Which rather threatenest, than dost promise aught, Por. How all the other passions fleet to air, In measure rain thy joy, scant this excess; Bas. What find I here? [opening the leuden casket Fair Portia's counterfeit ? 1 What demi-god Seem they in motion? Here are sever'd lips, Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs The painter plays the spider, and hath woven How could he see to do them? But her eyes, Having made one, Methinks, it should have power to steal both his, And leave itself unfurnish'd. Yet look, how far The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow In underprizing it, so far this shadow Doth limp behind the substance.—Here's the scroll, Likeness. resemblance. The continent and summary of my fortune : You that choose not by the view, Chance as fair, and choose as true! bliss, A gentle scroll!-Fair lady, by your leave, [kissing her. I come by note, to give, and to receive. Giddy in spirit, still gazing, in a doubt Por. You see me, lord Bassanio, where I stand, A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times That only to stand high on your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, Is sum of something; 1 which, to term in gross. But she may learn; happier than this, And be my vantage to exclaim on you. Bas. 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 2 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. Is not intirely ideal. 2 Blended. |