Shy. Why, then the devil give him good of it!
I'll stay no longer question.
Por.Tarry, Jew:
The law hath yet another hold on you. 348
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,
If it be prov'd against an alien
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen, 352
The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state;
And the offender's life lies in the mercy 356
Of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice.
In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st;
For it appears by manifest proceeding,
That indirectly and directly too 360
Thou hast contriv'd against the very life
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd
The danger formerly by me rehears'd.
Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke. 364
Gra. Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself:
And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,
Thou hast not left the value of a cord;
Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge.
Duke. That thou shalt see the difference of our spirits, 369
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.
For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;
The other half comes to the general state, 372
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
Por. Ay, for the state; not for Antonio.
353 contrive: plot
355 privy coffer: treasury
357 'gainst . . . voice: in spite of what other persons may judge
363 formerly: above
373 drive: reduce
