Bass. There's more depends on this than on the value.
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, 436
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 440
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. 444
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, 448
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you.
Ant. My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring:
Let his deservings and my love withal
Be valu'd 'gainst your wife's commandment. 452
Bass. Go, Gratiano; run and overtake him;
Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst,
Unto Antonio's house. Away! make haste.
Come, you and I will thither presently, 456
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio. Exeunt.
437 proclamation: advertisement (through the street crier)
