[Footnote 100: _--I'll not answer that_; _But, say, it is my humour_; The Jew being asked a question which the law does not require him to answer, stands upon his right, and refuses; but afterwards gratifies his own malignity by such answers as he knows will aggravate the pain of the enquirer. I will not answer, says he, as to a legal or serious question, but, since you want an answer, will this serve you?--JOHNSON.] [Footnote 101: _--a gaping pig_; By a _gaping_ pig, Shakespeare, I believe, meant a pig prepared for the table; for in that state is the epithet, _gaping_, most applicable to this animal. So, in Fletcher's _Elder Brother_-- "And they stand _gaping_ like a _roasted pig_." A passage in one of Nashe's pamphlets (which perhaps furnished our author with his instance), may serve to confirm the observation: "The causes conducting unto wrath are as diverse as the actions of a man's life. Some will take on like a madman, if they see a _pig come to the table_. Sotericus, the surgeon, was cholerick at the sight of sturgeon," &c. _Pierce Pennylesse his Supplication to the Devil_, 1592.--MALONE.] [Footnote 102: _--question with the Jew_.; To question is to converse.] [Footnote 103: Padua is the place of education for the civil law in Italy.] [Footnote 104: _Cannot impugn you_,; To impugn, is to oppose, to controvert.] [Footnote 105: _You stand within his danger,; Id est_, within his power--within his reach or control.] [Footnote 106: _The quality of mercy is not strain'd;_ "Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought." --Ecclesiasticus xxxv., 20.] [Footnote 107: _--malice bears down truth_.; Malice oppresses honesty. A _true_ man in old language is an _honest_ man.] [Footnote 108: _--Barrabas_; Shakespeare seems to have followed the pronunciation of the name of this robber usual to the Theatre, Barrabas being sounded Barabas throughout Marlowe's _Jews of Malta_.] [Footnote 109: _Ay, for the state_; That is, the state's moiety may be commuted for a fine, but not Antonio's.] [Footnote 110: _The other half in use_,; Let him have it at interest during the Jew's life, to render it on his death to Lorenzo.] [Footnote 111: _thou should'st have had ten more,; Id est_, a jury of _twelve_ men, to condemn thee to be hanged.] SCENE II.--VENICE. THE FOSCARI GATE OF THE DUCAL PALACE, LEADING TO THE GIANT'S STAIRCASE. _Enter_ PORTIA _and_ NERISSA. _Por_. Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it; we'll away to-night, And be a day before our husbands home: This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. _Enter_ GRATIANO. _Gra_. Fair Sir, you are well overtaken: My lord Bassanio, upon more advice,[112] Hath sent you here this ring; and doth entreat Your company at dinner. _Por_. That cannot be: This ring I do accept most thankfully, And so, I pray you, tell him: Furthermore, I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house. _Gra_. That will I do.