GRATIANO About a hoop of gold, a paltry76 ring That she did give me, whose posy77 was For all the world like cutlers’ poetry Upon a knife78—‘Love me and leave me not.’
NERISSA What talk you of the posy or the value? You swore to me when I did give it you That you would wear it till your hour of death, And that it should lie with you in your grave. Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths79
You should have been respective80 and have kept it. Gave it a judge’s clerk!—no, God’s my judge, The clerk will ne’er wear hair on’s face that had it.81
76. a silly/insignificant thing 77. motto/inscription
150
78. (lines 149–150) like knife-makers might write on their knives
155
79. passionate promises 80. careful
81. The so-called clerk you gave it to will never grow a beard (because you gave it to a woman).
