_Gratiano._ O, be thou damn'd, inexorable dog! And for thy life let justice be accus'd. Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit Govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, Infus'd itself in thee; for thy desires Are wolfish, bloody, starv'd, and ravenous. _Shylock._ Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin. I stand here for law. _Duke._ This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court:-- Where is he? _Nerissa._ He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you'll admit him. _Duke._ With all my heart.--Some three or four of you Go give him courteous conduct to this place.-- Meantime the court shall hear Bellario's letter. [Clerk reads.] _Your grace shall understand, that, at the receipt of your letter, I am very sick: but, in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome; his name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant: we turned o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion: which, bettered with his own learning, the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend, comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation; for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation._ _Duke._ You hear the learned Bellario, what he writes: And here, I take it, is the doctor come.-- _Enter_ PORTIA, _dressed like a doctor of laws._ Give me your hand: came you from old Bellario? _Portia._ I did, my lord. _Duke._ You are welcome; take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court? _Portia._ I am informed, throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? _Duke._ Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth. _Portia._ Is your name Shylock? _Shylock._ Shylock is my name. _Portia._ Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.-- You stand within his danger, do you not? [_To_ ANTONIO. _Antonio._ Ay, so he says. _Portia._ Do you confess the bond? _Antonio._ I do. _Portia._ Then must the Jew be merciful. _Shylock._ On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.