495491Morocho. Mislike me not for my complexion,

496492The shadowed liuerie of the burnisht sunne,

497493To whom I am a neighbour, and neere bred.

498494Bring me the fayrest creature North-ward borne,

499495Where Phaebus fire scarce thawes the ysicles,

500496And let vs make incyzion for your loue,

501497To proue whose blood is reddest, his or mine.

502498I tell thee Lady this aspect of mine

503499Hath feard the valiant, (by my loue I sweare)

504500The best regarded Virgins of our Clyme

505501Haue lou'd it to: I would not change this hue,

506502Except to steale your thoughts my gentle Queene.

507503Portia. In termes of choyse I am not soly led

508504By nice direction of a maydens eyes:

509505Besides, the lottrie of my destenie

510506Barrs me the right of voluntary choosing:

511507But if my Father had not scanted me,

512508And hedgd me by his wit to yeeld my selfe

513509His wife, who winnes me by that meanes I told you,

514510Your selfe (renowned Prince) than stoode as faire

515511As any commer I haue look'd on yet

516512For my affection.

517513Mor. Euen for that I thanke you,

518514Therefore I pray you leade me to the Caskets

519515To try my fortune: By this Symitare

520516That slewe the Sophy, and a Persian Prince

521517That wone three fields of Sultan Solyman,

522518I would ore-stare the sternest eyes that looke:

523519Out-braue the hart most daring on the earth:

524520Pluck the young sucking Cubs from the she Beare,

525521Yea, mock the Lyon when a rores for pray

526522To win the Lady. But alas, the while

527523If Hercules and Lychas play at dice

528524Which is the better man, the greater throw

529525May turne by fortune from the weaker hand:

530526So is Alcides beaten by his rage,

531527And so may I, blind Fortune leading me

532528Misse that which one vnworthier may attaine,

533529And die with greeuing.

534530Portia. You must take your chaunce,

535531And eyther not attempt to choose at all,

536532Or sweare before you choose, if you choose wrong

537533Neuer to speake to Lady afterward

538534In way of marriage, therefore be aduis'd.

539535Mor. Nor will not, come bring me vnto my chaunce.

540536Portia. First forward to the temple, after dinner

541537Your hazard shall be made.

542538Mor. Good fortune then,

543539To make me blest or cursed'st among men.