Page 472 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

DUKE

This letter from Bellario doth commend
A young and learned doctor to our court.
Where is he?

NERISSA
He attendeth here hard by [145]

To know your answer whether you’ll admit him.

DUKE
With all my heart. Some three or four of you
Go give him courteous conduct to this place;
Meantime the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.
[Reads]

Your grace shall understand that at the receipt [150] of your letter I am very
sick; but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was
with me a young doctor of Rome, his name is Balthasar. I acquainted him

with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant.
We turned o’er [155] many books together. He is furnished with my opinion
which, bettered with his own learning, the greatness whereof I cannot
enough commend, comes with him at my importunity to fill up your grace’s
request in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no impediment

[160] to let him lack a reverend estimation, for I never knew so young a body
with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall
better publish his commendation.

Enter Portia as Balthasar.

DUKE
Your hear the learn’d Bellario, what he writes, [165]

And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario?

PORTIA
I did, my lord.

DUKE
You are welcome; take your place.