Bass.
Most worthy gentleman! I and my friend
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
Of grievous penalties; in lieu whereof,
Three thousand ducats, due unto the Jew,
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

Ant.
And stand indebted, over and above,
In love and service to you evermore.

Por.
He is well paid, that is well satisfy'd;
And I, delivering you, am satisfy'd,
And therein do account my self well paid;
My mind was never yet more mercenary.
I pray you, know me, when we meet again;
I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

Bass.
Dear Sir, of force I must attempt you further.
Take some remembrance of us, for a tribute,
Not as a fee: grant me two things, I pray you,
Not to deny me, and to pardon me.

Por.
You press me far, and therefore I will yield.
Give me your gloves, I'll wear 'em for your sake;
And, for your love, I'll take this ring from you.
Do not draw back your hand, I'll take no more;
And you in love shall not deny me this.

Bass.
This ring, good Sir, alas, it is a trifle;
I will not shame my self to give you this.

Por.
I will have nothing else but only this,
And now, methinks, I have a mind to it.

Bass.
^{9 note}There's more depends on this, than on the value.
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,
And find it out by proclamation;
Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.

Por.
I see, Sir, you are liberal in offers;
You taught me first to beg, and now, methinks,
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.

Bass.
Good Sir, this ring was giv'n me by my wife.
And, when she put it on, she made me vow,
That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.

Por.
That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts;
And if your wife be not a mad woman,
And know how well I have deserv'd the ring,
She wou'd not hold out enmity for ever,
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you! [Exit with Nerissa.

Anth.
My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.
Let his deservings, and my love withal,
Be valu'd 'gainst your wife's commandement.

Bass.
Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him,
Give him the ring; and bring him, if thou can'st,
Unto Anthonio's house: away, make haste. [Exit Gra.
Come, you and I will thither presently;
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont; come, Anthonio. [Exeunt. Re-enter Portia and Nerissa.

Por.
Enquire the Jew's house out, give him this Deed,
And let him sign it; we'll away to night,
And be a day before our husbands home:
This Deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

Enter Gratiano.

Gra.
Fair Sir, you are well o'erta'en:
My lord Bassanio, upon more advice,
Hath sent you here this ring, and doth intreat
Your company at dinner.

Por.
That cannot be.
This ring I do accept most thankfully,
And so, I pray you, tell him; furthermore,
I pray you, shew my Youth old Shylock's house.

Gra.
That will I do.

Ner.
Sir, I would speak with you.
I'll see if I can get my husband's ring: [To Por.
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.

Por.
Thou may'st, I warrant. We shall have old swearing,
That they did give the rings away to men;
But we'll out-face them, and out-swear them too:
Away, make haste, thou know'st where I will tarry.

Ner.
Come, good Sir, will you shew me to this house? [Exeunt.

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