The Merchant of VENICE. 165 dear friend. What fhould I fay, sweet lady? n befmear it. Pardon me, good lady, been there, I think, you would have begg'd g of me, to give the worthy Doctor. Let not that Doctor e'er come near my house, e hath got the jewel that I lov'd, at which you did fwear to keep for me: ecome as liberal as you; deny him any thing I have, my body, nor my husband's bed; im I fhall, I am well fure of it. a night from home; watch me, like Argus: do not, if I be left alone, by mine honour, which is yet my own, e that Doctor for my bedfellow. And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd, ou do leave me to mine own protection. Well, do you fo; let me not take him then; I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. I am th' unhappy fubject of thefe quarrels. Sir, grieve not you; you are welcome, notwithnding. Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong. the hearing of these many friends, to thee, ev'n by thine own fair eyes, in I fee my felf. Mark you but that! hmine eyes he doubly fees him felf; eye, one; fwear by your double self, mere's an oath of credit! Nay, but hear me: this fault, and by my foul I fwear, er more will break an oath with thee. - I once did lend my body for his weal; but for him, that had your husband's ring, [To Portia. Had Had quite mifcarry'd. I dare be bound again, Por. Then you shall be his furety; give him this, And bid him keep it better than the other. Ant. Here, lord Bassanio, fwear to keep this ring Bal. By heav'n, it is the fame I gave the Docto 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 fame fcrubbed boy, the Doctor's clerk, In lieu of this, last night did lye with me. Gra. Why, this is like the mending of high-ways In fummer, where the ways are fair enough: What are we cuckolds, ere we have deserv'd it? Por. Speak not fo grofsly; you are all amaz'd; Here is a letter, read it at your leisure; It comes from Padua, from Bellario: There you fhall find, that Portia was the Doctor; You fhall not know by what strange accident Ant. I am dumb. Baff. 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. Baff. Sweet Doctor, you shall be my bedfellow; When I am abfent, then lye with my wife. Ant. Sweet lady, you have giv'n me life and living; For here I read for certain, that my ships Are fafely come to road. Por. How now, Lorenzo? M My clerk hath fome good comforts too for you. Por. It is almoft morning, And yet, I'm fure, you are not fatisfy'd Gra. Let it be fo: the first interr'gatory, [Exeunt omnes. |