The Merchant of Venice

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Book: Read The Merchant of Venice for Free Online
Authors: William Shakespeare
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

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