citizen,
The party gainst the which he doth contrive 363
Shall seize 364 one half his goods, the other half
Comes to the privy coffer 365 of the state,
And the offender’s life lies in 366 the mercy
Of the duke only, gainst all other voice 367 .
In which predicament, I say, thou stand’st,
For it appears, by manifest proceeding 369 ,
That indirectly, and directly too,
Thou hast contrived against the very life
Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred
The danger 373 formerly by me rehearsed.
Down 374 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 cord 377 :
Therefore thou must be hanged at the state’s charge 378 .
DUKE That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.
For 381 half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s,
The other half comes to the general state,
Which humbleness 383 may drive unto a fine.
PORTIA Ay, for the state, not for Antonio 384 .
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 halter 390 gratis. Nothing else, for God’s sake.
ANTONIO So 391 please my lord the duke and all the court
To quit 392 the fine for one half of his goods,
I am content, so 393 he will let me have
The other half in use 394 , to render it,
Upon his death, unto the gentleman
That lately stole his daughter.
Two things provided more: that for this favour
He presently 398 become a Christian.
The other, that he do record a gift
Here in the court of all he dies possessed 400
Unto his son 401 Lorenzo and his daughter.
DUKE He shall do this, or else I do recant
The pardon that I late 403 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 more 412 ,
To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font 413 .
Exit
[
Shylock
]
DUKE Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.
To Portia
PORTIA I humbly do desire your grace of 415 pardon.
I must away this night toward Padua,
And it is meet 417 I presently set forth.
DUKE I am sorry that your leisure serves you not 418 .
Antonio, gratify 419 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 whereof 423 ,
Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew
We freely cope 425 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 account 430 myself well paid.
My mind was never yet more mercenary.
I pray you know 432 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 attempt 434 you further.
Take some remembrance of