SCENE II. The same. A street.

Enter Portia and Nerissa .

PORTIA. 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 .

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.

PORTIA. 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.

GRATIANO. That will I do.

NERISSA. 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 for ever.

PORTIA. [ 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.

NERISSA. Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

[ Exeunt. ]