Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/50

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Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover

The several caskets to this noble prince.

Now make your choice.

Mor. The first, of gold, which this inscription bears:

Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.

The second, silver, which this promise carries:

Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.

This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt:

Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.

How shall I know if I do choose the right?

Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince:

If you choose that, then I am yours withal.

Mor. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see:

I will survey the inscriptions back again:

What says this leaden casket?

Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.

Must give: For what? for lead? hazard for lead?

This casket threatens. Men that hazard all

Do it in hope of fair advantages:

A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross;

I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.

What says the silver with her virgin hue?

Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.

As much as he deserves! Pause there, Morocco,

And weigh thy value with an even hand.

If thou be'st rated by thy estimation,

Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough

 1 discover: reveal

8 all as blunt: equally blunt

12 withal: therewith

25 with an even hand: impartially

26 rated estimation: valued according to thy worth 