_Ant._ The Duke cannot deny the course of law: For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of his state; Since that the trade and profit of the city 30 Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go: These griefs and losses have so bated me, That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh To-morrow to my bloody creditor. Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come 35 To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! [_Exeunt._ ~~~~~ Linenotes: _The Merchant of Venice_, III, 3. SCENE III.] SCENE IV. Pope. Salarino] Q1. Salerio. Q2 Q3 Q4. Solanio. Ff. 1, 3: _Gaoler_] Johnson. _Iaylor_ Qq F1 F2. _Jaylor_ F3 F4. _Goaler_ Rowe. 2: _lent_] Qq. _lends_ Ff. 5: _I have_] _I’ve_ Pope. 6: _call’dst_] _call’st_ F3 F4. 11: _pray thee_] _prethee_ Q1. 22: _from_] Q1 Q2 Ff. _him_ Q3 Q4. 24, 25: _I am sure...hold_] Printed as prose in F2 F3 F4. 26: _law:_] _law,_ Capell. 28: _Venice,_] _Venice:_ Capell. _it_] _that_ Seymour conj. 29: _Will_] _’Twill_ Capell. _his_] Q1. _the_ Q2 Ff Q3 Q4. 32: _have_] Q1 Q2 Ff. _hath_ Q3 Q4. ~~~~~ SCENE IV. _Belmont. A room in_ PORTIA’S _house_. _Enter_ PORTIA, NERISSA, LORENZO, JESSICA, _and_ BALTHASAR. _Lor._ Madam, although I speak it in your presence, You have a noble and a true conceit Of god-like amity; which appears most strongly In bearing thus the absence of your lord. But if you knew to whom you show this honour. 5 How true a gentleman you send relief, How dear a lover of my lord your husband, I know you would be prouder of the work Than customary bounty can enforce you. _Por._ I never did repent for doing good, 10 Nor shall not now: for in companions That do converse and waste the time together, Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love, There must be needs a like proportion Of lineaments, of manners and of spirit; 15 Which makes me think that this Antonio, Being the bosom lover of my lord, Must needs be like my lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I have bestow’d In purchasing the semblance of my soul 20 From out the state of hellish misery! This comes too near the praising of myself; Therefore no more of it: hear other things. Lorenzo, I commit into your hands The husbandry and manage of my house 25 Until my lord’s return: for mine own part, I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerissa here, Until her husband and my lord’s return: 30 There is a monastery two miles off; And there will we abide. I do desire you Not to deny this imposition; The which my love and some necessity Now lays upon you. _Lor._ Madam, with all my heart; 35 I shall obey you in all fair commands.