The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, 20 Enter LORENZO. Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode; Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait: When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, I'll watch as long for you then. Approach; Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within? Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes. Jes. Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. Lor. Lorenzo, and thy love. Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed, For who love I so much? And now who knows° 30 Lor. Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed of my exchange: But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit; For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me thus transformed to a boy. Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. 40 Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.° Why, 'tis an office of discovery,° love; And I should be obscured. Lor. So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the runaway, Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself 50 [Exit above. Gra. Now, by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew. Lor. Beshrew me° but I love her heartily; For she is wise, if I can judge of her; And true she is, as she hath proved herself; And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true, Enter JESSICA, below. What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away! [Exit with JESSICA and SALARINO. Enter ANTONIO. Ant. Who's there? Gra. Signior Antonio! Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano; where are all the rest? I have sent twenty° out to seek for you. Gra. I am glad on't: I desire no more delight Than to be under sail and gone to-night. SCENE VII. Belmont. A room in Portia's house. 60 [Exeunt. Flourish of cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and their trains. Por. Go draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince. Now make your choice. Mor. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears, "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire;" The second, silver, which this promise carries, “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves; This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,° "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath." How shall I know if I do choose the right? If Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince : you choose that, then I am yours withal.° ΙΟ Mor. Some god direct my judgement! Let me see; I will survey the inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket? "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath." A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, As much as I deserve! Why, that's the lady: The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds. To stop the foreign spirits°; but they come, 45 One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Is't like that lead contains her? "Twere damnation To think so base a thought: it were too gross 50 |