Since you are dear bought, I will dear. love you But let me hear the letter of your friend. Bass. [reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is for feit; and since, in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. ५ Por. O love, despatch all business, and be gone. Bass. Since I have your good leave to go 1 away, I will make haste: but, till I come again, No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [Exeunt. mércy; This is the fool that lent out money gratis; Gaoler, look to him. Shy. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath, that I will have my bond; VOL. IV. 11 Thou call'dst me dog, before thou hadst a cause: But, since I am a dog; beware my fangs : Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak : I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-ey'd fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield I'll have no speaking; I will have my bond. [Exit SHYLOCK. Salan. It is the most impenetrable cur, That ever kept with men. Ant. Let him alone; I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers, I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; Salan. I am sure, the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. Ant. The Duke cannot deny the course of law; For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state; Well, gaoler, on: - Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Belmont. A Room in Portia's House. Enter PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and BALTHAZAR. Lor. Madam, although I speak it in your pre sence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly How trtie a gentleman you send relief, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, Por. I never did repent for doing good, Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage of my house, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord's return: And there we will abide. I do desire you, The which my love, and some necessity, Lor. Madam, with all my heart; I shall obey you in all fair commands. In place of lord Bassanio and myself. So fare you well, till me shall meet again. Lor. Fair thoughts, and happy hours, attend on you! Jes. I wish your Ladyship all heart's content. Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jes Now, Balthazar, sica. [Exeunt JESSICA and LORENZO. As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still: Take this same letter, In speed to Padua; see thou render this Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario; And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed Which trades to Venice: words, waste no time in But get thee gone; I shall be there before thee. Balth. Madam, I go with all convenient speed. [Exit. Por. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand, That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands Before they think of us. Ner. Shall they see us? Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, And wear my dagger with the braver grace; And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell, That men shall swear, I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth: I have within my mind A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks, Ner. Why, shall we turn to men? If thou wert near a lewd interpreter? But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device |