1 Go one and call the Jew into the court.
2 The law allows it and the court awards it.
3 Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.
4 Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment.
5 This letter from Bellario doth commend A young and learned doctor to our court.
6 He hath refus'd it in the open court, He shall have merely justice and his bond.
7 A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine, The court awards it and the law doth give it.
8 Upon my power I may dismiss this court, Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here today.
9 I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea, Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.'
10 Yes, here I tender it for him in the court, Yea, twice the sum, if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.
11 Two things provided more, that for this favour, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.
12 You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English.
13 So please my lord the Duke and all the court To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it Upon his death unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter.