Dickinson expanded the famous line "Which is the Merchant here? and which the Jew?" to show the ending and her comment: "Which is the businessman here? Which was the extortioner?"
Of all the Souls that stand create－1
I have elected－One－
When Sense from Spirit－files away－
And Subterfuge－is done－
When that which is－and that which was－5
Apart－intrinsic－stand－
And this brief Drama in the flesh－
Is shifted－like a Sand－
When Figures show their royal Front－9
And Mists－are carved away,
Behold the Atom－I preferred－
To all the lists of Clay!
I have elected－One－
When Sense from Spirit－files away－
And Subterfuge－is done－
When that which is－and that which was－5
Apart－intrinsic－stand－
And this brief Drama in the flesh－
Is shifted－like a Sand－
When Figures show their royal Front－9
And Mists－are carved away,
Behold the Atom－I preferred－
To all the lists of Clay!
(F.279/J.664)
[1] create:: to give rise to a condition or set of circumstances (OED 4); indicating the trial of Shylock and Anthonio. Souls:: Shylock, Anthonio, Bassanio, etc. in the court.
[2] I, elected One:: Portia chose to help Anthonio, friend of her husband.
[3] Sense from Spirit, away:: Shylock demanded flesh, not money, is a sense without spirit.
[4] Subterfuge:: Portia's tricky statement, flesh without blood.
[5] Jew:: a grasping or extortionate person (whether Jewish or not) who drives hard bargains (OED 2a). which is, which was:: a referring to "Which is the Merchant here? and which the Jew?" The past tense "was" indicates that the Jew's extortion is failed.
[6] Apart, intrinsic:: to separate the intrinsic flesh and blood.
[7] Drama:: a hint on stage play. flesh:: a pound of flesh, a hint on The Merchant of Venice.
[8] shifted, Sand:: the case was shifted easily from failure to success.
[9] show, royal Front:: Portia and Nerrissa revealed their true identities.
[10] Mists:: Portia's tricks.
[11] Atom:: minor thing, unnoticed word.
[12] list:: desire or wish (OED n.4 3). Clay:: an earthly man.
