“Is that the law?” gasped Shylock; and Portia answered that he should see the act for himself. As he had urged “justice,” let him be assured he should have justice, more than he desired.
“O learned judge!” cried Gratiano, mocking Shylock’s former words of praise. “Mark, Jew, a learned judge!”
“Pay the bond thrice and let the Christian go,” said Shylock.
“Here is the money,” said Bassanio eagerly; but Portia held up her hand.
“Soft! The Jew shall have all justice. Soft, no haste! He shall have nothing but the penalty.”
Shylock was to cut off his pound of flesh, but he was to shed no blood. Nor was he to cut more or less than just one pound. If he cut more or less than a just pound— “If the scale turns even by the weight of a hair, thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate,” pronounced Portia.
“Tarry a little: there is something else!”