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The Merchant of Venice (Folio 1, 1623)
The Merchant of Venice. 179
2006Is deerely bought, 'tis mine, and I will haue it.
2007If you deny me; fie vpon your Law,
2008There is no force in the decrees of Venice;
2012Whom I haue sent for to determine this,
2013Come heere to day.
2016New come from Padua.
2018Bass. Good cheere Anthonio. What man, corage yet:
2024You cannot better be employ'd Bassanio,
2025Then to liue still, and write mine Epitaph.
2026Enter Nerrissa.
2027Du. Came you from Padua from Bellario?
2028Ner. From both.
2029My Lord Bellario greets your Grace.
2031Iew. To cut the forfeiture from that bankrout there.
2033Thou mak'st thy knife keene: but no mettall can,
2034No, not the hangmans Axe beare halfe the keennesse
2035Of thy sharpe enuy. Can no prayers pierce thee?
2037Gra. O be thou damn'd, inexecrable dogge,
2038And for thy life let iustice be accus'd:
2040To hold opinion with Pythagoras,
2043Gouern'd a Wolfe, who hang'd for humane slaughter,
2050Repaire thy wit good youth, or it will fall
2052Du. This Letter from Bellario doth commend
2053A yong and Learned Doctor in our Court;
2054Where is he?
2055Ner. He attendeth heere hard by
2056To know your answer, whether you'l admit him.
2057Du. With all my heart. Some three or four of you
2058Go giue him curteous conduct to this place,
2059Meane time the Court shall heare Bellarioes Letter.
2065the Merchant: We turn'd ore many Bookes together: hee is
2067ning, the greatnesse whereof I cannot enough commend, comes
2071yong a body, with so old a head. I leaue him to your gracious
2073Enter Portia for Balthazar.
2074Duke. You heare the learn'd Bellario what he writes,
2075And heere (I take it) is the Doctor come.
2076Giue me your hand: Came you from old Bellario?
2077Por. I did my Lord.
2078Du. You are welcome: take your place;
2079Are you acquainted with the difference
2082Which is the Merchant heere? and which the Iew?
2084Por. Is your name Shylocke?
2085Iew. Shylocke is my name.
2087Yet in such rule, that the Venetian Law
2088Cannot impugne you as you do proceed.
2089You stand within his danger, do you not?
2092Ant. I do.
2096It droppeth as the gentle raine from heauen
2097Vpon the place beneath. It is twice blest,
2098It blesseth him that giues, and him that takes,
2100The throned Monarch better then his Crowne.
2101His Scepter shewes the force of temporall power,
2102The attribute to awe and Maiestie,
2103Wherein doth sit the dread and feare of Kings:
2105It is enthroned in the hearts of Kings,
2106It is an attribute to God himselfe;
2112And that same prayer, doth teach vs all to render
2113The deeds of mercie. I haue spoke thus much
2114To mittigate the iustice of thy plea:
2117Shy. My deeds vpon my head, I craue the Law,
2118The penaltie and forfeite of my bond.
2120Bas. Yes, heere I tender it for him in the Court,
2122I will be bound to pay it ten times ore,
2123On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart:
2125That malice beares downe truth. And I beseech you
2126Wrest once the Law to your authority.
2127To do a great right, do a little wrong,
2128And curbe this cruell diuell of his will.
2131'Twill be recorded for a President,
And