BASS. Sweet Portia, If you did know to whom I gave the ring, When nought would be accepted but the ring, You would not then have parted with the ring. I'll die for't, but fome woman had the ring. BASS. No, by mine honour, madam-by my foulNo woman had it, but a civil doctor, Who did refufe three thousand ducats of me, And begg'd the ring, the which I did deny him, Ev'n he, that did uphold the very life Of my dear friend. What should I fay, fweet lady? I was enforc'd to fend it after him; I was befet with shame and courtesy; My honour would not let ingratitude So much befmear it. Pardon me, good lady, And by these bleffed candles of the night, 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 house. Since he hath got the Jewel that I lov'd, And that which you did fwear to keep for me, I'll not deny him any thing I have, No, not my body, nor my husband's bed. Know him I fhall, I am well fure of it. Lie not a night from home; watch me, like Argus: Now, by mine honour, which is yet my own, I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow. NER. And I his clerk therefore be well advis'd, How you do leave me to mine own protection. GRA. Well, do you fo; let me not take him then; For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. ANTH. I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels. BASS. Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong. And in the hearing of these many friends, I fwear to thee; ev'n by thine own fair eyes, POR. Mark you but that! In both mine eyes he doubly fees himself; In each eye, one; fwear by your double self, And there's an oath of credit! BASS. Nay, but hear me : Pardon this fault, and by my foul I swear, I never more will break an oath with thee. ANTH. I once did lend my body for his wealth, Will never more break faith advisedly. POR. Then you shall be his furety. Give him this, ANTH. Here, lord Baffanio, fwear to keep this ring. NER. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, GRA. Why, this is like the mending of high ways In fummer, where the ways are fair enough. What are we cuckolds, ere we have deserv'd it? POR. Speak not fo grofly-you are all amaz'dHere is a letter, read it at your leifure; It comes from Padua, from Bellario; There you fhall find, that Portia was the doctor; Shall witness I fet forth as foon as you, And even but now return'd: I have not yet ANTH. I am dumb. BASS. Were you the doctor, and I knew you not? GRA. Were you the clerk, that is to make me cuckold? 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 lie with my wife. ANTH. Sweet lady, you have given me life and living For here I read for certain, that my ships Are fafely come to road. POR. How now, Lorenzo ? My clerk hath fome good comforts too for you. NER. Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee. There do I give to you and Jeffica, From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, After his death, of all he dies poffefs'd of. LOR. Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of starved people. POR. It is almost morning, And yet, I'm fure, you are not fatisfy'd [Exeunt omnes. |