Page 482 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

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 cord,

Therefore thou must be hanged at the state’s charge. [365]

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. [370]

PORTIA

Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.

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. [375]

PORTIA
What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

GRATIANO
A halter gratis, nothing else, for God’s sake!

ANTONIO
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 [380]

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 favour
He presently become a Christian; [385]