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.