The danger formerly by me rehearsed. Down therefore, and beg mercy of the duke. Gra. 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. For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's: Por. What mercy can you render him, Antonio? I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use1, to render it, That lately stole his daughter; Two things provided more,- That, for this favour, The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possessed, Unto his son Lorenzo, and his daughter. Duke. He shall do this, or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here. Por. Art thou contented, Jew; what dost thou say? Por. Clerk, draw a deed of gift. I am not well. Send the deed after me, And I will sign it. Duke. Get thee gone, but do it. [Exit SHY. Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner. Por. I humbly do desire your grace of pardon. I must away this night toward Padua ; And it is meet I presently 2 set forth. 1 At interest. 2 At once, directly. leisure serves you not. Duke. I am sorry that your [Exeunt Duke, Magnificoes, and Train. Por. He is well paid that is well satisfied: I I wish you well, and so I take my leave. Bass. Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further: Not to deny me, and to pardon me. Por. You press me far, and, therefore, I will yield. Bass. This ring, good sir,-alas! it is a trifle: I will not shame myself to give you this. Por. I will have nothing else, but only this; And now, methinks, I have a mind to it. Bass. There's more depends on this, than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation : Only for this, I pray you, pardon me. Por. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers: You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks, Bass. Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts. 1 Remunerate. 2 In return for which. 3 To cope is to barter, to give in exchange. An if your wife be not a mad woman, And know how well I have deserved this ring, [Exeunt POR. and NER. Ant. My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring : Bass. Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him; Come, you and I will thither presently; [Exit GRATIANO. [Exeunt. Por Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And be a day before our husbands home. Enter GRATIANO. Gra. Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en : My lord Bassanio, upon more advice1, Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat Por. That cannot be : His ring I do accept most thankfully; And so, I pray you, tell him : furthermore, I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house. [TO PORTIA. Ner. ing We shall have old swear That they did give the rings away to men; 1 Further reflection. But we'll outface them, and outswear them too. EXAMINATION ON ACT IV. 1. Quote the most beautiful passage in this act. 2. Explain the terms "malice," "remorse," ," "danger," "presently," "gratify," and "cope," as applied in this act. 3. Which is the most striking scene in the fourth act? 4. Show at what point the climax of the action is reached. 5. Have we any sympathy for Shylock? 6. What further proof of Antonio's kindness of disposition may be adduced from this act? 7. What example of play upon words may be quoted? 8. What passage here shows Shakspere's knowledge of ancient learning? 9. Is Shylock's character consistent throughout? 10. Why is the second scene necessary to this act? ACT V. SCENE I.-Belmont.-Avenue to PORTIA's House. Enter LORENZO and JESSICA. Lor. The moon shines bright.—In such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, And they did make no noise, in such a night, Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls, And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents, Where Cressid lay that night. Jes. In such a night ; Did Thisbè fearfully o'ertrip the dew Lor. In such a night Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love Jes. In such a night Medea gathered the enchanted herbs, Lor. In such a night Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, And with an unthrift love did run from Venice, Jes. In such a night, Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well; And ne'er a true one. Lor. In such a night, Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave her. Jes. I would out-night you, did nobody come. But, hark! I hear the footing of a man. Enter STEPHANO. Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night? Steph. A friend. Lor. A friend? what friend? Your name, I pray you friend? Steph. Stephano is my name; and I bring word, My mistress will before the break of day Be here at Belmont; she doth stray about By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays Lor. Who comes with her? Steph. None but a holy hermit, and her maid. I pray you, is my master yet returned? Lor. He is not, nor we have not heard from him. But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, And ceremoniously let us prepare Some welcome for the mistress of the house. Enter LAUNCELOT. Laun. Sola, sola, wo ha, ho, sola, sola. Lor. Who calls? Laun. Sola! Did you see master Lorenzo, and mistress Lorenzo? Sola, sola! Lor. Leave hollaing, man; here. Laun. Sola! where? where? Lor. Here. Laun. Tell him, there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news; my master will be here ere morning. [Exit. |