Hearing applause, and universal shout, Por. You see me, lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am though, for myself alone, I would not be ambitious in my wish, A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times That only to stand high on your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, But she may learn; happier than this, And be my vantage to exclaim on you. 17 The folio reads, 'Is sum of nothing,' which may probably be the true reading, as it is Portia's intention, in this speech, to undervalue herself. Bass. Madam, you have bereft me of all words, Only my blood speaks to you in my veins : And there is such confusion in my powers, As, after some oration fairly spoke By a beloved prince, there doth appear Among the buzzing pleased multitude: Where every something, being blent together, Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, Express'd, and not express'd: But when this ring Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence; O, then be bold to say, Bassanio's dead. Ner. My lord and lady, it is now our time, That have stood by, and seen our wishes prosper, To cry, good joy; Good joy, my lord, and lady! Gra. My lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish ; For, I am sure, you can wish none from me And, when your honours mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, Even at that time I may be married too. 18. Bass. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. To have her love, provided that your fortune 18 That is, none away from me; none that I shall lose, if you gain it. 19 Pause, delay. Por. Is this true, Nerissa? Ner. Madam, it is, so you stand pleas'd withal. Bass. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? Gra. Yes, 'faith, my lord. 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? Gra. No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. But who comes here? Lorenzo, and his infidel? Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO. Sweet Portia, welcome. Por. They are entirely welcome. So do I, my lord; Lor. I thank your honour: For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Sale. And I have reason for it. Commends him to you. I pray you, I did, my lord, Signior Antonio [Gives BASSANIO a letter. Ere I ope his letter, tell me how my good friend doth. Sale. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her wel come. Your hand, Salerio; What's the news from Venice? Sale.' Would you had won the fleece that he hath lost! Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon' same paper, That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek: Some dear friend dead: else nothing in the world Could turn so much the constitution Of a any constant 20 man. What, worse and worse?With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, And I must freely have the half of any thing That this same paper brings you. Bass. How much I was a braggart: When I told you 20 It should be remembered that stedfast, sad, grave, sober, were ancient synonymes of constant. And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Sale. Jes. When I was with him, I have heard him swear, To Tubal, and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh, It will go hard with poor Antonio. 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 unwearied spirit In doing courtesies; and one in whom Por. What sum owes he the Jew? Bass. For me, three thousand ducats. What, no more? Por. Should lose a hair 21 through Bassanio's fault. |