The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)
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The comicall Historie of
¶for by this ring the Doctor lay with me.
¶Nerrissa. And pardon me my gentle Gratiano,
¶in liew of this, last night did lie with me.
¶Grati. Why this is like the mending of high wayes
¶in Sommer where the wayes are faire enough?
¶What, are we cuckolds ere we haue deseru'd it.
¶Heere is a letter, reade it at your leasure,
¶It comes from Padua from Bellario,
¶there you shall finde that Portia was the Doctor,
¶and euen but now returnd: I haue not yet
¶enterd my house. Anthonio you are welcome,
¶and I haue better newes in store for you
¶are richly come to harbour sodainly.
¶I chaunced on this letter.
¶Antho. I am dumb?
2625Bass. Were you the Doctor, and I knew you not?
¶Gra. Were you the Clark that is to make me cuckold.
¶Ner. I but the Clarke that neuer meanes to doe it,
¶An. (Sweet Lady) you haue giuen me life and lyuing;
¶for heere I reade for certaine that my ships
¶are safely come to Rode.
¶Por. How now Lorenzo?
2635my Clarke hath some good comforts to for you.
¶Ner I, and ile giue them him without a fee.
¶from the rich Iewe, a speciall deede of gift
Loren.
