The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, 45 Bassanio. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. Portia. 50 55 Is this true, Nerissa? Nerissa. Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. 60 Bassanio. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Gratiano. Yes, 'faith, my lord. Bassanio. Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? Enter Lorenzo, Jessica, and Salanio. Bassanio. Lorenzo and Salanio, welcome hither; If that the youth of my new interest here 65 Have power to bid you welcome. [To Portia.] By your leave. I bid my very friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome. Portia. So do I, my lord: They are entirely welcome. 70 Lorenzo. I thank your honour. For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salanio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Salanio. And I have reason for it. I did, my lord; Signior Antonio 75 [Gives Bassanio a letter. Ere I ope his letter, M I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Will show you his estate. Gratiano. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. [Nerissa moves to Jessica, while Bassanio opens the letter. Portia notices him start and turn pale at the opening words. Your hand, Salanio: what's the news from Venice ? How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio ? I know he will be glad of our success; We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. 85 Salanio. I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Portia. There are some shrewd contènts in yon same paper, That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek: 90 [She goes to Bassanio. O sweet Portia, With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, How much I was a braggart. When I told you 95 100 My state was nothing, I should then have told you 105 From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Salanio. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had 115 120 125 Jessica. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh That he did owe him and I know, my lord, 131 135 Portia. Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? The best-conditioned and unwearied spirit 140 Portia. What sum owes he the Jew? Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; 145 150 155 Will live as maids and widows. Come, away; 160 [Bassanio, unable to speak, silently puts the letter in her hand, and she reads it aloud. 'Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; 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, 165 use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.' O love, dispatch all business and be gone. Bassanio returns to Venice at once with Salanio. When Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand Nerissa. Shall they see us? Portia. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, And wish, for all that, that I had not killed them : 170 175 180 185 Nerissa. 190 Why, shall we turn to men? Portia. But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles to-day. [Exeunt. SCENE V. FORFEIT. Enter Shylock, Salarino, Antonio, and Gaoler. Shylock. Gaoler, look to him; tell not me of mercy; This is the fool that lends out money gratis : Gaoler, look to him. Antonio. Hear me yet, good Shylock. Shylock. I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond! I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. 5 10 Shylock. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I'll have no speaking: I will have my bond. Let him alone; Antonio. I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; Salarino. I am sure the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold. 15 [Exit. 20 25 Antonio. The Duke cannot deny the course of law: Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [Exeunt. |