Shylock now cried out impatiently, “We trifle time; I pray pronounce the sentence.”  And now all was awful expectation in the court, and every heart was full of grief for Anthonio.

Portia asked if the scales were ready to weigh the flesh; and she said to the Jew, “Shylock, you must have some surgeon by, lest he bleed to death.”  Shylock, whose whole intent was that Anthonio should bleed to death, said, “It is not so named in the bond.”  Portia replied, “It is not so named in the bond, but what of that?  It were good you did so much for charity.”  To this all the answer Shylock would make was, “I cannot find it; it is not in the bond.”  “Then,” said Portia, “a pound of Anthonio’s flesh is thine.  The law allows it, and the court awards it.  And you may cut this flesh from off his breast.  The law allows it, and the court awards it.”  Again Shylock exclaimed, “O wise and upright judge!  A Daniel has come to judgment!” And then he sharpened his long knife again, and looking eagerly on Anthonio, he said, “Come, prepare!”

“Tarry a little, Jew,” said Portia; “there is something else.  This bond here gives you no drop of blood; the words expressly are, a pound of flesh.  If in the cutting off the pound of flesh you shed one drop of Christian blood, your land and goods are by the law to be confiscated to the state of Venice.”  Now as it was utterly impossible for Shylock to cut off the pound of flesh without shedding some of Anthonio’s blood, this wise discovery of Portia’s, that it was flesh and not blood that was named in the bond, saved the life of Anthonio; and all admiring the wonderful sagacity of the young counsellor, who had so happily thought of this expedient, plaudits resounded from every part of the senate-house; and Gratiano exclaimed, in the words which Shylock had used, “O wise and upright judge! mark, Jew, a Daniel is come to judgment!”

Shylock finding himself defeated in his cruel intent, said with a disappointed look, that he would take the money; and Bassanio, rejoiced beyond measure at Anthonio’s unexpected deliverance, cried out, “Here is the money!” But Portia stopped him, saying, “Softly; there is no haste; the Jew shall have nothing but the penalty:  therefore prepare, Shylock, to cut off the flesh; but mind you shed no blood; nor do not cut off more nor less than just a pound; be it more or less by one poor scruple, nay if the scale turn but by the weight of a single hair, you are condemned by the laws of Venice to die, and all your wealth is forfeited to the senate.”  “Give me my money, and let me go,” said Shylock.  “I have it ready,” said Bassanio:  “Here it is.”

Shylock was going to take the money, when Portia again stopped him, saying, “Tarry, Jew; I have yet another hold upon you.  By the laws of Venice your wealth is forfeited to the state, for having conspired against the life of one of its citizens, and your life lies at the mercy of the duke; therefore down on your knees, and ask him to pardon you.”