Por. He knows me, as the blind man knows the cuckow, By the bad voice. Lor. Dear lady, welcome home. Por. We have been praying for our husbands' welfare, Which speed, we hope, the better for our words. Lor. Madam, they are not yet; But there is come a messenger before, Por. Go in, Nerissa, Give order to my servants, that they take No note at all of our being absent hence; [Exit NER. Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you. [A Tucket sounds. Lor. Your husband is at hand, I hear his trumpet. Enter BASSANIO, ANTONIO, GRATIANO, and NE RISSA. Por. You are welcome home, my lord. Bass. I thank you, madam: give welcome to my friend. This is the man, this is Antonio, To whom I am so infinitely bound. Por. You should in all sense be much bound to him; For, as I hear, he was much bound for you. Ant. No more than I am well acquitted of. Por. Sir, you are very welcome to our house: It must appear in other ways than words, Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy: Gra. By yonder moon, I swear you do me wrong; In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk: 'Would he were hang'd that had it, for my part, Since you do take it, love,.so much to heart. Por. A quarrel, ho, already? what's the matter? Gra. About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring That she did give to me; whose posy was For all the world, like cutler's poetry Upon a knife, love me and leave me not. Ner. What talk you of the posy, or the value? You swore to me, when I did give it you, That you would wear it till your hour of death; And that it should lie with you in your grave: Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths, You should have been respective, and have kept it. Gave it a judge's clerk !—but well I know, The clerk will ne'er wear hair on his face that had it. Por. You were to blame, I must be plain with you, Bass. Why, I were best to cut my left hand off, And swear, I lost the ring defending it. [Aside. Gra. My lord Bassanio gave his ring away Unto the judge that begg'd it, and, indeed, Deserv'd it too; and then the boy, his clerk, That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine: And neither man, nor master, would take aught But the two rings. Por. What ring gave you, my lord? Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me. Por. Even so void is your false heart of truth, By Heaven, I will ne'er come into your bed, Until I see the ring. Ner. Nor I in yours, Till I again see mine. Bass. Sweet Portia, gave If you did know to whom I gave the ring, When naught would be accepted but the ring, I'll die for't, but some woman had the ring. Bass. No, by mine honour, madam, by my soul, No woman had it, but a civil doctor, Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me, Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady, I was enforced to send it after him. Had you been there, I think, you would have begg'd The ring of me to give the worthy doctor. Por. Let not that doctor e'er come near my Since he hath got the jewel that I lov❜d, I'll not deny him any thing I have, No, not my husband's bed: Know him I shall, I am well sure of it; house : Lie not a night from home; watch me, like Argus ; Now, by mine honour, which is yet my own, ; Ner. And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd, Bass. Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; Ant. I once did lend my body for his wealth, Por. Then you shall be his surety: Give him this; Ant. Here, lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring. Ner. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano; Gra. Why, this is like the mending of highways It comes from Padua, from Bellario: There you shall find, that Portia was the doctor; es Enter'd my house. Antonio, you are welcome; Bass. Were you Ner. Ay; but the clerk that never means to do it, Unless he live until he be a man. Bass. Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow; When I am absent, then sleep with my wife. Ant. Sweet lady, you have given me life, and living; For here I read for certain, that my ships Are safely come to road. Por. How now Lorenzo ? My clerk hath some good comforts too for you, From the rich Jew a special deed of gift, After his death, of all he dies possess'd of. Lor. Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of starved people. Por. It is almost morning, And yet, I am sure, you are satisfied Gra. Let it be so: The first inter❜gatory, THE END. |