laws of Venice,
If it be proved against an alien,
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen,
The party ’gainst the which he doth contrive
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state,
And the offender’s life lies in the mercy
Of the Duke only, ’gainst all other voice:
In which predicament I say thou stand’st;
For it appears, by manifest proceeding,
That indirectly, and directly too,
Thou hast contrived against the very life
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr’d
The danger formerly by me rehears’d.
Down therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
Gra.
Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself,
And yet thy wealth being forfeit to the state,
Thou hast not left the value of a cord;
Therefore thou must be hang’d at the state’s charge.
Duke.
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s;
The other half comes to the general state,
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
Por.
Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.
Shy.
Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that:
You take my house when you do take the prop
That doth sustain my house; you take my life
When you do take the means whereby I live.
Por.
What mercy can you render him, Antonio?
Gra.
A halter gratis—nothing else, for God sake.
Ant.
So please my lord the Duke and all the court
To quit the fine for one half of his goods,
I am content; so he will let me have
The other half in use, to render it
Upon his death unto the gentleman
That lately stole his daughter.
Two things provided more, that for this favor
He presently become a Christian;
The other, that he do record a gift,
Here in the court, of all he dies possess’d
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.
Duke.
He shall do this, or else I do recant
The pardon that I late pronounced here.
Por.
Art thou contented, Jew? what dost thou say?
Shy.
I am content.
Por.
Clerk, draw a deed of gift.
Shy.
I pray you give me leave to go from hence,
I am not well. Send the deed after me,
And I will sign it.
Duke.
Get thee gone, but do it.
[Gra.]
In christ’ning shalt thou have two god-fathers:
Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,
To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.
Exit [Shylock].
Duke.
Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.
Por.
I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon,
I must away this night toward Padua,
And it is meet I presently set forth.
Duke.
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.
Antonio, gratify this gentleman,
For in my mind you are much bound to him.
Exeunt Duke and his Train.
Bass.
Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof
Three thousand ducats, due unto the Jew,
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.
Ant.
And stand indebted, over and above,
In love and service to you evermore.
Por.
