Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again, 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 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, In lieu of this last night did lie 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: [TO BASSANIO. There you shall find, that Portia was the doctor; Shall witness, I set forth as soon as you, 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 bed-fellow; 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, 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 not satisfied Gra. Let it be so: The first inter❜gatory THE END. Printed by Augustus Applegath and Edward Cowper, |