PORTIA The quality of mercy is not strain‘d， it droppeth as the gentle rain fromheaven upon the place beneath= it is twice blest； it blesseth him that gives and himthat takes： ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest= it becomes the throned monarch betterthan his crown； his sceptre shows the force of temporal power， the attribute to aweand majesty， wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings； but mercy is above thissceptred sway； it is enthroned in the hearts of kings， it is an attribute to God himself；and earthly power doth then show likest God‘s when mercy seasons justice.Therefore， Jew， though justice be thy plea， consider this， that， in the course ofjustice， none of us should see salvation= we do pray for mercy； and that same prayerdoth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much to mitigate thejustice of thy plea； which if thou follow， this strict court of Venice must needs givesentence ’gainst the merchant there.
SHYLOCK My deeds upon my head！ I crave the law， the penalty and forfeit of mybond.
PORTIA Is he not able to discharge the money？
BASSANIO Yes， here I tender it for him in the court； yea， twice the sum； if that willnot suffice， I will be bound to pay it ten times o‘er， on forfeit of my hands， my head，my heart： if this will not suffice， it must appear that malice bears down truth. And Ibeseech you， wrest once the law to your authority= to do a great right， do a littlewrong， and curb this cruel devil of his will.
PORTIA It must not be； there is no power in Venice can alter a decree established：’Twill be recorded for a precedent， And many an error by the same example will rushinto the state： it cannot be.
SHYLOCK A Daniel come to judgment！ yea， a Daniel！ O wise young judge， how Ido honour thee！
PORTIA I pray you， let me look upon the bond.
SHYLOCK Here ‘tis， most reverend doctor， here it is.
PORTIA Shylock， there’s thrice thy money offer‘d thee.
SHYLOCK An oath， an oath， I have an oath in heaven： shall I lay perjury upon mysoul？ No， not for Venice.
PORTIA Why， this bond is forfeit； and lawfully by this the Jew may claim a pound offlesh， to be by him cut off nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful= take thrice thymoney； bid me tear the bond.
SHYLOCK When it is paid according to the tenor. It doth appear you are a worthyjudge； you know the law， your exposition hath been most sound= I charge you by thelaw， whereof you are a well-deserving pillar， proceed to judgment= by my soul I swearthere is no power in the tongue of man to alter me- I stay here on my bond.
ANTONIO Most heartily I do beseech the court to give the judgment.
PORTIA Why then， thus it is： you must prepare your bosom for his knife.
SHYLOCK O noble judge！ O excellent young man！
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