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

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The Merchant of Venice, III. iv
63

Now lays upon you.

Lor.Madam, with all my heart:
I shall obey you in all fair commands. 36

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. 40

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. 44

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 48
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 52
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. 56

[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 60
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