por. I pray you let me looke vpon the bond.
2060Shy. Heere tis most reuerend doctor, here it is.
Por. Shylocke theres thrice thy money offred thee.
Shy. An oath, an oath, I haue an oath in heauen,
shall I lay periurie vpon my soule?
Not not for Venice.
2065Por. Why this bond is forfait,
and lawfully by this the Iew may claime
a pound of flesh, to be by him cut off
neerest the Merchants hart: be mercifull,
take thrice thy money, bid me teare the bond.
2070Shy. When it is payd, according to the tenure.
It doth appeare you are a worthy iudge,
you know the law, your exposition
hath beene most sound: I charge you by the law,
vvhereof you are a well deseruing piller,
2075proceede to iudgement: by my soule I sweare,
there is no power in the tongue of man
to alter me, I stay here on my Bond,
An. Most hartelie I doe beseech the Court
to giue the iudgement.
2080Por. Why than thus it is,
you must prepare your bosome for his knife.
Shy. O noble Iudge, ô excellent young man.
Por. For the intent and purpose of the law
hath full relation to the penaltie,
H2
which