First folio
| Modern text
| Definitions
| Key line
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| Enter Nerrissa and a Seruiture. | Enter Nerissa and a Servitor | servitor (n.) servant | MV II.ix.1.1 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| Quick, quick I pray thee, draw the curtain strait, | Quick, quick I pray thee! Draw the curtain straight. | straight (adv.)straightaway, immediately, at once | MV II.ix.1 | |
| The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath, | The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, | | MV II.ix.2 | |
| And comes to his election presently. | And comes to his election presently. | election (n.)choice, preference | MV II.ix.3 | |
| | presently (adv.)immediately, instantly, at once | | |
| Enter Arragon, his traine, and Portia. Flor. Cornets. | Flourish of cornets. Enter Arragon, his train, and Portia | | MV II.ix.4 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Behold, there stand the caskets noble Prince, | Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince. | | MV II.ix.4 | |
| If you choose that wherein I am contain'd, | If you choose that wherein I am contained, | | MV II.ix.5 | |
| Straight shall our nuptiall rights be solemniz'd: | Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized; | straight (adv.)straightaway, immediately, at once | MV II.ix.6 | |
| But if thou faile, without more speech my Lord, | But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, | | MV II.ix.7 | |
| You must be gone from hence immediately. | You must be gone from hence immediately. | | MV II.ix.8 | |
| Ar. | ARRAGON | | | |
| I am enioynd by oath to obserue three things; | I am enjoined by oath to observe three things: | | MV II.ix.9 | |
| First, neuer to vnfold to any one | First, never to unfold to anyone | | MV II.ix.10 | |
| Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I faile | Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail | | MV II.ix.11 | |
| Of the right casket, neuer in my life | Of the right casket, never in my life | | MV II.ix.12 | |
| To wooe a maide in way of marriage: | To woo a maid in way of marriage; | | MV II.ix.13 | |
| Lastly, | Lastly, | | MV II.ix.14 | |
| if I doe faile in fortune of my choyse, | If I do fail in fortune of my choice, | | MV II.ix.15 | |
| Immediately to leaue you, and be gone. | Immediately to leave you and be gone. | | MV II.ix.16 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| To these iniunctions euery one doth sweare | To these injunctions everyone doth swear | | MV II.ix.17 | |
| That comes to hazard for my worthlesse selfe. | That comes to hazard for my worthless self. | hazard, come / go toplay dice, gamble | MV II.ix.18 | |
| Ar. | ARRAGON | | | |
| And so haue I addrest me, fortune now | And so have I addressed me. Fortune now | fortune (n.)lucky chance, good luck | MV II.ix.19 | |
| | address (v.)prepare, make ready, poise to act | | |
| To my hearts hope: gold, siluer, and base lead. | To my heart's hope! Gold, silver, and base lead. | base (adj.)non-precious, worthless, of low value | MV II.ix.20 | |
| Who chooseth me must giue and hazard all he hath. | Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath. | | MV II.ix.21 | |
| You shall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard. | You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard. | | MV II.ix.22 | |
| What saies the golden chest, ha, let me see: | What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see. | | MV II.ix.23 | |
| Who chooseth me, shall gaine what many men desire: | Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire. | | MV II.ix.24 | |
| What many men desire, that many may be meant | What many men desire; that ‘ many ’ may be meant | | MV II.ix.25 | |
| By the foole multitude that choose by show, | By the fool multitude that choose by show, | fool (adj.)foolish, silly | MV II.ix.26 | |
| Not learning more then the fond eye doth teach, | Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach, | fond (adj.)foolish, trifling, frivolous | MV II.ix.27 | |
| Which pries not to th' interior, but like the Martlet | Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet | martlet (n.)house-martin [which often builds its nest in churches] | MV II.ix.28 | |
| Builds in the weather on the outward wall, | Builds in the weather on the outward wall, | weather, in thein an exposed situation, open to the elements | MV II.ix.29 | |
| Euen in the force and rode of casualtie. | Even in the force and road of casualty. | road (n.)pathway, route, course | MV II.ix.30 | |
| | force (n.)[of weather] violence, turbulence, stress | | |
| | casualty (n.)mischance, misfortune, disaster | | |
| I will not choose what many men desire, | I will not choose what many men desire, | | MV II.ix.31 | |
| Because I will not iumpe with common spirits, | Because I will not jump with common spirits | jump (v.)agree, coincide, tally | MV II.ix.32 | |
| And ranke me with the barbarous multitudes. | And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. | | MV II.ix.33 | |
| Why then to thee thou Siluer treasure house, | Why then, to thee, thou silver treasure house. | | MV II.ix.34 | |
| Tell me once more, what title thou doost beare; | Tell me once more what title thou dost bear. | | MV II.ix.35 | |
| Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues: | Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. | | MV II.ix.36 | |
| And well said too; for who shall goe about | And well said too, for who shall go about | | MV II.ix.37 | |
| To cosen Fortune, and be honourable | To cozen fortune, and be honourable | cozen (v.)cheat, dupe, trick, deceive | MV II.ix.38 | |
| Without the stampe of merrit, let none presume | Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume | stamp (n.)impression, mark, imprint | MV II.ix.39 | |
| To weare an vndeserued dignitie: | To wear an undeserved dignity. | | MV II.ix.40 | |
| O that estates, degrees, and offices, | O that estates, degrees, and offices | estate (n.)high rank, standing, status | MV II.ix.41 | |
| | office (n.)role, position, place, function | | |
| | degree (n.)rank, station, standing | | |
| Were not deriu'd corruptly, and that cleare honour | Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour | clear (adj.)pure, spotless, faultless | MV II.ix.42 | |
| Were purchast by the merrit of the wearer; | Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! | purchase (v.)acquire, obtain, win | MV II.ix.43 | |
| How many then should couer that stand bare? | How many then should cover that stand bare, | cover (v.)put on one's hat [after it has been removed to show respect] | MV II.ix.44 | |
| How many be commanded that command? | How many be commanded that command; | | MV II.ix.45 | |
| How much low pleasantry would then be gleaned | How much low peasantry would then be gleaned | | MV II.ix.46 | |
| From the true seede of honor? And how much honor | From the true seed of honour, and how much honour | | MV II.ix.47 | |
| Pickt from the chaffe and ruine of the times, | Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times | ruin (n.)[metaphor for] destitute, case of hardship | MV II.ix.48 | |
| To be new varnisht: Well, but to my choise. | To be new varnished. Well, but to my choice. | varnished (adj.)embellished, decked out, adorned | MV II.ix.49 | |
| Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues. | Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. | | MV II.ix.50 | |
| I will assume desert; giue me a key for this, | I will assume desert. Give me a key for this, | desert, desart (n.)deserving, due recompense, right | MV II.ix.51 | |
| | assume (v.)acquire, adopt, take on | | |
| And instantly vnlocke my fortunes here. | And instantly unlock my fortunes here. | | MV II.ix.52 | |
| He opens the silver casket | | MV II.ix.53 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Too long a pause for that which you finde there. | Too long a pause for that which you find there. | | MV II.ix.53 | |
| Ar. | ARRAGON | | | |
| What's here, the portrait of a blinking idiot | What's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot | | MV II.ix.54 | |
| Presenting me a scedule, I will reade it: | Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. | schedule (n.)inventory, list, itemization | MV II.ix.55 | |
| How much vnlike art thou to Portia? | How much unlike art thou to Portia! | | MV II.ix.56 | |
| How much vnlike my hopes and my deseruings? | How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! | | MV II.ix.57 | |
| Who chooseth me, shall haue as much as he deserues. | Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves. | | MV II.ix.58 | |
| Did I deserue no more then a fooles head, | Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? | | MV II.ix.59 | |
| Is that my prize, are my deserts no better? | Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better? | | MV II.ix.60 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| To offend and iudge are distinct offices, | To offend and judge are distinct offices, | office (n.)task, service, duty, responsibility | MV II.ix.61 | |
| And of opposed natures. | And of opposed natures. | opposed (adj.)opposite, facing | MV II.ix.62.1 | |
| Ar. | ARRAGON | | | |
| What is here? | What is here? | | MV II.ix.62.2 | |
| The fier seauen times tried this, | The fire seven times tried this; | try (v.)refine, purify | MV II.ix.63 | |
| Seauen times tried that iudement is, | Seven times tried that judgement is | | MV II.ix.64 | |
| That did neuer choose amis, | That did never choose amiss. | | MV II.ix.65 | |
| Some there be that shadowes kisse, | Some there be that shadows kiss; | shadow (n.)image, likeness, portrait, semblance | MV II.ix.66 | |
| Such haue but a shadowes blisse: | Such have but a shadow's bliss. | | MV II.ix.67 | |
| There be fooles aliue Iwis | There be fools alive iwis, | iwis (adv.)[archaism] assuredly, certainly, truly | MV II.ix.68 | |
| Siluer'd o're, and so was this: | Silvered o'er, and so was this. | | MV II.ix.69 | |
| Take what wife you will to bed, | Take what wife you will to bed, | | MV II.ix.70 | |
| I will euer be your head: | I will ever be your head. | | MV II.ix.71 | |
| So be gone, you are sped. | So be gone; you are sped. | speed (v.)deal with, bring to an end, defeat | MV II.ix.72 | |
| Still more foole I shall appeare | Still more fool I shall appear | | MV II.ix.73 | |
| By the time I linger here, | By the time I linger here. | | MV II.ix.74 | |
| With one fooles head I came to woo, | With one fool's head I came to woo, | | MV II.ix.75 | |
| But I goe away with two. | But I go away with two. | | MV II.ix.76 | |
| Sweet adue, Ile keepe my oath, | Sweet, adieu. I'll keep my oath, | | MV II.ix.77 | |
| Patiently to beare my wroath. | Patiently to bear my wroth. | wroth (n.)misfortune, grief, ruin | MV II.ix.78 | |
| Exit with his train | | MV II.ix.78 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Thus hath the candle sing'd the moath: | Thus hath the candle singed the moth. | | MV II.ix.79 | |
| O these deliberate fooles when they doe choose, | O these deliberate fools! When they do choose, | deliberate (adj.)calculating, carefully considering | MV II.ix.80 | |
| They haue the wisdome by their wit to loose. | They have the wisdom by their wit to lose. | wit (n.)intelligence, wisdom, good sense, mental ability | MV II.ix.81 | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| The ancient saying is no heresie, | The ancient saying is no heresy: | | MV II.ix.82 | |
| Hanging and wiuing goes by destinie. | Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. | | MV II.ix.83 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Come draw the curtaine Nerrissa. | Come draw the curtain, Nerissa. | | MV II.ix.84 | |
| Enter Messenger. | Enter Messenger | | MV II.ix.85 | |
| Mes. | MESSENGER | | | |
| Where is my Lady? | Where is my lady? | | MV II.ix.85.1 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| Here, what would my Lord? | Here. What would my lord? | | MV II.ix.85.2 | |
| Mes. | MESSENGER | | | |
| Madam, there is a-lighted at your gate | Madam, there is alighted at your gate | | MV II.ix.86 | |
| A yong Venetian, one that comes before | A young Venetian, one that comes before | | MV II.ix.87 | |
| To signifie th' approaching of his Lord, | To signify th' approaching of his lord, | | MV II.ix.88 | |
| From whom he bringeth sensible regreets; | From whom he bringeth sensible regreets, | sensible (adj.)evident, perceptible by the senses, affecting the senses | MV II.ix.89 | |
| | regreet (n.)fresh greeting, return of salutation | | |
| To wit (besides commends and curteous breath) | To wit, besides commends and courteous breath, | breath (n.)utterance, speech, voice | MV II.ix.90 | |
| | commend (n.)commendation, support, praise | | |
| Gifts of rich value; yet I haue not seene | Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen | | MV II.ix.91 | |
| So likely an Embassador of loue. | So likely an ambassador of love. | likely (adj.)promising, hopeful; or: seemly, good-looking | MV II.ix.92 | |
| A day in Aprill neuer came so sweete | A day in April never came so sweet | | MV II.ix.93 | |
| To show how costly Sommer was at hand, | To show how costly summer was at hand, | costly (adj.)bountiful, lavish, rich | MV II.ix.94 | |
| As this fore-spurrer comes before his Lord. | As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. | fore-spurrer (n.)one who has ridden ahead | MV II.ix.95 | |
| Por. | PORTIA | | | |
| No more I pray thee, I am halfe a-feard | No more, I pray thee, I am half afeard | afeard (adj.)afraid, frightened, scared | MV II.ix.96 | |
| Thou wilt say anone he is some kin to thee, | Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, | anon (adv.)soon, shortly, presently | MV II.ix.97 | |
| Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him: | Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him. | high-day (adj.)befitting a holiday | MV II.ix.98 | |
| | wit (n.)reasoning, thinking, deliberation | | |
| Come, come Nerryssa, for I long to see | Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see | | MV II.ix.99 | |
| Quicke Cupids Post, that comes so mannerly. | Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly. | post (n.)express messenger, courier | MV II.ix.100 | |
| | Cupid (n.)[pron: 'kyoopid] Roman god of love, son of Venus and Mercury; a winged, blindfolded boy with curved bow and arrows | | |
| Ner. | NERISSA | | | |
| Bassanio Lord, loue if thy will it be. | Bassanio Lord, love if thy will it be! | | MV II.ix.101 | |
| Exeunt. | Exeunt | | MV II.ix.101 | |