To think so base a thought: it were too gross 50 Was set in worse than gold. They have in England 55 Stamped in gold; but that's insculp'd upon; Lies all within.—Deliver me the key: Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may ! 60 Por. There, take it, prince; and if my form lie there, Then I am yours. O hell! what have we here? [He unlocks the golden casket. 64 Mor. All that glisters is not gold, Had you been as wise as bold, 70 Your answer had not been inscroll'd: Fare you well; your suit is cold. Cold, indeed; and labour lost : Then, farewell, heat; and, welcome, frost. 75 Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart Por. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. [Exeunt. [Exit. SCENE VIII. Venice. A street. Enter SALARINO and SOLANIO. Salar. Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail : 'That in a gondola were seen together Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.' 2 With him is Gratiano gone along; And in their ship, I am sure Lorenzo is not. Solan. The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. 5 Salar. He came too late, the ship was under sail : Solan. I never heard a passion so confus'd, ΙΟ My daughter!-O my ducats!-O my daughter! 15 Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter! Salar. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Crying,--his stones, his daughter, and his ducats. Solan. Let good Antonio look he keep his day, 25 Or he shall pay for this. Salar. Marry, well remember'd. I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday, Who told me,-in the narrow seas, that part The French and English, there miscarrièd A vessel of our country, richly fraught: I thought upon Antonio, when he told me ; And wish'd, in silence, that it were not his. 30 Solan. You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. Salar. A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio part : Bassanio told him, he would make some speed And for the Few's bond, which he hath of me, He wrung Bassanio's hand; and so they parted. 36 40 45 51 Salar. Do we so. [Exeunt. SCENE IX. Belmont. Enter NERISSA, with a Servant. Ner. Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight; The prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, Flourish of Cornets. Enter the Prince of ARRAGON, Por. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince : If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, 5 Arr. 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, Por. To these injunctions every one doth swear, That comes to hazard for my worthless self. ΙΟ 15 Arr. And so have I address'd me. Fortune now To my heart's hope!-Gold, silver, and base lead. Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. 20 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 !---That many may be meant By the fool multitude, that choose by show, 25 Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet, Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty. 30 35 Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume |