No Fear Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice
Act 1, Scene 2, Page 5
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
|
PORTIA
Yes, yes, it was Bassanio—as I think he was so called.
|
PORTIA
Yes, yes, that was Bassanio. I think that was his name.
|
|
|
NERISSA
True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes
looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.
|
NERISSA
Yes, madam, that’s the one. He deserves a beautiful wife more than all the
other men I’ve ever seen.
|
|
|
PORTIA
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy
praise.
|
PORTIA
I remember him well, and my memory tells me that he deserves your praise.
|
|
Enter a SERVINGMAN
|
A SERVANT enters. |
|
|
How now, what news?
|
Hello, do you have any news?
|
|
|
SERVINGMAN
The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their
leave. And there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the
Prince of Morocco, who brings word the prince his
master will be here tonight.
|
SERVANT
The four suitors are looking for you so they can say goodbye, madam. And
there’s a messenger representing a fifth one, the prince of Morocco, who says the
prince will be here tonight.
|
|
|
PORTIA
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good a heart as I
can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his
approach. If he have the condition of a saint and the
complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me
than wive me. Come, Nerissa.—(to
SERVANT) Sirrah, go
before.
Whiles we shut the gates upon one wooer
Another knocks at the door.
|
PORTIA
If I could say hello to the fifth one as happily as I’ll say goodbye to the
first four, I’d be very happy he’s coming. If he’s as good as a
saint but is black like a devil, I’d rather he hear my confession than marry me.
Let’s go, Nerissa.—(to the
SERVANT) Go ahead. As soon as we shut the door on one suitor,
another one starts knocking.
|
|
Exeunt |
They exit. |






