The Merchant of Venice.This line appears erroneously to have been repeated at the top of this page.How shall I know if I doe choose the right.
Por.
[945]
The one of them containes my picture Prince,If you choose that, then I am yours withall.Mor.Some God direct my iudgement, let me see,I will suruay the inscriptions, backe againe:What saies this leaden casket?
[950]
Who chooseth me, must giue and hazard all he hath.Must giue, for what? for lead, hazard for lead?This casket threatens men that hazard allDoe it in hope of faire aduantages:A golden minde stoopes not to showes of drosse,
[955]
Ile then nor giue nor hazard ought for lead.What saies the Siluer with her virgin hue?Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserues.As much as he deserues; pause there
Morocho,
And weigh thy value with an euen hand,
[960]
If thou beest rated by thy estimationThou doost deserue enough, and yet enoughMay not extend so farre as to the Ladie:And yet to be afeard of my deseruing,Were but a weake disabling of my selfe.
[965]
As much as I deserue, why that's the Lady.I doe in birth deserue her, and in fortunes,In graces, and in qualities of breeding:But more then these, in loue I doe deserue.What if I strai'd no farther, but chose here?
[970]
Let's see once more this saying grau'd in gold.Who chooseth me shall gaine what many men desire:Why that's the Lady, all the world desires her:From the foure corners of the earth they comeTo kisse this shrine, this mortall breathing Saint.
[975]
The Hircanion deserts, and the vaste wildesOf wide Arabia are as throughfares nowFor Princes to come view faire
Portia.
The waterie Kingdome, whose ambitious headSpets in the face of heauen, is no barre
[980]
To stop the forraine spirits, but they comeAs ore a brooke to see faire
Portia.
One of these three containes her heauenly picture.Is't like that Lead containes her? 'twere damnationTo thinke so base a thought, it were too grose
[985]
To rib her searecloath in the obscure graue:Or shall I thinke in Siluer she's immur'dBeing ten times vndervalued to tride gold;O sinfull thought, neuer so rich a IemWas set in worse then gold! They haue in England
[990]
A coyne that beares the figure of an AngellStampt in gold, but that's insculpt vpon:But here an Angell in a golden bedLies all within. Deliuer me the key:Here doe I choose, and thriue I as I may.Por.
[995]
There take it Prince, and if my forme lye thereThen I am yours.Mor.O hell! what haue we here, a carrion death,Within whose emptie eye there is a written scroule;Ile reade the writing.
[1000]
All that glisters is not gold,
Often haue you heard that told;
Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold;
Guilded timber doe wormes infold:
[1005]
Had you beene as wise as bold,
Yong in limbs,
in
iudgement old
,
Your answere had not beene inscrold,
Fareyouwell,
your suite
is cold
,
Then farewell heate, and welcome frost:Portia adew, I haue too grieu'd a heart
To take a tedious leaue: thus loosers part.Exit.Por.A gentle riddance: draw the curtaines, go:Let all of his complexion choose me so.Exeunt.
[Act 2, Scene 8]
Enter Salarino and
Solanio.
Flo. Cornets.Sal.
[1015]
Why man I saw
Bassanio vnder sayle;
With him is
Gratiano gone along;
And in their ship I am sure
Lorenzo is
not.
Sol.The villaine
Iew with outcries raisd the
Duke.
Who went with him to search
Bassanios
ship.
Sal.
[1020]
He comes too late, the ship was vndersaile;But there the Duke was giuen to vnderstandThat in a Gondilo were seene togetherLorenzo and his amorous
Iessica.
Besides,
Anthonio certified the Duke
[1025]
They were not with
Bassanio in his ship.
Sol.I neuer heard a passion so confusd,So strange, outragious, and so variable,As the dogge
Iew did vtter in the streets;
My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter,
[1030]
Fled with a Christian, O my Christian ducats!Iustice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter;A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,Of double ducats, stolne from me by my daughter,And iewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,
[1035]
Stolne by my daughter: iustice, finde the girle,She hath the stones vpon her, and the ducats.Sal.Why all the boyes in Venice follow him,Crying his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.Sol.Let good
Anthonio looke he keepe his day
[1040]
Or he shall pay for this.Sal.Marry well remembred,I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday,Who told me, in the narrow seas that partThe French and English, there miscaried
[1045]
A vessell of our countrey richly fraught:I thought vpon
Anthonio when he told me,
And wisht in silence that it were not his.Sol.Yo were best to tell
Anthonio what you
heare.
Yet doe not suddainely, for it may grieue him.Sal.
[1050]
A kinder Gentleman treads not the earth,I saw
Bassanio and
Anthonio part,
Bassanio told him he would make some
speede
Of his returne: he answered, doe not so,Slubber not businesse for my sake
Bassanio,
[1055]
But stay the very riping of the time,And for the
Iewes bond which he hath of
me,
Let it not enter in your minde of loue:Be merry, and imploy your chiefest thoughtsTo courtship, and such faire ostents of loue
[1060]
As shall conueniently become you there;And euen there his eye being big with teares,Turning his face, he put his hand behinde him,And with affection wondrous sencibleHe wrung
Bassanios hand, and so they
parted.
Sol.
[1065]
I thinke he onely loues the world for him,I pray thee let vs goe and finde him outAnd quicken his embraced heauinesseWith some delight or other.Sal.
Doe we so.
Exeunt.
[Act 2, Scene 9]
Enter Nerrissa and a
Seruiture.
Ner.
[1070]
Quick, quick I pray thee, draw the curtain strait,P2The
[Act 2, Scene 9]
Enter Nerrissa and a
Seruiture.
Ner.
[1070]
Quick, quick I pray thee, draw the curtain strait,The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath,And comes to his election presently.Enter Arragon, his traine, and
Portia.
Flor. Cornets.Por.Behold, there stand the caskets noble Prince,If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,
[1075]
Straight shall our nuptiall rights be solemniz'd:But if thou faile, without more speech my Lord,You must be gone from hence immediately.Ar.I am enioynd by oath to obserue three things;First, neuer to vnfold to any one
[1080]
Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I faileOf the right casket, neuer in my lifeTo wooe a maide in way of marriage:Lastly, if I doe faile in fortune of my choyse,Immediately to leaue you, and be gone.Por.
[1085]
To these iniunctions euery one doth sweareThat comes to hazard for my worthlesse selfe.Ar.And so haue I addrest me, fortune nowTo my hearts hope: gold, siluer, and base lead.Who chooseth me must giue and hazard all he hath.
[1090]
You shall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard.What saies the golden chest, ha, let me see.Who chooseth me, shall gaine what many men desire:What many men desire, that many may be meantBy the foole multitude that choose by show,
[1095]
Not learning more then the fond eye doth teach,Which pries not to th'interior, but like the MartletBuilds in the weather on the outward wall,Euen in the force and rode of casualtie.I will not choose what many men desire,
[1100]
Because I will not iumpe with common spirits,And ranke me with the barbarous multitudes.Why then to thee thou Siluer treasure house,Tell me once more, what title thou doost beare;Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues:
[1105]
And well said too; for who shall goe aboutTo cosen Fortune, and be honourableWithout the stampe of merrit, let none presumeTo weare an vndeserued dignitie:O that estates, degrees, and offices,
[1110]
Were not deriu'd corruptly, and that cleare honourWere purchast by the merrit of the wearer;How many then should couer that stand bare?How many be commanded that command?How much low pleasantry would then be gleaned
[1115]
From the true seede of honor? And how much honorPickt from the chaffe and ruine of the times,To be new varnisht: Well, but to my choise.Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues.I will assume desert; giue me a key for this,
[1120]
And instantly vnlocke my fortunes here.Por.
Too long a pause for that which you finde there.
Ar.What's here, the portrait of a blinking idiotPresenting me a scedule, I will reade it:How much vnlike art thou to
Portia?
[1125]
How much vnlike my hopes and my deseruings?Who chooseth me, shall haue as much as he deserues.Did I deserue no more then a fooles head,Is that my prize, are my deserts no better?Por.To offend and iudge are distinct offices,
[1130]
And of opposed natures.Ar.What is here?The fier seauen times tried this,
Seauen times tried that iudgement is,
That did neuer choose amis,
[1135]
Some there be that shadowes kisse,
Such haue but a shadowes blisse: There be fooles aliue Iwis Siluer'd o're,
and so
was this
:
Take what wife you will to bed,
[1140]
I will euer be your head:
So be gone,
you are
sped.
Ar.Still more foole I shall appeareBy the time I linger here,With one fooles head I came to woo,
[1145]
But I goe away with two.Sweet adue, Ile keepe my oath,Patiently to beare my wroath.Por.Thus hath the candle sing'd the moath:O these deliberate fooles when they doe choose,
[1150]
They haue the wisdome by their wit to loose.Ner.The ancient saying is no heresie,Hanging and wiuing goes by destinie.Por.
Come draw the curtaine
Nerrissa.
Enter Messenger.Mes.
Where is my Lady?
Por.
[1155]
Here, what would my Lord?
Mes.Madam, there is a‑lighted at your gateA yong Venetian, one that comes beforeTo signifie th'approaching of his Lord,From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
[1160]
To wit (besides commends and curteous breath)Gifts of rich value; yet I haue not seeneSo likely an Embassador of loue.A day in Aprill neuer came so sweeteTo show how costly Sommer was at hand,
[1165]
As this fore‑spurrer comes before his Lord.Por.No more I pray thee, I am halfe a‑feardThou wilt say anone he is some kin to thee,Thou spend'st such high‑day wit in praising him:Come, come
Nerryssa, for I long to see
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<div type="scene" n="9" rend="notPresent">
<head type="supplied">[Act 2, Scene 9]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Nerrissa and a Seruiture.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Ner.</speaker>
<l n="1070">Quick, quick I pray thee, draw the curtain strait,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0192-0.jpg" n="172"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1071">The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath,</l>
<l n="1072">And comes to his election presently.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Arragon, his traine, and Portia.</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Flor. Cornets.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1073">Behold, there stand the caskets noble Prince,</l>
<l n="1074">If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,</l>
<l n="1075">Straight shall our nuptiall rights be solemniz'd:</l>
<l n="1076">But if thou faile, without more speech my Lord,</l>
<l n="1077">You must be gone from hence immediately.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-arr">
<speaker rend="italic">Ar.</speaker>
<l n="1078">I am enioynd by oath to obserue three things;</l>
<l n="1079">First, neuer to vnfold to any one</l>
<l n="1080">Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I faile</l>
<l n="1081">Of the right casket, neuer in my life</l>
<l n="1082">To wooe a maide in way of marriage:</l>
<l n="1083">Lastly, if I doe faile in fortune of my choyse,</l>
<l n="1084">Immediately to leaue you, and be gone.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1085">To these iniunctions euery one doth sweare</l>
<l n="1086">That comes to hazard for my worthlesse selfe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-arr">
<speaker rend="italic">Ar.</speaker>
<l n="1087">And so haue I addrest me, fortune now</l>
<l n="1088">To my hearts hope: gold, siluer, and base lead.</l>
<l n="1089">Who chooseth me must giue and hazard all he hath.</l>
<l n="1090">You shall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard.</l>
<l n="1091">What saies the golden chest, ha, let me see.</l>
<l n="1092">Who chooseth me, shall gaine what many men desire:</l>
<l n="1093">What many men desire, that many may be meant</l>
<l n="1094">By the foole multitude that choose by show,</l>
<l n="1095">Not learning more then the fond eye doth teach,</l>
<l n="1096">Which pries not to th'interior, but like the Martlet</l>
<l n="1097">Builds in the weather on the outward wall,</l>
<l n="1098">Euen in the force and rode of casualtie.</l>
<l n="1099">I will not choose what many men desire,</l>
<l n="1100">Because I will not iumpe with common spirits,</l>
<l n="1101">And ranke me with the barbarous multitudes.</l>
<l n="1102">Why then to thee thou Siluer treasure house,</l>
<l n="1103">Tell me once more, what title thou doost beare;</l>
<l n="1104">Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues:</l>
<l n="1105">And well said too; for who shall goe about</l>
<l n="1106">To cosen Fortune, and be honourable</l>
<l n="1107">Without the stampe of merrit, let none presume</l>
<l n="1108">To weare an vndeserued dignitie:</l>
<l n="1109">O that estates, degrees, and offices,</l>
<l n="1110">Were not deriu'd corruptly, and that cleare honour</l>
<l n="1111">Were purchast by the merrit of the wearer;</l>
<l n="1112">How many then should couer that stand bare?</l>
<l n="1113">How many be commanded that command?</l>
<l n="1114">How much low pleasantry would then be gleaned</l>
<l n="1115">From the true seede of honor? And how much honor</l>
<l n="1116">Pickt from the chaffe and ruine of the times,</l>
<l n="1117">To be new varnisht: Well, but to my choise.</l>
<l n="1118">Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues.</l>
<l n="1119">I will assume desert; giue me a key for this,</l>
<l n="1120">And instantly vnlocke my fortunes here.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<p n="1121">Too long a pause for that which you finde there.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-arr">
<speaker rend="italic">Ar.</speaker>
<l n="1122">What's here, the portrait of a blinking idiot</l>
<l n="1123">Presenting me a scedule, I will reade it:</l>
<l n="1124">How much vnlike art thou to<hi rend="italic">Portia</hi>?</l>
<l n="1125">How much vnlike my hopes and my deseruings?</l>
<l n="1126">Who chooseth me, shall haue as much as he deserues.</l>
<l n="1127">Did I deserue no more then a fooles head,</l>
<l n="1128">Is that my prize, are my deserts no better?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1129">To offend and iudge are distinct offices,</l>
<l n="1130">And of opposed natures.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-arr">
<speaker rend="italic">Ar.</speaker>
<l n="1131">What is here?</l>
<lg rend="center">
<l n="1132">
<hi rend="italic">The fier seauen times tried this</hi>,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1133">
<hi rend="italic">Seauen times tried that iudgement is</hi>,</l>
<l n="1134">
<hi rend="italic">That did neuer choose amis</hi>,</l>
<l n="1135">
<hi rend="italic">Some there be that shadowes kisse</hi>,</l>
<l rend="italic" n="1136">Such haue but a shadowes blisse:</l>
<l rend="italic" n="1137">There be fooles aliue Iwis</l>
<l n="1138">
<hi rend="italic">Siluer'd o're</hi>,<hi rend="italic">and so was this</hi>:</l>
<l n="1139">
<hi rend="italic">Take what wife you will to bed</hi>,</l>
<l n="1140">
<hi rend="italic">I will euer be your head</hi>:</l>
<l n="1141">
<hi rend="italic">So be gone</hi>,<hi rend="italic">you are sped.</hi>
</l>
</lg>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-arr">
<speaker rend="italic">Ar.</speaker>
<l n="1142">Still more foole I shall appeare</l>
<l n="1143">By the time I linger here,</l>
<l n="1144">With one fooles head I came to woo,</l>
<l n="1145">But I goe away with two.</l>
<l n="1146">Sweet adue, Ile keepe my oath,</l>
<l n="1147">Patiently to beare my wroath.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1148">Thus hath the candle sing'd the moath:</l>
<l n="1149">O these deliberate fooles when they doe choose,</l>
<l n="1150">They haue the wisdome by their wit to loose.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Ner.</speaker>
<l n="1151">The ancient saying is no heresie,</l>
<l n="1152">Hanging and wiuing goes by destinie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<p n="1153">Come draw the curtaine<hi rend="italic">Nerrissa</hi>.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Messenger.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mv-mes">
<speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
<p n="1154">Where is my Lady?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<p n="1155">Here, what would my Lord?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-mes">
<speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
<l n="1156">Madam, there is a‑lighted at your gate</l>
<l n="1157">A yong Venetian, one that comes before</l>
<l n="1158">To signifie th'approaching of his Lord,</l>
<l n="1159">From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;</l>
<l n="1160">To wit (besides commends and curteous breath)</l>
<l n="1161">Gifts of rich value; yet I haue not seene</l>
<l n="1162">So likely an Embassador of loue.</l>
<l n="1163">A day in Aprill neuer came so sweete</l>
<l n="1164">To show how costly Sommer was at hand,</l>
<l n="1165">As this fore‑spurrer comes before his Lord.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-por">
<speaker rend="italic">Por.</speaker>
<l n="1166">No more I pray thee, I am halfe a‑feard</l>
<l n="1167">Thou wilt say anone he is some kin to thee,</l>
<l n="1168">Thou spend'st such high‑day wit in praising him:</l>
<l n="1169">Come, come<hi rend="italic">Nerryssa</hi>, for I long to see</l>
<l n="1170">Quicke<hi rend="italic">Cupids</hi>Post, that comes so mannerly.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mv-ner">
<speaker rend="italic">Ner.</speaker>
<p n="1171">
<hi rend="italic">Bassanio</hi>Lord, loue if thy will it be.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>
