A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine: The court awards it, and the law doth give it.

And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: The law allows it, and the court awards it.

Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are “a pound of flesh:” Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice.

Thyself shalt see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assured Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.

I take this offer, then; pay the bond thrice And let the Christian go.