Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/213

Rh He caused to be made three caskets, after the Venetian style of treasure-caskets; the first of these was of gold, the second of silver,both richly chased and ornamented; and the third was a plain, unadorned box of that meagre and uncostly metal,lead.

The golden casket bore this inscription, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” The second had for its motto, “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves;” while the leaden box said threateningly, “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”

Then in his will the old merchant left his wealth to Portia with these conditions: First, that whoever sought her hand in marriage should choose one of these three caskets; and if, on opening it, he found the answer it contained unfavorable to his suit, he should instantly quit the palace, first taking a solemn oath never to reveal which casket he had chosen, and never after to seek any woman in marriage, but to remain single all his life. Secondly, that Portia should never, even to a favored lover, give any hint of the contents of the caskets, but should abide by their decree, and remain unmarried till the right casket was chosen. It is easy then to see why Portia remained unmarried. Suitors thronged her gates from year to year, and the piers of her harbor were crowded with the ships of gallant