I offer ten times the aniount of money which Antonio has borrowed. Please change the law a little so that we may save Antonio. "We cannot change a law," answered Portia. "If one law is changed, then other men will later want to change other laws." "On wise young judge!" cried Shylock.
Portia said, "Let me see this agreement, this promise of Antonio to you."
"Here it is!" answer Shylock, giving her the paper.
"Yes, By law Shylock may have a pound of flesh to be cut off by him nearest to Antonio's heart. Be merciful! Let me destroy this paper. No? Then, Antonio, be ready; and Shylock, take your knife"
"Oh learned judge! Oh wise young man!" cried Shylock.
"Have you brought anything to weigh the flesh?" Portia asked Shylock.
"Yes, I have everything ready here."
"Have you a doctor, Shylock, to stop Antonio's blood?" Portia asked.
"That was not in our promise," Shylock said.
"Do you wish to say anything?" Portia asked Antonio.
"Only a little," replied the brave Antonio. "Goodbye, Bassanio. Do not be sad for me. Tell your wife about me and how much I loved you. If Shylock cuts deep enough, I'll pay him back with all my heart."
"I love you more than my own life, more than my wife, and more than all the world," cried Bassanio.
"I would gladly lose everything in order to save you."
"Your wife would not like that offer if she were present," said Portia.
Then Gratiano, who liked to do everything that Bassanio did, spoke about his own wife.
"I have a wife, whom I love very much," he said.
"But I wish that she were dead and in heaven. Then she would be able to ask God to help Antonio."
Nerissa laughed quietly when she heard her hasband.
"It is good that you make this wish when she is not here," she said to Gratiano. "If she were present, there would be trouble at your home.