Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/77

The Merchant of Venice, III. iv

Now lays upon you.

Lor.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.

So fare you well till we shall meet again.

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 pleas'd

To wish it back on you: fare you well, Jessica.

Exeunt [Jessica and Lorenzo].

Now, Balthazar,

As I have ever found thee honest-true,

So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,

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 imagin'd speed

Unto the tranect, to the common ferry

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.

[Exit.]

Por. Come on, Nerissa: I have work in hand

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

Before they think of us.

Ner.Shall they see us?

Por. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit

That they shall think we are accomplished

With that we lack. I'll hold thee any wager,

 50 cousin's: any collateral kin

52 imagin'd speed: speed of thought

53 tranect; cf. n.

56 convenient: becoming

61 accomplished: equipped 