I would deny it, but you see, my finger Hath not the ring upon it-it is gone. Por. Even so void is your false heart of truth. Ner. Nor I in yours, If you did know to whom I gave the ring, When naught would be accepted but the ring, [She walks about, Bassanio follows her. 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, Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady, Had you been there, I think you would have begg'd Por. (R.) 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 swear to keep for me, 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; like Argus: Now, by mine honour, which is yet my own, I'll have that doctor for my bed-fellow. Ner. (L.) And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd, How you do leave me to mine own protection. Gra. Well, do you so: let me not take him then; For, if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. Ant. (c. I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels. Por. (R.) Sir, grieve not you: you are welcome, notwithstanding. Bass. (R.) 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. [Amazed.] By heaven-it is the same I gave the doctor! Por. I had it 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, Gra. [Amazed.] Why, this is like the mending of highways In summer, where the ways are fair enough: 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 You shall not know by what strange accident F Bass. (R.) Were you the doctor, and I knew you not? Gra. (L.) Were you the clerk, that is to make me cuckold? Ner. (L.) 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. From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, Lor. (L.) Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of starved people. Por. It is almost morning, And yet, I am sure, you are not satisfied Gra. Let it be so: the first inter'gatory DISPOSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN. JES. LOR. NER. GRA. ANT. POR. R.] BAS. [L. THE END. |