Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Morocco, a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa and their train.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Mislike me not for my complexion,The shadowed livery of the burnish’d sun,To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.Bring me the fairest creature northward born,Where Phœbus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,And let us make incision for your loveTo prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mineHath fear’d the valiant; by my love I swearThe best-regarded virgins of our climeHave lov’d it too. I would not change this hue,Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
PORTIA
In terms of choice I am not solely ledBy nice direction of a maiden’s eyes;Besides, the lott’ry of my destinyBars me the right of voluntary choosing.But if my father had not scanted meAnd hedg’d me by his wit to yield myselfHis wife who wins me by that means I told you,Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fairAs any comer I have look’d on yetFor my affection.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Even for that I thank you.Therefore I pray you lead me to the casketsTo try my fortune. By this scimitarThat slew the Sophythe title of the ruler of Persia, the Shah. and a Persian prince,That won three fields of Sultan SolymanSüleyman the Magnificent, the Ottoman sultan whose forces attacked Venetian possessions in the Mediterranean.,I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look,Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!If Hercules and LichasLichas, the servant of Hercules who unwittingly brought him the poisoned garment that caused his death. play at diceWhich is the better man, the greater throwMay turn by fortune from the weaker hand:So is AlcidesHercules, the Greek hero famed for immense strength and heroic labours. beaten by his rage,And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,Miss that which one unworthier may attain,And die with grieving.
PORTIA
You must take your chance,And either not attempt to choose at all,Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrongNever to speak to lady afterwardIn way of marriage. Therefore be advis’d.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
PORTIA
First, forward to the temple. After dinnerYour hazard shall be made.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Good fortune then,To make me blest or cursed’st among men!