SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny

SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny
PORTIA: No.
SHYLOCK: No? Well then, may this man
Go find money with the devil, as for me, I am leaving.
PORTIA: No. Stop this Jew. Ah! you are not out of it!
(she takes the book of the law)
Look. It stands in the laws of Venice
That when a foreigner shall attempt
By some indirect means or other way
Some plan directed against the life of a citizen,
Half of his wealth is to be abandoned
To this Venetian, the other given to the State.
That's your position. Or, in alternative, the law
Prescribes death, come forward, here, prostrate yourself,
Come to the feet of the court to cry mercy!
GRATIANO: Go kneel and ask for a rope
For you don't have anything left to buy one with.
THE DOGE: So as to show you what the Christian spirit is
And how our ways surpass yours
In accord with our ancient customs, I am free
To grant you life, and I am doing so before
Your prayer to the court to let you live.
I add that you can request us
To restrain your loss by showing amendment.
SHYLOCK: Well, take my life and all, for can I still
Support my family, having lost my gold?
And can I live still, losing what makes life?
PORTIA: Antonio, let your order overwhelm or deliver him.
His wealth is all yours and by you alone to be given up.
What will you let him have?
SCENE II 60