That she did give me; whose posy was, 140 Upon a knife, "Love me, and leave me not." Ner. What talk you of the posy, or the value ? 150 The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it. Ner. Ay, if a woman live to be a man. Gra. Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,— No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk; A prating boy, that begged it as a fee ; 155 I could not for my heart deny it him. Por. You were to blame, I must be plain with you, Bass. Why, I were best to cut my left hand off, Gra. My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away 170 Unto the judge that begg'd it, and, indeed, [A side. 138. Posy or poesy, the inscription on a ring or other object. The word poesy is identical with poetry. 146. Respective, considerate, careful. Deserv'd it too; and then the boy, his clerk, That took some pains in writing, he begged mine ; Por. What ring gave you, my lord? 175 Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me, I would deny it; but you see, my finger Por. Even so void is your false heart of truth. 180 By heaven I will ne'er come in your bed Until I see the ring. Ner. Till I again see mine. Bass. you Nor I in yours, Sweet Portia, If you did know to whom I gave the ring, And nought would be accepted but the ring, 195 With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty I'll die for't, but some woman had the ring. 200 No woman had it, but a civil doctor, 191. Contain, i.e., retain. 196. The word ceremony is now used only of external and generally of unmeaning forms. As Shakspere uses it, it comes near the Latin ceremonia, and means "something sacred." Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me, Even he that had held up the very life 205 Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady? So much besmear it: Pardon me, good lady; 210 For, by these blessed candles of the night, Had you been there, I think, you would have begg'd Por. Let not that doctor e'er come near my house : 215 And that which you did swear to keep for me, I'll not deny him anything I have, Know him I shall, I am well sure of it: Lie not a night from home; watch me, like Argus, 220 If you do not, if I be left alone, 225 Now, by mine honour, which is yet mine own, I'll have the doctor for my bedfellow. Ner. And 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 notwith- Bass. Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; 201. Which-frequently used for who by the older writers. There are several instances in this play. 215. And that which.-The insertion of that does not here imply (as it would if strictly analysed) that a second jewel is alluded to. Give order to my servants, that they take 110 No note at all of our being absent hence; Nor you, Lorenzo :-Jessica, nor you. [A tucket sounds. Lor. Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet : We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not. Por. This night, methinks, is but the daylight sick. 115 It looks a little paler; 'tis a day Such as the day is when the sun is hid. Enter BASSANIO, ANTONIO, GRATIANO, and their Followers. Bass. We should hold day with the Antipodes, If you would walk in absence of the sun. Por. Let me give light, but let me not be light ; 120 For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, And never be Bassanio so for me; But God sort all !-You are welcome home, my lord. Bass. I thank you, madam: give welcome to my friend.— This is the man, this is Antonio, 125 To whom I am so infinitely bound. Por. You should in all sense be much bound to him, Ant. No more than I am well acquitted of. [GRA. and NER. seem to talk apart. Gra. By yonder moon, I swear you do me wrong; In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk; Would he were gelt that had it, for my part, 135 Since you do take it, love, so much at heart. Por. A quarrel, ho, already? what's the matter? 131. I scant this breathing courtesy, i.e., I cut short this mere verbal compliment. That she did give me ; whose posy was, For all the world, like cutler's poetry 140 Upon a knife, "Love me, and leave me not." Ner. What talk you of the posy, or the value? 150 The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it. Ner. Ay, if a woman live to be a man. Gra. Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,- No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk; A prating boy, that begged it as a fee; 155 I could not for my heart deny it him. Por. You were to blame, I must be plain with you, Bass. Why, I were best to cut my left hand off, Gra. My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away 170 Unto the judge that begg'd it, and, indeed, [A side. 138. Posy or poesy, the inscription on a ring or other object. The word poesy is identical with poetry. 146. Respective, considerate, careful. |