GRATIANO. A Daniel, still say I; a second Daniel!
I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.
SHYLOCK. Shall I not have barely my principal?
PORTIA. Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,
To be so taken at thy peril, Jew."
So, seeing himself beaten on all points, the Jew would leave the
court. But not yet is he allowed to go. Not until he has been
fined for attempting to take the life of a Venetian citizen, not
until he is humiliated, and so heaped with disgrace and insult
that we are sorry for him, is he allowed to creep away.
The learned lawyer is loaded with thanks, and Bassanio wishes to
pay him nobly for his pains. But he will take nothing; nothing,
that is, but the ring which glitters on Bassanio's finger. That
Bassanio cannot give--it is his wife's present and he has
promised never to part with it. At that the lawyer pretends
anger. "I see, sir," he says:--
"You are liberal in offers:
You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks,
You teach me how a beggar should be answered.
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