First folio
| Modern text
| Definitions
| Key line
| |
| Enter Lorenzo and Iessica. | Enter Lorenzo and Jessica | | MV V.i.1 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| The moone shines bright. In such a night as this, | The moon shines bright. In such a night as this, | | MV V.i.1 | |
| When the sweet winde did gently kisse the trees, | When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees | | MV V.i.2 | |
| And they did make no nnyse, in such a night | And they did make no noise, in such a night | | MV V.i.3 | |
| Troylus me thinkes mounted the Troian walls, | Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls, | methinks(t), methought(s) (v.) it seems / seemed to me | MV V.i.4 | |
| | Troy (n.)ancient city of W Turkey, besieged for 10 years during the Trojan Wars; also called Ilium, Ilion | | |
| | Troilus (n.)[pron: 'troylus] youngest son of Priam and Hecuba; killed by Achilles; lover of Cressida | | |
| And sigh'd his soule toward the Grecian tents | And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents | | MV V.i.5 | |
| Where Cressed lay that night. | Where Cressid lay that night. | Cressid, Cressidafickle daughter of Calchas, a priest of Troy; beloved by Troilus, a Trojan prince, she deserted him for Diomed; character in Troilus and Cressida | MV V.i.6.1 | |
| Ies. | JESSICA | | | |
| In such a night | In such a night | | MV V.i.6.2 | |
| Did Thisbie fearefully ore-trip the dewe, | Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew, | overtrip (v.)skip over, pass lightly over | MV V.i.7 | |
| | Thisbe (n.)[pron: 'thizbee] lover of Pyramus | | |
| And saw the Lyons shadow ere himselfe, | And saw the lion's shadow ere himself, | | MV V.i.8 | |
| And ranne dismayed away. | And ran dismayed away. | | MV V.i.9.1 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| In such a night | In such a night | | MV V.i.9.2 | |
| Stood Dido with a Willow in her hand | Stood Dido with a willow in her hand | Dido (n.)[pron: 'diydoh] Queen of Carthage who fell in love with Aeneas when he was shipwrecked on her shores; commanded by Jupiter, Aeneas left without seeing Dido again, and she killed herself on a funeral pyre | MV V.i.10 | |
| Vpon the wilde sea bankes, and waft her Loue | Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love | waft (v.)beckon, wave [at], signal | MV V.i.11 | |
| | bank (n.)coast, shore | | |
| To come againe to Carthage. | To come again to Carthage. | | MV V.i.12.1 | |
| Ies. | JESSICA | | | |
| In such a night | In such a night | | MV V.i.12.2 | |
| Medea gathered the inchanted hearbs | Medea gathered the enchanted herbs | Medea (n.)[pron: me'deea] daughter of Aeetes, King of Colchis, who assisted Jason in obtaining the Golden Fleece | MV V.i.13 | |
| That did renew old Eson. | That did renew old Aeson. | Aeson (n.)[pron: 'eeson] father of Jason and half-brother of Pelion; magically restored to youth by Medea | MV V.i.14.1 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| In such a night | In such a night | | MV V.i.14.2 | |
| Did Iessica steale from the wealthy Iewe, | Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, | | MV V.i.15 | |
| And with an Vnthrift Loue did runne from Venice, | And with an unthrift love did run from Venice | unthrift (adj.)unthrifty, spendthrift, prodigal | MV V.i.16 | |
| As farre as Belmont. | As far as Belmont. | | MV V.i.17.1 | |
| Ies. | JESSICA | | | |
| In such a night | In such a night | | MV V.i.17.2 | |
| Did young Lorenzo sweare he lou'd her well, | Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well, | | MV V.i.18 | |
| Stealing her soule with many vowes of faith, | Stealing her soul with many vows of faith, | | MV V.i.19 | |
| And nere a true one. | And ne'er a true one. | | MV V.i.20.1 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| In such a night | In such a night | | MV V.i.20.2 | |
| Did pretty Iessica (like a little shrow) | Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, | | MV V.i.21 | |
| Slander her Loue, and he forgaue it her. | Slander her love, and he forgave it her. | | MV V.i.22 | |
| Iessi. | JESSICA | | | |
| I would out-night you did no body come: | I would out-night you, did nobody come; | out-night (v.)outdo in making references to the night | MV V.i.23 | |
| But harke, I heare the footing of a man. | But hark, I hear the footing of a man. | footing (n.)footfall, footsteps, strides | MV V.i.24 | |
| Enter Messenger. | Enter Stephano | | MV V.i.25 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| Who comes so fast in silence of the night? | Who comes so fast in silence of the night? | | MV V.i.25 | |
| Mes. | STEPHANO | | | |
| A friend. | A friend. | | MV V.i.26 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| A friend, what friend? your name I pray you friend? | A friend? What friend? Your name I pray you, friend. | | MV V.i.27 | |
| Mes. | STEPHANO | | | |
| Stephano is my name, and I bring word | Stephano is my name, and I bring word | | MV V.i.28 | |
| My Mistresse will before the breake of day | My mistress will before the break of day | | MV V.i.29 | |
| Be heere at Belmont, she doth stray about | Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about | | MV V.i.30 | |
| By holy crosses where she kneeles and prayes | By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays | | MV V.i.31 | |
| For happy wedlocke houres. | For happy wedlock hours. | | MV V.i.32.1 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| Who comes with her? | Who comes with her? | | MV V.i.32.2 | |
| Mes. | STEPHANO | | | |
| None but a holy Hermit and her maid: | None but a holy hermit and her maid. | | MV V.i.33 | |
| I pray you it my Master yet rnturn'd? | I pray you, is my master yet returned? | | MV V.i.34 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| He is not, nor we haue not heard from him, | He is not, nor we have not heard from him. | | MV V.i.35 | |
| But goe we in I pray thee Iessica, | But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, | | MV V.i.36 | |
| And ceremoniously let vs vs prepare | And ceremoniously let us prepare | | MV V.i.37 | |
| Some welcome for the Mistresse of the house, | Some welcome for the mistress of the house. | | MV V.i.38 | |
| Enter Clowne. | Enter Launcelot | | MV V.i.39 | |
| Clo. | LAUNCELOT | | | |
| Sola, sola: wo ha ho, sola, sola. | Sola, sola! Wo ha ho! Sola, sola! | | MV V.i.39 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| Who calls? | Who calls? | | MV V.i.40 | |
| Clo. | LAUNCELOT | | | |
| Sola, did you see M. Lorenzo, & M. | Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master | | MV V.i.41 | |
| Lorenzo, sola, sola. | Lorenzo! Sola, sola! | | MV V.i.42 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| Leaue hollowing man, heere. | Leave holloaing, man! Here. | hallowing, hallooing, halloing, holloing (n.)shouting, hallooing, crying out | MV V.i.43 | |
| Clo. | LAUNCELOT | | | |
| Sola, where, where? | Sola! Where? Where? | | MV V.i.44 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| Heere? | Here! | | MV V.i.45 | |
| Clo. | LAUNCELOT | | | |
| Tel him ther's a Post come from my | Tell him there's a post come from my | post (n.)express messenger, courier | MV V.i.46 | |
| Master, with his horne full of good newes, my Master will | master, with his horn full of good news. My master will | | MV V.i.47 | |
| be here ere morning. | be here ere morning. | | MV V.i.48 | |
| Exit | | MV V.i.48 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| sweet soule / Let's in, and there expect their comming. | Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming. | expect (v.)wait for, await | MV V.i.49 | |
| And yet no matter: why should we goe in? | And yet no matter, why should we go in? | | MV V.i.50 | |
| My friend Stephen, signifie pray you | My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you, | signify (v.)report, make known, declare | MV V.i.51 | |
| Within the house, your Mistresse is at hand, | Within the house, your mistress is at hand, | | MV V.i.52 | |
| And bring your musique foorth into the ayre. | And bring your music forth into the air. | music (n.)musicians, players | MV V.i.53 | |
| Exit Stephano | | MV V.i.53 | |
| How sweet the moone-light sleepes vpon this banke, | How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! | | MV V.i.54 | |
| Heere will we sit, and let the sounds of musicke | Here will we sit and let the sounds of music | | MV V.i.55 | |
| Creepe in our eares soft stilnes, and the night | Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night | | MV V.i.56 | |
| Become the tutches of sweet harmonie: | Become the touches of sweet harmony. | touch (n.)fingering, handling, skill in playing | MV V.i.57 | |
| | become (v.)be fitting, befit, be appropriate to | | |
| Sit Iessica, looke how the floore of heauen | Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven | | MV V.i.58 | |
| Is thicke inlayed with pattens of bright gold, | Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold. | paten (n.)dish on which the bread is placed during the Mass; shining circle | MV V.i.59 | |
| There's not the smallest orbe which thou beholdst | There's not the smallest orb which thou beholdest | orb (n.)sphere, planet, star, heavenly body | MV V.i.60 | |
| But in his motion like an Angell sings, | But in his motion like an angel sings, | | MV V.i.61 | |
| Still quiring to the young eyed Cherubins; | Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins; | cherubin (n.)cherub, angel; or: cherubim, angels | MV V.i.62 | |
| | still (adv.)constantly, always, continually | | |
| | choir, quire (v.)sing in a choir, sing in chorus | | |
| Such harmonie is in immortall soules, | Such harmony is in immortal souls, | | MV V.i.63 | |
| But whilst this muddy vesture of decay | But whilst this muddy vesture of decay | muddy (adj.)made of clay, resembling mud | MV V.i.64 | |
| | vesture (n.)garment, clothing, garb, costume | | |
| Doth grosly close in it, we cannot heare it: | Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. | grossly (adv.)materially, physically, with substance | MV V.i.65 | |
| Enter Musicians | | MV V.i.66.1 | |
| Come hoe, and wake Diana with a hymne, | Come ho, and wake Diana with a hymn, | Diana, Dian (n.)Roman goddess associated with the Moon, chastity, and hunting | MV V.i.66 | |
| With sweetest tutches pearce your Mistresse eare, | With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear, | touch (n.)fingering, handling, skill in playing | MV V.i.67 | |
| And draw her home with musicke. | And draw her home with music. | | MV V.i.68 | |
| Play musicke. | Music | | MV V.i.69 | |
| Iessi. | JESSICA | | | |
| I am neuer merry when I heare sweet musique. | I am never merry when I hear sweet music. | | MV V.i.69 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| The reason is, your spirits are attentiue: | The reason is your spirits are attentive. | spirit (n.)intuition, perception, discernment | MV V.i.70 | |
| For doe but note a wilde and wanton heard | For do but note a wild and wanton herd | wanton (adj.)unrestrained, undisciplined, boisterous, uncontrolled | MV V.i.71 | |
| Or race of youthful and vnhandled colts, | Or race of youthful and unhandled colts | race (n.)herd, host, company | MV V.i.72 | |
| Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, | Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, | fetch (v.)take, perform, make | MV V.i.73 | |
| Which is the hot condition of their bloud, | Which is the hot condition of their blood, | hot (adj.)hot-tempered, angry, passionate | MV V.i.74 | |
| | condition (n.)disposition, temper, mood, character | | |
| | blood (n.)spirit, vigour, mettle | | |
| If they but heare perchance a trumpet sound, | If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, | perchance (adv.)perhaps, maybe | MV V.i.75 | |
| Or any ayre of musicke touch their eares, | Or any air of music touch their ears, | | MV V.i.76 | |
| You shall perceiue them make a mutuall stand, | You shall perceive them make a mutual stand, | mutual (adj.)common, general, omnipresent | MV V.i.77 | |
| | stand (n.)stop, pause, standing still | | |
| Their sauage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze, | Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze | savage (adj.)fierce, ferocious, wild | MV V.i.78 | |
| By the sweet power of musicke: therefore the Poet | By the sweet power of music. Therefore the poet | | MV V.i.79 | |
| Did faine that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods. | Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods, | | MV V.i.80 | |
| Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage, | Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage | stockish (adj.)blockish, wooden, stupid | MV V.i.81 | |
| But musicke for time doth change his nature, | But music for the time doth change his nature. | | MV V.i.82 | |
| The man that hath no musicke in himselfe, | The man that hath no music in himself, | | MV V.i.83 | |
| Nor is not moued with concord of sweet sounds, | Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, | | MV V.i.84 | |
| Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoyles, | Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils, | spoil (n.)plundering, pillaging, despoiling | MV V.i.85 | |
| | stratagem (n.)deed of violence, bloody act | | |
| The motions of his spirit are dull as night, | The motions of his spirit are dull as night, | motion (n.)inner movement, inward prompting, natural impulse, imagining | MV V.i.86 | |
| And his affections darke as Erobus, | And his affections dark as Erebus. | Erebus (n.)'darkness', son of Chaos, the place where Shades passed on their way to Hades | MV V.i.87 | |
| | dark (adj.)sad, melancholic, gloomy | | |
| | affection (n.)disposition, character, state of mind | | |
| Let no such man be trusted: marke the musicke. | Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music. | mark (v.)note, pay attention [to], take notice [of] | MV V.i.88 | |
| Enter Portia and Nerrissa. | Enter Portia and Nerissa | | MV V.i.89 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| That light we see is burning in my hall: | That light we see is burning in my hall; | | MV V.i.89 | |
| How farre that little candell throwes his beames, | How far that little candle throws his beams! | | MV V.i.90 | |
| So shines a good deed in a naughty world. | So shines a good deed in a naughty world. | naughty (adj.)wicked, evil, vile | MV V.i.91 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| When the moone shone we did not see the candle? | When the moon shone we did not see the candle. | | MV V.i.92 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| So doth the greater glory dim the lesse, | So doth the greater glory dim the less. | | MV V.i.93 | |
| A substitute shines brightly as a King | A substitute shines brightly as a king | substitute (n.)subordinate, deputy, underling | MV V.i.94 | |
| Vntill a King be by, and then his state | Until a king be by, and then his state | | MV V.i.95 | |
| Empties it selfe, as doth an inland brooke | Empties itself, as doth an inland brook | | MV V.i.96 | |
| Into the maine of waters: musique, harke. Musicke. | Into the main of waters. Music! hark! | main (n.)open sea, ocean | MV V.i.97 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| It is your musicke Madame of the house. | It is your music, madam, of the house. | music (n.)musicians, players | MV V.i.98 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Nothing is good I see without respect, | Nothing is good, I see, without respect; | respect (n.)consideration, factor, circumstance | MV V.i.99 | |
| Methinkes it sounds much sweeter then by day? | Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day. | methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)it seems / seemed to me | MV V.i.100 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| Silence bestowes that vertue on it Madam. | Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam. | | MV V.i.101 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| The Crow doth sing as sweetly as the Larke | The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark | | MV V.i.102 | |
| When neither is attended: and I thinke | When neither is attended, and I think | attend (v.)listen [to], pay attention [to] | MV V.i.103 | |
| The Nightingale if she should sing by day | The nightingale, if she should sing by day, | | MV V.i.104 | |
| When euery Goose is cackling, would be thought | When every goose is cackling, would be thought | | MV V.i.105 | |
| No better a Musitian then the Wren? | No better a musician than the wren. | | MV V.i.106 | |
| How many things by season, season'd are | How many things by season seasoned are | season (n.)opportunity, favourable moment | MV V.i.107 | |
| To their right praise, and true perfection: | To their right praise and true perfection! | praise (n.)praiseworthiness, merit, virtue | MV V.i.108 | |
| Peace, | Peace! | | MV V.i.109.1 | |
| Musicke ceases. | Music ceases | | MV V.i.109 | |
| how the Moone sleepes with Endimion, | How the moon sleeps with Endymion, | | MV V.i.109.2 | |
| And would not be awak'd. | And would not be awaked. | | MV V.i.110.1 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| That is the voice, | That is the voice, | | MV V.i.110.2 | |
| Or I am much deceiu'd of Portia. | Or I am much deceived, of Portia. | | MV V.i.111 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| He knowes me as the blinde man knowes the / Cuckow | He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, | | MV V.i.112 | |
| by the bad voice? | By the bad voice. | | MV V.i.113.1 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| Deere Lady welcome home? | Dear lady, welcome home. | | MV V.i.113.2 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| We haue bene praying for our husbands welfare | We have been praying for our husbands' welfare, | | MV V.i.114 | |
| Which speed we hope the better for our words, | Which speed we hope the better for our words. | speed (v.)fare, manage, get on | MV V.i.115 | |
| Are they return'd? | Are they returned? | | MV V.i.116.1 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| Madam, they are not yet: | Madam, they are not yet, | | MV V.i.116.2 | |
| But there is come a Messenger before | But there is come a messenger before | before (adv.)ahead, in advance | MV V.i.117 | |
| To signifie their comming. | To signify their coming. | signify (v.)report, make known, declare | MV V.i.118.1 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Go in Nerrissa, | Go in, Nerissa, | | MV V.i.118.2 | |
| Giue order to my seruants, that they take | Give order to my servants that they take | | MV V.i.119 | |
| No note at all of our being absent hence, | No note at all of our being absent hence, | | MV V.i.120 | |
| Nor you Lorenzo, Iessica nor you. | Nor you, Lorenzo, Jessica, nor you. | | MV V.i.121 | |
| A Tucket sounds. | A tucket sounds | | MV V.i.122 | |
| Lor. | LORENZO | | | |
| Your husband is at hand, I heare his Trumpet, | Your husband is at hand, I hear his trumpet. | | MV V.i.122 | |
| We are no tell-tales Madam, feare you not. | We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not. | | MV V.i.123 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| This night methinkes is but the daylight sicke, | This night methinks is but the daylight sick, | methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)it seems / seemed to me | MV V.i.124 | |
| It lookes a little paler, 'tis a day, | It looks a little paler. 'Tis a day | | MV V.i.125 | |
| Such as the day is, when the Sun is hid. | Such as the day is when the sun is hid. | | MV V.i.126 | |
| Enter Bassanio, Anthonio, Gratiano, and their Followers. | Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano, and their followers | | MV V.i.127 | |
| Bas. | BASSANIO | | | |
| We should hold day with the Antipodes, | We should hold day with the Antipodes | | MV V.i.127 | |
| If you would walke in absence of the sunne. | If you would walk in absence of the sun. | | MV V.i.128 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Let me giue light, but let me not be light, | Let me give light, but let me not be light, | | MV V.i.129 | |
| For a light wife doth make a heauie husband, | For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, | heavy (adj.)sorrowful, sad, gloomy | MV V.i.130 | |
| And neuer be Bassanio so for me, | And never be Bassanio so for me. | | MV V.i.131 | |
| But God sort all: you are welcome home my Lord. | But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord. | sort (v.)choose, find, arrange | MV V.i.132 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| I thanke you Madam, giue welcom to my friend | I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend. | | MV V.i.133 | |
| This is the man, this is Anthonio, | This is the man, this is Antonio, | | MV V.i.134 | |
| To whom I am so infinitely bound. | To whom I am so infinitely bound. | | MV V.i.135 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| You should in all sence be much bound to him, | You should in all sense be much bound to him, | | MV V.i.136 | |
| For as I heare he was much bound for you. | For, as I hear, he was much bound for you. | | MV V.i.137 | |
| Anth. | ANTONIO | | | |
| No more then I am wel acquitted of. | No more than I am well acquitted of. | acquit (v.)pay back, requite, settle the score with | MV V.i.138 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Sir, you are verie welcome to our house: | Sir, you are very welcome to our house; | | MV V.i.139 | |
| It must appeare in other waies then words, | It must appear in other ways than words, | | MV V.i.140 | |
| Therefore I scant this breathing curtesie. | Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy. | scant (v.)give out sparingly, curtail, withhold [from] | MV V.i.141 | |
| | breathing (adj.)verbal, word-of-mouth | | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| (to Nerissa) | | MV V.i.142 | |
| By yonder Moone I sweare you do me wrong, | By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong! | | MV V.i.142 | |
| Infaith I gaue it to the Iudges Clearke, | In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk. | | MV V.i.143 | |
| Would he were gelt that had it for my part, | Would he were gelt that had it for my part | geld (v.), past forms gelded, geltcastrate, spay | MV V.i.144 | |
| Since you do take it Loue so much at hart. | Since you do take it, love, so much at heart. | | MV V.i.145 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| A quarrel hoe alreadie, what's the matter? | A quarrel ho, already! What's the matter? | | MV V.i.146 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| About a hoope of Gold, a paltry Ring | About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring | | MV V.i.147 | |
| That she did giue me, whose Poesie was | That she did give me, whose posy was | posy (n.)short piece of poetry [often inscribed inside a ring] | MV V.i.148 | |
| For all the world like Cutlers Poetry | For all the world like cutler's poetry | | MV V.i.149 | |
| Vpon a knife; Loue mee, and leaue mee not. | Upon a knife, ‘ Love me, and leave me not.’ | leave (v.)part with, lose, forsake | MV V.i.150 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| What talke you of the Poesie or the valew: | What talk you of the posy or the value? | | MV V.i.151 | |
| You swore to me when I did giue it you, | You swore to me when I did give it you | | MV V.i.152 | |
| That you would weare it til the houre of death, | That you would wear it till your hour of death, | | MV V.i.153 | |
| And that it should lye with you in your graue, | And that it should lie with you in your grave. | | MV V.i.154 | |
| Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths, | Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths, | | MV V.i.155 | |
| You should haue beene respectiue and haue kept it. | You should have been respective and have kept it. | respective (adj.)careful, attentive, considerate | MV V.i.156 | |
| Gaue it a Iudges Clearke: but wel I know | Gave it a judge's clerk! No, God's my judge, | | MV V.i.157 | |
| The Clearke wil nere weare haire on's face that had it. | The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it! | | MV V.i.158 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| He wil, and if he liue to be a man. | He will, an if he live to be a man. | an if (conj.)if | MV V.i.159 | |
| Nerrissa. | NERISSA | | | |
| I, if a Woman liue to be a man. | Ay, if a woman live to be a man. | | MV V.i.160 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| Now by this hand I gaue it to a youth, | Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth, | | MV V.i.161 | |
| A kinde of boy, a little scrubbed boy, | A kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy | scrubbed (adj.)short, undersized, stubby | MV V.i.162 | |
| No higher then thy selfe, the Iudges Clearke, | No higher than thyself, the judge's clerk, | | MV V.i.163 | |
| A prating boy that begg'd it as a Fee, | A prating boy that begged it as a fee; | prating (adj.)prattling, chattering, blathering | MV V.i.164 | |
| I could not for my heart deny it him. | I could not for my heart deny it him. | | MV V.i.165 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| You were too blame, I must be plaine with you, | You were to blame – I must be plain with you – | blame, toto be blamed, blameworthy | MV V.i.166 | |
| To part so slightly with your wiues first gift, | To part so slightly with your wife's first gift, | slightly (adv.)easily, with little effort | MV V.i.167 | |
| A thing stucke on with oathes vpon your finger, | A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger | | MV V.i.168 | |
| And so riueted with faith vnto your flesh. | And so riveted with faith unto your flesh. | | MV V.i.169 | |
| I gaue my Loue a Ring, and made him sweare | I gave my love a ring, and made him swear | | MV V.i.170 | |
| Neuer to part with it, and heere he stands: | Never to part with it; and here he stands. | | MV V.i.171 | |
| I dare be sworne for him, he would not leaue it, | I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it | leave (v.)part with, lose, forsake | MV V.i.172 | |
| Nor plucke it from his finger, for the wealth | Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth | | MV V.i.173 | |
| That the world masters. Now in faith Gratiano, | That the world masters. Now in faith, Gratiano, | master (v.)own, possess, have at one's disposal | MV V.i.174 | |
| You giue your wife too vnkinde a cause of greefe, | You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief. | | MV V.i.175 | |
| And 'twere to me I should be mad at it. | An 'twere to me, I should be mad at it. | and, an (conj.)as if | MV V.i.176 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| (aside) | | MV V.i.177 | |
| Why I were best to cut my left hand off, | Why, I were best to cut my left hand off | | MV V.i.177 | |
| And sweare I lost the Ring defending it. | And swear I lost the ring defending it. | | MV V.i.178 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| My Lord Bassanio gaue his Ring away | My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away | | MV V.i.179 | |
| Vnto the Iudge that beg'd it, and indeede | Unto the judge that begged it, and indeed | | MV V.i.180 | |
| Deseru'd it too: and then the Boy his Clearke | Deserved it too; and then the boy, his clerk | | MV V.i.181 | |
| That tooke some paines in writing, he begg'd mine, | That took some pains in writing, he begged mine, | | MV V.i.182 | |
| And neyther man nor master would take ought | And neither man nor master would take aught | aught (n.)anything, [with negative word] nothing | MV V.i.183 | |
| But the two Rings. | But the two rings. | | MV V.i.184.1 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| What Ring gaue you my Lord? | What ring gave you, my lord? | | MV V.i.184.2 | |
| Not that I hope which you receiu'd of me. | Not that, I hope, which you received of me? | | MV V.i.185 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| If I could adde a lie vnto a fault, | If I could add a lie unto a fault, | | MV V.i.186 | |
| I would deny it: but you see my finger | I would deny it, but you see my finger | | MV V.i.187 | |
| Hath not the Ring vpon it, it is gone. | Hath not the ring upon it, it is gone. | | MV V.i.188 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Euen so voide is your false heart of truth. | Even so void is your false heart of truth. | false (adj.)disloyal, faithless, inconstant, unfaithful | MV V.i.189 | |
| By heauen I wil nere come in your bed | By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed | | MV V.i.190 | |
| Vntil I see the Ring. | Until I see the ring. | | MV V.i.191.1 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| Nor I in yours, | Nor I in yours | | MV V.i.191.2 | |
| til I againe see mine. | Till I again see mine! | | MV V.i.192.1 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| Sweet Portia, | Sweet Portia, | | MV V.i.192.2 | |
| If you did know to whom I gaue the Ring, | If you did know to whom I gave the ring, | | MV V.i.193 | |
| If you did know for whom I gaue the Ring, | If you did know for whom I gave the ring, | | MV V.i.194 | |
| And would conceiue for what I gaue the Ring, | And would conceive for what I gave the ring, | | MV V.i.195 | |
| And how vnwillingly I left the Ring, | And how unwillingly I left the ring | | MV V.i.196 | |
| When nought would be accepted but the Ring, | When naught would be accepted but the ring, | | MV V.i.197 | |
| You would abate the strength of your displeasure? | You would abate the strength of your displeasure. | | MV V.i.198 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| If you had knowne the vertue of the Ring, | If you had known the virtue of the ring, | virtue (n.)power, capability, efficacy, property | MV V.i.199 | |
| Or halfe her worthinesse that gaue the Ring, | Or half her worthiness that gave the ring, | | MV V.i.200 | |
| Or your owne honour to containe the Ring, | Or your own honour to contain the ring, | contain (v.)retain, keep in one's possession | MV V.i.201 | |
| You would not then haue parted with the Ring: | You would not then have parted with the ring. | | MV V.i.202 | |
| What man is there so much vnreasonable, | What man is there so much unreasonable, | | MV V.i.203 | |
| If you had pleas'd to haue defended it | If you had pleased to have defended it | | MV V.i.204 | |
| With any termes of Zeale: wanted the modestie | With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty | modesty (n.)moderation, restraint, discipline | MV V.i.205 | |
| | want (v.)lack, need, be without | | |
| To vrge the thing held as a ceremonie: | To urge the thing held as a ceremony? | ceremony (n.)sacred token, special symbol | MV V.i.206 | |
| | urge (v.)press, insist on, state emphatically | | |
| Nerrissa teaches me what to beleeue, | Nerissa teaches me what to believe, | | MV V.i.207 | |
| Ile die for't, but some Woman had the Ring? | I'll die for't but some woman had the ring! | | MV V.i.208 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| No by mine honor Madam, by my soule | No, by my honour, madam! By my soul | | MV V.i.209 | |
| No Woman had it, but a ciuill Doctor, | No woman had it, but a civil doctor, | civil (adj.)of civil law | MV V.i.210 | |
| Which did refuse three thousand Ducates of me, | Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me | ducat (n.)gold (sometimes silver) coin used in several European countries | MV V.i.211 | |
| And beg'd the Ring; the which I did denie him, | And begged the ring, the which I did deny him, | | MV V.i.212 | |
| And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away: | And suffered him to go displeased away, | suffer (v.)allow, permit, let | MV V.i.213 | |
| Euen he that had held vp the verie life | Even he that had held up the very life | | MV V.i.214 | |
| Of my deere friend. What should I say sweete Lady? | Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady? | | MV V.i.215 | |
| I was inforc'd to send it after him, | I was enforced to send it after him. | | MV V.i.216 | |
| I was beset with shame and curtesie, | I was beset with shame and courtesy. | courtesy, cur'sy, curtsy (n.)courteous service, polite behaviour, good manners | MV V.i.217 | |
| My honor would not let ingratitude | My honour would not let ingratitude | | MV V.i.218 | |
| So much besmeare it. Pardon me good Lady, | So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady! | besmear (v.)defile, sully, tarnish | MV V.i.219 | |
| And by these blessed Candles of the night, | For, by these blessed candles of the night, | | MV V.i.220 | |
| Had you bene there, I thinke you would haue beg'd | Had you been there I think you would have begged | | MV V.i.221 | |
| The Ring of me, to giue the worthie Doctor? | The ring of me to give the worthy doctor. | | MV V.i.222 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Let not that Doctor ere come neere my house, | Let not that doctor e'er come near my house. | come near (v.)enter, come in/into | MV V.i.223 | |
| Since he hath got the iewell that I loued, | Since he hath got the jewel that I loved, | | MV V.i.224 | |
| And that which you did sweare to keepe for me, | And that which you did swear to keep for me, | | MV V.i.225 | |
| I will become as liberall as you, | I will become as liberal as you, | liberal (adj.)overgenerous, licentious | MV V.i.226 | |
| Ile not deny him any thing I haue, | I'll not deny him anything I have, | | MV V.i.227 | |
| No, not my body, nor my husbands bed: | No, not my body nor my husband's bed. | | MV V.i.228 | |
| Know him I shall, I am well sure of it. | Know him I shall, I am well sure of it. | | MV V.i.229 | |
| Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argos, | Lie not a night from home; watch me like Argus. | Argus (n.)hundred-eyed guard of Io, a heifer; Hermes killed him to rescue Io, and Hera then transferred his many eyes to the peacock’s tail | MV V.i.230 | |
| If you doe not, if I be left alone, | If you do not, if I be left alone, | | MV V.i.231 | |
| Now by mine honour which is yet mine owne, | Now by mine honour which is yet mine own, | | MV V.i.232 | |
| Ile haue the Doctor for my bedfellow. | I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow. | | MV V.i.233 | |
| Nerrissa. | NERISSA | | | |
| And I his Clarke: therefore be well aduis'd | And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised | advise, avise (v.)warn, counsel, caution | MV V.i.234 | |
| How you doe leaue me to mine owne protection. | How you do leave me to mine own protection. | | MV V.i.235 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| Well, doe you so: let not me take him then, | Well, do you so. Let not me take him then! | | MV V.i.236 | |
| For if I doe, ile mar the yong Clarks pen. | For if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. | | MV V.i.237 | |
| Ant. | ANTONIO | | | |
| I am th' vnhappy subiect of these quarrels. | I am th' unhappy subject of these quarrels. | | MV V.i.238 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Sir, grieue not you, / You are welcome notwithstanding. | Sir, grieve not you, you are welcome notwithstanding. | | MV V.i.239 | |
| Bas. | BASSANIO | | | |
| Portia, forgiue me this enforced wrong, | Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; | | MV V.i.240 | |
| And in the hearing of these manie friends | And in the hearing of these many friends | | MV V.i.241 | |
| I sweare to thee, euen by thine owne faire eyes | I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, | | MV V.i.242 | |
| Wherein I see my selfe. | Wherein I see myself ... | | MV V.i.243.1 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Marke you but that? | Mark you but that! | mark (v.)note, pay attention [to], take notice [of] | MV V.i.243.2 | |
| In both my eyes he doubly sees himselfe: | In both my eyes he doubly sees himself, | | MV V.i.244 | |
| In each eye one, sweare by your double selfe, | In each eye one. Swear by your double self, | | MV V.i.245 | |
| And there's an oath of credit. | And there's an oath of credit. | | MV V.i.246.1 | |
| Bas. | BASSANIO | | | |
| Nay, but heare me. | Nay, but hear me. | | MV V.i.246.2 | |
| Pardon this fault, and by my soule I sweare | Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear | | MV V.i.247 | |
| I neuer more will breake an oath with thee. | I never more will break an oath with thee. | | MV V.i.248 | |
| Anth. | ANTONIO | | | |
| I once did lend my bodie for thy wealth, | I once did lend my body for his wealth, | wealth (n.)welfare, well-being, prosperity | MV V.i.249 | |
| Which but for him that had your husbands ring | Which but for him that had your husband's ring | | MV V.i.250 | |
| Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound againe, | Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again, | miscarry (v.)come to harm, perish, meet death | MV V.i.251 | |
| My soule vpon the forfeit, that your Lord | My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord | | MV V.i.252 | |
| Will neuer more breake faith aduisedlie. | Will never more break faith advisedly. | advisedly (adv.)deliberately, intentionally, with full awareness | MV V.i.253 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Then you shall be his suretie: giue him this, | Then you shall be his surety. Give him this, | surety (n.)person undertaking a legal responsibility in relation to another, guarantor | MV V.i.254 | |
| And bid him keepe it better then the other. | And bid him keep it better than the other. | | MV V.i.255 | |
| Ant. | ANTONIO | | | |
| Heere Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring. | Here, Lord Bassanio. Swear to keep this ring. | | MV V.i.256 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| By heauen it is the same I gaue the Doctor. | By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor! | | MV V.i.257 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| I had it of him: pardon Bassanio, | I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio, | | MV V.i.258 | |
| For by this ring the Doctor lay with me. | For by this ring the doctor lay with me. | | MV V.i.259 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| And pardon me my gentle Gratiano, | And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, | gentle (adj.)courteous, friendly, kind | MV V.i.260 | |
| For that same scrubbed boy the Doctors Clarke | For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, | scrubbed (adj.)short, undersized, stubby | MV V.i.261 | |
| In liew of this, last night did lye with me. | In lieu of this last night did lie with me. | lie (v.)sleep, go to bed | MV V.i.262 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| Why this is like the mending of high waies | Why, this is like the mending of highways | | MV V.i.263 | |
| In Sommer, where the waies are faire enough: | In summer, where the ways are fair enough. | | MV V.i.264 | |
| What, are we Cuckolds ere we haue deseru'd it. | What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it? | cuckold (n.)[mocking name] man with an unfaithful wife | MV V.i.265 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Speake not so grossely, you are all amaz'd; | Speak not so grossly. You are all amazed. | grossly (adv.)coarsely, indelicately, indecently | MV V.i.266 | |
| Heere is a letter, reade it at your leysure, | Here is a letter, read it at your leisure. | | MV V.i.267 | |
| It comes from Padua from Bellario, | It comes from Padua from Bellario. | | MV V.i.268 | |
| There you shall finde that Portia was the Doctor, | There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, | | MV V.i.269 | |
| Nerrissa there her Clarke. Lorenzo heere | Nerissa there her clerk. Lorenzo here | | MV V.i.270 | |
| Shall witnesse I set forth as soone as you, | Shall witness I set forth as soon as you, | | MV V.i.271 | |
| And but eu'n now return'd: I haue not yet | And even but now returned, I have not yet | | MV V.i.272 | |
| Entred my house. Anthonio you are welcome, | Entered my house. Antonio, you are welcome, | | MV V.i.273 | |
| And I haue better newes in store for you | And I have better news in store for you | | MV V.i.274 | |
| Then you expect: vnseale this letter soone, | Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon, | | MV V.i.275 | |
| There you shall finde three of your Argosies | There you shall find three of your argosies | argosy (n.)large merchant ship | MV V.i.276 | |
| Are richly come to harbour sodainlie. | Are richly come to harbour suddenly. | | MV V.i.277 | |
| You shall not know by what strange accident | You shall not know by what strange accident | | MV V.i.278 | |
| I chanced on this letter. | I chanced on this letter. | | MV V.i.279.1 | |
| Antho. | ANTONIO | | | |
| I am dumbe. | I am dumb! | | MV V.i.279.2 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| Were you the Doctor, and I knew you not? | Were you the doctor and I knew you not? | | MV V.i.280 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| Were you the Clark that is to make me cuckold. | Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold? | cuckold (n.)[mocking name] man with an unfaithful wife | MV V.i.281 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| I, but the Clark that neuer meanes to doe it, | Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it, | | MV V.i.282 | |
| Vnlesse he liue vntill he be a man. | Unless he live until he be a man. | | MV V.i.283 | |
| Bass. | BASSANIO | | | |
| (Sweet Doctor) you shall be my bedfellow, | Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow. | | MV V.i.284 | |
| When I am absent, then lie with my wife. | When I am absent, then lie with my wife. | | MV V.i.285 | |
| An. | ANTONIO | | | |
| (Sweet Ladie) you haue giuen me life & liuing; | Sweet lady, you have given me life and living, | living (n.)possessions, means of support, livelihood | MV V.i.286 | |
| For heere I reade for certaine that my ships | For here I read for certain that my ships | | MV V.i.287 | |
| Are safelie come to Rode. | Are safely come to road. | road (n.)harbour, anchorage, roadstead | MV V.i.288.1 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| How now Lorenzo? | How now, Lorenzo? | | MV V.i.288.2 | |
| My Clarke hath some good comforts to for you. | My clerk hath some good comforts too for you. | | MV V.i.289 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| I, and Ile giue them him without a fee. | Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee. | | MV V.i.290 | |
| There doe I giue to you and Iessica | There do I give to you and Jessica | | MV V.i.291 | |
| From the rich Iewe, a speciall deed of gift | From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, | | MV V.i.292 | |
| After his death, of all he dies possess'd of. | After his death, of all he dies possessed of. | | MV V.i.293 | |
| Loren. | LORENZO | | | |
| Faire Ladies you drop Manna in the way | Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way | | MV V.i.294 | |
| Of starued people. | Of starved people. | | MV V.i.295.1 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| It is almost morning, | It is almost morning, | | MV V.i.295.2 | |
| And yet I am sure you are not satisfied | And yet I am sure you are not satisfied | | MV V.i.296 | |
| Of these euents at full. Let vs goe in, | Of these events at full. Let us go in, | | MV V.i.297 | |
| And charge vs there vpon intergatories, | And charge us there upon inter'gatories, | charge (v.)entreat, exhort, enjoin | MV V.i.298 | |
| | interrogatory (n.)interrogation, questioning, inquisition | | |
| And we will answer all things faithfully. | And we will answer all things faithfully. | | MV V.i.299 | |
| Gra. | GRATIANO | | | |
| Let it be so, the first intergatory | Let it be so. The first inter'gatory | | MV V.i.300 | |
| That my Nerrissa shall be sworne on, is, | That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is | | MV V.i.301 | |
| Whether till the next night she had rather stay, | Whether till the next night she had rather stay, | | MV V.i.302 | |
| Or goe to bed, now being two houres to day, | Or go to bed now, being two hours to day. | | MV V.i.303 | |
| But were the day come, I should wish it darke, | But were the day come, I should wish it dark, | | MV V.i.304 | |
| Till I were couching with the Doctors Clarke. | Till I were couching with the doctor's clerk. | couch (v.)lie, sleep, go to bed | MV V.i.305 | |
| Well, while I liue, Ile feare no other thing | Well, while I live I'll fear no other thing | | MV V.i.306 | |
| So sore, as keeping safe Nerrissas ring. | So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring. | sore (adj.)serious, grievous, grave | MV V.i.307 | |
| Exeunt. | Exeunt | | MV V.i.307 | |