Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act 2 - Scene 1
Belmont. A room in PORTIA’S house.
Prince of Morocco : Mislike me not for my complexion,
[p]The shadow'd livery of the
burnish'd sun,
[p]To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
[p]Bring me
the fairest creature northward born,
[p]Where Phoebus' fire scarce
thaws the icicles,
[p]And let us make incision for your love,
[p]To
prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
[p]I tell thee, lady, this
aspect of mine
[p]Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love I swear
[p]The
best-regarded virgins of our clime
[p]Have loved it too: I would not
change this hue,
[p]Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
Portia : In terms of choice I am not solely led
[p]By nice direction of a
maiden's eyes;
[p]Besides, the lottery of my destiny
[p]Bars me the
right of voluntary choosing:
[p]But if my father had not scanted
me
[p]And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself
[p]His wife who wins
me by that means I told you,
[p]Yourself, renowned prince, then stood
as fair
[p]As any comer I have look'd on yet
[p]For my affection.
Prince of Morocco : Even for that I thank you:
[p]Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the
caskets
[p]To try my fortune. By this scimitar
[p]That slew the Sophy
and a Persian prince
[p]That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
[p]I
would outstare the sternest eyes that look,
[p]Outbrave the heart most
daring on the earth,
[p]Pluck the young sucking cubs from the
she-bear,
[p]Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
[p]To win
thee, lady. But, alas the while!
[p]If Hercules and Lichas play at
dice
[p]Which is the better man, the greater throw
[p]May turn by
fortune from the weaker hand:
[p]So is Alcides beaten by his
page;
[p]And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
[p]Miss that which
one unworthier may attain,
[p]And die with grieving.
Portia : You must take your chance,
[p]And either not attempt to choose at
all
[p]Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
[p]Never to
speak to lady afterward
[p]In way of marriage: therefore be advised.
Prince of Morocco : Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
Portia : First, forward to the temple: after dinner
[p]Your hazard shall be
made.
Prince of Morocco : Good fortune then!
[p]To make me blest or cursed'st among men.
Previous: Act 1 - Scene 3
Next: Act 2 - Scene 2
