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And would conceive for what I gave the ring, And how unwillingly I left the ring, When nought would be accepted but the ring, You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
PORTIA. If you had known the virtue of the ring, Or half her worthiness that gave the ring, Or your own honour to contain the ring, You would not then have parted with the ring. What man is there so much unreasonable, If you had pleas ' d to have defended it With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty To urge the thing held as a ceremony? Nerissa teaches me what to believe: I ' ll die for ' t but some woman had the ring.
BASSANIO. No, by my honour, madam, by my soul, No woman had it, but a civil doctor, Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me, And begg ' d the ring; the which I did deny him, And suffer ' d him to go displeas ' d away; Even he that had held up the very life Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady? I was enforc ' d to send it after him; I was beset with shame and courtesy; My honour would not let ingratitude So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady; For, by these blessed candles of the night, Had you been there, I think you would have begg ' d The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
PORTIA. Let not that doctor e ' er come near my house; Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,