Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/87

The Merchant of Venice, IV. i

 Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall

To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.

Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend

A young and learned doctor to our court.

Where is he?

Ner.He attendeth here hard by,

To know your answer, whether you'll admit him.

Duke. With all my heart: some three or four of you

Go give him courteous conduct to this place.

Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario's letter.

[Clerk]. 'Your Grace shall understand that at the

receipt of your letter I am very sick; but in the

instant that your messenger came, in loving visi-

tation was with me a young doctor of Rome; his

name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the

cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio

the merchant: we turned o'er many books toge-

ther: he is furnished with my opinion; which,

bettered with his own learning,—the greatness

whereof I cannot enough commend,—comes with

him, at my importunity, to fill up your Grace's

request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack

of years be no impediment to let him lack a re-

verend estimation, for I never knew so young a

body with so old a head. I leave him to your

gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better pub-

lish his commendation.'

Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes:

And here, I take it, is the doctor come.

 142 cureless: incurable

148 conduct: escort

149 letter; cf. n.

162 reverend estimation: respectful esteem

165, 166 publish commendation: make known his merit 