ACT 4
Scene 1

...set you forth.
Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Salerio, and Gratiano, with Attendants.
What, is Antonio here?

...please your Grace.
I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.

...rage of his.
Go, one, and call the Jew into the court.

... Enter Shylock.
Make room, and let him stand before our face.—
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act, and then, ’tis thought,
Thou ’lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;
And where thou now exacts the penalty,
Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh,
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,
But, touched with humane gentleness and love,
Forgive a moi’ty of the principal,
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses
That have of late so huddled on his back,
Enow to press a royal merchant down
And pluck commiseration of his state
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint,
From stubborn Turks, and Tartars never trained
To offices of tender courtesy.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.

...have my bond.
How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend’ring none?

...I have it?
Upon my power I may dismiss this court
Unless Bellario, a learnèd doctor
Whom I have sent for to determine this,
Come here today.

...come from Padua.
Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.

...a lawyer’s clerk.
Came you from Padua, from Bellario?

...greets your Grace.
Handing him a paper, which he reads, aside, while Shylock sharpens his knife on the sole of his shoe.

...here for law.
This letter from Bellario doth commend
A young and learnèd doctor to our court.
Where is he?

...you’ll admit him.
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. He 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.
You hear the learnèd Bellario what he writes.

Enter Portia for Balthazar, disguised as a doctor of laws, with Attendants.
And here I take it is the doctor come.—
Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?

...did, my lord.
You are welcome. Take your place.
Are you acquainted with the difference
That holds this present question in the court?

...which the Jew?
Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

...state’s charge.
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s;
The other half comes to the general state,
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

...and his daughter.
He shall do this, or else I do recant
The pardon that I late pronouncèd here.

...will sign it.
Get thee gone, but do it.

...to the font.
to Portia as Balthazar
Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

...presently set forth.
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.—
Antonio, gratify this gentleman,
For in my mind you are much bound to him.
The Duke and his train exit.