Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Enter Nerrissa.
    Por. Enquire the Iewes house out, giue him this deed,
    and let him signe it, weele away to night,
    2305and be a day before our husbands home:
    this deede will be well welcome to Lorenzo?
    I. Enter
    The comicall Historie of
    Enter Gratiano.
    Grati. Faire sir, you are well ore-tane:
    My L. Bassanio vpon more aduice,
    2310hath sent you heere this ring, and doth intreate
    your company at dinner.
    Por. That cannot be;
    his ring I doe accept most thankfully,
    and so I pray you tell him: furthermore,
    2315I pray you shew my youth old Shylockes house.
    Gra. That will I doe.
    Ner. Sir, I would speake with you:
    Ile see if I can get my husbands ring
    which I did make him sweare to keepe for euer.
    2320Por. Thou maist I warrant, we shal haue old swearing
    that they did giue the rings away to men;
    but wele out-face them, and out-sweare them to:
    away, make hast, thou knowst where I will tarry.
    Ner. Come good sir, will you shew me to this house.