The Merchant Of Venice

1 Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Morocco, a tawny Moor all in
2 white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa
3 and their train.
4 PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
5 Mislike me not for my complexion,
6 The shadowed livery of the burnish’d sun,
7 To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
8 Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
9 Where Phœbus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,
10 And let us make incision for your love
11 To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
12 I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
13 Hath fear’d the valiant; by my love I swear
14 The best-regarded virgins of our clime
15 Have lov’d it too. I would not change this hue,
16 Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
17 PORTIA.
18 In terms of choice I am not solely led
19 By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes;
20 Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny
21 Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.
22 But if my father had not scanted me
23 And hedg’d me by his wit to yield myself
24 His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
25 Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair
26 As any comer I have look’d on yet
27 For my affection.
28 PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
29 Even for that I thank you.
30 Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets
31 To try my fortune. By this scimitar
32 That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince,
33 That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
34 I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look,
35 Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,
36 Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
37 Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
38 To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!
39 If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
40 Which is the better man, the greater throw
41 May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
42 So is Alcides beaten by his rage,
43 And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,
44 Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
45 And die with grieving.
46 PORTIA.
47 You must take your chance,
48 And either not attempt to choose at all,
49 Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
50 Never to speak to lady afterward
51 In way of marriage. Therefore be advis’d.
52 PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
53 Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
54 PORTIA.
55 First, forward to the temple. After dinner
56 Your hazard shall be made.
57 PRINCE OF MOROCCO.
58 Good fortune then,
59 To make me blest or cursed’st among men!
60 [_Cornets. Exeunt._]