Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Decree
It must not be; there is no power in Venice
Can alter a decree established:
’Twill be recorded for a precedent;
And many an error by the same example,
Will rush into the state.
Shakespeare.—Merchant of Venice, Act IV. Scene 1. (Portia to the Court of Justice.)