Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/81

The Merchant of Venice, III. v

for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your

coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as hu-

mours and conceits shall govern.

Lor. O dear discretion, how his words are suited!

The fool hath planted in his memory

An army of good words: and I do know

A many fools, that stand in better place,

Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word

Defy the matter. How cheer'st thou, Jessica?

And now, good sweet, say thy opinion;

How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife?

Jes. Past all expressing. It is very meet,

The Lord Bassanio live an upright life,

For, having such a blessing in his lady,

He finds the joys of heaven here on earth;

And if on earth he do not mean it, then

In reason he should never come to heaven.

Why, if two gods should play some heavenly match,

And on the wager lay two earthly women,

And Portia one, there must be something else

Pawn'd with the other, for the poor rude world

Hath not her fellow.

Lor.Even such a husband

Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.

Jes. Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.

Lor. I will anon; first, let us go to dinner.

Jes. Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.

Lor. No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk;

Then howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things

I shall digest it.

Jes. Well, I'll set you forth.

 69 humours: whims

71 suited: elaborately dressed

76 Defy the matter: spoil the thought

How cheer'st thou: what cheer?

83 mean it: cf. n.

88 Pawn'd: staked 