50
[ Exeunt.] SCENE 7. Belmont. A room in PORTIA ' s house.
[ Flourish of cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and their trains.]
PORTIA. Go draw aside the curtains and discover The several caskets to this noble prince. Now make your choice.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO. The first, of gold, who 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?
PORTIA. The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO. 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?