Thou calledst me dog before thou hadst a

cause;

But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:

The Duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request.
Ant. I pray thee, hear me speak.

Shy. I'll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:

I'll have my bond; and therefore speak no

more.

[Exit L threateningly.1

Ant. (L C., Xs after Shylock). I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.

He seeks my life; his reason well I know:

I oft delivered from his forfeitures

Many that have at times made moan to me; Therefore he hates me.

Salar. I am sure the Duke

Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

Ant. The Duke cannot deny the course of law:

Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!

[Exeunt R.

1Portia is seated at a table C, writing. Lorenzo

stands near her at L C.

Nerissa and Jessica are

up R. (If Elizabethan, they enter.)

2 Lorenzo kisses Portia's hand at L C.

Jessica comes down and kisses Portia's hand at R C-then Lorenzo crosses to Jessica R C, and they go off R2.

SCENE VII. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S

house.

Enter PORTIA, LORENZO, JESSICA, and
BALTHASAR, L.1

Por. Lorenzo, I commit into your hands
The husbandry and manage of my house
Until my lord's return; for mine own part,
I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow
To live in prayer and contemplation,
Only attended by Nerissa here,

Until her husband and my lord's return:
There is a monastery two miles off
And there will we abide. I do desire you
Not to deny this imposition,

The which my love and some necessity
Now lays upon you.

Lor. (L C). Madam, with all my heart; I shall obey you in all fair commands.

Por. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.3 And so farewell, till we shall meet again.

(Going up L).

1Pause to get them off; then Portia calls Balthasar, who comes forward from L.

2Gives him letter, and delivers speech with great animation.

3Tranect is a machine which plied as the ferry. 4Balthasar is a youth full of enthusiasm.

5 Portia rises, and the rest of the scene is delicious comedy.

Lor. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!

Jes. I wish your ladyship all heart's content. Por. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased

To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica.1 [Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo up R2.]

Now, Balthasar (he comes quickly from L),
As I have ever found thee honest-true,
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,2
And use thou all the endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua: see thou render this
Into my cousin's hand, Doctor Bellario;

And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee,

Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed Unto the tranect, to the common ferry

3

Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words, But get thee gone: I shall be there before thee.* Balth. Madam, I go with all convenient speed.4 [Exit running off L. Por. (LC).5 Come on, Nerissa; I have work

in hand

That you yet know not of: we'll see our hus

bands