SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny

A thing as harsh, as black, as perverse
As his heart? Cease then, and I beg you,
Begging him further is an insult to me.
Allow me firmly, and as it suits me
To deliver the Jew all of myself that's coming to him.
(uncovering his breast)
SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny
BASSANIO: (aside to the Jew)
For three thousand ducats I'll give you six thousand.
SHYLOCK: (to Bassanio)
You can shake your purse, it's quite useless;
Were each of your six thousand ducats broken
And divided by the holy prophet into six parts
And each part was a ducat, little matter to me.
As for me, I intend to receive what my note bears.
DOGE: How can you hope for mercy, o you
Who don't know how to give it?
SHYLOCK: And as for me, what have I to fear
On the day of Judgement? Am I doing wrong to anyone?
I'm not getting carried away like they are, I'm reasoning.
Don't all of you have here, in your palace,
Slaves treated as if they are your mules,
Your donkeys, your horses? These unfortunate slaves
Are employed by you in things most vile?
If I came to say to you “Eh! why these burdens
Breaking the backs of so many bent men?
Give them good beds, and in your family
They will dine in common! Let them marry your daughters!”
You would reply to me “There men belong to us,
We paid for them.” I say as much to you.
Deliver his flesh to me, I paid him very well for it.
I demand that it be by you yourself granted.
(with fury, shouts, distraction, striking his cane)
I wish it! Shame on you! Shame on your feeble laws!
If you refuse me I will shout from the rooftops
That there is no more honor in the Venetian Senate.
Shall I have justice, at last, which is promised me?
Shall I have it?
SCENE II 49