SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny

SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny
NERISSA: Yes, if he needs must wait
Much longer in Venice, he will wait.
THE DOGE: (to the judges) Lords,
Let them go find him, do him the honors
That we would have rendered Bellario himself.
(several judges leave with Nerissa)
While waiting for him to come, at this tense moment,
I will read you the letter.
“Your Highness may be informed by the reception of this letter, I
Was very ill; but at the moment in which your messenger arrived, I was
Receiving a friendly visit from a young Doctor from Rome, named
Balthazar. I put him au courant of the trial between the Jew and the
Merchant Antonio. We had leafed through many books. He is armed with
My opinion, to which he joins his knowledge, of which he can greatly
Boast. He's going to replace me after my solicitation, to
Your Grandeur. May the years he is lacking not separate him from any
Of your esteem, for I've never known a wit so ripe in a head so young.
I beg you to greet him with kindness; you will learn his merits at the
trial.”
So, after this I think
That this young savant, must be consulted
To interpret the laws. His fame precedes him.
If he's already here, tell him to come forward.
(Portia comes forward dressed as a lawyer.)
THE DOGE: Give me your hand, be welcome;
Your rare knowledge is already known to us.
Take a seat, and let's see, above everything else,
The degree to which you know the case.
PORTIA: (sitting at the feet of the Doge)
I know each point, each detail touching
This fact. Which is the Jew and which is the merchant?
DOGE: Antonio—old Shylock, come.
SCENE II 52