81
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter, And use thou all th ' endeavour of a man In speed to Padua; see thou render this Into my cousin ' s hands, Doctor Bellario; And look what notes and garments he doth give thee, Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin ' d 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.
BALTHASAR. Madam, I go with all convenient speed.
[ Exit.]
PORTIA. Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand That you yet know not of; we ' ll see our husbands Before they think of us.
NERISSA. Shall they see us?
PORTIA. They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit That they shall think we are accomplished With that we lack. I ' ll hold thee any wager, When we are both accoutred like young men, I ' ll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace, And speak between the change of man and boy With a reed voice; and turn two mincing steps Into a manly stride; and speak of frays Like a fine bragging youth; and tell quaint lies, How honourable ladies sought my love, Which I denying, they fell sick and died;