Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes. Jessica. Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. Lorenzo. Lorenzo, and thy love. Jessica. Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed, For who love I so much? And now who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? 30 Lor. Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art. Jessica. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed of my exchange: But love is blind and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit; For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me thus transformed to a boy. Lorenzo. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. 40 Jessica. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; And I should be obscured. Lorenzo. So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the runaway, Jessica. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself 50 [Exit above. Gratiano. Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew. Lorenzo. Beshrew me but I love her heartily; For she is wise, if I can judge of her, And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true, Enter JESSICA, below. What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away! [Exit with Jessica and Salarino. Enter ANTONIO. Antonio. Who's there? 60 Gratiano. Signior Antonio! Antonio. Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest? 'Tis nine o'clock: our friends all stay for you. No masque to-night: the wind is come about; I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Gratiano. I am glad on't: I desire no more delight Than to be under sail and gone to-night. [Exeunt. 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 judgement! 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? Do it in hope of fair advantages: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' And weigh thy value with an even hand: If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady: But more than these, in love I do deserve. What if I stray'd no further, but chose here? 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint: 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 20 30 40 50 Was set in worse than gold. They have in England Stamped in gold, but that's insculp'd upon; 60 Portia. There, take it, prince; and if my form lie there, Then I am yours. Morocco. [He unlocks the golden casket. O hell! what have we here? A carrion Death, within whose empty eye [Reads] All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Cold, indeed; and labour lost : Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart 70 [Exit with his train. Flourish of Cornets. Portia. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. SCENE VIII. Venice. A street. Enter SALARINO and SALANIO. Salarino. Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail: With him is Gratiano gone along; And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not. [Exeunt. Salanio. The villain Jew with outcries raised the duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. Salarino. He came too late, the ship was under sail: But there the duke was given to understand Salarino. Marry, well remember'd. ΙΟ 20 30 Salanio. You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. Salarino. A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: Bassanio told him he would make some speed Of his return he answer'd, 'Do not so; 40 |