Merchant of Venice Act II Scene VII.Belmont.A room in PORTIA'S house. Flourish of cornets.Enter PORTIA,with the PRINCE OF MOROCCO,and their trains PORTIA Go draw aside the curtains and discover The several caskets to this noble prince. Now make your choice. MOROCCO The first,of gold,who this inscription bears, 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire;' The second,silver,which this promise carries, 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves;' This third,dull lead,with warning all as blunt, 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' How shall I know if I do choose the right? PORTIA The one of them contains my picture,prince: If you choose that,then I am yours withal. MOROCCO Some god direct my judgment!Let me see; I will survey the inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket? 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' Must give:for what?for lead?hazard for lead? This casket threatens.Men that hazard all Do it in hope of fair advantages: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead. What says the silver with her virgin hue? 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. As much as he deserves!Pause there,Morocco, And weigh thy value with an even hand: If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, Thou dost deserve enough;and yet enough May not extend so far as to the lady: And yet to be afeard of my deserving Were but a weak disabling of myself. As much as I deserve!Why,that's the lady: I do in birth deserve her,and in fortunes, In graces and in qualities of breeding; But more than these,in love I do deserve. What if I stray'd no further,but chose here? Let's see once more this saying graved in gold 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' Why,that's the lady;all the world desires her;
Merchant of Venice Act II Scene VII. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house. Flourish of cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and their trains PORTIA Go draw aside the curtains and discover The several caskets to this noble prince. Now make your choice. MOROCCO The first, of gold, who this inscription bears, 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire;' The second, silver, which this promise carries, 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves;' This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt, 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' How shall I know if I do choose the right? PORTIA The one of them contains my picture, prince: If you choose that, then I am yours withal. MOROCCO Some god direct my judgment! Let me see; I will survey the inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket? 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' Must give: for what? for lead? hazard for lead? This casket threatens. Men that hazard all Do it in hope of fair advantages: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead. What says the silver with her virgin hue? 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco, And weigh thy value with an even hand: If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough May not extend so far as to the lady: And yet to be afeard of my deserving Were but a weak disabling of myself. As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady: I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes, In graces and in qualities of breeding; But more than these, in love I do deserve. What if I stray'd no further, but chose here? Let's see once more this saying graved in gold 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her;
From the four corners of the earth they come, To kiss this shrine,this mortal-breathing saint: The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds Of wide Arabia are as thoroughfares now For princes to come view fair Portia: The watery kingdom,whose ambitious head Spits in the face of heaven,is no bar To stop the foreign spirits,but they come, As o'er a brook,to see fair Portia. One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Is't like that lead contains her?"Twere damnation To think so base a thought:it were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Or shall I think in silver she's immured, Being ten times undervalued to tried gold? O sinful thought!Never so rich a gem Was set in worse than gold.They have in England A coin that bears the figure of an angel Stamped in gold,but that's insculp'd upon; But here an angel in a golden bed Lies all within.Deliver me the key: Here do I choose,and thrive I as I may! PORTIA There,take it,prince;and if my form lie there, Then I am yours. He unlocks the golden casket MOROCCO O hell!what have we here? A carrion Death,within whose empty eye There is a written scroll!I'll read the writing. Reads All that glitters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms enfold. Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs,in judgment old, Your answer had not been inscroll'd: Fare you well;your suit is cold. Cold,indeed;and labour lost: Then.farewell.heat.and welcome.frost! Portia,adieu.I have too grieved a heart To take a tedious leave:thus losers part
From the four corners of the earth they come, To kiss this shrine, this mortal-breathing saint: The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds Of wide Arabia are as thoroughfares now For princes to come view fair Portia: The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head Spits in the face of heaven, is no bar To stop the foreign spirits, but they come, As o'er a brook, to see fair Portia. One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Is't like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation To think so base a thought: it were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Or shall I think in silver she's immured, Being ten times undervalued to tried gold? O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem Was set in worse than gold. They have in England A coin that bears the figure of an angel Stamped in gold, but that's insculp'd upon; But here an angel in a golden bed Lies all within. Deliver me the key: Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may! PORTIA There, take it, prince; and if my form lie there, Then I am yours. He unlocks the golden casket MOROCCO O hell! what have we here? A carrion Death, within whose empty eye There is a written scroll! I'll read the writing. Reads All that glitters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms enfold. Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been inscroll'd: Fare you well; your suit is cold. Cold, indeed; and labour lost: Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost! Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart To take a tedious leave: thus losers part
Exit with his train.Flourish of cornets PORTIA A gentle riddance.Draw the curtains,go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. Exeunt SCENE IX.Belmont.A room in PORTIA'S house. Enter NERISSA with a Servitor NERISSA Quick,quick,I pray thee;draw the curtain straight: The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, And comes to his election presently. Flourish of cornets.Enter the PRINCE OF ARRAGON,PORTIA,and their trains PORTIA Behold,there stand the caskets,noble prince: If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized: But if you fail,without more speech,my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately. ARRAGON I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things: First,never to unfold to any one Which casket'twas I chose;next,if I fail Of the right casket,never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage:Lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone. PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self. ARRAGON And so have I address'd me.Fortune now To my heart's hope!Gold;silver;and base lead. 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' You shall look fairer,ere I give or hazard. What says the golden chest?ha!let me see: 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' What many men desire!that'many'may be meant By the fool multitude,that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to the interior,but,like the martlet
Exit with his train. Flourish of cornets PORTIA A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. Exeunt SCENE IX. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house. Enter NERISSA with a Servitor NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee; draw the curtain straight: The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, And comes to his election presently. Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF ARRAGON, PORTIA, and their trains PORTIA Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized: But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately. ARRAGON I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to any one Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage: Lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone. PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self. ARRAGON And so have I address'd me. Fortune now To my heart's hope! Gold; silver; and base lead. 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' You shall look fairer, ere I give or hazard. What says the golden chest? ha! let me see: 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' What many men desire! that 'many' may be meant By the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall. Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire. Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why,then to thee,thou silver treasure-house; Tell me once more what title thou dost bear: 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves:' And well said too;for who shall go about To cozen fortune and be honourable Without the stamp of merit?Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity O,that estates,degrees and offices Were not derived corruptly,and that clear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare! How many be commanded that command! How much low peasantry would then be glean'd From the true seed of honour!and how much honour Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times To be new-varnish'd!Well,but to my choice: 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. I will assume desert.Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here He opens the silver casket PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there. ARRAGON What's here?the portrait of a blinking idiot, Presenting me a schedule!I will read it. How much unlike art thou to Portia! How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves. Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? Is that my prize?are my deserts no better? PORTIA To offend,and judge,are distinct offices And of opposed natures. ARRAGON What is here? Reads The fire seven times tried this:
Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house; Tell me once more what title thou dost bear: 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves:' And well said too; for who shall go about To cozen fortune and be honourable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O, that estates, degrees and offices Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare! How many be commanded that command! How much low peasantry would then be glean'd From the true seed of honour! and how much honour Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times To be new-varnish'd! Well, but to my choice: 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' I will assume desert. Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here. He opens the silver casket PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there. ARRAGON What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot, Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How much unlike art thou to Portia! How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! 'Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.' Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? Is that my prize? are my deserts no better? PORTIA To offend, and judge, are distinct offices And of opposed natures. ARRAGON What is here? Reads The fire seven times tried this:
Seven times tried that judgment is, That did never choose amiss. Some there be that shadows kiss: Such have but a shadow's bliss: There be fools alive,I wis, Silver'd o'er;and so was this. Take what wife you will to bed, I will ever be your head: So be gone:you are sped. Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here With one fool's head I came to woo. But I go away with two. Sweet,adieu.I'll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth. Exeunt Arragon and train PORTIA Thus hath the candle singed the moth. O.these deliberate fools!when they do choose They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy, Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. PORTIA Come,draw the curtain,Nerissa. Enter a Servant Servant Where is my lady? PORTIA Here:what would my lord? Servant Madam,there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian,one that comes before To signify the approaching of his lord; From whom he bringeth sensible regreets. To wit,besides commends and courteous breath, Gifts of rich value.Yet I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love: A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord
Seven times tried that judgment is, That did never choose amiss. Some there be that shadows kiss; Such have but a shadow's bliss: There be fools alive, I wis, Silver'd o'er; and so was this. Take what wife you will to bed, I will ever be your head: So be gone: you are sped. Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here With one fool's head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu. I'll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth. Exeunt Arragon and train PORTIA Thus hath the candle singed the moth. O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy, Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. Enter a Servant Servant Where is my lady? PORTIA Here: what would my lord? Servant Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian, one that comes before To signify the approaching of his lord; From whom he bringeth sensible regreets, To wit, besides commends and courteous breath, Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love: A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord
PORTIA No more,I pray thee:I am half afeard Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him. Come,come,Nerissa;for I long to see Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly. NERISSA Bassanio,lord Love,if thy will it be! Exeunt ACT III SCENE I.Venice.A street. SALARINO But tell us,do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no? SHYLOCK There I have another bad match:a bankrupt,a prodigal,who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto;a beggar,that was used to come so smug upon the mart;let him look to his bond:he was wont to call me usurer:let him look to his bond:he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy;let him look to his bond. SALARINO Why,I am sure,if he forfeit,thou wilt not take his flesh:what's that good for? SHYLOCK To bait fish withal:if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.He hath disgraced me,and hindered me half a million;laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains,scorned my nation,thwarted my bargains,cooled my friends,heated mine enemies;and what's his reason?I am a Jew.Hath not a Jew eyes?hath not a Jew hands,organs, dimensions,senses,affections,passions?fed with the same food,hurt with the same weapons,subject to the same diseases,healed by the same means. warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer,as a Christian is?If you prick us,do we not bleed? if you tickle us,do we not laugh?if you poison us,do we not die?and if you wrong us,shall we not revenge?If we are like you in the rest,we will resemble you in that.If a Jew wrong a Christian
PORTIA No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly. NERISSA Bassanio, lord Love, if thy will it be! Exeunt ACT III SCENE I. Venice. A street. SALARINO But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no? SHYLOCK There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto; a beggar, that was used to come so smug upon the mart; let him look to his bond: he was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy; let him look to his bond. SALARINO Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for? SHYLOCK To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian
what is his humility?Revenge.If a Christian wrong a Jew,what should his sufferance be by Christian example?Why,revenge.The villany you teach me,I will execute,and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction. Scene II.Belmont.A room in PORTIA'S house Enter BASSANIO,PORTIA,GRATIANO,NERISSA,and Attendants PORTIA I pray you,tarry:pause a day or two Before you hazard;for,in choosing wrong, I lose your company:therefore forbear awhile. There's something tells me,but it is not love, I would not lose you;and you know yourself, Hate counsels not in such a quality. But lest you should not understand me well,-- And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,-- I would detain you here some month or two Before you venture for me.I could teach you How to choose right,but I am then forsworn; So will I never be:so may you miss me; But if you do,you'll make me wish a sin, That I had been forsworn.Beshrew your eyes, They have o'erlook'd me and divided me: One half of me is yours,the other half yours, Mine own,I would say;but if mine,then yours, And so all yours.O,these naughty times Put bars between the owners and their rights! And so,though yours,not yours.Prove it so, Let fortune go to hell for it,not I. I speak too long:but'tis to peize the time. To eke it and to draw it out in length, To stay you from election. BASSANIO Let me choose For as I am,I live upon the rack. PORTIA Upon the rack,Bassanio!then confess What treason there is mingled with your love. BASSANIO None but that ugly treason of mistrust, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love: There may as well be amity and life "Tween snow and fire,as treason and my love
what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction. Scene II. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house. Enter BASSANIO, PORTIA, GRATIANO, NERISSA, and Attendants PORTIA I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong, I lose your company: therefore forbear awhile. There's something tells me, but it is not love, I would not lose you; and you know yourself, Hate counsels not in such a quality. But lest you should not understand me well,-- And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,-- I would detain you here some month or two Before you venture for me. I could teach you How to choose right, but I am then forsworn; So will I never be: so may you miss me; But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin, That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes, They have o'erlook'd me and divided me; One half of me is yours, the other half yours, Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, And so all yours. O, these naughty times Put bars between the owners and their rights! And so, though yours, not yours. Prove it so, Let fortune go to hell for it, not I. I speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time, To eke it and to draw it out in length, To stay you from election. BASSANIO Let me choose For as I am, I live upon the rack. PORTIA Upon the rack, Bassanio! then confess What treason there is mingled with your love. BASSANIO None but that ugly treason of mistrust, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love: There may as well be amity and life 'Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love
PORTIA Ay,but I fear you speak upon the rack, Where men enforced do speak anything. BASSANIO Promise me life,and I'll confess the truth. PORTIA Well then,confess and live. BASSANIO 'Confess'and 'love' Had been the very sum of my confession: O happy torment,when my torturer Doth teach me answers for deliverance! But let me to my fortune and the caskets. PORTIA Away,then!I am lock'd in one of them: If you do love me,you will find me out. Nerissa and the rest,stand all aloof. Let music sound while he doth make his choice; Then.if he lose.he makes a swan-like end. Fading in music:that the comparison May stand more proper,my eye shall be the stream And watery death-bed for him.He may win: And what is music then?Then music is Even as the flourish when true subjects bow To a new-crowned monarch:such it is As are those dulcet sounds in break of day That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear, And summon him to marriage.Now he goes, With no less presence,but with much more love, Than young Alcides,when he did redeem The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy To the sea-monster:I stand for sacrifice The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, With bleared visages,come forth to view The issue of the exploit.Go,Hercules! Live thou,I live:with much,much more dismay I view the fight than thou that makest the fray Music,whilst BASSANIO comments on the caskets to himself SONG Tell me where is fancy bred, Or in the heart,or in the head? How begot,how nourished? Reply,reply
PORTIA Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, Where men enforced do speak anything. BASSANIO Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth. PORTIA Well then, confess and live. BASSANIO 'Confess' and 'love' Had been the very sum of my confession: O happy torment, when my torturer Doth teach me answers for deliverance! But let me to my fortune and the caskets. PORTIA Away, then! I am lock'd in one of them: If you do love me, you will find me out. Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof. Let music sound while he doth make his choice; Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, Fading in music: that the comparison May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream And watery death-bed for him. He may win; And what is music then? Then music is Even as the flourish when true subjects bow To a new-crowned monarch: such it is As are those dulcet sounds in break of day That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear, And summon him to marriage. Now he goes, With no less presence, but with much more love, Than young Alcides, when he did redeem The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, With bleared visages, come forth to view The issue of the exploit. Go, Hercules! Live thou, I live: with much, much more dismay I view the fight than thou that makest the fray. Music, whilst BASSANIO comments on the caskets to himself SONG. Tell me where is fancy bred, Or in the heart, or in the head? How begot, how nourished? Reply, reply
It is engender'd in the eyes, With gazing fed;and fancy dies In the cradle where it lies. Let us all ring fancy's knell I'll begin it,--Ding,dong,bell. ALL Ding,dong,bell. BASSANIO So may the outward shows be least themselves: The world is still deceived with ornament In law,what plea so tainted and corrupt, But,being seasoned with a gracious voice. Obscures the show of evil?In religion, What damned error,but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? There is no vice so simple but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts: How many cowards,whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand,wear yet upon their chins The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars; Who,inward search'd,have livers white as milk; And these assume but valour's excrement To render them redoubted!Look on beauty. And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it: So are those crisped snaky golden locks Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, Upon supposed fairness,often known To be the dowry of a second head, The skull that bred them in the sepulchre. Thus ornament is but the guiled shore To a most dangerous sea;the beauteous scarf Veiling an Indian beauty;in a word, The seeming truth which cunning times put on To entrap the wisest.Therefore,thou gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas,I will none of thee; Nor none of thee,thou pale and common drudge "Tween man and man:but thou,thou meagre lead, Which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence; And here choose I;joy be the consequence! PORTIA [Aside]How all the other passions fleet to air, As doubtful thoughts,and rash-embraced despair
It is engender'd in the eyes, With gazing fed; and fancy dies In the cradle where it lies. Let us all ring fancy's knell I'll begin it,--Ding, dong, bell. ALL Ding, dong, bell. BASSANIO So may the outward shows be least themselves: The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But, being seasoned with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil? In religion, What damned error, but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? There is no vice so simple but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts: How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars; Who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk; And these assume but valour's excrement To render them redoubted! Look on beauty, And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it: So are those crisped snaky golden locks Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, Upon supposed fairness, often known To be the dowry of a second head, The skull that bred them in the sepulchre. Thus ornament is but the guiled shore To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, The seeming truth which cunning times put on To entrap the wisest. Therefore, thou gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee; Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead, Which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence; And here choose I; joy be the consequence! PORTIA [Aside] How all the other passions fleet to air, As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embraced despair
And shuddering fear,and green-eyed jealousy!O love, Be moderate;allay thy ecstasy, In measure rein thy joy;scant this excess. I feel too much thy blessing:make it less, For fear I surfeit. BASSANIO What find I here? Opening the leaden casket Fair Portia's counterfeit!What demi-god Hath come so near creation?Move these eyes? Or whether,riding on the balls of mine. Seem they in motion?Here are sever'd lips, Parted with sugar breath:so sweet a bar Should sunder such sweet friends.Here in her hairs The painter plays the spider and hath woven A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men, Faster than gnats in cobwebs;but her eyes,-- How could he see to do them?having made one, Methinks it should have power to steal both his And leave itself unfurnish'd.Yet look.how far The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow In underprizing it,so far this shadow Doth limp behind the substance.Here's the scroll. The continent and summary of my fortune. Reads You that choose not by the view, Chance as fair and choose as true! Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new, If you be well pleased with this And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is And claim her with a loving kiss. A gentle scroll.Fair lady,by your leave; I come by note,to give and to receive. Like one of two contending in a prize. That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit,still gazing in a doubt Whether these pearls of praise be his or no; So,thrice fair lady,stand I,even so; As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirm'd,sign'd,ratified by you
And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! O love, Be moderate; allay thy ecstasy, In measure rein thy joy; scant this excess. I feel too much thy blessing: make it less, For fear I surfeit. BASSANIO What find I here? Opening the leaden casket Fair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes? Or whether, riding on the balls of mine, Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips, Parted with sugar breath: so sweet a bar Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs The painter plays the spider and hath woven A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men, Faster than gnats in cobwebs; but her eyes,-- How could he see to do them? having made one, Methinks it should have power to steal both his And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look, how far The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow In underprizing it, so far this shadow Doth limp behind the substance. Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune. Reads You that choose not by the view, Chance as fair and choose as true! Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new, If you be well pleased with this And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is And claim her with a loving kiss. A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave; I come by note, to give and to receive. Like one of two contending in a prize, That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt Whether these pearls of praise be his or no; So, thrice fair lady, stand I, even so; As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you
