Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly, Por. To these injunctions everyone doth swear Arr. And so have I address'd me. Fortune now To my heart's hope! - Gold, silver, and base lead. 66 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.” Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; 66 Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves." And well said too: for who shall go about To cozen fortune, and be honorable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O, that estates, degrees, and offices Were not derived corruptly! and that clear honor Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! 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, And instantly unlock my fortunes here. [He opens the silver casket]. Por. Too long a pause for that which you find there. Arr. 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! 66 Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves." Did I not deserve no more than a fool's head? Is that my prize? are my deserts no better? Por. T'offend, and judge, are distinct offices, And of opposed natures. 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. [Exeunt ARRAGON and train. Enter BASSANIO Bassanio. So may the outward shows be least themselves: The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, There is no vice so simple but assumes To be the dowry of a second head, The skull that bred them in the sepulchre. Thus ornament is but the guilèd shore To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf The seeming truth which cunning times put on Nor none of thee, thou stale and common drudge Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence; And here choose I: Joy be the consequence! [Opening the leaden casket]. What find I here? Fair Portia's counterfeit! Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune: You that choose not by the view Chance as fair, and choose as true: Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new. If you be well pleased with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is, And claim her with a loving kiss. Por. You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am: though, for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish, To wish myself much better; yet, for you I would be trebled twenty times myself; A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich: That, only to stand high on your account, Is sum of something; which, to term in gross, But she may learn; then happier in this, And be my vantage to exclaim on you. COMFORTAS While Comfortas was still a child, his father, the king, was called to a distant land to put down a war. After many days he returned, having journeyed far and having gathered much treasure. All the city went forth to greet the king and brought him with shouts to his own city. Afterward, when every man had returned to his own house, the king went into the palace to re |