The Merchant of Venice.The husbandry and mannage of my house,Vntill my Lords returne; for mine owne part
[1690]
I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vow,To liue in prayer and contemplation,Onely attended by
Nerrissa heere,
Vntill her husband and my Lords returne:There is a monastery too miles off,
[1695]
And there we will abide. I doe desire youNot to denie this imposition,The which my loue and some necessityNow layes vpon you.Lorens.Madame, with all my heart,
[1700]
I shall obey you in all faire commands.Por.My people doe already know my minde,And will acknowledge you and
IessicaIn place of Lord
Bassanio and my selfe.
So far you well till we shall meete againe.Lor.
[1705]
Faire thoughts & happy houres attend on you.Iessi.I wish your Ladiship all hearts content.Por.I thanke you for your wish, and am well pleas'dTo wish it backe on you: faryouwell
Iessica.
Exeunt.Now
Balthaser, as I haue euer found thee
honest true,
[1710]
So let me finde thee still: take this same letter,And vse thou all the indeauor of a man,In speed to Mantua, see thou render thisInto my cosins hand, Doctor
Belario,
And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,
[1715]
Bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speedVnto the Tranect, to the common FerrieWhich trades to Venice; waste no time in words,But get thee gone, I shall be there before thee.Balth.Madam, I goe with all conuenient speed.Por.
[1720]
Come on
Nerissa, I haue worke in hand
That you yet know not of; wee'll see our husbandsBefore they thinke of vs?Nerrissa.Shall they see vs
?Portia.They shall
Nerrissa: but in such a habit,
[1725]
That they shall thinke we are accomplishedWith that we lacke; Ile hold thee any wagerWhen we are both accoutered like yong men,Ile proue the prettier fellow of the two,And weare my dagger with the brauer grace,
[1730]
And speake betweene the change of man and boy,With a reede voyce, and turne two minsing stepsInto a manly stride; and speake of frayesLike a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lyesHow honourable Ladies sought my loue,
[1735]
Which I denying, they fell sicke and died.I could not doe withall: then Ile repent,And wish for all that, that I had not kil'd them;And twentie of these punie lies Ile tell,That men shall sweare I haue discontinued schoole
[1740]
Aboue a twelue moneth: I haue within my mindeA thousand raw tricks of these bragging Iacks,Which I will practise.Nerris.
Why, shall wee turne to men?
Portia.Fie, what a questions that?
[1745]
If thou wert nere a lewd interpreter:But come, Ile tell thee all my whole deuiceWhen I am in my coach, which stayes for vsAt the Parke gate; and therefore haste away,For we must measure twentie miles to day.Exeunt.
ther are to be laid vpon the children, therefore I promise
you, I feare you, I was alwaies plaine with you, and so
now I speake my agitation of the matter: therfore be of
good cheere, for truly I thinke you are damn'd, there is
[1755]
but one hope in it that can doe you anie good, and that is
but a kinde of bastard hope neither.
Iessica.
And what hope is that I pray thee?
Clow.
Marrie you may partlie hope that your father
got you not, that
you are not the Iewes daughter.
Ies.
[1760]
That were a kinde of bastard hope indeed, so the
sins of my
mother should be visited vpon me.
Clow.
Truly then I feare you are damned both by fa
ther and
mother: thus when I shun
Scilla your father,
I
fall into
Charibdis your mother; well,
you are gone both
[1765]
waies.
Ies.
I shall be sau'd by my husband, he hath made me
a Christian.
Clow.
Truly the more to blame he, we were Christi
ans enow
before, e'ne as many as could wel liue one by a
[1770]
nother:
this making of Christians will raise the price of
Hogs, if wee
grow all to be porke‑eaters, wee shall not
shortlie haue
a rasher on the coales for money.
Enter Lorenzo.Ies.
Ile tell my husband
Lancelet what you say,
heere
he comes.
Loren.
[1775]
I shall grow iealous of you shortly
Lancelet,
if you thus get my wife into corners?
Ies.
Nay, you need not feare vs
Lorenzo, Launcelet
and I are out, he tells me flatly there is no mercy for mee
in heauen, because I am a Iewes daughter: and hee saies
[1780]
you are no good member of the common wealth, for
in
conuerting Iewes to Christians, you raise the price
of
Porke.
Loren.
I shall answere that better to the Common ‑
wealth, than
you can the getting vp of the Negroes bel
[1785]
lie: the Moore
is with childe by you
Launcelet?
Clow.
It is much that the Moore should be more then
reason: but if she
be lesse then an honest woman, shee is
indeed more then I tooke
her for.
Loren.
How euerie foole can play vpon the word, I
[1790]
thinke the best grace
of witte will shortly turne into si
lence, and discourse
grow commendable in none onely
but Parrats: goe in sirra, bid
them prepare for dinner?
Clow.
That is done sir, they haue all stomacks?
Loren.
Goodly Lord, what a witte‑snapper are you,
[1795]
then bid them
prepare dinner.
Clow.
That is done to sir, onely couer is the word.
Loren.
Will you couer than sir?
Clow.
Not so sir neither, I know my dutie.
Loren.
Yet more quarreling with occasion, wilt thou
[1800]
shew the whole
wealth of thy wit in an instant; I pray
thee vnderstand a
plaine man in his plaine meaning: goe
to thy fellowes, bid them
couer the table, serue in the
meat, and we will come in to
dinner.
Clow.
For the table sir, it shall be seru'd in, for the
[1805]
meat sir, it
shall bee couered, for your comming in to
dinner sir, why let
it be as humors and conceits shall go
uerne.
Exit Clowne.Lor.O deare discretion, how his words are suted,The foole hath planted in his memory
[1810]
An Armie of good words, and I doe knowA many fooles that stand in better place,Garnisht like him, that for a tricksie wordDefie the matter: how cheer'st thou
Iessica,
And now good sweet say thy opinion,How
[Act 3, Scene 4]
Enter Portia, Nerrissa, Lorenzo,
Iessica, and a man of
Portias.
Lor.Madam, although I speake it in your presence,
[1665]
You haue a noble and a true conceitOf god‑like amity, which appeares most stronglyIn bearing thus the absence of your Lord.But if you knew to whom you shew this honour,How true a Gentleman you send releefe,
[1670]
How deere a louer of my Lord your husband,I know you would be prouder of the workeThen customary bounty can enforce you.Por.I neuer did repent for doing good,Nor shall not now: for in companions
[1675]
That do conuerse and waste the time together,Whose soules doe beare an egal yoke of loue.There must be needs a like proportionOf lyniaments, of manners, and of spirit;Which makes me thinke that this
Anthonio
[1680]
Being the bosome louer of my Lord,Must needs be like my Lord. If it be so,How little is the cost I haue bestowedIn purchasing the semblance of my soule;From out the state of hellish cruelty,
[1685]
This comes too neere the praising of my selfe,Therefore no more of it: heere other thingsLorenso I commit into your hands,
The husbandry and mannage of my house,Vntill my Lords returne; for mine owne part
[1690]
I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vow,To liue in prayer and contemplation,Onely attended by
Nerrissa heere,
Vntill her husband and my Lords returne:There is a monastery too miles off,
[1695]
And there we will abide. I doe desire youNot to denie this imposition,The which my loue and some necessityNow layes vpon you.Lorens.Madame, with all my heart,
[1700]
I shall obey you in all faire commands.Por.My people doe already know my minde,And will acknowledge you and
IessicaIn place of Lord
Bassanio and my selfe.
So far you well till we shall meete againe.Lor.
[1705]
Faire thoughts & happy houres attend on you.Iessi.I wish your Ladiship all hearts content.Por.I thanke you for your wish, and am well pleas'dTo wish it backe on you: faryouwell
Iessica.
Exeunt.Now
Balthaser, as I haue euer found thee
honest true,
[1710]
So let me finde thee still: take this same letter,And vse thou all the indeauor of a man,In speed to Mantua, see thou render thisInto my cosins hand, Doctor
Belario,
And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,
[1715]
Bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speedVnto the Tranect, to the common FerrieWhich trades to Venice; waste no time in words,But get thee gone, I shall be there before thee.Balth.Madam, I goe with all conuenient speed.Por.
[1720]
Come on
Nerissa, I haue worke in hand
That you yet know not of; wee'll see our husbandsBefore they thinke of vs?Nerrissa.Shall they see vs
?Portia.They shall
Nerrissa: but in such a habit,
[1725]
That they shall thinke we are accomplishedWith that we lacke; Ile hold thee any wagerWhen we are both accoutered like yong men,Ile proue the prettier fellow of the two,And weare my dagger with the brauer grace,
[1730]
And speake betweene the change of man and boy,With a reede voyce, and turne two minsing stepsInto a manly stride; and speake of frayesLike a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lyesHow honourable Ladies sought my loue,
[1735]
Which I denying, they fell sicke and died.I could not doe withall: then Ile repent,And wish for all that, that I had not kil'd them;And twentie of these punie lies Ile tell,That men shall sweare I haue discontinued schoole
[1740]
Aboue a twelue moneth: I haue within my mindeA thousand raw tricks of these bragging Iacks,Which I will practise.Nerris.
Why, shall wee turne to men?
Portia.Fie, what a questions that?
[1745]
If thou wert nere a lewd interpreter:But come, Ile tell thee all my whole deuiceWhen I am in my coach, which stayes for vsAt the Parke gate; and therefore haste away,For we must measure twentie miles to day.Exeunt.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="4" rend="notPresent">
<head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 4]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Portia, Nerrissa, Lorenzo, Iessica, and a man of
<lb/>Portias.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-lor">
<speaker rend="italic">Lor.</speaker>
<l n="1664">Madam, although I speake it in your presence,</l>
<l n="1665">You haue a noble and a true conceit</l>
<l n="1666">Of god‑like amity, which appeares most strongly</l>
<l n="1667">In bearing thus the absence of your Lord.</l>
<l n="1668">But if you knew to whom you shew this honour,</l>
<l n="1669">How true a Gentleman you send releefe,</l>
<l n="1670">How deere a louer of my Lord your husband,</l>
<l n="1671">I know you would be prouder of the worke</l>
<l n="1672">Then customary bounty can enforce you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1673">I neuer did repent for doing good,</l>
<l n="1674">Nor shall not now: for in companions</l>
<l n="1675">That do conuerse and waste the time together,</l>
<l n="1676">Whose soules doe beare an egal yoke of loue.</l>
<l n="1677">There must be needs a like proportion</l>
<l n="1678">Of lyniaments, of manners, and of spirit;</l>
<l n="1679">Which makes me thinke that this<hi rend="italic">Anthonio</hi>
</l>
<l n="1680">Being the bosome louer of my Lord,</l>
<l n="1681">Must needs be like my Lord. If it be so,</l>
<l n="1682">How little is the cost I haue bestowed</l>
<l n="1683">In purchasing the semblance of my soule;</l>
<l n="1684">From out the state of hellish cruelty,</l>
<l n="1685">This comes too neere the praising of my selfe,</l>
<l n="1686">Therefore no more of it: heere other things</l>
<l n="1687">
<hi rend="italic">Lorenso</hi>I commit into your hands,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0197-0.jpg" n="177"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1688">The husbandry and mannage of my house,</l>
<l n="1689">Vntill my Lords returne; for mine owne part</l>
<l n="1690">I haue toward heauen breath'd a secret vow,</l>
<l n="1691">To liue in prayer and contemplation,</l>
<l n="1692">Onely attended by<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>heere,</l>
<l n="1693">Vntill her husband and my Lords returne:</l>
<l n="1694">There is a monastery too miles off,</l>
<l n="1695">And there we will abide. I doe desire you</l>
<l n="1696">Not to denie this imposition,</l>
<l n="1697">The which my loue and some necessity</l>
<l n="1698">Now layes vpon you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-lor">
<speaker rend="italic">Lorens.</speaker>
<l n="1699">Madame, with all my heart,</l>
<l n="1700">I shall obey you in all faire commands.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1701">My people doe already know my minde,</l>
<l n="1702">And will acknowledge you and<hi rend="italic">Iessica</hi>
</l>
<l n="1703">In place of Lord<hi rend="italic">Bassanio</hi>and my selfe.</l>
<l n="1704">So far you well till we shall meete againe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-lor">
<speaker rend="italic">Lor.</speaker>
<l n="1705">Faire thoughts & happy houres attend on you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-jes">
<speaker rend="italic">Iessi.</speaker>
<l n="1706">I wish your Ladiship all hearts content.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1707">I thanke you for your wish, and am well pleas'd</l>
<l n="1708">To wish it backe on you: faryouwell<hi rend="italic">Iessica</hi>.</l>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<l n="1709">Now<hi rend="italic">Balthaser</hi>, as I haue euer found thee honest true,</l>
<l n="1710">So let me finde thee still: take this same letter,</l>
<l n="1711">And vse thou all the indeauor of a man,</l>
<l n="1712">In speed to Mantua, see thou render this</l>
<l n="1713">Into my cosins hand, Doctor<hi rend="italic">Belario</hi>,</l>
<l n="1714">And looke what notes and garments he doth giue thee,</l>
<l n="1715">Bring them I pray thee with imagin'd speed</l>
<l n="1716">Vnto the Tranect, to the common Ferrie</l>
<l n="1717">Which trades to Venice; waste no time in words,</l>
<l n="1718">But get thee gone, I shall be there before thee.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-bal">
<speaker rend="italic">Balth.</speaker>
<l n="1719">Madam, I goe with all conuenient speed.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1720">Come on<hi rend="italic">Nerissa</hi>, I haue worke in hand</l>
<l n="1721">That you yet know not of; wee'll see our husbands</l>
<l n="1722">Before they thinke of vs?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Nerrissa.</speaker>
<l n="1723">Shall they see vs<hi rend="italic">?</hi>
</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Portia.</speaker>
<l n="1724">They shall<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>: but in such a habit,</l>
<l n="1725">That they shall thinke we are accomplished</l>
<l n="1726">With that we lacke; Ile hold thee any wager</l>
<l n="1727">When we are both accoutered like yong men,</l>
<l n="1728">Ile proue the prettier fellow of the two,</l>
<l n="1729">And weare my dagger with the brauer grace,</l>
<l n="1730">And speake betweene the change of man and boy,</l>
<l n="1731">With a reede voyce, and turne two minsing steps</l>
<l n="1732">Into a manly stride; and speake of frayes</l>
<l n="1733">Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lyes</l>
<l n="1734">How honourable Ladies sought my loue,</l>
<l n="1735">Which I denying, they fell sicke and died.</l>
<l n="1736">I could not doe withall: then Ile repent,</l>
<l n="1737">And wish for all that, that I had not kil'd them;</l>
<l n="1738">And twentie of these punie lies Ile tell,</l>
<l n="1739">That men shall sweare I haue discontinued schoole</l>
<l n="1740">Aboue a twelue moneth: I haue within my minde</l>
<l n="1741">A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Iacks,</l>
<l n="1742">Which I will practise.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Nerris.</speaker>
<p n="1743">Why, shall wee turne to men?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Portia.</speaker>
<l n="1744">Fie, what a questions that?</l>
<l n="1745">If thou wert nere a lewd interpreter:</l>
<l n="1746">But come, Ile tell thee all my whole deuice</l>
<l n="1747">When I am in my coach, which stayes for vs</l>
<l n="1748">At the Parke gate; and therefore haste away,</l>
<l n="1749">For we must measure twentie miles to day.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>