_Jessica_ Oh, torture me no further. Take me back. Love me not now, but let me win your love A little at a time. No day shall pass But in it I shall do some tiny act That will in time make up a wealth of deeds, And if we both are living long enough The balance will be as it was before. _Shylock_ Thy pleadings are but wasted, Jessica, Thou canst not gain the end that thou dost seek. For even if I have the foolish will (And I assure thee that I have it not) To bring thee back to all the luxury, The silken clothes, the soft and perfumed beds, The shining jewels of thy girlhood days, I could not. I am almost penniless. _Jessica_ Poor, and alone, and old! Nay, father dear, Thou couldst not drive me from thee after this Hadst thou the strength of ten. Let us go forth And find a little corner of the earth Where I may work and you may live at peace. _Shylock_ I need no aid. I want no help from thee. _Jessica_ Then give me thine. I starve for sympathy. I shall go mad. I saw my baby die And all around me were my husband's friends Who spoke in terms of polished elegance. With formal platitudes and commonplace Regarding me as something curious, A vulgar, noisy creature, lacking taste And proper self-control. While on its bier Lay all the joy that life in promise held. Dead, and my heart within it. (_Weeps_) (_Shylock turns to go, looks back after a step or two, and returns_) _Shylock_ I did not know the little one was dead. Was it a pretty child? _Jessica_ A pretty child! A cherub could not be more beautiful. Blue eyes and golden hair. A tiny mouth A dimple in her chin. (_Shylock puts his arm around Jessica_) _Shylock_ Thy mother's face belike. So did she look. And how old when it--died? _Jessica_ A year, a year. (_Enter Antonio and Gratiano. Antonio touches Shylock on the shoulder_) _Antonio_ Well, let us have an end. The time is up. I now demand the payment of my bonds. _Shylock_ I have not moved since last you spoke to me. _Antonio_ All's one for that. You had no move to make. Your whole estate is in the bailiff's hands And you yourself may come along with me. _Shylock_ Where would you take me? _Antonio_ Why, before the Duke. _Shylock_ What need of trials? Freely I confess The debts I owe you. Take what you can find. Take ev'ry rag and counter. Take them all. Myself and Jessica must go away.