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  • Title: The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Quarto 1, 1600)

    the Merchant of Venice.
    onely my blood speakes to you in my vaines,
    and there is such confusion in my powers,
    as after some oration fairely spoke
    1465by a beloued Prince, there doth appeare
    among the buzzing pleased multitude.
    Where euery somthing beeing blent together,
    turnes to a wild of nothing, saue of ioy
    exprest, and not exprest: but when this ring
    1470parts from this finger, then parts life from hence,
    Ã ́ then be bold to say Bassanios dead.
    Ner. My Lord and Lady, it is now our time
    that haue stoode by and seene our wishes prosper,
    to cry good ioy, good ioy my Lord and Lady.
    1475Gra. My Lord Bassanio, and my gentle Lady,
    I wish you all the ioy that you can wish:
    for I am sure you can wish none from me:
    and when your honours meane to solemnize
    the bargaine of your fayth: I doe beseech you
    1480euen at that time I may be married to.
    Bass. With all my hart, so thou canst get a wife.
    Gra. I thanke your Lordship, you haue got me one.
    My eyes my Lord can looke as swift as yours:
    you saw the mistres, I beheld the mayd:
    1485You lou'd, I lou'd for intermission,
    No more pertaines to me my lord then you;
    your fortune stood vpon the caskets there,
    and so did mine to as the matter falls:
    for wooing heere vntill I swet againe,
    1490and swearing till my very rough was dry
    with oathes of loue, at last, if promise last
    I got a promise of this faire one heere
    to haue her loue: prouided that your fortune
    atchiu'd her mistres.
    1495Por. Is this true Nerrissa?
    Ner. Maddam it is, so you stand pleasd withall.
    Bass. And doe you Gratiano meane good fayth?
    Gra. Yes faith my Lord.
    F2. Bass.