Open Source Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice

• To print this text, click here
• To save this text, go to your browser's File menu, then select Save As


       

Act IV, Scene 2

The same. A street.

       

[Enter PORTIA and NERISSA]

  • Portia. Inquire 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. 2420

[Enter GRATIANO]

  • Gratiano. Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en
    My Lord Bassanio upon more advice
    Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat
    Your company at dinner. 2425
  • Portia. That cannot be:
    His ring I do accept most thankfully:
    And so, I pray you, tell him: furthermore,
    I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house.
  • Gratiano. That will I do. 2430
  • Nerissa. Sir, I would speak with you.
    [Aside to PORTIA]
    I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,
    Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.
  • Portia. [Aside to NERISSA] Thou mayst, I warrant. 2435
    We shall have old swearing
    That they did give the rings away to men;
    But we'll outface them, and outswear them too.
    [Aloud]
    Away! make haste: thou knowist where I will tarry. 2440
  • Nerissa. Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

[Exeunt]