The Merchant of Venice Portia complete text Portia. By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of 1.2.1 this great world. 1.2.2 Portia. Good sentences and well pronounced. 1.2.10 Portia. If to do were as easy as to know what were good to 1.2.12 do, chapels had been churches and poor men's 1.2.13 cottages princes' palaces. It is a good divine that 1.2.14 follows his own instructions: I can easier teach 1.2.15 twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the 1.2.16 twenty to follow mine own teaching. The brain may 1.2.17 devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps 1.2.18 o'er a cold decree: such a hare is madness the 1.2.19 youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the 1.2.20 cripple. But this reasoning is not in the fashion to 1.2.21 choose me a husband. O me, the word 'choose!' I may 1.2.22 neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I 1.2.23 dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed 1.2.24 by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, 1.2.25 Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none? 1.2.26 Portia. I pray thee, over-name them; and as thou namest 1.2.35 them, I will describe them; and, according to my 1.2.36 description, level at my affection. 1.2.37 Portia. Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but 1.2.39 talk of his horse; and he makes it a great 1.2.40 appropriation to his own good parts, that he can 1.2.41 shoe him himself. I am much afeard my lady his 1.2.42 mother played false with a smith. 1.2.43 Portia. He doth nothing but frown, as who should say 'If you 1.2.45 will not have me, choose:' he hears merry tales and 1.2.46 smiles not: I fear he will prove the weeping 1.2.47 philosopher when he grows old, being so full of 1.2.48 unmannerly sadness in his youth. I had rather be 1.2.49 married to a death's-head with a bone in his mouth 1.2.50 than to either of these. God defend me from these 1.2.51 two! 1.2.52 page 1
Portia. God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. 1.2.54 In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker: but, 1.2.55 he! why, he hath a horse better than the 1.2.56 Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than 1.2.57 the Count Palatine; he is every man in no man; if a 1.2.58 throstle sing, he falls straight a capering: he will 1.2.59 fence with his own shadow: if I should marry him, I 1.2.60 should marry twenty husbands. If he would despise me 1.2.61 I would forgive him, for if he love me to madness, I 1.2.62 shall never requite him. 1.2.63 Portia. You know I say nothing to him, for he understands 1.2.66 not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, 1.2.67 nor Italian, and you will come into the court and 1.2.68 swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English. 1.2.69 He is a proper man's picture, but, alas, who can 1.2.70 converse with a dumb-show? How oddly he is suited! 1.2.71 I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round 1.2.72 hose in France, his bonnet in Germany and his 1.2.73 behavior every where. 1.2.74 Portia. That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he 1.2.76 borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman and 1.2.77 swore he would pay him again when he was able: I 1.2.78 think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed 1.2.79 under for another. 1.2.80 Portia. Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and 1.2.82 most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when 1.2.83 he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and 1.2.84 when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: 1.2.85 and the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall 1.2.86 make shift to go without him. 1.2.87 Portia. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee, set a 1.2.91 deep glass of rhenish wine on the contrary casket, 1.2.92 for if the devil be within and that temptation 1.2.93 without, I know he will choose it. I will do any 1.2.94 thing, Nerissa, ere I'll be married to a sponge. 1.2.95 Portia. If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as 1.2.102 chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner 1.2.103 of my father's will. I am glad this parcel of wooers 1.2.104 are so reasonable, for there is not one among them 1.2.105 but I dote on his very absence, and I pray God grant 1.2.106 them a fair departure. 1.2.107 page 2
Portia. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think, he was so called. 1.2.111 Portia. I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of 1.2.114 thy praise. 1.2.115 Enter a Serving-man How now! what news? 1.2.116 Portia. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good a 1.2.121 heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should 1.2.122 be glad of his approach: if he have the condition 1.2.123 of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had 1.2.124 rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, 1.2.125 Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. 1.2.126 Whiles we shut the gates 1.2.127 upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. 1.2.128 Exeunt Portia. In terms of choice I am not solely led 2.1.13 By nice direction of a maiden's eyes; 2.1.14 Besides, the lottery of my destiny 2.1.15 Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: 2.1.16 But if my father had not scanted me 2.1.17 And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself 2.1.18 His wife who wins me by that means I told you, 2.1.19 Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair 2.1.20 As any comer I have look'd on yet 2.1.21 For my affection. 2.1.22 Portia. You must take your chance, 2.1.40 And either not attempt to choose at all 2.1.41 Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong 2.1.42 Never to speak to lady afterward 2.1.43 In way of marriage: therefore be advised. 2.1.44 Portia. First, forward to the temple: after dinner 2.1.46 Your hazard shall be made. 2.1.47 Portia. Go draw aside the curtains and discover 2.7.1 The several caskets to this noble prince. 2.7.2 Now make your choice. 2.7.3 Portia. The one of them contains my picture, prince: 2.7.11 If you choose that, then I am yours withal. 2.7.12 page 3
Portia. There, take it, prince; and if my form lie there, 2.7.61 Then I am yours. 2.7.62 He unlocks the golden casket Portia. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. 2.7.79 Let all of his complexion choose me so. 2.7.80 Exeunt Portia. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: 2.9.4 If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, 2.9.5 Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized: 2.9.6 But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, 2.9.7 You must be gone from hence immediately. 2.9.8 Portia. To these injunctions every one doth swear 2.9.16 That comes to hazard for my worthless self. 2.9.17 Portia. Too long a pause for that which you find there. 2.9.52 Portia. To offend, and judge, are distinct offices 2.9.60 And of opposed natures. 2.9.61 Portia. Thus hath the candle singed the moth. 2.9.79 O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose, 2.9.80 They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. 2.9.81 Portia. Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. 2.9.84 Enter a Servant Portia. Here: what would my lord? 2.9.86 Portia. No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard 2.9.97 Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, 2.9.98 Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him. 2.9.99 Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see 2.9.100 Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly. 2.9.101 Portia. I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two 3.2.1 Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong, 3.2.2 I lose your company: therefore forbear awhile. 3.2.3 There's something tells me, but it is not love, 3.2.4 I would not lose you; and you know yourself, 3.2.5 Hate counsels not in such a quality. 3.2.6 page 4
But lest you should not understand me well,-- 3.2.7 And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,-- 3.2.8 I would detain you here some month or two 3.2.9 Before you venture for me. I could teach you 3.2.10 How to choose right, but I am then forsworn; 3.2.11 So will I never be: so may you miss me; 3.2.12 But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin, 3.2.13 That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes, 3.2.14 They have o'erlook'd me and divided me; 3.2.15 One half of me is yours, the other half yours, 3.2.16 Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, 3.2.17 And so all yours. O, these naughty times 3.2.18 Put bars between the owners and their rights! 3.2.19 And so, though yours, not yours. Prove it so, 3.2.20 Let fortune go to hell for it, not I. 3.2.21 I speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time, 3.2.22 To eke it and to draw it out in length, 3.2.23 To stay you from election. 3.2.24 Portia. Upon the rack, Bassanio! then confess 3.2.27 What treason there is mingled with your love. 3.2.28 Portia. Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, 3.2.33 Where men enforced do speak anything. 3.2.34 Portia. Well then, confess and live. 3.2.36 Portia. Away, then! I am lock'd in one of them: 3.2.42 If you do love me, you will find me out. 3.2.43 Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof. 3.2.44 Let music sound while he doth make his choice; 3.2.45 Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, 3.2.46 Fading in music: that the comparison 3.2.47 May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream 3.2.48 And watery death-bed for him. He may win; 3.2.49 And what is music then? Then music is 3.2.50 Even as the flourish when true subjects bow 3.2.51 To a new-crowned monarch: such it is 3.2.52 As are those dulcet sounds in break of day 3.2.53 That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear, 3.2.54 And summon him to marriage. Now he goes, 3.2.55 With no less presence, but with much more love, 3.2.56 Than young Alcides, when he did redeem 3.2.57 The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy 3.2.58 To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice 3.2.59 The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, 3.2.60 With bleared visages, come forth to view 3.2.61 The issue of the exploit. Go, Hercules! 3.2.62 Live thou, I live: with much, much more dismay 3.2.63 page 5
I view the fight than thou that makest the fray. 3.2.64 Music, whilst BASSANIO comments on the caskets to himself SONG. 3.2.65 Tell me where is fancy bred, 3.2.66 Or in the heart, or in the head? 3.2.67 How begot, how nourished? 3.2.68 Reply, reply. 3.2.69 It is engender'd in the eyes, 3.2.70 With gazing fed; and fancy dies 3.2.71 In the cradle where it lies. 3.2.72 Let us all ring fancy's knell 3.2.73 I'll begin it,--ding, dong, bell. 3.2.74 Portia. [Aside] How all the other passions fleet to air, 3.2.111 As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embraced despair, 3.2.112 And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! O love, 3.2.113 Be moderate; allay thy ecstasy, 3.2.114 In measure rein thy joy; scant this excess. 3.2.115 I feel too much thy blessing: make it less, 3.2.116 For fear I surfeit. 3.2.117 Portia. You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, 3.2.153 Such as I am: though for myself alone 3.2.154 I would not be ambitious in my wish, 3.2.155 To wish myself much better; yet, for you 3.2.156 I would be trebled twenty times myself; 3.2.157 A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich; 3.2.158 That only to stand high in your account, 3.2.159 I might in virtue, beauties, livings, friends, 3.2.160 Exceed account; but the full sum of me 3.2.161 Is sum of something, which, to term in gross, 3.2.162 Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised; 3.2.163 Happy in this, she is not yet so old 3.2.164 But she may learn; happier than this, 3.2.165 She is not bred so dull but she can learn; 3.2.166 Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit 3.2.167 Commits itself to yours to be directed, 3.2.168 As from her lord, her governor, her king. 3.2.169 Myself and what is mine to you and yours 3.2.170 Is now converted: but now I was the lord 3.2.171 Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, 3.2.172 Queen o'er myself: and even now, but now, 3.2.173 This house, these servants and this same myself 3.2.174 Are yours, my lord: I give them with this ring; 3.2.175 Which when you part from, lose, or give away, 3.2.176 Let it presage the ruin of your love 3.2.177 And be my vantage to exclaim on you. 3.2.178 Portia. Is this true, Nerissa? 3.2.213 page 6
Portia. So do I, my lord: 3.2.228 They are entirely welcome. 3.2.229 Portia. There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper, 3.2.249 That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek: 3.2.250 Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world 3.2.251 Could turn so much the constitution 3.2.252 Of any constant man. What, worse and worse! 3.2.253 With leave, Bassanio: I am half yourself, 3.2.254 And I must freely have the half of anything 3.2.255 That this same paper brings you. 3.2.256 Portia. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? 3.2.299 Portia. What sum owes he the Jew? 3.2.305 Portia. What, no more? 3.2.307 Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; 3.2.308 Double six thousand, and then treble that, 3.2.309 Before a friend of this description 3.2.310 Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. 3.2.311 First go with me to church and call me wife, 3.2.312 And then away to Venice to your friend; 3.2.313 For never shall you lie by Portia's side 3.2.314 With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold 3.2.315 To pay the petty debt twenty times over: 3.2.316 When it is paid, bring your true friend along. 3.2.317 My maid Nerissa and myself meantime 3.2.318 Will live as maids and widows. Come, away! 3.2.319 For you shall hence upon your wedding-day: 3.2.320 Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer: 3.2.321 Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. 3.2.322 But let me hear the letter of your friend. 3.2.323 Portia. O love, dispatch all business, and be gone! 3.2.332 Portia. I never did repent for doing good, 3.4.10 Nor shall not now: for in companions 3.4.11 That do converse and waste the time together, 3.4.12 Whose souls do bear an equal yoke Of love, 3.4.13 There must be needs a like proportion 3.4.14 Of lineaments, of manners and of spirit; 3.4.15 Which makes me think that this Antonio, 3.4.16 Being the bosom lover of my lord, 3.4.17 Must needs be like my lord. If it be so, 3.4.18 page 7
How little is the cost I have bestow'd 3.4.19 In purchasing the semblance of my soul 3.4.20 From out the state of hellish misery! 3.4.21 This comes too near the praising of myself; 3.4.22 Therefore no more of it: hear other things. 3.4.23 Lorenzo, I commit into your hands 3.4.24 The husbandry and manage of my house 3.4.25 Until my lord's return: for mine own part, 3.4.26 I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow 3.4.27 To live in prayer and contemplation, 3.4.28 Only attended by Nerissa here, 3.4.29 Until her husband and my lord's return: 3.4.30 There is a monastery two miles off; 3.4.31 And there will we abide. I do desire you 3.4.32 Not to deny this imposition; 3.4.33 The which my love and some necessity 3.4.34 Now lays upon you. 3.4.35 Portia. My people do already know my mind, 3.4.38 And will acknowledge you and Jessica 3.4.39 In place of Lord Bassanio and myself. 3.4.40 And so farewell, till we shall meet again. 3.4.41 Portia. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased 3.4.44 To wish it back on you: fare you well Jessica. 3.4.45 Exeunt JESSICA and LORENZO Now, Balthasar, 3.4.46 As I have ever found thee honest-true, 3.4.47 So let me find thee still. Take this same letter, 3.4.48 And use thou all the endeavour of a man 3.4.49 In speed to Padua: see thou render this 3.4.50 Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario; 3.4.51 And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, 3.4.52 Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed 3.4.53 Unto the tranect, to the common ferry 3.4.54 Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words, 3.4.55 But get thee gone: I shall be there before thee. 3.4.56 Portia. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand 3.4.58 That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands 3.4.59 Before they think of us. 3.4.60 Portia. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, 3.4.62 That they shall think we are accomplished 3.4.63 With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager, 3.4.64 When we are both accoutred like young men, 3.4.65 I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two, 3.4.66 And wear my dagger with the braver grace, 3.4.67 And speak between the change of man and boy 3.4.68 page 8
With a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps 3.4.69 Into a manly stride, and speak of frays 3.4.70 Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies, 3.4.71 How honourable ladies sought my love, 3.4.72 Which I denying, they fell sick and died; 3.4.73 I could not do withal; then I'll repent, 3.4.74 And wish for all that, that I had not killed them; 3.4.75 And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell, 3.4.76 That men shall swear I have discontinued school 3.4.77 Above a twelvemonth. I have within my mind 3.4.78 A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks, 3.4.79 Which I will practise. 3.4.80 Portia. Fie, what a question's that, 3.4.82 If thou wert near a lewd interpreter! 3.4.83 But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device 3.4.84 When I am in my coach, which stays for us 3.4.85 At the park gate; and therefore haste away, 3.4.86 For we must measure twenty miles to-day. 3.4.87 Exeunt Portia. I did, my lord. 4.1.173 Portia. I am informed thoroughly of the cause. 4.1.177 Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew? 4.1.178 Portia. Is your name Shylock? 4.1.180 Portia. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; 4.1.182 Yet in such rule that the Venetian law 4.1.183 Cannot impugn you as you do proceed. 4.1.184 You stand within his danger, do you not? 4.1.185 Portia. Do you confess the bond? 4.1.187 Portia. Then must the Jew be merciful. 4.1.189 Portia. The quality of mercy is not strain'd, 4.1.191 It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven 4.1.192 Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; 4.1.193 It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 4.1.194 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes 4.1.195 The throned monarch better than his crown; 4.1.196 His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, 4.1.197 The attribute to awe and majesty, 4.1.198 page 9
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; 4.1.199 But mercy is above this sceptred sway; 4.1.200 It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, 4.1.201 It is an attribute to God himself; 4.1.202 And earthly power doth then show likest God's 4.1.203 When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, 4.1.204 Though justice be thy plea, consider this, 4.1.205 That, in the course of justice, none of us 4.1.206 Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; 4.1.207 And that same prayer doth teach us all to render 4.1.208 The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much 4.1.209 To mitigate the justice of thy plea; 4.1.210 Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice 4.1.211 Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. 4.1.212 Portia. Is he not able to discharge the money? 4.1.215 Portia. It must not be; there is no power in Venice 4.1.225 Can alter a decree established: 4.1.226 'Twill be recorded for a precedent, 4.1.227 And many an error by the same example 4.1.228 Will rush into the state: it cannot be. 4.1.229 Portia. I pray you, let me look upon the bond. 4.1.232 Portia. Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee. 4.1.234 Portia. Why, this bond is forfeit; 4.1.238 And lawfully by this the Jew may claim 4.1.239 A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off 4.1.240 Nearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful: 4.1.241 Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond. 4.1.242 Portia. Why then, thus it is: 4.1.253 You must prepare your bosom for his knife. 4.1.254 Portia. For the intent and purpose of the law 4.1.256 Hath full relation to the penalty, 4.1.257 Which here appeareth due upon the bond. 4.1.258 Portia. Therefore lay bare your bosom. 4.1.261 Portia It is so. Are there balance here to weigh 4.1.265 The flesh? 4.1.266 page 10
Portia. Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, 4.1.268 To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. 4.1.269 Portia. It is not so express'd: but what of that? 4.1.271 'Twere good you do so much for charity. 4.1.272 Portia. You, merchant, have you any thing to say? 4.1.274 Portia. Your wife would give you little thanks for that, 4.1.299 If she were by, to hear you make the offer. 4.1.300 Portia. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine: 4.1.310 The court awards it, and the law doth give it. 4.1.311 Portia. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: 4.1.313 The law allows it, and the court awards it. 4.1.314 Portia. Tarry a little; there is something else. 4.1.316 This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; 4.1.317 The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh:' 4.1.318 Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; 4.1.319 But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed 4.1.320 One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods 4.1.321 Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate 4.1.322 Unto the state of Venice. 4.1.323 Portia. Thyself shalt see the act: 4.1.326 For, as thou urgest justice, be assured 4.1.327 Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest. 4.1.328 Portia. Soft! 4.1.333 The Jew shall have all justice; soft! no haste: 4.1.334 He shall have nothing but the penalty. 4.1.335 Portia. Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh. 4.1.337 Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more 4.1.338 But just a pound of flesh: if thou cut'st more 4.1.339 Or less than a just pound, be it but so much 4.1.340 As makes it light or heavy in the substance, 4.1.341 Or the division of the twentieth part 4.1.342 Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn 4.1.343 But in the estimation of a hair, 4.1.344 page 11
Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate. 4.1.345 Portia. Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture. 4.1.348 Portia. He hath refused it in the open court: 4.1.351 He shall have merely justice and his bond. 4.1.352 Portia. Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture, 4.1.356 To be so taken at thy peril, Jew. 4.1.357 Portia. Tarry, Jew: 4.1.360 The law hath yet another hold on you. 4.1.361 It is enacted in the laws of Venice, 4.1.362 If it be proved against an alien 4.1.363 That by direct or indirect attempts 4.1.364 He seek the life of any citizen, 4.1.365 The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive 4.1.366 Shall seize one half his goods; the other half 4.1.367 Comes to the privy coffer of the state; 4.1.368 And the offender's life lies in the mercy 4.1.369 Of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice. 4.1.370 In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st; 4.1.371 For it appears, by manifest proceeding, 4.1.372 That indirectly and directly too 4.1.373 Thou hast contrived against the very life 4.1.374 Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd 4.1.375 The danger formerly by me rehearsed. 4.1.376 Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke. 4.1.377 Portia. Ay, for the state, not for Antonio. 4.1.387 Portia. What mercy can you render him, Antonio? 4.1.392 Portia. Art thou contented, Jew? what dost thou say? 4.1.407 Portia. Clerk, draw a deed of gift. 4.1.409 Portia. I humbly do desire your grace of pardon: 4.1.418 I must away this night toward Padua, 4.1.419 And it is meet I presently set forth. 4.1.420 Portia. He is well paid that is well satisfied; 4.1.431 And I, delivering you, am satisfied 4.1.432 page 12
And therein do account myself well paid: 4.1.433 My mind was never yet more mercenary. 4.1.434 I pray you, know me when we meet again: 4.1.435 I wish you well, and so I take my leave. 4.1.436 Portia. You press me far, and therefore I will yield. 4.1.441 To ANTONIO Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake; 4.1.442 To BASSANIO And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you: 4.1.443 Do not draw back your hand; I'll take no more; 4.1.444 And you in love shall not deny me this. 4.1.445 Portia. I will have nothing else but only this; 4.1.448 And now methinks I have a mind to it. 4.1.449 Portia. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers 4.1.454 You taught me first to beg; and now methinks 4.1.455 You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd. 4.1.456 Portia. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts. 4.1.460 An if your wife be not a mad-woman, 4.1.461 And know how well I have deserved the ring, 4.1.462 She would not hold out enemy for ever, 4.1.463 For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you! 4.1.464 Exeunt Portia and Nerissa Portia. Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed 4.2.1 And let him sign it: we'll away to-night 4.2.2 And be a day before our husbands home: 4.2.3 This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. 4.2.4 Enter GRATIANO Portia. That cannot be: 4.2.9 His ring I do accept most thankfully: 4.2.10 And so, I pray you, tell him: furthermore, 4.2.11 I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house. 4.2.12 Portia. [Aside to NERISSA] Thou mayst, I warrant. 4.2.17 We shall have old swearing 4.2.18 That they did give the rings away to men; 4.2.19 But we'll outface them, and outswear them too. 4.2.20 Aloud Away! make haste: thou knowist where I will tarry. 4.2.21 page 13
Portia. That light we see is burning in my hall. 5.1.96 How far that little candle throws his beams! 5.1.97 So shines a good deed in a naughty world. 5.1.98 Portia. So doth the greater glory dim the less: 5.1.100 A substitute shines brightly as a king 5.1.101 Unto the king be by, and then his state 5.1.102 Empties itself, as doth an inland brook 5.1.103 Into the main of waters. Music! hark! 5.1.104 Portia. Nothing is good, I see, without respect: 5.1.106 Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day. 5.1.107 Portia. The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark, 5.1.109 When neither is attended, and I think 5.1.110 The nightingale, if she should sing by day, 5.1.111 When every goose is cackling, would be thought 5.1.112 No better a musician than the wren. 5.1.113 How many things by season season'd are 5.1.114 To their right praise and true perfection! 5.1.115 Peace, ho! the moon sleeps with Endymion 5.1.116 And would not be awaked. 5.1.117 Music ceases Portia He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, 5.1.120 By the bad voice. 5.1.121 Portia. We have been praying for our husbands' healths, 5.1.123 Which speed, we hope, the better for our words. 5.1.124 Are they return'd? 5.1.125 Portia. Go in, Nerissa; 5.1.129 Give order to my servants that they take 5.1.130 No note at all of our being absent hence; 5.1.131 Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you. 5.1.132 A tucket sounds Portia. This night methinks is but the daylight sick; 5.1.135 It looks a little paler: 'tis a day, 5.1.136 Such as the day is when the sun is hid. 5.1.137 Enter BASSANIO, ANTONIO, GRATIANO, and their followers Portia. Let me give light, but let me not be light; 5.1.140 For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, 5.1.141 page 14
And never be Bassanio so for me: 5.1.142 But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord. 5.1.143 Portia. You should in all sense be much bound to him. 5.1.147 For, as I hear, he was much bound for you. 5.1.148 Portia. Sir, you are very welcome to our house: 5.1.150 It must appear in other ways than words, 5.1.151 Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy. 5.1.152 Portia. A quarrel, ho, already! what's the matter? 5.1.157 Portia. You were to blame, I must be plain with you, 5.1.177 To part so slightly with your wife's first gift: 5.1.178 A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger 5.1.179 And so riveted with faith unto your flesh. 5.1.180 I gave my love a ring and made him swear 5.1.181 Never to part with it; and here he stands; 5.1.182 I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it 5.1.183 Nor pluck it from his finger, for the wealth 5.1.184 That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano, 5.1.185 You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief: 5.1.186 An 'twere to me, I should be mad at it. 5.1.187 Portia. What ring gave you my lord? 5.1.196 Not that, I hope, which you received of me. 5.1.197 Portia. Even so void is your false heart of truth. 5.1.201 By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed 5.1.202 Until I see the ring. 5.1.203 Portia. If you had known the virtue of the ring, 5.1.213 Or half her worthiness that gave the ring, 5.1.214 Or your own honour to contain the ring, 5.1.215 You would not then have parted with the ring. 5.1.216 What man is there so much unreasonable, 5.1.217 If you had pleased to have defended it 5.1.218 With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty 5.1.219 To urge the thing held as a ceremony? 5.1.220 Nerissa teaches me what to believe: 5.1.221 I'll die for't but some woman had the ring. 5.1.222 Portia. Let not that doctor e'er come near my house: 5.1.237 Since he hath got the jewel that I loved, 5.1.238 And that which you did swear to keep for me, 5.1.239 page 15
I will become as liberal as you; 5.1.240 I'll not deny him any thing I have, 5.1.241 No, not my body nor my husband's bed: 5.1.242 Know him I shall, I am well sure of it: 5.1.243 Lie not a night from home; watch me like Argus: 5.1.244 If you do not, if I be left alone, 5.1.245 Now, by mine honour, which is yet mine own, 5.1.246 I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow. 5.1.247 Portia. Sir, grieve not you; you are welcome notwithstanding. 5.1.253 Portia. Mark you but that! 5.1.258 In both my eyes he doubly sees himself; 5.1.259 In each eye, one: swear by your double self, 5.1.260 And there's an oath of credit. 5.1.261 Portia. Then you shall be his surety. Give him this 5.1.270 And bid him keep it better than the other. 5.1.271 Portia. I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio; 5.1.274 For, by this ring, the doctor lay with me. 5.1.275 Portia. Speak not so grossly. You are all amazed: 5.1.282 Here is a letter; read it at your leisure; 5.1.283 It comes from Padua, from Bellario: 5.1.284 There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, 5.1.285 Nerissa there her clerk: Lorenzo here 5.1.286 Shall witness I set forth as soon as you 5.1.287 And even but now return'd; I have not yet 5.1.288 Enter'd my house. Antonio, you are welcome; 5.1.289 And I have better news in store for you 5.1.290 Than you expect: unseal this letter soon; 5.1.291 There you shall find three of your argosies 5.1.292 Are richly come to harbour suddenly: 5.1.293 You shall not know by what strange accident 5.1.294 I chanced on this letter. 5.1.295 Portia. How now, Lorenzo! 5.1.306 My clerk hath some good comforts too for you. 5.1.307 Portia. It is almost morning, 5.1.314 And yet I am sure you are not satisfied 5.1.315 Of these events at full. Let us go in; 5.1.316 And charge us there upon inter'gatories, 5.1.317 And we will answer all things faithfully. 5.1.318 page 16
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