of the earth
Where I may work and you may live at peace.

_Shylock_ I need no aid. I want no help from thee.

_Jessica_ Then give me thine. I starve for sympathy.
I shall go mad. I saw my baby die
And all around me were my husband's friends
Who spoke in terms of polished elegance.
With formal platitudes and commonplace
Regarding me as something curious,
A vulgar, noisy creature, lacking taste
And proper self-control. While on its bier
Lay all the joy that life in promise held.
Dead, and my heart within it. (_Weeps_)
(_Shylock turns to go, looks back after a step
or two, and returns_)

_Shylock_ I did not know the little one was dead.
Was it a pretty child?

_Jessica_ A pretty child!
A cherub could not be more beautiful.
Blue eyes and golden hair. A tiny mouth
A dimple in her chin. (_Shylock puts his arm around
Jessica_)

_Shylock_ Thy mother's face belike. So did she look.
And how old when it--died?

_Jessica_ A year, a year.

(_Enter Antonio and Gratiano. Antonio touches
Shylock on the shoulder_)

_Antonio_ Well, let us have an end. The time is up.
I now demand the payment of my bonds.

_Shylock_ I have not moved since last you spoke to me.

_Antonio_ All's one for that. You had no move to make.
Your whole estate is in the bailiff's hands
And you yourself may come along with me.

_Shylock_ Where would you take me?

_Antonio_ Why, before the Duke.

_Shylock_ What need of trials? Freely I confess
The debts I owe you. Take what you can find.
Take ev'ry rag and counter. Take them all.
Myself and Jessica must go away.

_Antonio_ Not quite so fast. The law expressly states
That I may put you in the debtor's gaol
And so I mean to do.

_Shylock_ But good Signor--

_Antonio_ No protest will avail. I know you Jews.
You hang together in calamity
And help each other while the Christians starve.
Let them redeem you and repay my loss.

_Shylock_ Good sir, my kin are very far away
And poor as I.

_Anto