Cold, indeed, and labour lost.

Then, farewell heat, and welcome frost... Portia, adieu! I have too grieved a heart

To take a tedious leave: thus losers part.

[he departs with his retinue

[they go out

Portia. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so.

[2.8.]

A street in Venice

SALERIO and SOLANIO

Salerio. Why man, I saw Bassanio under sail, With him is Gratiano gone along;

And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.

Solanio. The villain Jew with outcries raised the duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship.

Salerio. He came too late, the ship was under sail,

But there the duke was given to understand
That in a gondola were seen together

Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.

Besides, Antonio certified the duke
They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
Solanio. I never heard a passion so confused,
So strange, outrageous, and so variable,
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets.
'My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!
Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!
Justice! the law! my ducats, and my daughter!
A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,
Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter!
And jewels-two stones, two rich and precious stones,
Stol'n by my daughter! Justice! find the girl!
She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats!'

Salerio. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats. Solanio. Let good Antonio look he keep his day, Or he shall pay for this.

Salerio. Marry, well remembred: I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday, Who told me, in the narrow seas that part The French and English, there miscarriéd A vessel of our country richly fraught: I thought upon Antonio when he told me, And wished in silence that it were not his. Solanio. You were best to tell Antonio what you hear— Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.

Salerio. A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.

I saw Bassanio and Antonio part.

Bassanio told him he would make some speed

Of his return: he answered, 'Do not so.
Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,
But stay the very riping of the time.

And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me,
Let it not enter in your mind of love:
Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts
To courtship, and such fair ostents of love
As shall conveniently become you there.'
And even there, his eye being big with tears,
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
And with affection wondrous sensible
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.
Solanio. I think he only loves the world for him.
I pray thee, let us go and find him out,

And quicken his embraced heaviness
With some delight or other.

Salerio.

Do we so. [they pass on

[2.9.] The hall of Portia's house at Belmont

A servitor on guard before the curtains;
NERISSA enters in haste

Nerissa. Quick, quick, I pray thee-draw the
curtain straight.

The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath,

And comes to his election presently.

[the curtains are drawn aside

PORTIA enters with the Prince of ARRAGON,
and their trains

Portia. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince.
If you choose that wherein I am contained,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized:
But if
you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
Arragon. I am enjoined by oath to observe
three things-

First, never to unfold to any one
Which casket 'twas 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.

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

Arragon. And so have I addressed me. Fortune now Το my heart's hope! [he turns to look upon the caskets Gold, silver, and base lead.... '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.'
What many men desire! that 'many' may be meant
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,
Which pries not to th'interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire,
Because I will not jump with common spirits,
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes....
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house!
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear:
'Who chooseth me shall get 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. Let none presume
To wear an undeservéd dignity...

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!
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honour! and how much honour
Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times,
To be new varnished...Well, but to my choice....
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.'
I will assume desert...[he takes up the silver casket] Give
me a key for this-

And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

[he opens

the casket, and starts back amazed (Portia. Too long a pause for that which you

find there.

Arragon. 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!

'Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.' Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?

Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?
Portia. To offend and judge are distinct offices,
And of opposéd natures.

Arragon [unfolds the paper].

What is here?

"The fire seven times tried this

Seven times tried that judgement is,
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss,
Such have but a shadow's bliss:
There be fools alive, I wis,
Silvered o'er-and so was this....
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone, you are sped.'
Still more fool I shall appear
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 roth.

[he departs with his train

Portia. Thus hath the candle singed the moth: O, these deliberate fools! when they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. Nerissa. The ancient saying is no heresy,

Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.

Portia. Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. [she does so