The Merchant of Venice — An Alternative EndingText of the play relating to the argumentPORTIA: The party 'gainst the which he doth contriveShall seize one half his goods; the other half Comes to the privy coffer of the state; DUKE OF VENICE: For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's; The other half comes to the general state, Which humbleness may drive unto a fine. PORTIA: Ay, for the state; not for Antonio. ANTONIO: I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it Upon his death unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter – Two things provided more; that, for this favour, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possessed Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter. ----------------------------------------------------- PORTIA: Antonio, you are welcome; And I have better news in store for you Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon; There you shall find three of your argosies Are richly come to harbour suddenly. You shall not know by what strange accident I chanced on this letter. ANTONIO: I am dumb. ..................................... ANTONIO: Sweet lady, you have given me life and living; For here I read for certain that my ships Are safely come to road. ----------------------------------------------------- PORTIA: How now, Lorenzo! My clerk hath some good comforts too for you. NERISSA: Ay, and I'll give them him without a fee. There do I give to you and Jessica, From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, After his death, of all he dies possessed of. LORENZO: Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way Of starved people. ----------------------------------------------------- Back |