The Merchant of Venice: Act 4, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Portia and Nerissa, still in disguise. PORTIA Inquire the Jew’s house out; give him this deed And let him sign it. She gives Nerissa a paper. We’ll away tonight, And be a day before our husbands home. This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. 5 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. He gives her a ring. PORTIA, as Balthazar That cannot be. 10 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, as Clerk Sir, I would speak with you. 15 Aside to Portia. I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring, Which I did make him swear to keep forever. PORTIA, aside to Nerissa Thou mayst, I warrant! We shall have old swearing That they did give the rings away to men; 20 But we’ll outface them, and outswear them, too.— Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry. She exits. NERISSA, as Clerk Come, good sir, will you show me to this house? They exit.	Portia and Nerissa, still disguised as Balthazar and his attendant, continue to take care of the legal stuff. They need to get Shylock to sign the deed, then they'll beat their husbands home. Portia says the gift of the deed should make Lorenzo happy. Gratiano catches up to them, gives Portia the ring, and invites them to dinner at Antonio's. Portia declines dinner, but Nerissa quietly says, "Hey. I'll go and see if I can get Gratiano to give up his ring." Portia likes the idea. They'll get both rings and then crucify their husbands when they come home without them. (These two are a couple of spirited lasses!)

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Portia and Nerissa, still in disguise.

PORTIA
Inquire the Jew’s house out; give him this deed
And let him sign it. She gives Nerissa a paper. We’ll
away tonight,
And be a day before our husbands home.
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. 5

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.

He gives her a ring.

PORTIA, as Balthazar That cannot be. 10
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, as Clerk Sir, I would speak with you. 15
Aside to Portia. I’ll see if I can get my husband’s
ring,
Which I did make him swear to keep forever.

PORTIA, aside to Nerissa
Thou mayst, I warrant! We shall have old swearing
That they did give the rings away to men; 20
But we’ll outface them, and outswear them, too.—
Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry.

She exits.

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

They exit.

Portia and Nerissa, still disguised as Balthazar and his attendant, continue to take care of the legal stuff. They need to get Shylock to sign the deed, then they'll beat their husbands home.

Portia says the gift of the deed should make Lorenzo happy.

Gratiano catches up to them, gives Portia the ring, and invites them to dinner at Antonio's. Portia declines dinner, but Nerissa quietly says, "Hey. I'll go and see if I can get Gratiano to give up his ring."

Portia likes the idea. They'll get both rings and then crucify their husbands when they come home without them. (These two are a couple of spirited lasses!)

The Merchant of Venice: Act 4, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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