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I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er,

On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.

If this will not suffice, it must appear

That malice bears down truth.

[To the Duke.]

And I beseech you

Wrest once the law to your authority:

To do a great right, do a little wrong,

And curb this cruel devil of his will.

Por.

It must not be, there is no power in Venice

Can alter a decree established.

’Twill be recorded for a precedent,

And many an error by the same example

Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

Shy.

A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!

O wise young judge, how I do honor thee!

Por.

I pray you let me look upon the bond.

Shy.

Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.

Por.

Shylock, there’s thrice thy money off’red thee.

Shy.

An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven!

Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

[No], not for Venice.

Por.

Why, this bond is forfeit,

And lawfully by this the Jew may claim

A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off

Nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful,