Ner.
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. ^note Enter ^note the Prince of Arragon, Portia, and their trains.

Por.
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 ^note fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.

Ar.
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 ^note fail in fortune of my choice,

Immediately to leave you and be gone.

Por.
To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

Ar.
And so have I address'd me. Fortune now
To my heart's hope! ^note Gold; silver; and base lead.
‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’ ^note
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! ^note that ‘many’ may ^note be meant
By the ^note fool ^note multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to the ^note interior, but, like the martlet,
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road ^note 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 ^note.
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? ^note Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and ^note 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 ^note would then be glean'd
From the true seed of honour! and how much honour
Pick'd ^note from the chaff ^note and ruin ^note of the times,
To be new-varnish'd ^note! 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 ^note,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here. [He opens the silver casket. ^note

Por.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.

Ar.
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 ^note!
‘Who chooseth me shall have ^note as much as he deserves.’
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?
Is that my prize ^note? are my deserts no better?

Por.
To offend, and judge, are distinct offices,
And of opposed natures.

Ar.
What is ^note here?

[Reads]
The fire seven times tried this:
Seven times tried that judgement ^note 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 ^note,
Silver'd o'er; and so was this.
Take what wife ^note you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone ^note: you are sped.

Still ^note 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 ^note. [Exeunt Arragon and train. ^note

Por.
Thus hath the candle singed the moth ^note.
O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose,
They have the wisdom ^note by their wit to lose.

Ner.
The ancient saying is no heresy,
Hanging and wiving goes ^note by destiny.

Por.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. Enter a Servant. ^note

Serv.
Where is my lady?

Por. ^note
Here: what would my lord?

Serv.
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 ^note 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 ^note comes before his lord.

Por.
No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard ^note
Thou wilt ^note 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 ^note that comes so mannerly.

Ner.
Bassanio, lord Love, ^note if thy will it be! [Exeunt.

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