1 The law hath yet another hold on you.
2 The law allows it and the court awards it.
3 Enter Portia dressed like a doctor of laws.
4 And I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority.
5 I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment.
6 A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine, The court awards it and the law doth give it.
7 And I know, my lord, If law, authority, and power deny not, It will go hard with poor Antonio.
8 It doth appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your exposition Hath been most sound.
9 For the intent and purpose of the law Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond.
10 Of a strange nature is the suit you follow, Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.
11 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.
12 The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree; such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple.
13 The Duke cannot deny the course of law, For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, 'Twill much impeach the justice of the state, Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations.'
14 I have heard Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury, and am arm'd To suffer with a quietness of spirit The very tyranny and rage of his.