The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-02-04

| eient for bleeding the veins OF the
(. Jew. In the reign Of King Jonn TO
/ supply a roval need, Every ~Israeltte.
, without distinction OF age or sex, was
| imprisoned, their wealth was con-
| Gscated To the Excheduer, aud the
most cruel tOrtures extorted rom
reluctant the confession OF their
Of the JewS.)
Shakespeare was not ignorant OF
these things, nor was he iKnofAnt OF
the fact that they had been banlshed
from the realm in order that their
treasures of wealth might come into
a royal but empty and bare EI-
cheGuer. Doubtless the execution OF
DIR. Lopez, every detail of whose trial
was characterized with fragrant in
Justice and prosecuting prejudice. wa
that which stirred the soul OF the
great poet to sympathy for this pro-
scribed and execrAted people, and
led him To put this comedy on the
stage AS a protest against the en-
phatic injustice everywhere accorded
the Jew. That he did not write the
play Ito lake advantage OF an incl
dent" but TO champion the cause OF
the Jew is evidenced IN the fact that
he places Shylock ever and always
in such An advantageous position.
This was not al inAdFertence; nay,
but the master poet deliberately and
u P0A CbfS ~ "D G' All - ~
his sympathy. all the strength Of his
genius and all the force Of his per
sonality into the cause OF the Jew.
Prom the inception OF the comedy
to the closing Of the court scene in
Venice, ShylOck keeps himself quite
within the limits OF the law, though
he is the butt of ri1icuie. the sub
iect Of every vile sncer and vulgar
jest.
On the floor OF the Exchange, An
tonic runs him down day by day only
TO add insults q abuses to those
of the day before. Why? What
wrong hath he done Antonio? Did
he ever a any time, IA any account,
IL any measure, seek to iDjufe or en-
barrass Antonio?
the most splendid Justification of the
Jew tina this hated son of g 1nilien-
ed people exenlplifies in his conduct
toward h Christian" merchant the
beautiful lesson, Charity suf!ereth
long and Is kind"
to have ONE within gunshot OF the
truth that he who seeks, directly
OF Indirectly, to rob his fellownlan
OF his character is q blacker criminal,
. IS a n1eaner thief than the despised
) wretch WHO. under cover of night,
creeps to your crib or stofe-hcuse and
carts away your goods.
Who steals nay purse steals trash
But he who ti1cheS from me my good
t name
Takes that which not enriches him
And AXE me poor indeed"
But when the gentle Antonio finds
it convenient TO borrow three thou
sand ducatS to whom does he go? Is
it not to the man h has sought By
public Remuneration aud persistent
defamation utterly TO wreck and de
stroy? How does Shylock receive
. him? In a rclnonstrance gentle as
the dew, in a logic resist1ess az The
light, In a burst Of eloa,tence the
! genius OF Shakespeare never sur
: passed, he sets forth the huniliatiors
: the wrongs. the outraEes that were
s daily but causelessly heaped upon
( him and his tribe at his hands:
"Signor Antonio many a time and of
8 In the Tsfalto you have rated me
About my monies and usanees;
Still have I borne it with a patient
e shSug:
a For suffersnee is the badge of al
our tribe:
q You call me nisbeliever, cut-th.oa'
dog,
And spat upon my Jewish gaberdine
: And all for use OF that which Is min.
e Well then, it now appears YOU nee<
my help.
What should I say to you? shenit
st not say.
q Hath a dog money? Ks It pcxxbl.
10 A cur cen lend three ihousaat
II ducatS? or
8 Shall I bend low, and in = bond
[e mans key,
e. With oated breath, and in
whispering hulnblenee-
II Say this
Fair Sir, you spat on me on Wed
d neSday last:
lou SpuFned me such a day
re another time
It, You called me dog: and for thee
n courfesies
Fn lend you thus much monies?
p Cut to the quick by this clear. frana
y t~xnpasSioned rehearsal Of tho ugfine.
ct and unnaanlineEs OF Ais eondect An
~ tonic replies IN the most haught
III and imperious spirit:
is