With all my heart. Some three or four of you
Go give him courteous conduct to this place.
Exit Attendants.
Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.
Reading:
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 Balthasar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant. We turned 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.
Enter Portia, disguised as Balthasar, dressed as a lawyer.
You hear the learn’d Bellario what he writes —
And here (I take it) is the doctor come.
Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario?