_Shylock._ Nay, take my life and all; pardon not that: You take my house when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house; you take my life, When you do take the means whereby I live. _Portia._ What mercy can you render him, Antonio? _Gratiano._ A halter gratis; nothing else, for God's sake. _Antonio._ So please my lord the duke, and all the court, To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it, Upon his death, unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter: Two things provided more,--that, for this favor, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd, Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter. _Duke._ He shall do this; or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here. _Portia._ Art thou contented, Jew? what dost thou say? _Shylock._ I am content. _Portia._ Clerk, draw a deed of gift. _Shylock._ I pray you, give me leave to go from hence; I am not well: send the deed after me, And I will sign it. _Duke._ Get thee gone, but do it. _Gratiano._ In christening thou shalt have two godfathers; Had I been judge, thou should'st have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not the font. [_Exit Shylock._ _Duke._ Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner. _Portia._ I humbly do desire your grace of pardon: I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth. _Duke._ I am sorry that your leisure serves you not. Antonio, gratify this gentleman, For, in my mind, you are much bound to him. [_Exeunt omnes._ FOOTNOTES: [A] As an introduction read "The Merchant of Venice," FOURTH READER, page 311. IV. OF BOLDNESS. LORD BACON.--1561-1626. _From_ ESSAYS.