Vermeer girl with the pearl earring painting
Godward Nu Sur La Plage painting To part so slightly with your wife's first gift:A thing stuck on with oaths upon your fingerAnd so riveted with faith unto your flesh.I gave my love a ring and made him swearNever to part with it; and here he stands;I dare be sworn for him he would not leave itNor pluck it from his finger, for the wealthThat the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano,You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief:An 'twere to me, I should be mad at it.
BASSANIO
[Aside]
Why, I were best to cut my left hand offAnd swear I lost the ring defending it.
GRATIANO
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring awayUnto the judge that begg'd it and indeedDeserved it too; and then the boy, his clerk,That took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine;And neither man nor master would take aughtBut the two rings.
PORTIA
What ring gave you my lord?Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
BASSANIO
If I could add a lie unto a fault,I would deny it; but you see my fingerHath not the ring upon it; it is gone.
