And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! [Opening the leaden casket. 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, [Reads] You that choose not by the view, Chance as fair and choose as true! Be content and seek no new. 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; 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, Such as I am: though for myself alone 150 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, 160 Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised; 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 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, 190 200 Bassanio. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. Gratiano. I thank your lordship, you have got me one. My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid; You loved, I loved, for intermission No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. Your fortune stood upon the casket there, And so did mine too, as the matter falls; For wooing here until I sweat again, And swearing till my very roof was dry With oaths of love, at last, if promise last, I got a promise of this fair one here To have her love, provided that your fortune Achieved her mistress. Portia. Is this true, Nerissa? Nerissa. Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. 210 Bassanio. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? 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; 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. Salerio. And I have reason for it. Bassanio. I did, my lord; Signor Antonio [Gives Bassanio a letter. 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; 230 Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there Will show you his estate. 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? 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; 260 270 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 |