No Fear Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 1, Page 18
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BASSANIO
(to PORTIA) Most worthy
gentleman, I and my friend
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof
Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.
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BASSANIO
(to PORTIA) Sir, thanks
to you my friend and I have been freed from paying some awful penalties today. Instead of
giving the Jew the three thousand ducats he’s owed, we give it to you in gratitude
for your kind efforts.
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ANTONIO
And stand indebted, over and above,
In love and service to you evermore.
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ANTONIO
And even then we’re still indebted to you. We owe you love and service
forever.
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PORTIA
He is well paid that is well satisfied.
And I, delivering you, am satisfied,
And therein do account myself well paid.
My mind was never yet more mercenary.
I pray you, know me when we meet again.
I wish you well, and so I take my leave.
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PORTIA
Being satisfied with a job well done is payment enough. In saving you I consider myself
well paid. My thoughts were never on money. I hope you’ll recognize me when we meet
again. I wish you well. Now, I’ve got to go.
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BASSANIO
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.
Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,
Not as a fee. Grant me two things, I pray you:
Not to deny me, and to pardon me.
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BASSANIO
Sir, I really feel the need to give you something. Take some memento from us as a token
of our gratitude, not as a fee. Please do two favors for me. First, don’t refuse
me, and second, excuse me for insisting.
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PORTIA
You press me far and therefore I will yield.
(to ANTONIO)
Give me your gloves. I’ll wear them for your sake.
(to BASSANIO)
And for your love, I’ll take this ring from you.
Do not draw back your hand. I’ll take no more,
And you in love shall not deny me this.
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PORTIA
Since you keep insisting, I’ll do as you say.
(to ANTONIO) Give me your
gloves. I’ll wear them for your sake. (to
BASSANIO) And as a souvenir of your appreciation,
I’ll take this ring from you. Don’t pull your hand back. I won’t
take anything more than this, and you can’t refuse me this.
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BASSANIO
This ring, good sir—alas, it is a trifle.
I will not shame myself to give you this.
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BASSANIO
This ring, sir—oh no, it’s nothing. I’d be ashamed to
give you this.
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PORTIA
I will have nothing else but only this.
And now methinks I have a mind to it.
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PORTIA
I don’t want anything but that. Now that I think about it, I really want
it.
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