Page 481 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2
P. 481

He shall have merely 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 barely my principal? [340]



              PORTIA
               Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,
               To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.




              SHYLOCK
               Why, then the devil give him good of it!
               I’ll stay no longer question.



              PORTIA
                               Tarry, Jew!
               The law hath yet another hold on you. [345]

               It is enacted in the 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 [350]

               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, [355]
               For it appears by manifest proceeding
               That indirectly, and directly too,
               Thou hast contrived against the very life

               Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred
               The danger formerly by me rehearsed. [360]
               Down therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.
   476   477   478   479   480   481   482   483   484   485   486