Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. Lor. So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the run-away, Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight. [Exit, from above. Gra. Now by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew.7 Lor. Beshrew me, but I love her heartily: For she is wise, if I can judge of her ; And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true; Enter JESSICA, below. What, art thou come ?-On, gentlemen, away; [Exit with JES. and SALAR. Enter ANTONIO. Ant. Who's there? Gra. Signior Antonio? Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest? 'Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you:No masque to-night; the wind is come about, Bassanio presently will go aboard: 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. [Exeunt. Flourish of Cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the Prince of Mc rocco, and both their Trains. Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince : [7] A jest arising from the ambiguity of Gentile, which (signifies both Heathen, and one well born. JOHNSON. 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 ? Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince ; If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Mor. Some god direct my judgment! 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; As much as I deserve -Why, that's the lady! To stop the foreign spirits; but they come, As o'er a brook, to see fair Portia. One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Was set in worse than gold. They have in England Stamped in gold; but that's insculp'd upon ;9 Lies all within.-Deliver me the key; Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may ! Por. There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there, Then I am yours. [He unlocks the golden casket, Mor. O hell! what have we here? A carrion death, within whose empty eye Often have you heard that told: Cold, indeed; and labour lost : Then, farewell, heat; and, welcome, frost. Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart To take a tedious leave: thus losers part. [Exit. Por. A gentle riddance :-Draw the curtains, go ; Let all of his complexion choose me so. [Exeunt. SCENE VIII. Venice. A Street. Enter SALARINO and SALANIO. Salar. Why man, I saw Bassanio under sail; With him is Gratiano gone along ; And in their ship, I am sure, Lorenzo is not. i.e. inclose, as the ribs inclose the viscera. STEEVENS. The meaning is, that the figure of the angel is raised or embossed on the coin, not engraved on it. TUTET. Salan. The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. Salar. He came too late, the ship was under sail : Of double ducats, stol'n from me by my daughter! Salar. Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Salar. Marry, well remember'd : I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday; Salan. You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. Salar. A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: Bassanio told him, he would make some speed |