The Merchant of Venice

ACT IV
Scene 2

Venice. A street

Enter PORTIA and NERISSA

PORTIA
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,
And let him sign it; we'll away tonight,
And be a day before our husbands home.
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

Enter GRATIANO

GRATIANO
Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en.
My Lord Bassanio, upon more advice,
Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat
Your company at dinner.

PORTIA
That cannot be.
His ring I do accept most thankfully,
And so, I pray you, tell him. Furthermore,
I pray you show my youth old Shylock's house.

GRATIANO
That will I do.

NERISSA
Sir, I would speak with you.
[Aside to PORTIA] I'll see if I can get my husband's ring,
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.

PORTIA
[To NERISSA] Thou Mayst, I warrant. We shall have old
swearing
That they did give the rings away to men;
But we'll outface them, and outswear them too.
[Aloud] Away, make haste, thou know'st where I will tarry.

NERISSA
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

Exeunt