that we are sorry for him, is he allowed to creep away.

The learned lawyer is loaded with thanks, and Bassanio wishes to
pay him nobly for his pains. But he will take nothing; nothing,
that is, but the ring which glitters on Bassanio's finger. That
Bassanio cannot give--it is his wife's present and he has
promised never to part with it. At that the lawyer pretends
anger. "I see, sir," he says:--

"You are liberal in offers:
You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks,
You teach me how a beggar should be answered."

Hardly have they parted than Bassanio repents his seemingly
churlish action. Has not this young man saved his friend from
death, and himself from disgrace? Portia will surely understand
that his request could not be refused, and so he sends Gratiano
after him with the ring. Gratiano gives the ring to the lawyer,
and the seeming clerk begs Gratiano for his ring, which he,
following his friend's example, gives.

In the last act of the play all the friends are gathered again at
Belmont. After some merry teasing upon the subject of the rings
the truth is told, and Bassanio and Gratiano learn that the
skillful lawyer and his clerk were none other than their young
and clever wives.



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