Page 485 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Bassanio takes off his gloves.

And for your love I’ll take this ring from you. [425]
Do not draw back your hand, I’ll take no more,
And you in love shall not deny me this.

BASSANIO
This ring, good sir, alas, it is a trifle!

I will not shame myself to give you this.

PORTIA

I will have nothing else but only this, [430]
And now methinks I have a mind to it!

BASSANIO
There’s more depends on this than on the value.
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,

And find it out by proclamation;
Only for this, I pray you pardon me. [435]

PORTIA
I see, sir, you are liberal in offers.
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks
You teach me how a beggar should be answered.

BASSANIO

Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,
And when she put it on she made me vow [440]
That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it.

PORTIA
That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts,

And if your wife be not a madwoman,
And know how well I have deserved this ring,
She would not hold out enemy for ever [445]
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
Exeunt Portia and Nerissa.