Act 4 Scene 1

I have heard

Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify

His rigorous course. But since he stands obdurate

And that no lawful means can carry me

Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose

My patience to his fury, and am armed

To suffer with a quietness of spirit

The very tyranny and rage of his.

Antonio is resigned to take his punishment in whatever form Shylock deems necessary, and we all understand that this means he is going to take the pound of flesh he extracted a contract for. Antonio says he will accept his fate peacefully. He knows that the Duke and others have done everything they can to save him, but Shylock will have none of it.