Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/97

The Merchant of Venice, IV. i

Bass. There's more depends on this than on the value.

The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,

And find it out by proclamation:

Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.

Por. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers:

You taught me first to beg, and now methinks

You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.

Bass. Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife;

And when she put it on, she made me vow

That I should never sell nor give nor lose it.

Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.

And if your wife be not a mad-woman,

And know how well I have deserv'd the ring,

She would not hold out enemy for ever,

For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you.

Exeunt [Portia and Nerissa].

Ant. My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring:

Let his deservings and my love withal

Be valu'd 'gainst your wife's commandment.

Bass. Go, Gratiano; run and overtake him;

Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst,

Unto Antonio's house. Away! make haste.

Exit Gratiano.

Come, you and I will thither presently,

And in the morning early will we both

Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

 437 proclamation: advertisement (through the street crier) 