_Organ music heard. Enter a company of noble Venetians with the_ DUKE _and his train, accompanied by_ BASSANIO, PORTIA, ANTONIO, GRATIANO, NERISSA _and others. Following these, at a little distance, appear_ LORENZO _and_ JESSICA, _the latter gorgeously attired. The company pauses before the font._ SHYLOCK _enters from the left, led forward by a priest. His gaberdine has been exchanged for the Christian habit, and in his hand is placed a crucifix._ DUKE. Old Shylock, art thou well content to do As thus we have ordain’d, which is, that thou Renounce thine ancient Jewish faith, repent Thy sins, and take the holy, solemn vows A Christian takes when on his brow the drops Baptismal glister, and be nam’d anew After the Christian custom of our land? SHYLOCK. Most noble duke, I am content, and do Hereby renounce my nation and my faith, And, which is more, raze out of mind the name That I have borne these three-score heavy years, Since it is thy command. DUKE. Cristofero Shalt thou be call’d hereafter. Now, good priest, Thine office do with ceremonies meet, And make this greybeard Jew a Christian straight. _Solemn music heard, after which_ SHYLOCK _is baptized by the priest_, ANTONIO _at the command of the_ DUKE _standing godfather to the Jew, who makes the required responses in a low voice. While he is still kneeling the company converse in an undertone._ GRATIANO. I much mislike this new made Christian’s face Nor would I trust Cristofero for all His Christian name and meekly mutter’d vows. PORTIA. Nay, Gratiano, question not the heart Nor rudely draw aside the veil that speech Hangs ever ’fore the spirit. Who may say That e’en the best among us keeps a faith Loyal to every smallest clause, or does Not slip at whiles amid the thousand small Requirements of the law. And yet, we do Implore a gentle sentence on these sins Of ours, a pardon that shall make us whole. If, for ourselves, then trebly for the Jew New come, bewilder’d, to our Christian creed. ANTONIO. There will be space enow to doubt the Jew Turn’d Christian, Gratiano, when he shall Give cause for doubt. ’Twere scantest charity Till then, to bear with him, as we do bear Ourselves unto our fellow Christians all. A bitter lesson hath he lately conn’d, And he were mad indeed that should neglect To profit by’t. GRATIANO. Belike, belike ’tis thus, But yet I do not like Cristofero’s looks; I’ll not be argu’d out of that, i’ faith, And say’t again, I much mislike his favour. NERISSA. Peace, Gratiano, dost not note the duke Commands to silence, and would speak once more? Thou wilt be ever talking, as thy wont. DUKE. Cristofero, thou bear’st a Christian name From this day forth. Then look to’t that thou dost In all things as a Christian, not as Jew.