The Merchant of Venice Read online

  PORTIA Thyself shalt see the act,

  For as thou urgest justice, be assured

  Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.

  GRATIANO O learnèd judge! Mark, Jew: a learnèd judge!

  SHYLOCK I take this offer, then. Pay the bond thrice

  And let the Christian go.

  BASSANIO Here is the money.

  PORTIA Soft!330

  The Jew shall have all331 justice. Soft, no haste.

  He shall have nothing but the penalty.

  GRATIANO O Jew! An upright judge, a learnèd judge!

  PORTIA Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.

  Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more

  But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak’st more

  Or less than a just337 pound, be it so much

  As makes it light or heavy in the substance338,

  Or the division of the twentieth part

  Of one poor scruple340, nay, if the scale do turn

  But in the estimation of a hair341,

  Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.

  GRATIANO A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!

  Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip344.

  PORTIA Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.

  SHYLOCK Give me my principal346, and let me go.

  BASSANIO I have it ready for thee, here it is.

  PORTIA He hath refused it in the open court.

  He shall have merely349 justice and his bond.

  GRATIANO A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel!

  I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

  SHYLOCK Shall I not have barely352 my principal?

  PORTIA Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,

  To be taken so at thy peril, Jew.

  SHYLOCK Why, then the devil give him good355 of it!

  I’ll stay356 no longer question.

  Starts to go

  PORTIA Tarry, Jew.

  The law hath yet another hold on you.

  It is enacted in the laws of Venice,

  If it be proved against an alien360

  That by direct or indirect attempts

  He seek the life of any citizen,

  The party gainst the which he doth contrive363

  Shall seize364 one half his goods, the other half

  Comes to the privy coffer365 of the state,

  And the offender’s life lies in366 the mercy

  Of the duke only, gainst all other voice367.

  In which predicament, I say, thou stand’st,

  For it appears, by manifest proceeding369,

  That indirectly, and directly too,

  Thou hast contrived against the very life

  Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred

  The danger373 formerly by me rehearsed.

  Down374 therefore, and beg mercy of the duke.

  GRATIANO 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 cord377:

  Therefore thou must be hanged at the state’s charge378.

  DUKE That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,

  I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.

  For381 half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s,

  The other half comes to the general state,

  Which humbleness383 may drive unto a fine.

  PORTIA Ay, for the state, not for Antonio384.

  SHYLOCK 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.

  PORTIA What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

  GRATIANO A halter390 gratis. Nothing else, for God’s sake.

  ANTONIO So391 please my lord the duke and all the court

  To quit392 the fine for one half of his goods,

  I am content, so393 he will let me have

  The other half in use394, to render it,

  Upon his death, unto the gentleman

  That lately stole his daughter.

  Two things provided more: that for this favour

  He presently398 become a Christian.

  The other, that he do record a gift

  Here in the court of all he dies possessed400

  Unto his son401 Lorenzo and his daughter.

  DUKE He shall do this, or else I do recant

  The pardon that I late403 pronouncèd here.

  PORTIA Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?

  SHYLOCK I am content.

  PORTIA Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

  SHYLOCK 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.

  GRATIANO In christening thou shalt have two godfathers.

  Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more412,

  To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font413.

  Exit [Shylock]

  DUKE Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

  To Portia

  PORTIA I humbly do desire your grace of415 pardon.

  I must away this night toward Padua,

  And it is meet417 I presently set forth.

  DUKE I am sorry that your leisure serves you not418.

  Antonio, gratify419 this gentleman,

  For in my mind you are much bound to him.

  Exit Duke and his train

  BASSANIO Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend

  Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted

  Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof423,

  Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew

  We freely cope425 your courteous pains withal.

  Offers money

  ANTONIO And stand indebted, over and above,

  In love and service to you evermore.

  PORTIA He is well paid that is well satisfied,

  And I, delivering you, am satisfied

  And therein do account430 myself well paid.

  My mind was never yet more mercenary.

  I pray you know432 me when we meet again.

  I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

  Starts to leave

  BASSANIO Dear sir, of force I must attempt434 you further.

  Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,

  Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you:

  Not to deny me, and to pardon me437.

  PORTIA You press438 me far, and therefore I will yield.

  Give me your gloves, I’ll wear them for your sake.

  To Antonio

  And, for your love440, I’ll take this ring from you.

  To Bassanio

  Do not draw back your hand, I’ll take no more,

  And you in442 love shall not deny me this.

  BASSANIO This ring, good sir, alas, it is a trifle!

  I will not shame myself to give you this.

  PORTIA I will have nothing else but only this,

  And now methinks I have a mind to446 it.

  BASSANIO There’s more depends on this than on the value.

  The dearest448 ring in Venice will I give you,

  And find it out by proclamation.

  Only for this, I pray you pardon me.

  PORTIA I see, sir, you are liberal451 in offers.

  You taught me first to beg, and now methinks

  You teach me how a beggar should be answered.

  BASSANIO Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,

  And when she put it on, she made me vow

  That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it.

  PORTIA That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts.

  An if your wife be not a madwoman,

  And know how well I have deserved this ring,

  She would not hold out enemy forever

  For giving it to me. Well, peace be with
you!

  Exeunt [Portia and Nerissa]

  ANTONIO My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.

  Let his deservings and my love withal

  Be valued against your wife’s commandment.

  BASSANIO Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him.

  Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst,

  Unto Antonio’s house. Away, make haste!

  Exit Gratiano

  Come, you and I will thither presently,

  And in the morning early will we both

  Fly470 toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 2]

  running scene 19

  Enter Portia and Nerissa

  Still disguised

  PORTIA Inquire the Jew’s house out1, give him this deed,

  And let him sign it. We’ll away tonight

  Gives her a deed

  And be3 a day before our husbands home.

  This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

  Enter Gratiano

  GRATIANO Fair sir, you are well o’erta’en5.

  My lord Bassanio upon more advice6

  Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat

  Your company at dinner.

  Gives her the ring

  PORTIA That cannot be;

  His ring I do accept most thankfully,

  And so, I pray you tell him. Furthermore,

  I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house.

  GRATIANO That will I do.

  NERISSA Sir, I would speak with you.

  I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring,

  Aside to Portia

  Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.

  PORTIA Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have

  old17 swearing

  Aside to Nerissa

  That they did give the rings away to men;

  But we’ll outface19 them, and outswear them too.—

  Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry.

  Aloud

  NERISSA Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

  Exeunt

  Act 5 [Scene 1]

  running scene 20

  Location: Belmont

  Enter Lorenzo and Jessica

  LORENZO The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,

  When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees

  And they did make no noise, in such a night

  Troilus4 methinks mounted the Trojan walls

  And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents

  Where Cressid lay that night.

  JESSICA In such a night

  Did Thisbe8 fearfully o’ertrip the dew,

  And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself9,

  And ran dismayed away.

  LORENZO In such a night

  Stood Dido12 with a willow in her hand

  Upon the wild13 sea banks and waft her love

  To come again to Carthage.

  JESSICA In such a night

  Medea16 gathered the enchanted herbs

  That did renew17 old Aeson.

  LORENZO In such a night

  Did Jessica steal19 from the wealthy Jew

  And with an unthrift20 love did run from Venice

  As far as Belmont.

  JESSICA In such a night

  Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,

  Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,

  And ne’er a true one.

  LORENZO In such a night

  Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew27,

  Slander her love28, and he forgave it her.

  JESSICA I would out-night you29, did nobody come.

  But hark, I hear the footing30 of a man.

  Enter [Stephano, a] Messenger

  LORENZO Who comes so fast in silence of the night?

  STEPHANO A friend.

  LORENZO A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?

  STEPHANO Stephano is my name, and I bring word

  My mistress will before the break of day

  Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about36

  By holy crosses37, where she kneels and prays

  For happy wedlock hours.

  LORENZO Who comes with her?

  STEPHANO None but a holy hermit and her maid.

  I pray you is my master yet returned?

  LORENZO He is not, nor we have not heard from him.

  But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,

  And ceremoniously let us prepare

  Some welcome for the mistress of the house.

  Enter Clown [Lancelet]

  LANCELET Sola46, sola! Wo ha, ho! Sola, sola!

  LORENZO Who calls?

  LANCELET Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo?

  And Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!

  LORENZO Leave hollowing50, man! Here.

  LANCELET Sola! Where, where?

  LORENZO Here.

  LANCELET Tell him there’s a post53 come from my master, with

  his horn54 full of good news: my master will be here ere

  morning.

  [Exit]

  LORENZO Sweet soul, let’s in56, and there expect their coming.

  And yet no matter. Why should we go in?

  My friend Stephano, signify58, pray you,

  Within the house, your mistress is at hand,

  And bring your music60 forth into the air.

  [Exit Stephano]

  How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

  Here will we sit and let the sounds of music

  Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night

  Become64 the touches of sweet harmony.

  Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven65

  They sit

  Is thick inlaid with patens66 of bright gold.

  There’s not the smallest orb67 which thou behold’st

  But in his motion68 like an angel sings,

  Still choiring69 to the young-eyed cherubins;

  Such harmony is in immortal souls,

  But whilst this muddy vesture of decay71

  Doth grossly72 close it in, we cannot hear it.

  [Enter Musicians]

  Come, ho, and wake Diana73 with a hymn!

  With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear,

  And draw her home with music.

  JESSICA I am never merry when I hear sweet music.

  Play music

  LORENZO The reason is, your spirits77 are attentive.

  For do but note a wild and wanton78 herd

  Or race79 of youthful and unhandled colts,

  Fetching80 mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,

  Which is the hot condition81 of their blood.

  If they but82 hear perchance a trumpet sound,

  Or any air83 of music touch their ears,

  You shall perceive them make a mutual stand84,

  Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze

  By the sweet power of music: therefore the poet86

  Did feign87 that Orpheus drew trees, stones and floods,

  Since nought so stockish88, hard and full of rage,

  But music for time doth change his nature.

  The man that hath no music in himself,

  Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,

  Is fit for treasons, stratagems92 and spoils.

  The motions93 of his spirit are dull as night

  And his affections94 dark as Erebus.

  Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.

  Enter Portia and Nerissa

  PORTIA That light we see is burning in my hall.

  How far that little candle throws his beams!

  So shines a good deed in a naughty98 world.

  NERISSA When the moon shone, we did not see the candle.

  PORTIA So doth the greater glory dim the less.

  A substitute shines brightly as a king

  Until a king be by102, and then his state

  Empties itself, as doth an inland brook

&nb
sp; Into the main of waters104. Music! Hark!

  Music

  NERISSA It is your music, madam, of the house.

  PORTIA Nothing is good, I see, without respect106.

  Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

  NERISSA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.

  PORTIA The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark

  When neither is attended110, and I think

  The nightingale, if she should sing by day,

  When every goose is cackling, would be thought

  No better a musician than the wren.

  How many things by season114 seasoned are

  To their right praise and true perfection!

  Peace, ho! The moon sleeps with Endymion116

  And would not be awaked.

  Music ceases

  LORENZO That is the voice,

  Or I am much deceived, of Portia.

  PORTIA He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,

  By the bad voice.

  LORENZO Dear lady, welcome home.

  PORTIA We have been praying for our husbands’ welfare,

  Which speed124, we hope, the better for our words.

  Are they returned?

  LORENZO Madam, they are not yet,

  But there is come a messenger before127,

  To signify their coming.

  PORTIA Go in, Nerissa.

  Give order to my servants that they take

  No note at all of our being absent hence,

  Nor you, Lorenzo, Jessica, nor you.

  A tucket132 sounds

  LORENZO Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.

  We are no telltales, madam; fear you not.

  PORTIA This night methinks is but the daylight sick.

  It looks a little paler. ’Tis a day,

  Such as the day is when the sun is hid.

  Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano and their followers

  BASSANIO We should hold day with the Antipodes138,

  If you would walk in absence of the sun139.

  PORTIA Let me give light, but let me not be light140,

  For a light wife doth make a heavy141 husband,

  And never be Bassanio so for me,

  But God sort143 all! You are welcome home, my lord.

  BASSANIO I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.

  This is the man, this is Antonio,

  To whom I am so infinitely bound.

  PORTIA You should in all sense be much bound to him,

  For, as I hear, he was much bound148 for you.

  ANTONIO No more than I am well acquitted of149.

  PORTIA Sir, you are very welcome to our house.

  It must appear in other ways than words:

  Therefore I scant152 this breathing courtesy.

  GRATIANO By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong.

  To Nerissa

  In faith, I gave it to the judge’s clerk.

  Would he were gelt155 that had it, for my part,