READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, scenes i–iv |
|
Act II, Scene i:
Belmont. A room in PORTIA's house.
Belmont. A room in PORTIA's house.
| [Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE of MOROCCO, and hisFollowers;PORTIA, NERISSA, and Others of her train.] |
| PRINCE OF Morocco. |
| Mislike me not for my complexion, |
| The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun, |
| To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. |
| Bring me the fairest creature northward born, |
| Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles, |
| And let us make incision for your love |
| To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. |
| I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine |
| Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love, I swear |
| The best-regarded virgins of our clime |
| Have lov'd it too. I would not change this hue, |
| Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen. |
| PORTIA: |
| In terms of choice I am not solely led |
| By nice direction of a maiden's eyes; |
| Besides, the lottery of my destiny |
| Bars me the right of voluntary choosing; |
| But, if my father had not scanted me |
| And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself |
| His wife who wins me by that means I told you, |
| Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair |
| As any comer I have look'd on yet |
| For my affection. |
| PRINCE OF MOROCCO: |
| Even for that I thank you: |
| Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets |
| To try my fortune. By this scimitar,— |
| That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince, |
| That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,— |
| I would o'erstare the sternest eyes that look, |
| Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, |
| Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, |
| Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, |
| To win thee, lady. But, alas the while! |
| If Hercules and Lichas play at dice |
| Which is the better man, the greater throw |
| May turn by fortune from the weaker hand: |
| So is Alcides beaten by his page; |
| And so may I, blind Fortune leading me, |
| Miss that which one unworthier may attain, |
| And die with grieving. |
| PORTIA: |
| You must take your chance, |
| And either not attempt to choose at all, |
| Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong, |
| Never to speak to lady afterward |
| In way of marriage; therefore be advis'd. |
| PRINCE OF MOROCCO: |
| Nor will not; come, bring me unto my chance. |
| PORTIA: |
| First, forward to the temple: after dinner |
| Your hazard shall be made. |
| PRINCE OF MOROCCO: |
| Good fortune then! |
| To make me blest or cursed'st among men! |
| [Cornets, and exeunt.] |
|
|
||||
|
