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The Merchant of Venice (Folio 1, 1623)
184The Merchant of Venice.
2648Since he hath got the iewell that I loued,
2649And that which you did sweare to keepe for me,
2650I will become as liberall as you,
2651Ile not deny him any thing I haue,
2652No, not my body, nor my husbands bed:
2654Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argos,
2655If you doe not, if I be left alone,
2656Now by mine honour which is yet mine owne,
2657Ile haue the Doctor for my bedfellow.
2658Nerrissa. And I his Clarke: therefore be well aduis'd
2659How you doe leaue me to mine owne protection.
2661For if I doe, ile mar the yong Clarks pen.
2663Por. Sir, grieue not you,
2664You are welcome notwithstanding.
2665Bas. Portia, forgiue me this enforced wrong,
2666And in the hearing of these manie friends
2667I sweare to thee, euen by thine owne faire eyes
2669Por. Marke you but that?
2672And there's an oath of credit.
2673Bas. Nay, but heare me.
2675I neuer more will breake an oath with thee.
2676Anth. I once did lend my bodie for thy wealth,
2677Which but for him that had your husbands ring
2678Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound againe,
2679My soule vpon the forfeit, that your Lord
2680Will neuer more breake faith aduisedlie.
2682And bid him keepe it better then the other.
2686For by this ring the Doctor lay with me.
2687Ner. And pardon me my gentle Gratiano,
2689In liew of this, last night did lye with me.
2690Gra. Why this is like the mending of high waies
2691In Sommer, where the waies are faire enough:
2692What, are we Cuckolds ere we haue deseru'd it.
2694Heere is a letter, reade it at your leysure,
2695It comes from Padua from Bellario,
2697Nerrissa there her Clarke. Lorenzo heere
2699And but eu'n now return'd: I haue not yet
2700Entred my house. Anthonio you are welcome,
2701And I haue better newes in store for you
2704Are richly come to harbour sodainlie.
2706I chanced on this letter.
2707Antho. I am dumbe.
2709Gra. Were you the Clark that is to make me cuckold.
2710Ner. I, but the Clark that neuer meanes to doe it,
2711Vnlesse he liue vntill he be a man.
2713When I am absent, then lie with my wife.
2714An. (Sweet Ladie) you haue giuen me life & liuing;
2715For heere I reade for certaine that my ships
2716Are safelie come to Rode.
2717Por. How now Lorenzo?
2718My Clarke hath some good comforts to for you.
2719Ner. I, and Ile giue them him without a fee.
2720There doe I giue to you and Iessica
2721From the rich Iewe, a speciall deed of gift
2722After his death, of all he dies possess'd of.
2723Loren. Faire Ladies you drop Manna in the way
2724Of starued people.
2727Of these euents at full. Let vs goe in,
2728And charge vs there vpon intergatories,
2729And we will answer all things faithfully.
2733Or goe to bed, now being two houres to day,
2735Till I were couching with the Doctors Clarke.
2736Well, while I liue, Ile feare no other thing
2738Exeunt.
2739 FINIS.