Ner.
Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain strait,
The Prince of Arragon has ta'en his oath,
And comes to his election presently. Enter Arragon, his train, Portia. Flor. Cornets. The Caskets are discover'd.

Por.
Behold there stand the caskets, noble Prince,
If you chuse that wherein I am contain'd,
Strait shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd:
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.

Ar.
I am enjoin'd by oath t' 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:
Last, if I 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 addrest me, fortune now
To my heart's hope; gold, silver, and base lead.
Who chuseth me, must give and hazard all he hath.

You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? ha let me see;
Who chuseth me, shall gain what many men desire.
What many men desire—that may be meant
Of the full multitude that chuse by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pryes not to th'interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Ev'n in the force and road of casualty.
I will not chuse what many men desire,
Because I will not jump with common spirits,
And rank me with the barb'rous multitudes.
Why then to thee thou silver treasure-house:
Tell me once more, what title thou dost bear?
Who chuseth 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? let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O that estates, degrees, and offices,
Were not deriv'd corruptly, that clear honour
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare?
How many be commanded, that command?
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honour? how much honour
Pickt from the chaff and ruin of the times,
To be new varnish'd? well, but to my choice:
Who chuseth me, shall get as much as he deserves:
I will assume desert; give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

Por.
Too long a pause for that which you find there. [Unlocking the silver casket.

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?
Who chuseth me shall have as much as he deserves.
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?
Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?

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

Ar.
What is here?

The fire sev'n times tried this,
Sev'n times tried that judgment is
That did never chuse amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss,
Such have but a shadow's bliss:
There be fools alive, I wis,
Silver'd o'er, and so was this:
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone Sir, you are sped.

Ar.
Still 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. [Exit.

Por.
Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth:
O these deliberate fools! when they do chuse,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.

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

Por.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.

Enter a Servant.

Serv.
Where is my lady?

Por.
Here, what would my lord?

Serv.
Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th'approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
To wit, besides commends and courteous 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 comes before his lord.

Por.
No more I pray thee; I am half afraid
Thou'lt 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, that comes so mannerly.

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

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