Shakespeare's play of the Merchant of Venice · William Shakespeare
SCENE V.--SALOON OF THE CASKETS IN PORTIA'S HOUSE AT BELMONT.
_Enter_ PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, _and_ BALTHAZAR. _Lor_. Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But, if you knew to whom you show this honour, How true a gentleman you send relief, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, I know you would be prouder of the work, Than customary bounty can enforce you. _Por_. I never did repent for doing good, Nor shall not now. This comes too near the praising of myself; Therefore, no more of it: hear other things.[92] Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage of my house, Until my lord's return: for mine own part, I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow, To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here; There is a monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition; To which my love, and some necessity, Now lays upon you. _Lor_. Madam, with all my heart, I shall obey you in all fair commands. _Por_. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica In place of lord Bassanio and myself. So fare you well, till we shall meet again.
_Lor_. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you! _Jes_. I wish your ladyship all heart's content. _Por_. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas'd To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica! _Exeunt_ JESSICA _and_ LORENZO. Now, Balthazar, As I have ever found thee honest, true, So let me find thee still: Take this same letter; See thou render this Into my cousin's hand, doctor Bellario; And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed[93] Unto the tranect,[94] to the common ferry Which trades to Venice:--waste no time in words, But get thee gone; I shall be there before thee. _Bal_. Madam, I go with all convenient speed. [_Exit_. _Por_. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand, That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands, Before they think of us. _Ner_. Shall they see us? _Por_. They shall, Nerissa: But come, I'll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate; and therefore haste away, For we must measure twenty miles to-day. [_Exeunt_.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.