Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/71

The Merchant of Venice, III. ii

To come with him along.

Salan.I did, my lord,

And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio

Commends him to you.

Bass.Ere I ope his letter,

I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth.

Salan. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind;

Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there

Will show you his estate.

[Bassanio] Opens the Letter.

Gra. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome.

Your hand, Salanio. What's the news from Venice?

How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?

I know he will be glad of our success;

We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

Salan. I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.

Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper,

That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek:

Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world

Could turn so much the constitution

Of any constant man. What, worse and worse!

With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself,

And I must freely have the half of anything

That this same paper brings you.

Bass.O sweet Portia!

Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words

That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady,

When I did first impart my love to you,

I freely told you all the wealth I had

Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman:

And then I told you true; and yet, dear lady,

 237 estate: state, condition

244 shrewd: evil

247 constitution: frame of mind, equanimity

248 constant: steadfast 