Ad-free experience
Study Guides for 1,000+ titles
Full Text content for 250+ titles
No Fear Translations of Shakespeare’s plays (along with audio!) and other classic works
Flashcards
Mastery Quizzes
Infographics
Graphic Novels
AP® Practice & Lessons
Note-taking
Bookmarking
Dashboard
Read and listen with a SparkNotes PLUS trial!
No Fear Translations
No Fear Audio
Already have an account? Log in
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter LORENZO and JESSICA
|
Enter LORENZO and JESSICA
|
|
LORENZO The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls
5 And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.
|
LORENZO The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls
And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.
|
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself
And ran dismayed away.
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself
And ran dismayed away.
|
|
LORENZO In such a night
10 Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
|
LORENZO In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
|
|
JESSICA In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.
|
JESSICA In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.
|
|
LORENZO In such a night
15 Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
|
LORENZO In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
|
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
20 And ne'er a true one.
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne'er a true one.
|
|
LORENZO In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
|
LORENZO In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
|
|
JESSICA I would outnight you, did nobody come.
But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.
|
JESSICA I would outnight you, did nobody come.
But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.
|
|
Enter STEPHANO , a messenger
|
Enter STEPHANO , a messenger
|
|
LORENZO 25 Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
|
LORENZO Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
|
|
STEPHANO A friend.
|
STEPHANO A friend.
|
|
LORENZO A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
|
LORENZO A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
|
|
STEPHANO Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
30 Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.
|
STEPHANO Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.
|
|
LORENZO Who comes with her?
|
LORENZO Who comes with her?
|
|
STEPHANO None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you, is my master yet returned?
|
STEPHANO None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you, is my master yet returned?
|
|
LORENZO 35 He is not, nor we have not heard from him.—
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
|
LORENZO He is not, nor we have not heard from him.—
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
|
|
Enter LAUNCELOT the clown
|
Enter LAUNCELOT the clown
|
|
LAUNCELOT Sola, sola! Wo, ha, ho! Sola, sola!
|
LAUNCELOT Sola, sola! Wo, ha, ho! Sola, sola!
|
|
LORENZO 40 Who calls?
|
LORENZO Who calls?
|
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!
|
|
LORENZO Leave holloaing, man. Here.
|
LORENZO Leave holloaing, man. Here.
|
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Where, where?
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Where, where?
|
|
LORENZO Here.
|
LORENZO Here.
|
|
LAUNCELOT |
LAUNCELOT |
|
Exit LAUNCELOT
|
Exit LAUNCELOT
|
|
LORENZO Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter. Why should we go in?—
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
50 Within the house, your mistress is at hand.
And bring your music forth into the air.
|
LORENZO Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter. Why should we go in?—
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand.
And bring your music forth into the air.
|
|
Exit STEPHANO
|
Exit STEPHANO
|
|
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night
55 Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
60 Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins.
Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
|
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins.
Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
|
|
Enter musicians
|
Enter musicians
|
|
Come ho, and wake Diana with a hymn!
65 With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.
|
Come ho, and wake Diana with a hymn!
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.
|
|
Play music
|
Play music
|
|
JESSICA I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
|
JESSICA I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
|
|
LORENZO The reason is your spirits are attentive.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,
70 Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood—
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
75 You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music.
|
LORENZO The reason is your spirits are attentive.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood—
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music.
|
|
Therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
80 But music for the time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
85 And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
|
Therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
But music for the time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
|
|
Enter PORTIA and NERISSA
|
Enter PORTIA and NERISSA
|
|
PORTIA That light we see is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
|
PORTIA That light we see is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
|
|
NERISSA 90 When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
|
NERISSA When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
|
|
PORTIA So doth the greater glory dim the less.
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
95 Into the main of waters. Music, hark.
|
PORTIA So doth the greater glory dim the less.
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters. Music, hark.
|
|
NERISSA It is your music, madam, of the house.
|
NERISSA It is your music, madam, of the house.
|
|
PORTIA Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
|
PORTIA Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
|
|
NERISSA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
|
NERISSA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
|
|
PORTIA 100 The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended, and I think
The nightingale, if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
105 How many things by season seasoned are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion
And would not be awaked.
|
PORTIA The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended, and I think
The nightingale, if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
How many things by season seasoned are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion
And would not be awaked.
|
|
Music ceases
|
Music ceases
|
|
LORENZO That is the voice,
Or I am much deceived, of Portia.
|
LORENZO That is the voice,
Or I am much deceived, of Portia.
|
|
PORTIA 110 He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo—
By the bad voice.
|
PORTIA He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo—
By the bad voice.
|
|
LORENZO Dear lady, welcome home.
|
LORENZO Dear lady, welcome home.
|
|
PORTIA We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
115 Are they returned?
|
PORTIA We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
Are they returned?
|
|
LORENZO Madam, they are not yet,
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming.
|
LORENZO Madam, they are not yet,
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming.
|
|
PORTIA Go in, Nerissa.
Give order to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence.—
120 Nor you, Lorenzo.—Jessica, nor you.
|
PORTIA Go in, Nerissa.
Give order to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence.—
Nor you, Lorenzo.—Jessica, nor you.
|
|
A tucket sounds
|
A tucket sounds
|
|
LORENZO Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.
We are no tell-tales, madam. Fear you not.
|
LORENZO Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.
We are no tell-tales, madam. Fear you not.
|
|
PORTIA This night methinks is but the daylight sick.
It looks a little paler. 'Tis a day
125 Such as the day is when the sun is hid.
|
PORTIA This night methinks is but the daylight sick.
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. GRATIANO and NERISSA move aside and talk
|
Enter BASSANIO , ANTONIO , GRATIANO , and their followers. GRATIANO and NERISSA move aside and talk
|
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
|
|
PORTIA Let me give light, but let me not be light.
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,
130 And never be Bassanio so for me.
But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.
|
PORTIA Let me give light, but let me not be light.
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.
|
|
BASSANIO I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
|
BASSANIO I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
|
|
PORTIA 135 You should in all sense be much bound to him.
For as I hear he was much bound for you.
|
PORTIA You should in all sense be much bound to him.
For as I hear he was much bound for you.
|
|
ANTONIO No more than I am well acquitted of.
|
ANTONIO No more than I am well acquitted of.
|
|
PORTIA Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
It must appear in other ways than words,
140 Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
|
PORTIA Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
It must appear in other ways than words,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
|
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) 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,
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) 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,
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
|
|
PORTIA 145 A quarrel, ho, already? What’s the matter?
|
PORTIA A quarrel, ho, already? What’s the matter?
|
|
GRATIANO About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me, whose posy was
For all the world like cutler’s poetry
Upon a knife, “Love me and leave me not.”
|
GRATIANO About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me, whose posy was
For all the world like cutler’s poetry
Upon a knife, “Love me and leave me not.”
|
|
NERISSA 150 What talk you of the posy or the value?
You swore to me when I did give it you
That you would wear it till your hour of death,
And that it should lie with you in your grave.
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
155 You should have been respective and have kept it.
Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge.
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on ’s face that had it.
|
NERISSA What talk you of the posy or the value?
You swore to me when I did give it you
That you would wear it till your hour of death,
And that it should lie with you in your grave.
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
You should have been respective and have kept it.
Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge.
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on ’s face that had it.
|
|
GRATIANO He will, an if he live to be a man.
|
GRATIANO He will, an if he live to be a man.
|
|
NERISSA Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
|
NERISSA Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
|
|
GRATIANO 160 Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbèd boy
No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,
A prating boy that begged it as a fee.
I could not for my heart deny it him.
|
GRATIANO Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbèd boy
No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,
A prating boy that begged it as a fee.
I could not for my heart deny it him.
|
|
PORTIA 165 You were to blame, I must be plain with you,
To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift,
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
|
PORTIA You were to blame, I must be plain with you,
To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift,
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
|
|
I gave my love a ring and made him swear
170 Never to part with it. And here he stands.
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters. Now in faith, Gratiano,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief.
175 An ’twere to me, I should be mad at it.
|
I gave my love a ring and made him swear
Never to part with it. And here he stands.
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters. Now in faith, Gratiano,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief.
An ’twere to me, I should be mad at it.
|
|
BASSANIO (aside) Why, I were best to cut my left hand off
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
|
BASSANIO (aside) Why, I were best to cut my left hand off
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
|
|
GRATIANO My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begged it and indeed
180 Deserved it too. And then the boy, his clerk,
That took some pains in writing, he begged mine.
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.
|
GRATIANO My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begged it and indeed
Deserved it too. And then the boy, his clerk,
That took some pains in writing, he begged mine.
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.
|
|
PORTIA What ring gave you my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
|
PORTIA What ring gave you my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
|
|
BASSANIO 185 If I could add a lie unto a fault
I would deny it. but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.
|
BASSANIO If I could add a lie unto a fault
I would deny it. but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.
|
|
PORTIA Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
190 Until I see the ring.
|
PORTIA Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
Until I see the ring.
|
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO)
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine.
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO)
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine.
|
|
BASSANIO Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
195 And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
And how unwillingly I left the ring
When naught would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
|
BASSANIO Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
And how unwillingly I left the ring
When naught would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
|
|
PORTIA If you had known the virtue of the ring,
200 Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honor to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleased to have defended it
205 With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe.
I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring.
|
PORTIA If you had known the virtue of the ring,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honor to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleased to have defended it
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe.
I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring.
|
|
BASSANIO No, by my honor, madam, by my soul,
210 No woman had it but a civil doctor,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
And begged the ring, the which I did deny him
And suffered him to go displeased away—
Even he that did uphold the very life
215 Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
I was enforced to send it after him.
I was beset with shame and courtesy.
My honor would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady,
220 For by these blessèd candles of the night,
Had you been there I think you would have begged
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
|
BASSANIO No, by my honor, madam, by my soul,
No woman had it but a civil doctor,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
And begged the ring, the which I did deny him
And suffered him to go displeased away—
Even he that did uphold the very life
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
I was enforced to send it after him.
I was beset with shame and courtesy.
My honor would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady,
For by these blessèd candles of the night,
Had you been there I think you would have begged
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
|
|
PORTIA Let not that doctor e'er come near my house!
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
225 And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you.
I’ll not deny him anything I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
230 Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now, by mine honor—which is yet mine own—
I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.
|
PORTIA Let not that doctor e'er come near my house!
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you.
I’ll not deny him anything I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now, by mine honor—which is yet mine own—
I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.
|
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO) And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised
235 How you do leave me to mine own protection.
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO) And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised
How you do leave me to mine own protection.
|
|
GRATIANO Well, do you so, let not me take him then.
For if I do I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.
|
GRATIANO Well, do you so, let not me take him then.
For if I do I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.
|
|
ANTONIO I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.
|
ANTONIO I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.
|
|
PORTIA Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
|
PORTIA Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
|
|
BASSANIO 240 Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong,
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes
Wherein I see myself—
|
BASSANIO Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong,
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes
Wherein I see myself—
|
|
PORTIA Mark you but that!
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself—
245 In each eye, one. Swear by your double self,
And there’s an oath of credit!
|
PORTIA Mark you but that!
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself—
In each eye, one. Swear by your double self,
And there’s an oath of credit!
|
|
BASSANIO Nay, but hear me.
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.
|
BASSANIO Nay, but hear me.
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.
|
|
ANTONIO I once did lend my body for his wealth,
250 Which but for him that had your husband’s ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.
|
ANTONIO I once did lend my body for his wealth,
Which but for him that had your husband’s ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.
|
|
PORTIA (giving ANTONIO a ring)
255 Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.
|
PORTIA (giving ANTONIO a ring)
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.
|
|
ANTONIO (giving BASSANIO PORTIA's ring)
Here, Lord Bassanio. Swear to keep this ring.
|
ANTONIO (giving BASSANIO PORTIA's ring)
Here, Lord Bassanio. Swear to keep this ring.
|
|
BASSANIO By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
|
BASSANIO By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
|
|
PORTIA 260 I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio,
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
|
PORTIA I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio,
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
|
|
NERISSA (taking out a ring)
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk,
265 In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
|
NERISSA (taking out a ring)
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk,
In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
|
|
GRATIANO Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer where the ways are fair enough!
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
|
GRATIANO Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer where the ways are fair enough!
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
|
|
PORTIA Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed.
Here is a letter. Read it at your leisure.
It comes from Padua, from Bellario.
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
Nerissa there her clerk. Lorenzo here
275 Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
And even but now returned. I have not yet
Entered my house.—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
Are richly come to harbor suddenly.
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chancèd on this letter.
|
PORTIA Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed.
Here is a letter. Read it at your leisure.
It comes from Padua, from Bellario.
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
Nerissa there her clerk. Lorenzo here
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
And even but now returned. I have not yet
Entered my house.—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
Are richly come to harbor suddenly.
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chancèd on this letter.
|
|
ANTONIO 285 I am dumb.
|
ANTONIO I am dumb.
|
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Were you the doctor and I knew you not?
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Were you the doctor and I knew you not?
|
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
|
|
NERISSA Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it
290 Unless he live until he be a man.
|
NERISSA Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it
Unless he live until he be a man.
|
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
When I am absent then lie with my wife.
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
When I am absent then lie with my wife.
|
|
ANTONIO Sweet lady, you have given me life and living.
For here I read for certain that my ships
295 Are safely come to road.
|
ANTONIO Sweet lady, you have given me life and living.
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road.
|
|
PORTIA How now, Lorenzo?
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
|
PORTIA How now, Lorenzo?
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
|
|
NERISSA Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.
(gives LORENZO a document)
300 There do I give to you and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
After his death of all he dies possessed of.
|
NERISSA Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.
(gives LORENZO a document)
There do I give to you and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
After his death of all he dies possessed of.
|
|
LORENZO Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starvèd people.
|
LORENZO Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starvèd people.
|
|
PORTIA It is almost morning,
305 And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us go in,
And charge us there upon interr'gatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.
|
PORTIA It is almost morning,
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us go in,
And charge us there upon interr'gatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.
|
|
GRATIANO Let it be so. The first interr'gatory
310 That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
But were the day come, I should wish it dark,
That I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.
315 Well, while I live I’ll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
|
GRATIANO Let it be so. The first interr'gatory
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
But were the day come, I should wish it dark,
That I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.
Well, while I live I’ll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter LORENZO and JESSICA
|
Enter LORENZO and JESSICA
|
|
LORENZO The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls
5 And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.
|
LORENZO The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls
And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.
|
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself
And ran dismayed away.
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself
And ran dismayed away.
|
|
LORENZO In such a night
10 Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
|
LORENZO In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
|
|
JESSICA In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.
|
JESSICA In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.
|
|
LORENZO In such a night
15 Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
|
LORENZO In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
|
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
20 And ne'er a true one.
|
JESSICA In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne'er a true one.
|
|
LORENZO In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
|
LORENZO In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
|
|
JESSICA I would outnight you, did nobody come.
But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.
|
JESSICA I would outnight you, did nobody come.
But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.
|
|
Enter STEPHANO , a messenger
|
Enter STEPHANO , a messenger
|
|
LORENZO 25 Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
|
LORENZO Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
|
|
STEPHANO A friend.
|
STEPHANO A friend.
|
|
LORENZO A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
|
LORENZO A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
|
|
STEPHANO Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
30 Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.
|
STEPHANO Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.
|
|
LORENZO Who comes with her?
|
LORENZO Who comes with her?
|
|
STEPHANO None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you, is my master yet returned?
|
STEPHANO None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you, is my master yet returned?
|
|
LORENZO 35 He is not, nor we have not heard from him.—
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
|
LORENZO He is not, nor we have not heard from him.—
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
|
|
Enter LAUNCELOT the clown
|
Enter LAUNCELOT the clown
|
|
LAUNCELOT Sola, sola! Wo, ha, ho! Sola, sola!
|
LAUNCELOT Sola, sola! Wo, ha, ho! Sola, sola!
|
|
LORENZO 40 Who calls?
|
LORENZO Who calls?
|
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!
|
|
LORENZO Leave holloaing, man. Here.
|
LORENZO Leave holloaing, man. Here.
|
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Where, where?
|
LAUNCELOT Sola! Where, where?
|
|
LORENZO Here.
|
LORENZO Here.
|
|
LAUNCELOT |
LAUNCELOT |
|
Exit LAUNCELOT
|
Exit LAUNCELOT
|
|
LORENZO Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter. Why should we go in?—
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
50 Within the house, your mistress is at hand.
And bring your music forth into the air.
|
LORENZO Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter. Why should we go in?—
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand.
And bring your music forth into the air.
|
|
Exit STEPHANO
|
Exit STEPHANO
|
|
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night
55 Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
60 Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins.
Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
|
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins.
Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
|
|
Enter musicians
|
Enter musicians
|
|
Come ho, and wake Diana with a hymn!
65 With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.
|
Come ho, and wake Diana with a hymn!
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.
|
|
Play music
|
Play music
|
|
JESSICA I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
|
JESSICA I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
|
|
LORENZO The reason is your spirits are attentive.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,
70 Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood—
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
75 You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music.
|
LORENZO The reason is your spirits are attentive.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood—
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music.
|
|
Therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
80 But music for the time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
85 And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
|
Therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
But music for the time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
|
|
Enter PORTIA and NERISSA
|
Enter PORTIA and NERISSA
|
|
PORTIA That light we see is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
|
PORTIA That light we see is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
|
|
NERISSA 90 When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
|
NERISSA When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
|
|
PORTIA So doth the greater glory dim the less.
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
95 Into the main of waters. Music, hark.
|
PORTIA So doth the greater glory dim the less.
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters. Music, hark.
|
|
NERISSA It is your music, madam, of the house.
|
NERISSA It is your music, madam, of the house.
|
|
PORTIA Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
|
PORTIA Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
|
|
NERISSA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
|
NERISSA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
|
|
PORTIA 100 The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended, and I think
The nightingale, if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
105 How many things by season seasoned are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion
And would not be awaked.
|
PORTIA The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended, and I think
The nightingale, if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
How many things by season seasoned are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion
And would not be awaked.
|
|
Music ceases
|
Music ceases
|
|
LORENZO That is the voice,
Or I am much deceived, of Portia.
|
LORENZO That is the voice,
Or I am much deceived, of Portia.
|
|
PORTIA 110 He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo—
By the bad voice.
|
PORTIA He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo—
By the bad voice.
|
|
LORENZO Dear lady, welcome home.
|
LORENZO Dear lady, welcome home.
|
|
PORTIA We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
115 Are they returned?
|
PORTIA We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
Are they returned?
|
|
LORENZO Madam, they are not yet,
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming.
|
LORENZO Madam, they are not yet,
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming.
|
|
PORTIA Go in, Nerissa.
Give order to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence.—
120 Nor you, Lorenzo.—Jessica, nor you.
|
PORTIA Go in, Nerissa.
Give order to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence.—
Nor you, Lorenzo.—Jessica, nor you.
|
|
A tucket sounds
|
A tucket sounds
|
|
LORENZO Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.
We are no tell-tales, madam. Fear you not.
|
LORENZO Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.
We are no tell-tales, madam. Fear you not.
|
|
PORTIA This night methinks is but the daylight sick.
It looks a little paler. 'Tis a day
125 Such as the day is when the sun is hid.
|
PORTIA This night methinks is but the daylight sick.
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. GRATIANO and NERISSA move aside and talk
|
Enter BASSANIO , ANTONIO , GRATIANO , and their followers. GRATIANO and NERISSA move aside and talk
|
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
|
|
PORTIA Let me give light, but let me not be light.
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,
130 And never be Bassanio so for me.
But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.
|
PORTIA Let me give light, but let me not be light.
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.
|
|
BASSANIO I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
|
BASSANIO I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
|
|
PORTIA 135 You should in all sense be much bound to him.
For as I hear he was much bound for you.
|
PORTIA You should in all sense be much bound to him.
For as I hear he was much bound for you.
|
|
ANTONIO No more than I am well acquitted of.
|
ANTONIO No more than I am well acquitted of.
|
|
PORTIA Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
It must appear in other ways than words,
140 Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
|
PORTIA Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
It must appear in other ways than words,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
|
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) 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,
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) 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,
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
|
|
PORTIA 145 A quarrel, ho, already? What’s the matter?
|
PORTIA A quarrel, ho, already? What’s the matter?
|
|
GRATIANO About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me, whose posy was
For all the world like cutler’s poetry
Upon a knife, “Love me and leave me not.”
|
GRATIANO About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me, whose posy was
For all the world like cutler’s poetry
Upon a knife, “Love me and leave me not.”
|
|
NERISSA 150 What talk you of the posy or the value?
You swore to me when I did give it you
That you would wear it till your hour of death,
And that it should lie with you in your grave.
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
155 You should have been respective and have kept it.
Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge.
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on ’s face that had it.
|
NERISSA What talk you of the posy or the value?
You swore to me when I did give it you
That you would wear it till your hour of death,
And that it should lie with you in your grave.
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
You should have been respective and have kept it.
Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge.
The clerk will ne'er wear hair on ’s face that had it.
|
|
GRATIANO He will, an if he live to be a man.
|
GRATIANO He will, an if he live to be a man.
|
|
NERISSA Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
|
NERISSA Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
|
|
GRATIANO 160 Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbèd boy
No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,
A prating boy that begged it as a fee.
I could not for my heart deny it him.
|
GRATIANO Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbèd boy
No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,
A prating boy that begged it as a fee.
I could not for my heart deny it him.
|
|
PORTIA 165 You were to blame, I must be plain with you,
To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift,
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
|
PORTIA You were to blame, I must be plain with you,
To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift,
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
|
|
I gave my love a ring and made him swear
170 Never to part with it. And here he stands.
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters. Now in faith, Gratiano,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief.
175 An ’twere to me, I should be mad at it.
|
I gave my love a ring and made him swear
Never to part with it. And here he stands.
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters. Now in faith, Gratiano,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief.
An ’twere to me, I should be mad at it.
|
|
BASSANIO (aside) Why, I were best to cut my left hand off
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
|
BASSANIO (aside) Why, I were best to cut my left hand off
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
|
|
GRATIANO My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begged it and indeed
180 Deserved it too. And then the boy, his clerk,
That took some pains in writing, he begged mine.
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.
|
GRATIANO My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begged it and indeed
Deserved it too. And then the boy, his clerk,
That took some pains in writing, he begged mine.
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.
|
|
PORTIA What ring gave you my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
|
PORTIA What ring gave you my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
|
|
BASSANIO 185 If I could add a lie unto a fault
I would deny it. but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.
|
BASSANIO If I could add a lie unto a fault
I would deny it. but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.
|
|
PORTIA Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
190 Until I see the ring.
|
PORTIA Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
Until I see the ring.
|
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO)
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine.
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO)
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine.
|
|
BASSANIO Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
195 And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
And how unwillingly I left the ring
When naught would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
|
BASSANIO Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
And how unwillingly I left the ring
When naught would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
|
|
PORTIA If you had known the virtue of the ring,
200 Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honor to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleased to have defended it
205 With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe.
I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring.
|
PORTIA If you had known the virtue of the ring,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honor to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleased to have defended it
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe.
I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring.
|
|
BASSANIO No, by my honor, madam, by my soul,
210 No woman had it but a civil doctor,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
And begged the ring, the which I did deny him
And suffered him to go displeased away—
Even he that did uphold the very life
215 Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
I was enforced to send it after him.
I was beset with shame and courtesy.
My honor would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady,
220 For by these blessèd candles of the night,
Had you been there I think you would have begged
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
|
BASSANIO No, by my honor, madam, by my soul,
No woman had it but a civil doctor,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
And begged the ring, the which I did deny him
And suffered him to go displeased away—
Even he that did uphold the very life
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
I was enforced to send it after him.
I was beset with shame and courtesy.
My honor would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady,
For by these blessèd candles of the night,
Had you been there I think you would have begged
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
|
|
PORTIA Let not that doctor e'er come near my house!
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
225 And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you.
I’ll not deny him anything I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
230 Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now, by mine honor—which is yet mine own—
I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.
|
PORTIA Let not that doctor e'er come near my house!
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you.
I’ll not deny him anything I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now, by mine honor—which is yet mine own—
I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.
|
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO) And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised
235 How you do leave me to mine own protection.
|
NERISSA (to GRATIANO) And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised
How you do leave me to mine own protection.
|
|
GRATIANO Well, do you so, let not me take him then.
For if I do I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.
|
GRATIANO Well, do you so, let not me take him then.
For if I do I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.
|
|
ANTONIO I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.
|
ANTONIO I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels.
|
|
PORTIA Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
|
PORTIA Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
|
|
BASSANIO 240 Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong,
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes
Wherein I see myself—
|
BASSANIO Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong,
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes
Wherein I see myself—
|
|
PORTIA Mark you but that!
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself—
245 In each eye, one. Swear by your double self,
And there’s an oath of credit!
|
PORTIA Mark you but that!
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself—
In each eye, one. Swear by your double self,
And there’s an oath of credit!
|
|
BASSANIO Nay, but hear me.
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.
|
BASSANIO Nay, but hear me.
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.
|
|
ANTONIO I once did lend my body for his wealth,
250 Which but for him that had your husband’s ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.
|
ANTONIO I once did lend my body for his wealth,
Which but for him that had your husband’s ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.
|
|
PORTIA (giving ANTONIO a ring)
255 Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.
|
PORTIA (giving ANTONIO a ring)
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.
|
|
ANTONIO (giving BASSANIO PORTIA's ring)
Here, Lord Bassanio. Swear to keep this ring.
|
ANTONIO (giving BASSANIO PORTIA's ring)
Here, Lord Bassanio. Swear to keep this ring.
|
|
BASSANIO By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
|
BASSANIO By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
|
|
PORTIA 260 I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio,
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
|
PORTIA I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio,
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
|
|
NERISSA (taking out a ring)
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk,
265 In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
|
NERISSA (taking out a ring)
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk,
In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
|
|
GRATIANO Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer where the ways are fair enough!
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
|
GRATIANO Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer where the ways are fair enough!
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
|
|
PORTIA Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed.
Here is a letter. Read it at your leisure.
It comes from Padua, from Bellario.
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
Nerissa there her clerk. Lorenzo here
275 Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
And even but now returned. I have not yet
Entered my house.—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
Are richly come to harbor suddenly.
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chancèd on this letter.
|
PORTIA Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed.
Here is a letter. Read it at your leisure.
It comes from Padua, from Bellario.
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
Nerissa there her clerk. Lorenzo here
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
And even but now returned. I have not yet
Entered my house.—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
Are richly come to harbor suddenly.
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chancèd on this letter.
|
|
ANTONIO 285 I am dumb.
|
ANTONIO I am dumb.
|
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Were you the doctor and I knew you not?
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Were you the doctor and I knew you not?
|
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
|
GRATIANO (to NERISSA) Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
|
|
NERISSA Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it
290 Unless he live until he be a man.
|
NERISSA Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it
Unless he live until he be a man.
|
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
When I am absent then lie with my wife.
|
BASSANIO (to PORTIA) Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
When I am absent then lie with my wife.
|
|
ANTONIO Sweet lady, you have given me life and living.
For here I read for certain that my ships
295 Are safely come to road.
|
ANTONIO Sweet lady, you have given me life and living.
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road.
|
|
PORTIA How now, Lorenzo?
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
|
PORTIA How now, Lorenzo?
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
|
|
NERISSA Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.
(gives LORENZO a document)
300 There do I give to you and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
After his death of all he dies possessed of.
|
NERISSA Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.
(gives LORENZO a document)
There do I give to you and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
After his death of all he dies possessed of.
|
|
LORENZO Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starvèd people.
|
LORENZO Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starvèd people.
|
|
PORTIA It is almost morning,
305 And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us go in,
And charge us there upon interr'gatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.
|
PORTIA It is almost morning,
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us go in,
And charge us there upon interr'gatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.
|
|
GRATIANO Let it be so. The first interr'gatory
310 That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
But were the day come, I should wish it dark,
That I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.
315 Well, while I live I’ll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
|
GRATIANO Let it be so. The first interr'gatory
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
But were the day come, I should wish it dark,
That I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.
Well, while I live I’ll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
Test your knowledge
Take the Act 5, scene i Quick Quiz
Read the Summary
Read the Summary of Act 5, scene i.
Shakespeare’s Life & Times
Dive into our comprehensive guide to ace your Shakespeare assignments
Did you know you can highlight text to take a note?
x
