Original: Sweet Portia, If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
Modern: Sweet Portia, if you knew who I gave the ring to,

Original: If you did know for whom I gave the ring
Modern: If you knew what person I gave the ring for

Original: And would conceive for what I gave the ring
Modern: And could understand why I gave away the ring

Original: And how unwillingly I left the ring,
Modern: And how reluctantly I parted with the ring,

Original: When nought would be accepted but the ring,
Modern: When nothing else would be accepted except the ring,

Original: You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
Modern: You would lessen how angry you are with me.

Original: No, by my honour, madam, by my soul,
Modern: No, I swear on my honor, madam, on my soul,

Original: No woman had it, but a civil doctor,
Modern: No woman got it, but a lawyer,

Original: Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
Modern: Who refused three thousand gold coins from me

Original: And begg’d the ring; the which I did deny him
Modern: And begged for the ring; which I refused to give him

Original: And suffer’d him to go displeased away;
Modern: And let him leave upset and disappointed;

Original: Even he that did uphold the very life
Modern: This was the same man who saved the very life

Original: Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
Modern: Of my dear friend. What can I say, sweet lady?

Original: I was enforced to send it after him;
Modern: I was forced to send it to him;

Original: I was beset with shame and courtesy;
Modern: I was overwhelmed with shame and the need to be polite;

Original: My honour would not let ingratitude
Modern: My honor wouldn’t let me be ungrateful

Original: So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady;
Modern: And stain my reputation. Forgive me, good lady;

Original: For, by these blessed candles of the night,
Modern: For, I swear by these blessed stars in the night,

Original: Had you been there, I think you would have begg’d
Modern: If you had been there, I think you would have begged

Original: The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
Modern: Me to give the ring to that worthy lawyer.

In Act V, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice, the action takes place at Belmont, where Lorenzo and Jessica are enjoying a romantic moonlit evening, exchanging poetic declarations of love while referencing famous lovers from classical mythology. Their tender moment is interrupted by the arrival of a messenger who announces that Portia is on her way back to Belmont, followed shortly by another messenger bringing word that Bassanio will also soon arrive. Launcelot also appears briefly, adding a note of comic relief to the scene. As the characters prepare for the returning parties, Lorenzo calls for music to be played, and he and Jessica reflect on the beauty and power of music, with Lorenzo delivering an extended meditation on the harmony of the spheres and the effect of music on the natural world.

When Portia and Nerissa arrive, followed soon after by Bassanio, Antonio, and Gratiano, the mood shifts as Nerissa and then Portia confront their husbands about the rings they had given away — rings that had been solemnly sworn never to be parted with. Both Bassanio and Gratiano are forced to confess that they gave the rings to the young lawyer and his clerk who had helped save Antonio in Venice, not knowing those figures were actually Portia and Nerissa in disguise. After some playful but pointed exchanges, the wives reveal the truth of their disguises, and Portia also delivers the joyful news that three of Antonio’s ships have safely come to port. The scene ends on a note of resolution and celebration, with the characters retiring inside to hear the full story of the events.

The Merchant of Venice centers on Bassanio, a young Venetian gentleman who needs money to court the wealthy heiress Portia in Belmont. His friend Antonio, a merchant, agrees to help but has no ready cash since his ships are at sea. Antonio borrows 3,000 ducats from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, with the unusual condition that if the loan isn’t repaid within three months, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Meanwhile, Shylock’s daughter Jessica elopes with the Christian Lorenzo, taking her father’s money and jewels.

In Belmont, Portia’s deceased father has decreed that her suitors must choose correctly among three caskets—gold, silver, and lead—to win her hand. The Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon both choose incorrectly and depart. When Bassanio arrives and selects the lead casket, he wins Portia, while his friend Gratiano wins her maid Nerissa. Their celebrations are interrupted by news that Antonio’s ships have been lost and Shylock demands his pound of flesh.

Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as a lawyer and clerk and travel to Venice for Antonio’s trial. In court, Portia grants Shylock his legal right to the flesh but warns he may take no blood and must cut exactly one pound—an impossible task. Defeated, Shylock loses his bond and, under Venetian law, must forfeit half his wealth and convert to Christianity. The disguised Portia requests Bassanio’s wedding ring as payment, which he reluctantly gives. Back in Belmont, Portia playfully scolds her husband for giving away his ring before revealing her disguise. The play concludes with news that Antonio’s ships have safely returned, restoring his fortune.