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DUKE OF VENICE. With all my heart: some three or four of you Go give him courteous conduct to this place. Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario ' s letter.
CLERK. ' Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick; but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome; his name is Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant; we turn ' d o ' er many books together; he is furnished with my opinion which, bettered with his own learning,--the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend,--comes with him at my importunity to fill up your Grace ' s request in my stead. I beseech you let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation.'
DUKE. YOU hear the learn ' d Bellario, what he writes; And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
[ Enter PORTIA, dressed like a doctor of laws.] Give me your hand; come you from old Bellario?
PORTIA. I did, my lord.
DUKE. You are welcome; take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court?
PORTIA. I am informed throughly of the cause.