Never to part with it; and here he stands; I dare be fworn for him, he would not leave it, Bass. Why, I were beft to cut my left hand off, And swear, I loft the ring defending it. Gra. My lord Baffanio gave his ring away Unto the judge that begg'd it, and, indeed, Deserv'd it too; and then the boy, his clerk, That took fome pains in writing, he begg'd mine; And neither man, nor master, would take ought But the two rings. Por. What ring gave you, my lord? Not that, I hope, which you receiv'd of me. I would deny it; but, you see, my finger Por. Even fo void is your false heart of truth. By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed Ner. Nor I in yours till I again fee mine. If did know to whom I gave the ring, If the ring, gave the ring, And how unwillingly I left the ring, You would not then have parted with the ring. With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty I'll die for't, but fome woman had the ring. Baff. No, by mine honour, madam, by my foul, No woman had it, but a civil doctor, Who did refuse three thousand ducats of me, And begg'd the ring; the which I did deny him, Ev'n he that did uphold the very life Of my dear friend. What should I fay, fweet lady? I was befet with fhame and courtesy; My honour would not let ingratitude So much befmear it. Pardon me, good lady; Had you been there, I think, you would have begg'd The ring of me, to give the worthy doctor. Por. Let not that doctor e'er come near my house, And that which you did fwear to keep for me: I'll not deny him any thing I have, No, not my body, nor my husband's bed; Know him I fhall, I am well fure of it. Lie not a night from home; watch me like Argus: If you do not, if I be left alone, Now by mine honour, which is yet my own, I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow. Ner. And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd How you do leave me to mine own protection. Gra. Well, do you fo; let me not take him then; For, If I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. Anth. I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels. Por. Sir, grieve not you; you are welcome notwithstanding. Baff. Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong: VOL. II. L And And, in the hearing of thefe many friends, I swear to thee, ev'n by thine own fair eyes, Por. Mark you but that! In both mine eyes he doubly fees himself; Baff. Nay, but hear me: Pardon this fault, and by my foul I swear, Anth. I once did lend my body for his wealth, Por. Then you fhall be his furety; give him this, Anth. Here, lord Baffania, fwear to keep this ring. Ner. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano; Gra. Why, this is like the mending of highways. It comes from Padua, from Bellaria: There fhall find that Portia was the doctor, Shall witness, I fet forth as foon as you, [to Portia. Than Bass. Were you the doctor, and I knew you not? Baff. Sweet doctor, you fhall be my bedfellow; Anth. 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? My clerk hath some good comforts too for you. From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, After his death, of all he dies poffefs'd of. Lor. Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of ftarved people. Por. It is almoft morning, And yet, I'm sure, you are not satisfy’d Grat. Let it be fo: the first interrogatory, L 2 [Exeunt omnes. LOVE'S |