Page 399 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

You know me well, and herein spend but time
To wind about my love with circumstance;
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong [155]
In making question of my uttermost

Than if you had made waste of all I have.
Then do but say to me what I should do
That in your knowledge may by me be done,
And I am prest unto it: therefore speak. [160]

BASSANIO

In Belmont is a lady richly left,
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes from her eyes
I did receive fair speechless messages.
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued [165]

To Cato’s daughter, Brutus’ Portia;
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,
For the four winds blow in from every coast

Renownèd suitors, and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece, [170]
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos’ strond,
And many Jasons come in quest of her.
O my Antonio, had I but the means

To hold a rival place with one of them,
I have a mind presages me such thrift [175]
That I should questionless be fortunate.

ANTONIO
Thou know’st that all my fortunes are at sea,

Neither have I money, nor commodity
To raise a present sum. Therefore go forth,
Try what my credit can in Venice do, [180]
That shall be racked even to the uttermost

To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia.
Go presently inquire, and so will I,
Where money is, and I no question make
To have it of my trust or for my sake. [185]

Exeunt.