Scene 2
Venice. A street.
(Portia; Nerissa; Gratiano)
Gratiano catches up with Portia and Nerissa as they search for Shylock’s house. Portia receives the ring with thanks while Nerissa plans to get the ring off her husband’s finger as well. (21 lines)
Enter Portia and Nerissa disguised as before.
Inquire the Jew’s house out, give him this deed,
And let him sign it. We’ll away tonight,
And be a day before our husbands home.
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.
Enter Gratiano.
Fair sir, you are well o’erta’en.
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice
Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat
Your company at dinner.
That cannot be.
His ring I do accept most thankfully,
And so I pray you tell him; furthermore,
I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house.
That will I do.
Sir, I would speak with you.
Aside to Portia.
I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring,
Which I did make him swear to keep forever.
Aside to Nerissa
Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old swearing
That they did give the rings away to men;
But we’ll outface them, and outswear them too.—
Away, make haste. Thou know’st where I will tarry.
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?
Exeunt.