READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, scenes v–ix |
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Act II, Scene ix:
Belmont. A room in PORTIA's house.
Belmont. A room in PORTIA's house.
| [Enter NERISSA, with a SERVITOR.] |
| NERISSA: |
| 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. Enter the PRINCE OF ARRAGON, PORTIA, andtheir Trains.] |
| PORTIA: |
| Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince: |
| If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, |
| Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd; |
| But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, |
| You must be gone from hence immediately. |
| ARRAGON: |
| 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 fail in fortune of my choice, |
| Immediately to leave you and be gone. |
| PORTIA: |
| To these injunctions every one doth swear |
| That comes to hazard for my worthless self. |
| ARRAGON: |
| 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.' |
| 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, |
| Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; |
| Which pries not to th' interior, but, like the martlet, |
| Builds in the weather on the outward wall, |
| Even in the force and road 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. |
| 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? Let none presume |
| To wear an undeserved dignity. |
| O! that estates, degrees, and offices |
| Were not deriv'd corruptly, and 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 glean'd |
| From the true seed of honour; and how much honour |
| Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times |
| To be new varnish'd! 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, |
| And instantly unlock my fortunes here. |
| [He opens the silver casket.] |
| PORTIA: |
| Too long a pause for that which you find there. |
| ARRAGON: |
| 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 chooseth 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? |
| PORTIA: |
| To offend, and judge, are distinct offices, |
| And of opposed natures. |
| ARRAGON: |
| What is here? |
 'The fire seven times tried this; |
| Seven times tried that judgment 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, |
| Silver'd o'er, and so was this. |
| Take what wife you will to bed, |
| I will ever be your head: |
| So be gone; you are sped.' |
| 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 ARAGON with his train.] |
| PORTIA: |
| Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth. |
| O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose, |
| They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. |
| NERISSA: |
| The ancient saying is no heresy: |
| 'Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.' |
| PORTIA: |
| Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. |
| [Enter a SERVANT.] |
| SERVANT: |
| Where is my lady? |
| PORTIA: |
| Here; what would my lord? |
| SERVANT: |
| 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. |
| PORTIA: |
| No more, I pray thee; I am half afeard |
| 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 |
| Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly. |
| NERISSA: |
| Bassanio, lord Love, if thy will it be! |
| [Exeunt.] |
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