_Por._ Why, this bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful: Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond. _Shy._ When it is paid according to the tenour. It doth appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law, your exposition Hath been most sound: I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment: by my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me: I stay here on my bond. _Ant._ Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment. _Por._ Why then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife. _Shy._ O noble judge! O excellent young man! _Por_. For the intent and purpose of the law Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond. _Shy_. 'Tis very true: O wise and upright judge! How much more elder art thou than thy looks! _Por_. Therefore lay bare your bosom. _Shy_. Ay, his breast: So says the bond; doth it not, noble judge? "Nearest his heart:" those are the very words. _Por_. It is so. Are there balance here to weigh The flesh? _Shy_. I have them ready. _Por_. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. _Shy_. Is it so nominated in the bond? _Por_. It is not so express'd: but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity. _Shy_. I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. _Por_. Come, merchant, have you anything to say? _Ant_. But little: I am arm'd and well prepared. Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well! Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you; For herein Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom: it is still her use To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow An age of poverty; from which lingering penance Of such a misery doth she cut me off. Commend me to your honourable wife: Tell her the process of Antonio's end; Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death. * * * * * _Shy_. We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence. _Por_. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine: The court awards it, and the law doth give it. _Shy_. Most rightful judge! _Por_. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: The law allows it, and the court awards it. _Shy_. Most learned judge! A sentence; come, prepare. _Por_. Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are "a pound of flesh:" Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice. _Gra_. O upright judge! Mark, Jew: O learned judge! _Shy_. Is that the law?