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No Fear Translations
No Fear Audio
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter NERISSA and a servitor
|
Enter NERISSA and a servitor
|
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NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight.
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath
And comes to his election presently.
|
NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight.
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath
And comes to his election presently.
|
|
Flourish cornets Enter the Prince of ARRAGON , his train, and PORTIA
|
Flourish cornets Enter the Prince of ARRAGON , his train, and PORTIA
|
|
PORTIA Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince.
5 If you choose that wherein I am contained,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
|
PORTIA Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince.
If you choose that wherein I am contained,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
|
|
ARRAGON I am enjoined by oath to observe three things:
10 First, never to unfold to any one
Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
15 Immediately to leave you and be gone.
|
ARRAGON I am enjoined by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to any one
Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
Immediately to leave you and be gone.
|
|
PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
|
PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
|
|
ARRAGON And so have I addressed me. Fortune now
To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
20 “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see.
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
|
ARRAGON And so have I addressed me. Fortune now
To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see.
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
|
|
“What many men desire”—that “many” may be meant
25 By the fool multitude that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
30 I will not choose what many men desire
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why then, to thee, thou silver treasure house.
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
35 “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
And well said too—for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honorable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeservèd dignity.
40 Oh, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
45 How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honor! And how much honor
Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new varnished! Well, but to my choice.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
50 I will assume desert.—Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
|
“What many men desire”—that “many” may be meant
By the fool multitude that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why then, to thee, thou silver treasure house.
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
And well said too—for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honorable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeservèd dignity.
Oh, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honor! And how much honor
Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new varnished! Well, but to my choice.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
I will assume desert.—Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
|
|
ARRAGON opens the silver casket
|
ARRAGON opens the silver casket
|
|
PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there.
|
PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there.
|
|
ARRAGON What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.—
55 How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
“Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves”!
Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
|
ARRAGON What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.—
How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
“Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves”!
Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
|
|
PORTIA 60 To offend and judge are distinct offices
And of opposèd natures.
|
PORTIA To offend and judge are distinct offices
And of opposèd natures.
|
|
ARRAGON What is here?
(reads)
“The fire seven times tried this,
Seven times tried that judgment is,
65 That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss.
Such have but a shadow’s bliss.
There be fools alive, iwis,
Silvered o'er—and so was this.
70 Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head.
So be gone. You are sped.
Still more fool I shall appear”
By the time I linger here.
75 With one fool’s head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.—
Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath
Patiently to bear my wroth.”
|
ARRAGON What is here?
(reads)
“The fire seven times tried this,
Seven times tried that judgment is,
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss.
Such have but a shadow’s bliss.
There be fools alive, iwis,
Silvered o'er—and so was this.
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head.
So be gone. You are sped.
Still more fool I shall appear”
By the time I linger here.
With one fool’s head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.—
Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath
Patiently to bear my wroth.”
|
|
Exeunt ARRAGON and his train
|
Exeunt ARRAGON and his train
|
|
PORTIA Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
80 O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
|
PORTIA Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
|
|
NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy.
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
|
NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy.
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
|
|
PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
|
PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
|
|
Enter MESSENGER
|
Enter MESSENGER
|
|
messenger 85 Where is my lady?
|
messenger Where is my lady?
|
|
PORTIA Here. What would my lord?
|
PORTIA Here. What would my lord?
|
|
MESSENGER Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th' approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,
90 To wit—besides commends and courteous breath—
Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love.
A day in April never came so sweet
To show how costly summer was at hand,
95 As this forespurrer comes before his lord.
|
MESSENGER Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th' approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,
To wit—besides commends and courteous breath—
Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love.
A day in April never came so sweet
To show how costly summer was at hand,
As this forespurrer comes before his lord.
|
|
PORTIA No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him.—
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
100 Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
|
PORTIA No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him.—
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
|
|
NERISSA Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
|
NERISSA Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter NERISSA and a servitor
|
Enter NERISSA and a servitor
|
|
NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight.
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath
And comes to his election presently.
|
NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight.
The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath
And comes to his election presently.
|
|
Flourish cornets Enter the Prince of ARRAGON , his train, and PORTIA
|
Flourish cornets Enter the Prince of ARRAGON , his train, and PORTIA
|
|
PORTIA Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince.
5 If you choose that wherein I am contained,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
|
PORTIA Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince.
If you choose that wherein I am contained,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
|
|
ARRAGON I am enjoined by oath to observe three things:
10 First, never to unfold to any one
Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
15 Immediately to leave you and be gone.
|
ARRAGON I am enjoined by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to any one
Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
Immediately to leave you and be gone.
|
|
PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
|
PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
|
|
ARRAGON And so have I addressed me. Fortune now
To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
20 “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see.
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
|
ARRAGON And so have I addressed me. Fortune now
To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see.
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
|
|
“What many men desire”—that “many” may be meant
25 By the fool multitude that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
30 I will not choose what many men desire
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why then, to thee, thou silver treasure house.
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
35 “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
And well said too—for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honorable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeservèd dignity.
40 Oh, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
45 How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honor! And how much honor
Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new varnished! Well, but to my choice.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
50 I will assume desert.—Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
|
“What many men desire”—that “many” may be meant
By the fool multitude that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why then, to thee, thou silver treasure house.
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
And well said too—for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honorable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeservèd dignity.
Oh, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honor! And how much honor
Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new varnished! Well, but to my choice.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
I will assume desert.—Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
|
|
ARRAGON opens the silver casket
|
ARRAGON opens the silver casket
|
|
PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there.
|
PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there.
|
|
ARRAGON What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.—
55 How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
“Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves”!
Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
|
ARRAGON What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.—
How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
“Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves”!
Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
|
|
PORTIA 60 To offend and judge are distinct offices
And of opposèd natures.
|
PORTIA To offend and judge are distinct offices
And of opposèd natures.
|
|
ARRAGON What is here?
(reads)
“The fire seven times tried this,
Seven times tried that judgment is,
65 That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss.
Such have but a shadow’s bliss.
There be fools alive, iwis,
Silvered o'er—and so was this.
70 Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head.
So be gone. You are sped.
Still more fool I shall appear”
By the time I linger here.
75 With one fool’s head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.—
Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath
Patiently to bear my wroth.”
|
ARRAGON What is here?
(reads)
“The fire seven times tried this,
Seven times tried that judgment is,
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss.
Such have but a shadow’s bliss.
There be fools alive, iwis,
Silvered o'er—and so was this.
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head.
So be gone. You are sped.
Still more fool I shall appear”
By the time I linger here.
With one fool’s head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.—
Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath
Patiently to bear my wroth.”
|
|
Exeunt ARRAGON and his train
|
Exeunt ARRAGON and his train
|
|
PORTIA Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
80 O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
|
PORTIA Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
|
|
NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy.
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
|
NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy.
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
|
|
PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
|
PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
|
|
Enter MESSENGER
|
Enter MESSENGER
|
|
messenger 85 Where is my lady?
|
messenger Where is my lady?
|
|
PORTIA Here. What would my lord?
|
PORTIA Here. What would my lord?
|
|
MESSENGER Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th' approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,
90 To wit—besides commends and courteous breath—
Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love.
A day in April never came so sweet
To show how costly summer was at hand,
95 As this forespurrer comes before his lord.
|
MESSENGER Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th' approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,
To wit—besides commends and courteous breath—
Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love.
A day in April never came so sweet
To show how costly summer was at hand,
As this forespurrer comes before his lord.
|
|
PORTIA No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him.—
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
100 Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
|
PORTIA No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him.—
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
|
|
NERISSA Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
|
NERISSA Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
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