PORTIA

By my troth Nerrissa, my little body is aweary of this great world. Good sentences, and well pronounced. If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, Chapels had been Churches, and poor men's cottages Princes Palaces, it is a good divine that follows his own instructions, I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, then to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching: the brain may de vise laws for the blood, but a hight temper leaps over a cold de cree, such a hare is madness the youth, to skip over the meshes of good counsel the cripple; but this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband, o me the word choose, I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a lie ving daughter curbed by the will of a dead father: is it not harden Nerrissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none. That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, and swore he would pay him again when he was able: I think the Frenchman became his surety, and sealed under for another. Therefore for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep glass of Reynishe wine on the contrary Casket, for if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. I will do any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a sponge. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I think so was he called. I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise. How now, what news? In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maidens eyes: Beside, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing: But if my Father had not scanted me, And hedgd me by his wit to yield my self His wife, who wins me by that means I told you, Your self (renowned Prince) than stood as fair As any commer I have looked on yet For my affection. You must take your chance, And either not attempt to choose at all, Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong Never to speak to Lady afterwards In way of marriage, therefore be advised. First forward to the temple, after dinner Your hazard shall be made. Too long a pause for that which you find there. To offend and judge are distinct offices, And of opposed nature's. Thus hath the candle singd the moath: Oh these deliberate fools when they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. Come draw the curtain Nerrissa. Here, what would my Lord? No more I pray thee, I am half afeard Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spendest such high day wit in praising him: Come come Nerryssa, for I long to see Quick Cupid's Post that comes so mannerly. I pray you tarry, pause a day or two Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong I lose your company; therefore forbear a while, Theres something tells me (but it is not love) I would not lose you, and you know your self, Hate counsels not in such a quality; But least you should not understand me well, And yet a maiden hath no tongue, but thought, I would detain you here some month or two before you venture for me. 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, yowl make me wish a sin, That I had been forsworn: Beshrew your eyes, They have overlooked me and divided me, One half of me is yours, the other half yours, Mine own I would say: but if mine then yours, And so all yours; o these naughty times puts bars between the owners and their rights, And so though yours, not yours, (prove it so) Let Fortune go to hell for it, not I. I speak too long, but 'tis to peize the time, To each it, and to draw it out in length, To stay you from election. Well then, confess and live. Away then, I am locktin one of them, If you do love me, you will find me out. Nerryssa and the rest, stand all aloof, Let music found while he does make his choice, Then if he lose he makes a Swanlike end, Fading in music. That the comparison may stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream and watery deathbed for him: he may win, And what is music than? Than music is even as the flourish, when true subjects bow to a new crowned Monarch: Such it is, As are those dulcet sounds in break of day, That creep into the dreaming bridegrooms ear, And summon him to marriage. Now he goes with no less presence, but with much more love Then young Alcides, when he did redeem The virgin tribute, paid by howling Troy To the Sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice, The rest alo are the Dardanian wives: With bleared visages come forth to view The issue of exploit: Go Hercules, Live thou, I live with much much more dismay, I view the fight, then thou that makest the fray. Tell me where is fancy bred, Or in the heart, or in the head, How beget, how nourished? Reply, reply. It is engendered in the eye, With gazing fed, and Fancy die: In the cradle where it lies I et us all ring Fancies knell. I'll begin it. Ding, dung, bell. They shall Nerrissa: but in such a habit, that they shall think we are accomplished with that we lack; I'll hold thee any wager when we are both accoutered Like young men, isle prove the prettier fellow of the two, and wear my dagger with the braver grace, and speak between the change of man and boy, wi'h a read voice, and turn two mincing steps into a manly stride; and speak of frays Like a fine bragging youth: and tell quaint lies how honourable Ladies sought my love, which I denying, they fell sick and died. I could not do withal: then isle repent, and wish for all that, that I had not killed them; And twenty of these puny lies isle tell, that men shall swear I have discontinued school above a twelvemonth: I have within my mind a thousand raw tricks of these bragging lacks, which I will practice. Fie, what a question's that, if thou Wertenberg never a lewd interpreter: But come, isle tell thee all my my whole device when I am in my coach, which stays for us at the Park gate; and therefore hast away, for we must measure twenty miles to day I did my Lord. I pray thee ouer-name them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them, and according to my description level at my affection. I thats a colt indeed, for he does nothing but talk of his horse, & he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoo him himself: I am much afeard my Lady his mother played false with a Smyth. He does nothing but frown (as who should say, & you will not have me, choose, he hears merry tales and smiles not, I fear he will prove the weeping Philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth,) I had rather be married to a death's head with a bone in his mouth, then to ey there of these: God defend me from these two. God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man, in truth I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he, why he hath a horse better then the Neopolitans, a better bade habit of frowning then the Count Palentine, he is every man in no man, if a Trassell sing, he falls Straight a capering, he will fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I should marry twenty husbands: if he would despise me, I would forgive him, for if he love me to mad nes, I shall never requite him. You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian, & you will come into the Court and swear that I have a poor penny worth in the English: he is a proper men picture, but alas who can converse with a dumb show? how oddly he is suited, I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bon net in Germany, and his behaviour every where. Very vildly in the morning when he is sober, and most vildly in the afternoon when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse then a man, & when he is worst he is little better then a beast, and the worst fallen that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. If I live to be as old as Sibilla, I will die as chased as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my Father's will: I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence: & I pray God grant them a fair departure. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a Saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me then wive me. Come Nerrissa, sirrah go before: while we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. There take it Prince, and if my form lie there then I am yours? A gentle riddance, draw the curtains, go, Let all of his complexion choose me so. Behold, there stand the caskets noble Prince, if you choose that wherein I am contained straight shall our nuptial rights be solemnized: but if you fail, without more speech my Lord you must be gone from hence immediately. To these injunctions every one does swear that comes to hazard for my worthless self. Upon the rack Bassanio, then confess what treason there is mingled with your love. I but I fear you speak upon the rack where men inforced do speak any thing. How all the other passion fleet to air, As doubtful thoughts, and rash embraced despair And shyddring fear, and greene-eyed jealousy. Oh love be moderate, allay thy ecstasy, In measure rain thy joy, scant this excosse, I feel too much thy blessing, make it less for fear I surfeit. You see me Lord Bassamo where I stand, such as I am; though for my self alone I would not be ambitious in my wish to wish my self much better, yet for you, I would be trebled twenty times my self, a thousand times more fair, ten, thousand times more rich, that only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauty's, livings, friends exceed account: but the full sum of me is fume of something: which to term in gross, is and vnlessond girl, vnschoold, unpractised, happy in this, she is not yet so old but she may learn: happier then this, she is not bred so dull but she can learn; happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit commits it self to yours to be directed, as from her Lord, her governor, her King. My self, and what is mine, to you and yours is now converted. But now I was the Lord of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen over my self: and even now, but now, this house, these servants, and this same my self are yours, my Lords, I give them with this ring, which when you partly from, lose, or give away, let it presage the ruin of your love, and be my vantage to exclaim on you. Is this true Nerrissa? So do I my Lord, they are entirely welcome. There are some shroud contents in yond same paper that steals the colour from Bassanios cheek, some deer friend dead, else nothing in the world could turn so much the constitution of any constant man: what worse and worse? With leave Bassanio I am half your self, and I must freely have the half of any thing that this same paper brings you. Is it your decree friend that is thus in trouble? What sum owes he the Jew? What no more, pay him six thousand, & deface the bound: double six thousand and then Triple that, before a friend of this description shall loose a hair through Bassanios fault. First go with me to Church, and call me wife, and then away to Venice to your friend: for never shall you lie by Portia's side with and unquiet soul. You shall have gold to pay the petty debt twenty times over. When it is paid, bring your true friend along, my maid Nerrissa, and my self mean time will live as maids and widows; come away, for you shall hence upon your wedding day: bid your Friends welcome, show a merry cheer, since you are deer bought, I will love you decree. But let me hear the letter of your friend. Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my Creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bound to the Jew is forfeit, and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleerd between you and I if I might but see you at my death: notwithstanding, use your plea sure, if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Oh love! dispatch all business and be gone. I never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now: for in companions that do converse and wast the time together, whose souls do bear and equal yoke of love, there must be needs a Like proportion of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit; which makes me think that this Anthonio being the bosom lover of my Lord, must needs be Like my Lord. If it be so, How little is the cost I have bestowed in purchasing the semblance of my soul; From out the state of hellish cruelty, This comes too near the praising of my self, Therefore no more of it: here other things Lorenso I commit into your hands, The husbandry and manage of my house, Until my Lords return: for mine own partly I have towards heaven breathed a secret vow, To live in prayer and contemplation, Only attended by Nerrissa here, Until her husband and my Lords return, There is a Monastery two miles off, And there we will abide. I do desire you not to deny this imposition, the which my love and some necessity now lays upon you. My people do already know my mind, And will acknowledge you and Jessica in place of Lord Bassanio and my self. So far you well till we shall meet again. I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased to wish it back on you: far you well Jessica. Now Balthaser, as I have ever found thee honest true, So let me find thee still: take this same letter, and use thou all th'indeuour of a man, In speed to Mantua see thou render this into my cousin hands Doctor Belario, And look what notes and garments he does give thee, bring them I pray thee with imagined speed unto the Tranect, to the common Ferry which trades to Venice; wast no time in words but get thee gone, I shall be there before thee. I am informed thoroughly of the cause, which is the Merchant here? and which the Jew? Is your name Shylocke? Of a strange nature is the suit you follow, yet in such rule, that the Venetian law cannot impugn you as you do proceed. You stand within his danger, do you not. Do you confess the bound? Then must the Jew be merciful. The quality of mercy is not strained, it drops as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice blessed, it blesses him that gives, and him that takes, 'tis mightiest in the mightiest, it becomes the throned Monarch better then his crown. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty, wherein does fit the dread and fear of Kings: but mercy is above this sceptred sway, it is enthroned in the hearts of Kings, it is and attribute to God himself; and earthly power does then show likest gods when mercy seasons justice: therefore Jew, though justice be thy plea, consider this, that in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation: we do pray for mercy, and that same prayer, does teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much to mitigate the justice of thy plea, which if thou follow, this strict Court of Venice must needs give sentence gainst the Merchant there. Is he not able to discharge the money? It must not be, there is no power in Venice can altar a decree established: 'twill be recorded for a precedent, and many and error by the same example will rush into the state, it cannot be. I pray you let me look upon the bound. Shylocke theres thrice thy money offered thee. Why this bound is forfeit, and lawfully by this the Jew may claim a pound of flesh, to be by him cut off nearest the Merchant's heart: be merciful, take thrice thy money, bid me tear the bound. Why than thus it is, you must prepare your bosom for his knife. For the intent and purpose of the law hath full relation to the penalty, which here appears endue upon the bound. Therefore lay bore your bosom. It is so, are there balance here to weigh the flesh? Have by some Surgeon Shylocke on your charge, to stop his wounds, least he do bleed to death. It is not so expressed, but what of that? It good you do so much for charity. You Merchant, have you any thing to say? Your wife would give you little thanks for that if she were by to hear you make the offer. A pound of that same Merchant's flesh is thine, the Court awards it, and the law does give it. And you must cut this flesh from off his breast, the law allows it, and the court awards it. Tarry a little, there is some thing else, this bound does give thee here no jot of blood, the words expressly are a pound of flesh: take then thy bound, take thou thy pound of flesh, but in the cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice. Thy self shalt see the Act: for as thou urgest justice, be assured thou shalt have justice more then thou desirest. Soft, the Jew shall have all justice, soft no hast, he shall have nothing but the penalty. Therefore prepare thee to cut of the flesh, Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more but joust a pound of flesh: if thou takest more or less then a joust pound, be it but so much as makes it light of heavy in the substance, or the division of the twentieth partly of one poor scruple, nay if the scale do turn but in the estimation of a hair, thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. Why does the Jew pause, take thy forfeiture. He hath refused it in the open Court, he shall have merely justice and his bound. Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture to be so taken at thy peril Jew. Tarry Jew, the law hath yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice, if it be proved against and alien, that by direct, or indirect attempts he seek the life of any Citizen, the party gainst the which he does contrive, shall seize one half his goods, the other half comes to the privy cofler of the State, and the offenders life lies in the mercy of the Duke only, gainst all other voice. In which predicament I say thou standest: for it appears by manifest proceeding, that indirectly, and directly to thou hast contrived against the very life of the defendant: and thou hast incurd the danger formorly by me rehearsed. Down therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke. I for the state, not for Anthonio. What mercy can you render him Anthonio? Art thou contented Jew? what dost thou say? Clarke, draw a deed of gift. I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon, I must away this night towards Padua, and it is meet I presently set forth. He is well paid that is well satisfied, and I delivering you, am satisfied, and therein do account my self well paid, my mind was never yet more mercenary. I pray you know me when we meet again, I wish you well, and so I take my leave. You press me far, and therefore I will yield, give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake, and for your love isle take this ring from you, do not draw back your hand, isle take no more, and you in love shall not deny me this? I will have nothing else but only this, and now me thinks I have a mind to it? I see sir you are liberal in offers, you taught me first to beg, and now me thinks you teach me how a beggar should be answered. That scuse serves many men to save their gifts, and if your wife be not a mad woman, and know how well I have deserved this ring, she would not hold out enemy for ever for giving it to me: well, peace be with you. Inquire the Jews house out, give him this deed, and let him sign it, weel away to night, and be a day before our husbands home: this deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo? That cannot be; his ring I do accept most thankfully, and so I pray you tell him: furthermore, I pray you show my youth old Shylockes house. Thou mayest I warrant, we shall have old swearing that they did give the rings away to men; but wele outface them, and outswear them to: away, make hast, thou knowest where I will tarry. That light we see is burning in my hall: how far that little candle throws his beams, so shines a good deed in a naughty world. So doth the greater glory dim the less, a substitute shines brightly as a King until a King be by, and then his state empties it self, as does and inland brook into the main of waters: music hark. Nothing is good I see without respect, me thinks it sounds much sweeter then by day? The Crow does sing as sweetly as the Lark when neither is attended: and I think the Nightingale if she should sing by day when every Goose is cackling, would be thought no better a Musician then the Run? How many things by season, seasond are to their right praise, and true perfection: Peace, how the moon sleeps with Endymion, and would not be awaked. He knows me as the blind man knows the Cuckoe by the bade voice? We have been praying for our husbands welfare, which speed we hope the better for our words: are they returned? Go in Nerrissa. Give order to my servants, that they take no note at all of our being absent hence, nor you Lorenzo, Jessica nor you. This night me thinks is but the day light sick, it looks a little paler, 'tis a day, such as the day is when the sun is hid. Let me give light, but let me not be light, for a light wife does make a heavy husband, and never be Bassanio so for me, but God sort all: you are welcome home my Lord. You should in all sense be much bound to him, for as I hear he was much bound for you. Sir, you are very welcome to our house: it must appear in other ways then words, therefore I scant this breathing courtesy. A quarrel hoe already, what's the matter? You were to blame, I must be plain with you, to partly so slightly with your wives first gift, a thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger, and so riveted with faith unto your flesh. I gave my Love a ring, and made him swear never to partly with it, and here he stands: I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it, nor pluck it from his finger, for the wealth that the world masters. Now in faith Gratiano you give your wife too unkind a cause of grief, and it to me I should be mad at it. What ring gave you my Lord? Not that I hope which you received of me. Even so void is your false heart of truth. By heaven I will never come in your bed until I see the ring? If you had known the virtue of the ring, or half her worthiness that gave the ring, or your own honour to contain the ring, you would not then have parted with the ring: what man is there so much unreasonable if you had pleased to have defended it with any terms of zeal: wanted the modesty to urge the thing held as a ceremony: Nerrissa teaches me what to believe, isle die for't, but some woman had the ring? Let not that Doctor ere come near my house since he hath God the jewel that I loved, and that which you did swear to keep for me, I will become as liberal as you, I'll not deny him any thing I have, no, not my body, nor my husbands bed: Know him I shall, I am well sure of it. Lie not a night from home. Watch me Like Argos, if you do not, if I be left alone, now by mine honour which is yet mine own. isle have that Doctor for mine bedfellow. Sir, grieve not you, you are welcome notwithstanding. Mark you but that? In both my eyes he doubly sees himself: In each eye one, swear by your double self, and there's and oath of credit. Then you shall be his surety: give him this, and bid him keep it better then the other. I had it of him: pardon me Bassanio, for by this ring the Doctor lay with me. Speak not so grossly, you are all amazed; Here is a letter, read it at your leisure, It comes from Padua from Bellario, there you shall find that Portia was the Doctor, Nerrissa there her Clarke. Lorenzo here shall witness I set forth as soon as you, and even but now returned: I have not yet entered my house. Anthonio you are welcome, and I have better news in store for you than you expect: unseal this letter soon, there you shall find three of your Argosies are richly come to harbour suddenly. You shall not know by what strange accident I chanced on this letter. How now Lorenzo? my Clarke hath some good comforts to for you. It is almost morning, and yet I am sure you are not satisfied of these events at full. Let us go in, and charge us there upon intergotories, and we will answer all things faithfully. Come on Nerrissa, I have work in hand That you yet know not of; weel see our husbands before they think of us?