The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, Bass. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. No more pertains to me, my lord, than you, To have her love, provided that your fortune Por. Is this true, Nerissa? 339 Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal. Bass. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Gra. Yes, 'faith, my lord. 341 Bass. Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage. Gra. We'll play with them, the first boy, for a thousand ducats. Ner. What, and stake down? Grą, No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? Enter Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO. Bass. Lorenzo, and Salerio, welcome hither; Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. So do I, my lord; They are entirely welcome. 350 Lor. I thank your honour :-For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; Sale. I did, my lord, And I have reason for it. Bass. Ere I ope his letter, Signior Anthonio 360 [Gives BASSANIO & Letter. I pray you tell me how my good friend doth ? Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon' stranger; bid her wel come. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice? 372 Sale. Sale. Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon' same paper, That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead: else nothing in the world Of any constant man. What, worse and worse ?— ვზი And I must freely have the half of any thing That this same paper brings you. Bass. O sweet Portia, 39° Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words, From From Lisbon, Barbary, and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Of merchant-marring rocks? Sale. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; 410 Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, 'To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Anthonio's flesh, It will go hard with poor Anthonio. 420 Por. Is it your dear friend, that is thus in trouble? Bass. The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, The best condition'd and unweary'd spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom The ancient Roman honour 'more appears, any that draws breath in Italy. Than 430 Por. Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; For you 440 Come, away; shall hence upon your wedding-day: Bid your friends welcome, shew a merry cheer; Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear.--But let me hear the letter of your friend. 449 Bass. [reads.] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarry'd, my creditors grew cruel, my estate is very law, 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 me, if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, Let not my letter. Par Q love, dispatch all business, and be gone. |