THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Act 2 Scene 1

(Flourish of cornetts. Enter the Prince of Morocco, a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa, and their train)
l1l	Morocco	(to Portia)
		 Mislike me not for my complexion,
l2l		The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
l3l		To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
l4l		Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
l5l		Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,
l6l		And let us make incision for your love
l7l		To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
l8l		I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
l9l		Hath feared the valiant. By my love I swear,
l10l		The best regarded virgins of our clime
l11l		Have loved it too. I would not change this hue
l12l		Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
l13l	Portia	In terms of choice I am not solely led
l14l		By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.
l15l		Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny
l16l		Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.
l17l		But if my father had not scanted me,
l18l		And hedged me by his wit to yield myself
l19l		His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
l20l		Yourself, renownèd Prince, then stood as fair
l21l		As any comer I have looked on yet
l22l		For my affection.
	Morocco	Even for that I thank you.
l23l		Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets
l24l		To try my fortune. By this scimitar,
l25l		That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
l26l		That won three fields of Sultan Suleiman,
l27l		I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look,
l28l		Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,
l29l		Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
l30l		Yea, mock the lion when a roars for prey,
l31l		To win the lady. But alas the while,
l32l		If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
l33l		Which is the better man, the greater throw
l34l		May turn by fortune from the weaker hand.
l35l		So is Alcides beaten by his rage,
l36l		And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,
l37l		Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
l38l		And die with grieving.
	Portia	You must take your chance,
l39l		And either not attempt to choose at all,
l40l		Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
l41l		Never to speak to lady afterward
l42l		In way of marriage. Therefore be advised.
l43l	Morocco	Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
l44l	Portia	First, forward to the temple. After dinner
l45l		Your hazard shall be made.
	Morocco	Good fortune then,
l46l		To make me blest or cursèd’st among men.
		(Flourish of cornetts. Exeunt)