Until her husband and my lord’s return:
There is a monastery two miles off;
And there will we abide. I do desire you
Not to deny this imposition;
The which my love and some necessity
Now lays upon you.
LORENZO. Madam, with all my heart;
I shall obey you in all fair commands.
PORTIA. My people do already know my mind,
And will acknowledge you and Jessica
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.
And so farewell, till we shall meet again.
LORENZO. Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you!
JESSICA. I wish your ladyship all heart’s content.
PORTIA. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased
To wish it back on you: fare you well Jessica.
[Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo.]
Now, Balthasar,
As I have ever found thee honest-true,
So let me find thee still.
Take this same letter,
And use thou all the endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua: see thou render this
Into my cousin’s hand, Doctor Bellario;
And, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee,
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagined speed
Unto the traject, to the common ferry
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,
But get thee gone: I shall be there before thee.
BALTHAZAR. Madam, I go with all convenient speed.
[Exit.]
PORTIA. Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand