Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

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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 touch’d 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 flints,

From stubborn Turks, and Tartars never train’d

To offices of tender courtesy.

We all expect a gentle answer, Jew!

Shy.

I have possess’d your Grace of what I purpose,

And by our holy Sabaoth have I sworn

To have the due and forfeit of my bond.

If you deny it, let the danger light

Upon your charter and your city’s freedom!

You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have

A weight of carrion flesh than to receive