Scene First.

Act Third.

BELMONT. A ROOM IN PORTIA'S HOUse.
THREE CASKETS, -GOLD, SILVER AND
LEAD, ON TABLE, C. BASSANIO, POR-
TIA, GRATIANO, Nerissa, anD ATTEND-

ANTS DISCOVERED.

Bass.

I am enjoined by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to any one

Which casket 't was 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.

Por.

To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

Bass.

And so have I addressed me: Fortune now
To my heart's hope!

Por.

I pray you, tarry; pause a day or two,
Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,
I lose your company; therefore, forbear a while:
There's something tells me, but it is not love,
I would not lose you; and you know yourself,
Hate counsels not in such a quality.

I could teach you

How to choose right, but then I am forsworn ;
So will I never be: so may you miss me;
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,
That I had been forsworn.

I speak too long; but 't is to peize the time,
To eke it, and to draw it out in length,
To stay you from election.

Let me choose;

Bass.

For, as I am, I live upon the rack.

Come, let me to my fortune and the caskets!

Away then.

Por.

I am locked in one of them;

If you do love me you will find me out.
Nerissa, and the rest, stand all aloof.

[They retire.

Let music sound, while he doth make his choice;

Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end,

Fading in music: that the comparison

May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream,
And watery death-bed for him.

[Music, while Bassanio speaks what follows.

Bass.

Some good direct my judgment! — Let me see.— "Who chooseth me shall gain

What many men desire."

That may be meant

[Reads on casket.

Of the fool multitude that choose by show.
The world is still deceived with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt,
But, being seasoned with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
What damnèd error, but some sober brow
Will bless it, and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament ?

Thus ornament is but the guiled shore

To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty.

Therefore, thou gaudy gold,

Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee.

"Who chooseth me shall, get} [Reads on second casket.

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?

O, that estates, degrees, and offices,

Were not derived corruptly! and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
And how much honour

Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times,

To be new varnished!

"Much as he deserves."

I'll not assume desert.

"Who chooseth me must give

And hazard all he hath."

}

[Reads on third casket.

I'll none of thee, thou pale and common drudge
'Tween man and man. But thou, thou meagre lead,
Which rather threat'nest than dost promise aught,
Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence,
And here choose I. Joy be the consequence!

Por.

How all the other passions fleet to air!
O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy;
I feel too much thy blessing; make it less,
For fear I surfeit !

What find I here ?

Fair Portia's counterfeit ?

Here's the scroll,

Bass.

[Opening the leaden casket.

The continent and summary of my fortune: