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Enter Portia for Balthazar.

You hear the learn’d Bellario, what he writes,

And here I take it is the doctor come.

Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?

Por.

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?

Por.

I am informed throughly of the cause.

Which is the merchant here? and which the Jew?

Duke.

Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

Por.

Is your name Shylock?

Shy.

Shylock is my name.

Por.

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?

Ant.

Ay, so he says.

Por.

Do you confess the bond?

Ant.

I do.

Por.

Then must the Jew be merciful.

Shy.

On what compulsion must I? tell me that.

Por.

The quality of mercy is not strain’d,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.