Scene I

[Belmont]

Enter Morocco a tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa, and their traine.

Flour[ish] cornets.

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 Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,(5)
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant; by my love, I swear,
The best-regarded virgins of our clime(10)
Have lov'd it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

MOROCCO:

Don’t dislike me for my complexion,
The dark clothing of the polished sun,
To whom I am a neighbor, and born near it.
Bring me the fairest creature born in the north,
Where the sun’s fire hardly thaws the icicles,
And let’s make a cut for your love
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell you, lady, this face of mine
Has feared the valiant; by my love, I swear
The best-regarded virgins of my country
Have loved it too. I would not change this color,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

PORTIA:

In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes:
Besides, the lottery of my destiny(15)
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But, if my father had not scanted me,
And hedg'd me by his wit, to yield myself
His wife, who wins me by that means I told you,
Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair(20)
As any comer I have look'd on yet,
For my affection.

PORTIA:

In terms of choice, I am not only led
By the nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Doesn’t give me the right to choose voluntarily;
But, if my father had not restricted me
And controlled me by his wit, to give myself
As his wife to the one who wins me by that means
I told you, you yourself, renowned Prince, would then
Stand as fair as any other man I have looked on yet
For my affection.

MOROCCO:

Even for that I thank you;
Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets,
To try my fortune. By this scimitar,—(25)
That slew the Sophy, and a Persian prince,
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,—
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,(30)
Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:(35)
So is Alcides beaten by his page;
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

MOROCCO:

I thank you, even for that:
So, please, lead me to the chests so I may
Try my luck. By this sword,—
That killed the Shah, a Persian prince,
That won three battles with Sultan Solomon,—
I would out stare the angriest eyes that look,
Outbrave the most daring heart on the earth,
Pluck the young, sucking cubs from their mother,
Yes, taunt the lion when he roars for prey,
To win you, lady. But, pity the time!
If Hercules and Lichas threw dice to decide
Who was the better man, the best throw
May be turned by luck to come from the weaker hand:
So Alcides was beaten by his boy servant;
And I might too, with blind Fortune leading me,
Miss that treasure which a more unworthy man may get,
And I’ll die from grieving.

PORTIA:

You must take your chance;(40)
And either not attempt to choose at all,
Or swear, before you choose,—if you choose wrong,
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage; therefore be advis'd.

PORTIA:

You must take your chance,
And either don’t attempt to choose at all,
Or swear before you choose that, if you choose wrong,
You will never to speak to me afterward
About marriage; so be advised.

MOROCCO:

Nor will not; come, bring me unto my chance.(45)

MOROCCO:

I will not. Come, bring me to my chance.

PORTIA:

First, forward to the temple; after dinner
Your hazard shall be made.

PORTIA:

First, forward to the temple: after dinner
Your choice shall be made.

MOROCCO:

Good fortune, then! Cornets.
To make me bless'd, or cursed'st among men.

MOROCCO:

Good fortune then!
To make me blessed or cursed among men!

Exeunt.