And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! IIO [Opening the leaden caskct. Fair Portia's counterfeit! What demi-god Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes? Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips, Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs 120 A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men Doth limp behind the substance. Here's the scroll, [Read's] You that choose not by the view, If you be well pleased with this And hold your fortune for your bliss, 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, 130 140 Hearing applause and universal shout, As doubtful whether what I see be true, Portia. You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, I would not be ambitious in my wish, To wish myself much better; yet, for you A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times That only to stand high in your account. I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, Is sum of something, which, to term in gross, And be my vantage to exclaim on you. Bassanio. Madam, you have bereft me of all words, Only my blood speaks to you in my veins; And there is such confusion in my powers As, after some oration fairly spoke By a beloved prince, there doth appear 150 160 170 180 Among the buzzing pleased multitude; Where every something, being blent together, Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring Nerissa. My lord and lady, it is now our time, Portia 190 200 Bassanio. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. Portia. Is this true, Nerissa? Nerissa. Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. 210 Gratiano. Yes, faith, my lord. Bas. Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage. Gratiano. But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel? What, and my old Venetian friend Salerio? Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO, a messenger Bassanio. Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither; If that the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave, Sweet Portia, welcome. Portia. So do I, my lord: They are entirely welcome. 220 Lorenzo. I thank your honour. For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here; But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did intreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. Ere I ope his letter, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. Salerio. Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. 230 Gratiano. Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. Your hand, Salerio: what's the news from Venice? How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? I know he will be glad of our success; We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. Saler. I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost. Por. There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper, That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek: 240 Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world Of any constant man. What, worse and worse! With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself, Bassanio. O sweet Portia, Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words I freely told you, all the wealth I had 250 And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady. How much I was a braggart. When I told you Have all his ventures fail'd? What, not one hit? 260 From Lisbon, Barbary and India? And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch Salerio. Not one, my lord. Besides, it should appear, that if he had Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; 270 Jessica. When I was with him I have heard him swear Of forfeiture, of justice and his bond. To Tubal and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have Antonio's flesh 281 |