Ner. Quick, quick, I pray thee; draw the curtain straight: The Prince of Arragon hath ta’en his oath, 003 And comes to his election presently. Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Arragon, Portia, and their trains. Por. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: 005 If you choose that wherein I am contain’d, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized: 007 But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately. Ar. I am enjoin’d by oath to observe three things: 010 First, never to unfold to any one Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life 013 To woo a maid in way of marriage: Lastly, 015 If I do 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. 019 Ar. And so have I address’d me. Fortune now 020 To my heart’s hope! Gold; silver; and base lead. ‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’ 022 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.’ 025 What many men desire! that ‘many’ may be meant 026 By the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; 028 Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet, Builds in the weather on the outward wall, 030 Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits, 033 And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house; 035 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 039 Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume 040 To wear an undeserved dignity. O, that estates, degrees and offices 042 Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare! 045 How many be commanded that command! 046 How much low peasantry would then be glean’d From the true seed of honour! and how much honour 048 Pick’d from the chaff and ruin of the times, 049 To be new-varnish’d! Well, but to my choice: 050 ‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’ 051 I will assume desert. Give me a key for this, 052 And instantly unlock my fortunes here. [He opens the silver casket. Por. Too long a pause for that which you find there. Ar. What’s here? the portrait of a blinking idiot, 055 Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How much unlike art thou to Portia! 057 How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! 058 ‘Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.’ Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head? 060 Is that my prize? are my deserts no better? Por. To offend, and judge, are distinct offices, And of opposed natures. Ar. 062 What is here? [Reads] The fire seven times tried this; 064 Seven times tried that judgement is, 065 That did never choose amiss. Some there be that shadows kiss; Such have but a shadow’s bliss: 068 There be fools alive, I wis, Silver’d o’er; and so was this. 070 Take what wife you will to bed, I will ever be your head: 072 So be gone: you are sped. 073 Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here: 075 With one fool’s head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath, 078 Patiently to bear my wroth. [Exeunt Arragon and train. 079 Por. Thus hath the candle singed the moth. 080 O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose, 081 They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. Ner. The ancient saying is no heresy, 083 Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. 084 Por. Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. Enter a Servant. Serv. Where is my lady? Por. 085 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, 090 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, 095 As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. 096 Por. No more, I pray thee: I am half afeard 097 Thou wilt 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 100 Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly. 101 Ner. Bassanio, lord Love, if thy will it be! [Exeunt.