Like one of two contending in a prize, That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt Whether these pearls of praise be his or no;So, thrice fair lady, stand I, even so;
As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you. PORTIA You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am: though for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish, To wish myself much better; yet, for you I would be trebled twenty times myself;A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich;That only to stand high in your account, I might in virtue, beauties, livings, friends, Exceed account; but the full sum of me Is sum of something, which, to term in gross, Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised;Happy in this, she is not yet so old But she may learn; happier than this, She is not bred so dull but she can learn;Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed, As from her lord, her governor, her king.
Myself and what is mine to you and yours Is now converted: but now I was the lord Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen o'er myself: and even now, but now, This house, these servants and this same myself Are yours, my lord: I give them with this ring;Which when you part from, lose, or give away, Let it presage the ruin of your love And be my vantage to exclaim on you. BASSANIO Madam, you have bereft me of all words, Only my blood speaks to you in my veins;And there is such confusion in my powers, As after some oration fairly spoke By a beloved prince, there doth appear Among the buzzing pleased multitude;Where every something, being blent together, Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence:
O, then be bold to say Bassanio's dead! NERISSA My lord and lady, it is now our time, That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper, To cry, good joy: good joy, my lord and lady! GRATIANO My lord Bassanio and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish;For I am sure you can wish none from me:
And when your honours mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, Even at that time I may be married too. BASSANIO With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. GRATIANO I thank your lordship, you have got me one.
My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:
You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid;
You loved, I loved for intermission.
No more pertains to me, my lord, than you.
Your fortune stood upon the casket there, And so did mine too, as the matter falls;For wooing here until I sweat again, And sweating until my very roof was dry With oaths of love, at last, if promise last, I got a promise of this fair one here To have her love, provided that your fortune Achieved her mistress. PORTIA Is this true, Nerissa? NERISSA Madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. BASSANIO And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? GRATIANO Yes, faith, my lord. BASSANIO Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage. GRATIANO We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats. NERISSA What, and stake down? GRATIANO No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down.
But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel?
What, and my old Venetian friend Salerio?
Enter LORENZO, JESSICA, and SALERIO, a Messenger from Venice BASSANIO Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither;If that the youth of my new interest here Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave, I bid my very friends and countrymen, Sweet Portia, welcome. PORTIA So do I, my lord:
They are entirely welcome. LORENZO I thank your honour. For my part, my lord, My purpose was not to have seen you here;But meeting with Salerio by the way, He did entreat me, past all saying nay, To come with him along. SALERIO I did, my lord;And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio Commends him to you.