The Merchant of Venice - Shakespeare Right Now!

The duke raises a hand for silence. “So that thou shalt see the difference between our spirits,”
he tells Shylock, “I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. As for half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s;
the other half comes to the general state—which your humbleness may drive down to a fine.”
“Aye, as for the state,” nods the visiting judge, “not for Antonio.”
Shylock is devastated. “Nay, take my life in all!—pardon not that! You take my house when
you do take the prop that doth sustain my house; you take my life when you do take the means
whereby I live!”
The lawyer from Padua goes to the man he has saved and unties the cord binding his hands.
“What mercy can you render him, Antonio?”
Gratiano has a ready answer: “A halter, gratis!—nothing else, for God’s sake!”
But Antonio regards his enemy in a new way; recent experience of powerless poverty has
softened his disposition. “So please it my lord the duke and all the court to drop the fine of one
half his goods, I am content if he will let me have the other half in use—to render it, upon his
death, unto the gentleman that lately stole his daughter.
“And two things provided more: that, in return for this favour he presently become a
Christian; the other, that he do record here in the court all he dies possessed of as gift unto his
son-in-law Lorenzo and his daughter.”
“He shall do this,” warns the duke, glaring at Shylock, “or else I do recant the pardon that I
late pronouncèd here!”
“Art thou contented, Jew?” asks the young lawyer. “What dost thou say?”
“I am content.” He will retain the use of his wealth for business. He can simulate
charitableness as well the gentiles; his heart will be Hebrew—and still beating.
“Clerk, draw a deed of gift,” the judge orders the young man.
“I pray you, give me leave to go from hence,” says Shylock quietly. “I am not well. Send the
deed after me, and I will sign it.”
“Get thee gone,” says the duke, “—but do it!”
Ask Shylock walks past him and out of the courtroom, Gratiano mutters after: “In christening
shalt thou have two god-fathers”—Antonio and the duke. “Had I been judge, thou shouldst have
had ten more—to bring thee to the gallows, not the font!”
At the bench, the duke is mightily relieved. “Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner!” he
tells Balthasar.
“I humbly do desire pardon of Your Grace,” says the scholar, bowing. “I must away this night
toward Padua, and it is meet I set forth immediately.”
“I am sorry that your leisure serves you not,” says the duke. “Antonio, gratify this gentleman,
for, in my mind, you are much bound to him!” He and his attendants prepare to leave the
courthouse.
Bassanio comes to the doctor of laws. “Most worthy gentleman,” he says, tears in his eyes, “I
and my friend have by your wisdom been this day acquitted of grievous penalties!—in lieu
whereof, three thousand ducats, due unto the Jew, we freely offer for your courteous pains
withal!”
“And stand indebted, over and above, in love and service to you evermore,” says Antonio, his
voice wavering with emotion.
The professor turns down the gold Portia provided. “He is well paid that is well satisfied; and
I, delivering you, am satisfied—and therein do account myself well paid. My mind was never yet
more mercenary.”
The clerk shows him the new document for Shylock’s signature; he nods and takes it. “I pray
you, know me when we meet again,” he tells Bassanio. “I wish you well; and so I take my leave.”
He bows and turns to go.
But Bassanio’s gratitude overwhelms him. “Dear sir, of force I must tempt you further: take
some remembrance of us, as a tribute, not as a fee!”
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