Act II Scene 1 Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO
and his train; PORTIA, NERISSA, and others
attending

 

MOROCCO Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd 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,
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
Have loved 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 led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:
But if my father had not scanted me
And hedged 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
As any comer I have look'd 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
That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
I would outstare 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 Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:
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.
PORTIA You must take your chance,
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 advised.
MOROCCO Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
PORTIA First, forward to the temple: after dinner
Your hazard shall be made.
MOROCCO Good fortune then!
To make me blest or cursed'st among men.
  [Cornets, and exeunt]

 

To view other scenes from the show: 

Full Text Act II, Scene 8 Venice A Street
Act I, Scene 1 Venice A Street. Act II, Scene 9 Belmont A room in Portia's House
Act I, Scene 2 Belmont A room in Portia's House. Act III, Scene 1 Venice a street
Act I, Scene 3 Venice A public place. Act III, Scene 2 Belmont A room in Portia's House
Act II, Scene 1 Belmont A room in Portia's House. Act III, Scene 3 Venice a street
Act II, Scene 2 Venice a street Act III, Scene 4 Belmont A room in Portia's House
Act II, Scene 3 Venice A room in Shylock's house. Act III, Scene 5 The Same A garden
Act II, Scene 4 The Same a street. Act IV, Scene 1 Venice A court of Justice
Act II, Scene 5 Before Shylock's house. Act IV, Scene 2 The same a street
Act II, Scene 6 The same. Act V, Scene 1Avenue to Portia's House
Act II, Scene 7 Belmont A room in Portia's House

 

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King Lear Loves Labour's Lost Loves Labour's Wonne Macbeth Measure for Measure Merchant of Venice
The Merry Wives of Windsor A Mid Summer Night's Dream  Much Ado About Nothing Othello Pericles Richard II
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