Chapter 18 Act IV Scene 1 Venice. Court

Enter the Duke, Gentlemen, Antonio, Bassanio, Graciano, Salarino, Salagno, and others. Has Duke Antonio come? Antonio has, my lord. Duke I am very unhappy for you; you have come to confront a hard-hearted opponent, an inhuman wretch who knows no pity, no mercy. Antonio heard that His Majesty had tried his best to persuade him not to go too far, but he was persistent and refused to make a slight concession.Since there is no legitimate way to get me out of his grievances, I can only endure his wrath with silence, and wait for his cruel disposition with peace of mind. The duke came and summoned the Jew to court.

Salarino He waits at the door; here he comes, my lord. Enter Sherlock. Duke, step aside and let him stand in front of me.Sherlock, it is thought—and I think so—that you are merely putting on this savage attitude, and that at the last moment you will show your kindness more than your present apparent cruelty. Unexpectedly; although you insist on the punishment as promised, you must cut off a pound of flesh from this unfortunate merchant. At that time, you will not only be willing to give up this punishment, but because your conscience is moved, you may even pay for it. A portion of his arrears will be forgiven.Look at the great losses he has suffered lately, enough to ruin any merchant, however rich, even a savage with a heart of stone, who has never known human sympathy, could not but feel pity for his situation.Jew, we are all waiting for a gentle answer from you.

Shylock I have already told Your Highness what I mean; I have sworn by our Holy Sabbath that the punishment must be carried out as promised; if Your Highness does not grant my request, it will be a contempt of the charter, and I will go to the capital Appeal to revoke your state's privileges.If you ask me why I would rather take a piece of rotten meat than three thousand dollars, then I have no reason to answer you. I can only say that I like it. Is this an answer?If I got mice in my house, I'd be happy to pay ten thousand dollars to get them rid of them, and who cares about me?Didn't this answer you?Some people don't like to see a pig with an open mouth, some people lose their temper when they see a cat, and some people can't help but urinate when they hear the bagpipes; Domination, no one can be their own master.Now I will answer you like this: why some people can't stand a pig with an open mouth, some people can't stand a cat that does no harm, and some people can't stand the sound of bagpipes babbling, these are not enough The reason is only because of a natural tendency to make them ugly when they are provoked; so I can give no reason, and I will not give any reason, except because of my long-standing hatred and hatred for Antonio. That's why I filed this lawsuit against him, which is not beneficial to me.Haven't you got my answer now?

Bassanio You cruel fellow, this answer does not excuse your cruelty. SHERLOCK My answer was not meant to please you. Bassanio Shall men kill what they dislike? Who in Sherlock hates what he doesn't want to kill? Bassanio's initial offense should not be interpreted as hatred. Sherlock what!Would you be bitten twice by a poisonous snake? Think, Antonio, that you reason with this Jew now, as if you were standing on the beach, and let the sea's raging waves slow down its rush, and ask why the jackal made the ewe cry for her lamb, or Tell the pines and cypresses on the mountain not to shake their heads and make a sound of su su when they are blown by the wind.If you could soften this Jew's heart--what could be harder in the world? ——Then what is difficult to do?So I ask you not to discuss any conditions with him, and don't think of any way for me, let me be judged without hesitation, and satisfy the wish of this Jew.

Bassanio lent you three thousand dollars, how about paying back six thousand dollars now? SHERLOCK Even if each of these six thousand dollars could be divided into six parts, and each part could be turned into a dollar, I don't want them; I only want to punish as promised. Duke, you have no mercy at all, how can you expect others to show mercy to you in the future? Sherlock, I have done nothing wrong, so what punishment are I afraid of?You bought many slaves, treated them like donkeys, dogs, mules, and horses, and made them do all kinds of menial work, because you paid for them.May I say to you, set them free, and let them marry your children?Why should they sweat their blood under their burdens?Let their beds be made as soft as yours, and let their tongues taste what you eat, and you will answer, "These slaves are ours." So I can answer you too: I to him This pound of flesh requested, I have bought at great cost; it is mine, and I must have it in my hand.If you refuse me, to hell with your laws!The decree of the city of Venice is like a dead letter.I am now awaiting the verdict, please answer me quickly, can I have this pound of flesh?

Duke I have sent for Bellario, a learned doctor, to try this case for us; If he does not come this day, I have the right to announce adjournment. His Highness Salarino, there is an envoy who just came from Padua outside, with the doctor's letter, waiting for His Highness's call. Duke bring me the letter; let the messenger come in. Bassanio Be happy, Antonio!Hey, man, don't lose heart!This Jew can take my flesh, my blood, my bones, everything, but I won't let you shed a drop of blood for my sake. Antonio I am a useless sheep of the flock, and death is my due; the weakest fruit is the first to fall to the ground, so let me end my life.Bassanio, I only want you to live and write an epitaph for me in the future, then you have done the best thing.

Enter Nerissa as a lawyer's secretary. Duke Are you from Padua Bellario? Nerissa Yes, Your Highness.Bellario told me to greet His Highness. (Submit a letter.) Bassanio Why are you sharpening your knife so hard? Sherlock cut that pound of flesh off the broke guy. Gratiano, hard-hearted Jew, you do not sharpen your knife on the heel of your shoes, you sharpen your knife on your heart; no iron, not even the executioner's steel, can equal half your cruel heart sharp.Can no entreaty move you? Sherlock can't, no matter how sweetly you say it, it won't help. Gratiano's wicked dog, let's see if you don't go to hell after death!Letting something like you live in this world is really unfair.You have shaken my faith, and I believe in Pythagoras' argument that the soul of an animal can be reincarnated into a human body; your previous life must have been a jackal, because it ate people and was caught and hanged, Its wicked spirit escaped from the gallows, and entered the womb of your old woman, for your temperament is as cruel and greedy as a jackal.

Unless you can scold the seal on my contract, Sherlock, if you open your throat and yell like you, it will hurt your lungs in vain, so why bother?Good brother, I advise you to let your brain rest for a while, lest it be damaged and cannot be cleaned up in the future.I am here to ask the judge of the law. In this letter Duke Bellario introduces a young and learned doctor to our court.where is he Nerissa is waiting for your reply near here. I wonder if His Highness will allow him to come in? Duke is very welcome.Come, three or four of you, and lead him here respectfully.Let us now read Bellario's letter to the court.

Secretary (reading) "When Zunhan arrives, I will be very ill. It happened that a young doctor, Mr. Balsazer, came here from Rome to extend his condolences. Because he discussed the case of the Jews and Antonio in detail, he read all the books and made a compromise. Right and wrong, I implore him to replace my servant in response to His Highness' call. This gentleman has fully understood all my opinions on this case. Although his knowledge and talents are poor and praiseworthy, it is not worth mentioning. Please don't worry about it. Because of his young age, it is so young and mature that I have only seen it in my life. If Meng Yan accepts it, he will be able to live up to his mission. I pray for Junjue."

Duke You have heard from the learned Bellario.This is probably the doctor here. Enter PORTIA as a lawyer. Duke Give me your hand.Is this one from old Bellario? Portia is, Your Highness. The duke is welcome; sit down, please.Do you understand the two issues in the case we are hearing here today? PORTIA I know all the details of this case.Which one here is the merchant, and which one is the Jew? Duke Antonio, Shylock, you both come up. Portia Is your name Sherlock? Sherlock Sherlock is my name. PORTIA It's a strange thing for you to win this lawsuit, but according to the law of Venice, your accusation is justified. (To ANTONIO) Your life is in his hands now, is it not?

Antonio said so. PORTIA Do you accept this pledge? Antonio I admit it. PORTIA Then the Jew should be merciful. Why should I be merciful, Sherlock?Tell me your reasons. Portia Mercy is not out of compulsion, it comes down from heaven to earth like rain; it not only gives happiness to those who receive it, but also to those who give it; it has supreme power beyond all, more powerful than a crown It is enough to show the nobility of an emperor: the royal staff just symbolizes the authority of the world, making the people awe-inspiring to the dignity of the king; the power of compassion is higher than power, it is hidden deep in the heart of the emperor, and it is a The virtue of God, if the law-enforcing people can adjust mercy with justice, the power in the world is no different from the divine power of God.Therefore, Jews, although what you are asking for is justice, please think about it, if the rewards and punishments are really carried out according to justice, no one will have the hope of being saved after death; since we pray for God's mercy, we should follow our prayers Do some compassionate things yourself.I said this in order to hope that you would concede a little from your legal position; but if you insist on your original request, the court of Venice, being disinterested in its enforcement, will have to condemn the merchant up. Sherlock, what I do myself, I do myself!I just ask that the law allows me to carry out the punishment as promised. PORTIA Is he unable to repay this loan? Bassanio No, I will pay him in court; double the original amount; if he is not satisfied with this, then I will sign a contract, and pay him ten times the amount, Take my hand, my head, My heart is pledged; and if that does not satisfy him, it is a deliberate attempt to injure another, and disregard the laws of nature.Please use your power, bend the law a little bit, make a small mistake, do a great merit, and don't let this cruel devil fulfill his murderous lust. Portia can't do that, no one has the right to change the established law in Venice; if this bad example is made, everyone can use it as an excuse in the future, and they can do any bad things.This is not acceptable. Sherlock a Daniel⑾ is here to be the judge!It's really Daniel reborn!Smart young judge, I really admire you! PORTIA Please show me that contract. Here is Sherlock, venerable doctor; please look. Portia Sherlock, they will pay you three times as much. Sherlock can't, can't, I've sworn to God, can I let my soul be charged with breaking the oath?No, I can't even promise to give me the whole of Venice. Well PORTIA, then it shall be punished as promised; By law, the Jew has a right to demand a pound of flesh from the merchant's breast.It's better to be merciful, take three times the original amount of money, and let me tear up this contract. Shylock waited for him to be punished according to the terms contained in the contract, and then it would not be too late.You look like a very good judge; you know the law, you speak good reason, and you are the mainstay of the legal profession, so now I use the name of the law, I beg you to pass the sentence immediately, with my soul I swear, no one can change my resolution with his tongue.I am now but waiting to execute the original covenant. Antonio I also earnestly beg the court to pass the sentence quickly. Good Portia, here it is, then: You must be ready to have his knife in your breast. O Sherlock, majestic judge!What an excellent young man! Because of the punishment stipulated in this covenant, Portia did not contradict the meaning of the legal provisions. Sherlock is so right!O wise and upright judge!Unexpectedly, you look so young, but you are so experienced! PORTIA So bar your bosom. Sherlock is right, "his bosom," said the appointment;--is it not, Your Honorable Judge? ——"A place near the heart", it is clearly written in the contract. PORTIA Yes, are the scales ready for weighing meat? Sherlock I have brought. Portia Sherlock, send for a surgeon to seal his wound at your expense, lest he bleed to death. Is there such a rule in the Sherlock contract? PORTIA There is no such stipulation in the engagement; but what does that matter?It's always good to be willing to do a good deed. Sherlock I can't find it; there's no such thing in the contract. Merchant Portia, do you have anything to say? Antonio I have not much to say; I am ready.Give me your hand, Bassanio, and farewell!Do not grieve that I have come to this end for your sake, for fate has taken special care of me: she often allows an unfortunate man to live on after his fortune is gone, with his sunken eyes and wrinkled face. brow to poor old age; this protracted punishment she has spared me.Pay my respects to my lady, and tell her Antonio's end; tell her how I loved you, and how I died; and when you've told this story, ask her to judge whether Bassanio ever had Have a friend who really loves him.Do not grieve that you are about to lose a friend, for the debtor shall die without a grudge; if only the Jew's knife would have stabbed me a little deeper, I could have paid that debt in full in an instant. Bassanio Antonio, I love my wife as much as my own life; yet neither my life nor my wife nor the whole world is more dear to me than thy life; I would lose all, Offer them up as a sacrifice to this demon, to save your life. Mrs. Portia, if I hear you say such things here, I'm afraid she won't thank you. Gratiano I have a wife, I'll swear I love her; But I want her to die soon, That I may pray God to change the heart of this Jew like a dog. Fortunately, Nerissa said such things behind her back, otherwise there would be a lot of quarrels in the house. Shylock These are Christian husbands!I have a daughter, I'd rather she wed the son of robbers Than a Christian, waste no more time; hurry the verdict, please. A pound of Portia's merchant's flesh is yours; the courts award you, the law grants you. Sherlock, fair and just judge! PORTIA You must cut this pound from his bosom; the law permits thee, the court orders thee. Sherlock the learned judge!Good verdict!Come on, get ready! PORTIA Wait a moment, there are other words.The covenant does not allow you to take a drop of his blood, but only states "a pound of flesh"; so you can take a pound of flesh like Jonah, but when cutting the flesh, if a drop of Christian blood is shed, your Land property, according to the law of Venice, must be confiscated in its entirety. Gratiano, just judge!Listen, Jew; O learned judge! Does Sherlock legally say so? PORTIA You can find out for yourself.Since you ask for justice, I will give you justice, and more honestly than you ask. Gratiano, learned judge!Listen, Jew; what a learned judge! SHYLOCK Then I will accept the payment; pay me three times the amount promised, and let the Christian go. Bassanio money here. Portia, don't be busy!The Jew must receive absolute justice.take it easy!He cannot accept other compensation than the punishment as agreed. Gratiano, Jew!A fair and upright judge, a learned judge! PORTIA So get ready to cut your flesh.Not a drop of blood shall be shed, nor shall you cut more than or less than a pound; and if your flesh is a little lighter or a little heavier than a pound, even if the difference is only a hair, or a hair , You will be killed and all your property will be confiscated. Gratiano A reborn Daniel, a Daniel, a Jew!Now you fall into my hands, you heathen! PORTIA Why doesn't the Jew do it? Sherlock pay me back my capital, let me go. Bassanio I've got the money here, take it. Portia He has refused in court; now we can only give him justice, let him fulfill the original agreement. Gratiano, what a Daniel, a reincarnated Daniel!Thank you, Jew, for teaching me to say this. Sherlock, can't I just get back my capital? PORTIA Jew, you can take no money but risk your own life for cutting that pound of flesh. Good Sherlock, then the devil bless him to enjoy!I'm not going to fight this lawsuit. PORTIA Wait a minute, Jew, there's a little more legally involved with you.The law of Venice stipulates that if a foreigner attempts to murder any citizen by direct or indirect means, and it is verified that there is evidence, half of his property shall belong to the victimized party, and the remaining half shall be confiscated into the public treasury. Listen to the Duke's disposal, and others are not allowed to intervene.You happen to be caught in this legal net now, because according to the development of facts, it is enough to prove that you did intend to use direct and indirect means to endanger the life of the defendant, so you have already encountered the danger I just mentioned.Get down on your knees and ask the Duke for mercy. Gratiano Beg the duke's mercy, let you die yourself; but your property is now confiscated, and you can't buy a rope, so hang you at the public's expense. Duke Show you the spirit of our Christians, and though you did not speak to me, I automatically pardon your death.Half of your property goes to Antonio, and the other half goes to the public treasury; If you'll be sincerely repentant, maybe a lesser fine will be reduced to you. PORTIA This means the part that goes into the public treasury, not the part that goes to Antonio. No, Sherlock, take my life and property, I don't want your forgiveness.If you take away the pillars that support the house, you are tearing down my house; if you take away the foundation of my family, you are killing me alive. Portia Antonio, can you show him some mercy? Gratiano Give him a hanging rope for nothing; for God's sake, give him nothing else! ANTONIO If your lord and lord will spare half his estate from confiscation, I shall be content; if he will let me take the other half of his estate, and when he dies, give it to the nearest and The gentleman whose daughter eloped; but there are two additional conditions: first, he must immediately convert to Christianity when he accepts this grace; second, he must write a deed in court, declaring After his death, all his property passed to his son-in-law Lorenzo and his daughter. Duke He must fulfill these two conditions, otherwise I will revoke the pardon just announced. Portia Jew, are you satisfied?What do you have to say? Sherlock I am satisfied. Secretary Portia, write down a deed of estate grant. Sherlock, please allow me to retire, I am not well.The deed was written and delivered to my home, and I just signed it. Go, the duke, but it's impossible to change your mind on the spur of the moment. Graciano When you are baptized, you can have two godfathers; if I were a judge, I would definitely ask you twelve godfathers⑿, not to lead you to baptism, but to hang you on the gallows. (Exit Sherlock.) Monsieur Duke, I would like to invite you to dine in the quarters. Portia asks Your Highness to forgive me, I am going back to Padua tonight, I must leave now, I will not accompany you. Duke, you are so busy, I am very sorry that you can't let me be a little bit careful.Thanks to the gentleman, Antonio, you owe it all to him this time. (Exeunt the duke, gentlemen and attendants.) Most venerable sir Bassanio, my poor friend and I owe your wisdom today to avoid an innocent disaster; in order to show our respect, the three thousand dollars that were originally intended to be returned to the Jew are now Just give it to Mr. to repay your hard work. Antonio, your great kindness, we will never forget. Portia has done what she can do with peace of mind alone, and that is the greatest reward; I have done my favor to both of you this time, and I have not failed, and I am so satisfied that there is no need to talk about rewards.I hope you two will still know me next time we meet.Now I bid farewell. Good Monsieur Bassanio, I can't make another request to you, please take anything from us, not as a reward, but as a souvenir.Please promise me two things: don't refuse, and forgive my request. PORTIA You are so courteous that I am disrespectful. (To Antonio) Give me your gloves, and let me wear them as a souvenir; (To Bassanio) In memory of your kindness, let me take this ring.Don't withdraw your hand, I don't ask you for anything anymore; since you are sincere, you will never refuse me. Bassanio Is this the ring, good sir?well!It's a cheap thing; I'm ashamed to give it to you. PORTIA I want nothing but this ring; and now I think I must have it. Bassanio This ring is of no value in itself, but because of other relations, I cannot give it away.I would search for the most expensive ring in Venice to give you, but this one I have to ask your pardon. Mr. Portia, you are a generous man of words; you taught me how to ask first, and then how a beggar would be answered. Bassanio Good sir, this ring was given to me by my wife; when she put it on my finger, she made me swear never to betray, give away, or lose it. PORTIA Such are the excuses of men when they begrudge their presents.If the honorable lady is not a crazy woman, she knows how much I deserve this ring, and she will not have a long-term quarrel with you because you gave it away.Well, peace be upon you! (Exeunt PORTIA and NERISSA.) ANTONIO My master Bassanio, let him take the ring; for his merit, and my friendship, a disobedience of my lady's order will not matter. Bassanio Graciano, follow them quickly, and give him this ring; if possible, lead him to Antonio's house.go, hurry! (Exit Gratiano) Come, and I'll accompany you to your house; and we'll fly to Belmont early tomorrow morning.Come on, Antonio. (same below.)