Por. Even so void is your false heart of truth. By heaven, I will ne'er come in your sight If you did know to whom I gave the ring, When nought 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 enforc'd to send it after him; For, by these blessed 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 swear to keep for me, I will become as liberal as you : I'll not deny him any thing I have. Ner. Nor I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd, How you do leave me to mine own protection. 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; And, in the hearing of these many friends, I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, Ant. [To Portia] I once did lend my body for his wealth; Which, but for him that had your husband's ring, 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. Ner. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano; For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, Did give me this. Gra. Why, this is like the mending of highways In summer, when the ways are fair enough. Por. 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; Antonio, you are welcome ; And I have better news in store for you Than you expect: unseal this letter soon; There you shall find, three of your argosies. Bass. Were you the doctor, and I knew you not? living; |