"It is not so named in the bond," said Shylock.
"It were good you did so much for charity," returned Portia.
But charity and mercy were nothing to the Jew, who sharpened his knife,
and called upon Antonio to prepare. But Portia bade him tarry; there
was something more to hear. Though the law, indeed, gave him a pound
of flesh, it did not give him one single drop of blood; and if, in
cutting off the flesh, he shed one drop of Antonio's blood, his
possessions were confiscated by the law to the State of Venice!
A murmur of applause ran through the court at the wise thought of the
young counsellor; for it was clearly impossible for the flesh to be cut
without the shedding of blood, and therefore Antonio was safe.
Shylock then said he would take the money Bassanio had offered; and
Bassanio cried out gladly, "Here it is!" at which Portia stopped him,
saying that the Jew should have nothing but the penalty named in the
bond.
"Give me my money and I will go!" cried Shylock once more; and once
more Bassanio would have given it, had not Portia again interfered.
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