Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Merchant of Venice (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright Janelle Jenstad. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Janelle Jenstad
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merchant of Venice (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter Portia and Nerrissa.
    2380Por. Enquire the Iewes house out, giue him this deed,
    And let him signe it, wee'll away to night,
    And be a day before our husbands home:
    This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
    Enter Gratiano.
    2385Gra. Faire sir, you are well ore-tane:
    My L. Bassanio vpon more aduice,
    Hath sent you heere this ring, and doth intreat
    Your company at dinner.
    Por. That cannot be;
    2390His ring I doe accept most thankfully,
    And so I pray you tell him: furthermore,
    I pray you shew my youth old Shylockes house.
    Gra. That will I doe.
    Ner. Sir, I would speake with you:
    Q Ile
    182The Merchant of Venice.
    2395Ile see if I can get my husbands ring
    Which I did make him sweare to keepe for euer.
    Por. Thou maist I warrant, we shal haue old swearing
    That they did giue the rings away to men;
    But weele out-face them, and out-sweare them to:
    2400Away, make haste, thou know'st where I will tarry.
    Ner. Come good sir, will you shew me to this house.
    Exeunt.