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 Lin yours, 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, Even he that had held up the very life 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; If you do not, if I be left alone, Now, by mine honour, which is yet my own, I'll have that doctor for my bed-fellow. Ner. And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd, How you do leave me to mine own protection. Gra. Well, do you see: let me not take him then ; For, if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. Ant. I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels. Por. Sir, grieve not you; You are welcome notwithstanding. 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; And bid him keep it better than the other. Ant. Here, lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring. Bass. By Heaven, It is the same I gave the doctor! Por. I had of him: pardon me, Bassanio; For, by this ring, the doctor lay with me. Ner. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano; For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, In lieu of this last night did iie with me. Gra. Why, this is like the mending of highways In summer, where the ways are fair enough: What! are we cuckolds, ere we have deserv'd it? Por. Speak not so grossly.-You are all amaz'd : Here is a letter, read it at your leisure; It comes from Padua, from Bellario: There you shall find, that Portia was the doctor; Shall witness, I set forth as soon as you, And but even now return'd; I have not yet Enter'd my house.-Antonio, you are welcome; 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 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, Ner. Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee.There do I give to you, and Jessica, 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. |