Bass. There's more depends on this than on the value.
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, 436
And find it out by proclamation:
Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.
Por. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers:
You taught me first to beg, and now methinks 440
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.
Bass. Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife;
And when she put it on, she made me vow
That I should never sell nor give nor lose it. 444
Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.
And if your wife be not a mad-woman,
And know how well I have deserv'd the ring,
She would not hold out enemy for ever, 448
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you.
Exeunt [Portia and Nerissa].
Ant. My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring:
Let his deservings and my love withal
Be valu'd 'gainst your wife's commandment. 452
Bass. Go, Gratiano; run and overtake him;
Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst,
Unto Antonio's house. Away! make haste.
Exit Gratiano.
Come, you and I will thither presently, 456
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio. Exeunt.
437 proclamation: advertisement (through the street crier)
