Gratiano
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,
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,
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.
Portia
Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.
Shylock
Nay, take my life and all; pardon not that:
You take my house when you do take the prop
That doth sustain my house; you take my life