2264Por. Tarry Iew,

2265The Law hath yet another hold on you.

2266It is enacted in the Lawes of Venice,

2267If it be proued against an Alien,

2268That by direct, or indirect attempts

2269He seeke the life of any Citizen,

2270The party gainst the which he doth contriue,

2271Shall seaze one halfe his goods, the other halfe

2272Comes to the priuie coffer of the State,

2273And the offenders life lies in the mercy

2274Of the Duke onely, gainst all other voice.

2275In which predicament I say thou standst:

2276For it appeares by manifest proceeding,

2277That indirectly, and directly to,

2278Thou hast contriu'd against the very life

2279Of the defendant: and thou hast incur'd

2280The danger formerly by me rehearst.

2281Downe therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.

2282Gra. Beg that thou maist haue leaue to hang thy selfe,

2283And yet thy wealth being forfeit to the state,

2284Thou hast not left the value of a cord,

2285Therefore thou must be hang'd at the states charge.

2286Duk. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,

2287I pardon thee thy life before thou aske it:

2288For halfe thy wealth, it is Anthonio's,

2289The other halfe comes to the generall state,

2290Which humblenesse may driue vnto a fine.

2291Por. I for the state, not for Anthonio.

2292Shy. Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that,

2293You take my house, when you do take the prop

2294That doth sustaine my house: you take my life

2295When you doe take the meanes whereby I liue.

2296Por. What mercy can you render him Anthonio?

2297Gra. A halter gratis, nothing else for Gods sake.

2298Ant. So please my Lord the Duke, and all the Court

2299To quit the fine for one halfe of his goods,

2300I am content: so he will let me haue

2301The other halfe in vse, to render it

2302Vpon his death, vnto the Gentleman

2303That lately stole his daughter.

2304Two things prouided more, that for this fauour

2305He presently become a Christian:

2306The other, that he doe record a gift

2307Heere in the Court of all he dies possest

2308Vnto his sonne Lorenzo, and his daughter.

2309Duk. He shall doe this, or else I doe recant

2310The pardon that I late pronounced heere.

2311Por. Art thou contented Iew? what dost thou say?

2312Shy. I am content.

2313Por. Clarke, draw a deed of gift.

2314Shy. I pray you giue me leaue to goe from hence,

2315I am not well, send the deed after me,

2316And I will signe it.

2317Duke. Get thee gone, but doe it.

2318Gra. In christning thou shalt haue two godfathers,

2319Had I been iudge, thou shouldst haue had ten more,

2320To bring thee to the gallowes, not to the font. Exit.

2321Du. Sir I intreat you with me home to dinner.

2322Por. I humbly doe desire your Grace of pardon,

2323I must away this night toward Padua,

2324And it is meete I presently set forth.

2325Duk. I am sorry that your leysure serues you not:

2326Anthonio, gratifie this gentleman,

2327For in my minde you are much bound to him.

2329Bass. Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend

2330Haue by your wisedome beene this day acquitted

2331Of greeuous penalties, in lieu whereof,

2332Three thousand Ducats due vnto the Iew

2333We freely cope your curteous paines withall.

2334An. And stand indebted ouer and aboue

2335In loue and seruice to you euermore.

2336Por. He is well paid that is well satisfied,

2337And I deliuering you, am satisfied,

2338And therein doe account my selfe well paid,

2339My minde was neuer yet more mercinarie.

2340I pray you know me when we meete againe,

2341I wish you well, and so I take my leaue.

2342Bass. Deare sir, of force I must attempt you further,

2343Take some remembrance of vs as a tribute,

2344Not as fee: grant me two things, I pray you

2345Not to denie me, and to pardon me.

2346Por. You presse mee farre, and therefore I will yeeld,

2347Giue me your gloues, Ile weare them for your sake,

2348And for your loue Ile take this ring from you,

2349Doe not draw backe your hand, ile take no more,

2350And you in loue shall not deny me this?

2351Bass. This ring good sir, alas it is a trifle,

2352I will not shame my selfe to giue you this.

2353Por. I wil haue nothing else but onely this,

2354And now methinkes I haue a minde to it.

2355Bas. There's more depends on this then on the valew,

2356The dearest ring in Venice will I giue you,

2357And finde it out by proclamation,

2358Onely for this I pray you pardon me.

2359Por. I see sir you are liberall in offers,

2360You taught me first to beg, and now me thinkes

2361You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.

2362Bas. Good sir, this ring was giuen me by my wife,

2363And when she put it on, she made me vow

2364That I should neither sell, nor giue, nor lose it.

2365Por. That scuse serues many men to saue their gifts,

2366And if your wife be not a mad woman,

2367And know how well I haue deseru'd this ring,

2368Shee would not hold out enemy for euer

2369For giuing it to me: well, peace be with you. Exeunt.

2370Ant. My L. Bassanio, let him haue the ring,

2371Let his deseruings and my loue withall

2372Be valued against your wiues commandement.

2373Bass. Goe Gratiano, run and ouer-take him,

2374Giue him the ring, and bring him if thou canst

2375Vnto Anthonios house, away, make haste. Exit Grati.

2376Come, you and I will thither presently,

2377And in the morning early will we both

2378Flie toward Belmont, come Anthonio. Exeunt.

2380Por. Enquire the Iewes house out, giue him this deed,

2381And let him signe it, wee'll away to night,

2382And be a day before our husbands home:

2383This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

2385Gra. Faire sir, you are well ore-tane:

2386My L. Bassanio vpon more aduice,

2387Hath sent you heere this ring, and doth intreat

2388Your company at dinner.

2389Por. That cannot be;

2390His ring I doe accept most thankfully,

2391And so I pray you tell him: furthermore,

2392I pray you shew my youth old Shylockes house.

2393Gra. That will I doe.

2394Ner. Sir, I would speake with you:

Q Ile