20112005cannot impugne you as you doe proceed.

20122006You stand within his danger, doe you not.

20132007An. I, so he sayes.

20142008Por. Doe you confesse the bond?

20152009An. I doe.

20162010Por. Then must the Iew be mercifull.

20172011Shy. On what compulsion must I, tell me that.

20182012Por. The qualitie of mercie is not straind,

20192013it droppeth as the gentle raine from heauen

20202014vpon the place beneath: it is twise blest,

20212015it blesseth him that giues, and him that takes,

20222016tis mightiest in the mightiest, it becomes

20232017the throned Monarch better then his crowne.

20242018His scepter showes the force of temporall power,

20252019the attribut to awe and maiestie,

20262020wherein doth sit the dread and feare of Kings:

20272021but mercie is aboue this sceptred sway,

20282022it is enthroned in the harts of Kings,

20292023it is an attribut to God himselfe;

20302024and earthly power doth then show likest gods

20312025when mercie seasons iustice: therefore Iew,

20322026though iustice be thy plea, consider this,

20332027that in the course of iustice, none of vs

20342028should see saluation: we doe pray for mercy,

20352029and that same prayer, doth teach vs all to render

20362030the deedes of mercie. I haue spoke thus much

20372031to mittigate the iustice of thy plea,

20382032which if thou follow, this strict Court of Venice

20392033must needes giue sentence gainst the Merchant there.

20402034Shy. My deeds vpon my head, I craue the law,

20412035the penalty and forfaite of my bond.

20422036Por. Is he not able to discharge the money?

20432037Bass. Yes, heere I tender it for him in the Court,

20442038yea, twise the summe, if that will not suffise,

20452039I will be bound to pay it ten times ore

20462040on forfait of my hands, my head, my hart,

20472041if this will not suffise, it must appeare