No Fear Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice: Act 2 Scene 9

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter NERISSA and a servitor	NIASESR nda a atervns erent.
NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight. The Prince of Arragon hath taen his oath And comes to his election presently.	SANSRIE Hrury, rhury, olecs hte naiurtc ickqu. hTe eirpcn of Aoarnrg sah eatkn sih atoh, and esh inmgoc to amke ish ccheio onw.
Flourish cornets Enter the Prince of ARRAGON , his train, and PORTIA	uTtesrpm lpya. Teh erPnic of RAANRGO , hsi anreeoutg, and TAROIP rneet.
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.	OTRIAP okoL, ehre rae teh bxoes, pecrni. If yuo ohesoc eth noe that csinonta my pcuitre, llew be mradire ghtir waya. Btu if uoy alif, you vhae to vaele imaetldemiy. No ealsp lwli be dlowlea.
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.	AORRGNA I esorw Id do tereh thigns. Fsrti, I anc renev lelt onnyea tawh bxo I chooes. dnecSo, if I eooshc teh wrogn bxo, lIl nveer prsoepo raieagmr orf hte trse of my flie. hrTdi, if I cikp eht rgwon xob, Ill elvea eemditiamly.
PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self.	OITARP oernvyEe woh cemso to bgemal on inwnnig me has to erasw to eehts tehre euslr.
ARRAGON And so have I addressed me. Fortune now To my hearts 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.	NAGARRO yakO, Im yedra. I hpeo culk illw vieg me hatw my retah sepoh ofr! dGlo, rvlesi, nda ocnmmo dale. He ohw shscoeo me ustm evig dna krsi all he hsa. dYuo aehv to be remo taitvecart rfo me to eivg or ksri nghnitya orf uyo. Wtha eosd eth nldgoe xbo yas? Hmm, tle me see:
What many men desirethat 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 toofor who shall go about To cozen fortune and be honorable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeservd 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.	He owh oceossh me liwl etg whta naym mne nawt. ahtW anym mne twnaatth mnay uldoc enma hatt toms elpepo era oflso adn esoohc by eawhervt is lhfysa. yehT otdn go ydonbe tahw terhi eesy ese. yhTe tdno tboehr to nfdi uto ahstw on het isiend. sutJ kile tshoe rsbdi cellad trsnmia woh ldbiu rheit nesst on eth tdsuioe of sllaw, leeppo ayp oot much toteinatn to swtah on hte otsiedu. So I wtno ohsoec hatw ymna nme serdei, ecauebs I twno pjmu on het bnaonawgd nad ulencid lfymes hwit eht wloeh edcru oinpualopt. So I esugs its ouy, ouy lreivs rsarutee eoush. elTl me econ oerm htaw you ysa. He hwo eocssho me lliw teg hwat he rdsevsee. tTsah eylcin actsebupue owhs gogni to achte kucl dan teg orme ntah he srdveees? No oen hudosl ehav an nhroo he tondse esdeevr. Oh, wldount it be reatg if tropreyp, kanr, oiffclai nosspitoi, adn orhte snhoor were deeanr lyno by termi, not by ouicrotnpr? hTere tdlowun be oot amny mitnrotap men nhte. oHw mayn polpee hwo rea mbeulh won luowd be raetg ehtn? Hwo amny lpeepo who eivg esorrd onw dwoul ehav to etka derrso? woH mnay nbeoemln oudwl be eededw otu and udlow boecem nspasate? nAd how nyma ommnoc popele uodlw edusndly hsnei ihtw iiolbynt? Well, elt me tge ckab to my ehccoi. He who cshoseo me will teg thwa he sedeevsr. lIl ssaemu I sdereev the ryve tbes.Give me a yke fro hsti oen. Ill klcuno my fate here in a esndco.
ARRAGON opens the silver casket	NAAORRG oensp eht ilsver eacstk.
PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there.	RTIAPO oYu uthtogh otabu it oto olgn, iieocrngnsd whta uyo odfnu heter.
ARRAGON Whats 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 fools head? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?	ARROAGN htWas shit? A eiuprct of an ioidt hdngoli a oslcrl up orf me to raed! lIl dare it.It solok so nikeul Patior! hisT toecoum nist hwta I hoedp rof, or awth I redvees. hTe neo ohw ocsehos me wlil gte htwa he edsersev! tindD I seeevrd tyngianh omre anht a folos hdea? Is ihst my przei? oDtn I sreeedv remo htna ihts?
PORTIA 60 To offend and judge are distinct offices And of opposd natures.	RTAOPI gdgJiun ahtw uyo dseevre is noe gnhit. fdgnOfnei ouy is noigesmht vrye ietfnfrde, so llI epke my hmtou uths.
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 shadows bliss. There be fools alive, iwis, Silvered oerand 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 fools head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu. Ill keep my oath Patiently to bear my wroth.	RAAORNG tahW sdoe hits say? (he sader) siTh box aws esdtet in hte eirf esnve tmesi. hTe nrpseo ohw erevn kmaes a nogwr cheoci Hsa idswom ttha will tdnas eht stte. oeSm peleop ksis hwsdaos. yeTh olyn lefe eht wsahdo of yjo. erhTe aer floos uto etreh iWth lvrsei arih nad slvrie sonci. hisT cceiho asw as fosilho as heyt aer. aTke vheeartw iwef oyu twan to bde iwht uoy, Yollu haev a foslo heda ovrfeer. So go ayaw. eourY edon ehre. eTh erognl I syta, het orme iloshof I lkoo. I aemc erhe twih a ooslf head on my hleusosdr nda won Im nveialg twih wot.deoyobG, twsee dyal. llI peke my otha dna atliynpet ufefsr ugthohr my arnge.
Exeunt ARRAGON and his train	He etxsi hwit ihs nirat.
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.	TPRAIO heeTs men rae ikle ostmh, dwrna to seeht esobx as if ethy ewer meafsl. Thsi is ohw the lecnda ruebnd the ohmt. Oh, heset fosol! nWhe heyt eoshco, yhet yoln ownk how to sole.
NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy. Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.	RIANSSE You kwno hwta yhte say. niseDty shescoo hnew lluoy eid nad who oylul aryrm.
PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.	OIATRP meoC on, scloe het aiurctn, Naseisr.
Enter MESSENGER	A ESMGERESN tseern.
messenger 85 Where is my lady?	REGSEMENS serWhe aldy Piator?
PORTIA Here. What would my lord?	RATOIP ereH. wHo nca I plhe you, ris?
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 witbesides 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.	EMNREEGSS Mdaam, a ygnou neVaeint anm sah rievrda to ltel us hsi sramet is outba to riaver. ishT ldro ash ntes sgtfi. iBesdse sih ecni tlepio rtgegneis, his itgsf rae peesneixv. I nvaeht seen uchs a ompsiinrg adcentadi orf uryo olev. ihsT sreatnv sha rridaev reefob his smtrae het wya a sewet igsprn ady sniht uotab a uhsl smrmue. utB eetrsh enrve eben an Arpil yad as oniipgsmr as stih.
PORTIA No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spendst such high-day wit in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see 100 Quick Cupids post that comes so mannerly.	ATIPRO Paesel ndto tlle me any eomr. Im tsomal fiaadr ueory iogng to tell me she a iavetler of uoyrs, csubaee euroy ognig so yazrc nrspaiig imh. meoC on, Nreaiss, I tnaw to go see itsh nma ohws ecom so eoryolutcus.
NERISSA Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!	IASNRES I epoh sit aaonssBi iocgmn to inw aitPro!
Exeunt	eThy xtie.

Original Text	Modern Text
Enter NERISSA and a servitor	NIASESR nda a atervns erent.
NERISSA Quick, quick, I pray thee. Draw the curtain straight. The Prince of Arragon hath taen his oath And comes to his election presently.	SANSRIE Hrury, rhury, olecs hte naiurtc ickqu. hTe eirpcn of Aoarnrg sah eatkn sih atoh, and esh inmgoc to amke ish ccheio onw.
Flourish cornets Enter the Prince of ARRAGON , his train, and PORTIA	uTtesrpm lpya. Teh erPnic of RAANRGO , hsi anreeoutg, and TAROIP rneet.
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.	OTRIAP okoL, ehre rae teh bxoes, pecrni. If yuo ohesoc eth noe that csinonta my pcuitre, llew be mradire ghtir waya. Btu if uoy alif, you vhae to vaele imaetldemiy. No ealsp lwli be dlowlea.
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.	AORRGNA I esorw Id do tereh thigns. Fsrti, I anc renev lelt onnyea tawh bxo I chooes. dnecSo, if I eooshc teh wrogn bxo, lIl nveer prsoepo raieagmr orf hte trse of my flie. hrTdi, if I cikp eht rgwon xob, Ill elvea eemditiamly.
PORTIA To these injunctions every one doth swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self.	OITARP oernvyEe woh cemso to bgemal on inwnnig me has to erasw to eehts tehre euslr.
ARRAGON And so have I addressed me. Fortune now To my hearts 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.	NAGARRO yakO, Im yedra. I hpeo culk illw vieg me hatw my retah sepoh ofr! dGlo, rvlesi, nda ocnmmo dale. He ohw shscoeo me ustm evig dna krsi all he hsa. dYuo aehv to be remo taitvecart rfo me to eivg or ksri nghnitya orf uyo. Wtha eosd eth nldgoe xbo yas? Hmm, tle me see:
What many men desirethat 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 toofor who shall go about To cozen fortune and be honorable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeservd 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.	He owh oceossh me liwl etg whta naym mne nawt. ahtW anym mne twnaatth mnay uldoc enma hatt toms elpepo era oflso adn esoohc by eawhervt is lhfysa. yehT otdn go ydonbe tahw terhi eesy ese. yhTe tdno tboehr to nfdi uto ahstw on het isiend. sutJ kile tshoe rsbdi cellad trsnmia woh ldbiu rheit nesst on eth tdsuioe of sllaw, leeppo ayp oot much toteinatn to swtah on hte otsiedu. So I wtno ohsoec hatw ymna nme serdei, ecauebs I twno pjmu on het bnaonawgd nad ulencid lfymes hwit eht wloeh edcru oinpualopt. So I esugs its ouy, ouy lreivs rsarutee eoush. elTl me econ oerm htaw you ysa. He hwo eocssho me lliw teg hwat he rdsevsee. tTsah eylcin actsebupue owhs gogni to achte kucl dan teg orme ntah he srdveees? No oen hudosl ehav an nhroo he tondse esdeevr. Oh, wldount it be reatg if tropreyp, kanr, oiffclai nosspitoi, adn orhte snhoor were deeanr lyno by termi, not by ouicrotnpr? hTere tdlowun be oot amny mitnrotap men nhte. oHw mayn polpee hwo rea mbeulh won luowd be raetg ehtn? Hwo amny lpeepo who eivg esorrd onw dwoul ehav to etka derrso? woH mnay nbeoemln oudwl be eededw otu and udlow boecem nspasate? nAd how nyma ommnoc popele uodlw edusndly hsnei ihtw iiolbynt? Well, elt me tge ckab to my ehccoi. He who cshoseo me will teg thwa he sedeevsr. lIl ssaemu I sdereev the ryve tbes.Give me a yke fro hsti oen. Ill klcuno my fate here in a esndco.
ARRAGON opens the silver casket	NAAORRG oensp eht ilsver eacstk.
PORTIA Too long a pause for that which you find there.	RTIAPO oYu uthtogh otabu it oto olgn, iieocrngnsd whta uyo odfnu heter.
ARRAGON Whats 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 fools head? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?	ARROAGN htWas shit? A eiuprct of an ioidt hdngoli a oslcrl up orf me to raed! lIl dare it.It solok so nikeul Patior! hisT toecoum nist hwta I hoedp rof, or awth I redvees. hTe neo ohw ocsehos me wlil gte htwa he edsersev! tindD I seeevrd tyngianh omre anht a folos hdea? Is ihst my przei? oDtn I sreeedv remo htna ihts?
PORTIA 60 To offend and judge are distinct offices And of opposd natures.	RTAOPI gdgJiun ahtw uyo dseevre is noe gnhit. fdgnOfnei ouy is noigesmht vrye ietfnfrde, so llI epke my hmtou uths.
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 shadows bliss. There be fools alive, iwis, Silvered oerand 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 fools head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu. Ill keep my oath Patiently to bear my wroth.	RAAORNG tahW sdoe hits say? (he sader) siTh box aws esdtet in hte eirf esnve tmesi. hTe nrpseo ohw erevn kmaes a nogwr cheoci Hsa idswom ttha will tdnas eht stte. oeSm peleop ksis hwsdaos. yeTh olyn lefe eht wsahdo of yjo. erhTe aer floos uto etreh iWth lvrsei arih nad slvrie sonci. hisT cceiho asw as fosilho as heyt aer. aTke vheeartw iwef oyu twan to bde iwht uoy, Yollu haev a foslo heda ovrfeer. So go ayaw. eourY edon ehre. eTh erognl I syta, het orme iloshof I lkoo. I aemc erhe twih a ooslf head on my hleusosdr nda won Im nveialg twih wot.deoyobG, twsee dyal. llI peke my otha dna atliynpet ufefsr ugthohr my arnge.
Exeunt ARRAGON and his train	He etxsi hwit ihs nirat.
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.	TPRAIO heeTs men rae ikle ostmh, dwrna to seeht esobx as if ethy ewer meafsl. Thsi is ohw the lecnda ruebnd the ohmt. Oh, heset fosol! nWhe heyt eoshco, yhet yoln ownk how to sole.
NERISSA The ancient saying is no heresy. Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.	RIANSSE You kwno hwta yhte say. niseDty shescoo hnew lluoy eid nad who oylul aryrm.
PORTIA Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.	OIATRP meoC on, scloe het aiurctn, Naseisr.
Enter MESSENGER	A ESMGERESN tseern.
messenger 85 Where is my lady?	REGSEMENS serWhe aldy Piator?
PORTIA Here. What would my lord?	RATOIP ereH. wHo nca I plhe you, ris?
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 witbesides 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.	EMNREEGSS Mdaam, a ygnou neVaeint anm sah rievrda to ltel us hsi sramet is outba to riaver. ishT ldro ash ntes sgtfi. iBesdse sih ecni tlepio rtgegneis, his itgsf rae peesneixv. I nvaeht seen uchs a ompsiinrg adcentadi orf uryo olev. ihsT sreatnv sha rridaev reefob his smtrae het wya a sewet igsprn ady sniht uotab a uhsl smrmue. utB eetrsh enrve eben an Arpil yad as oniipgsmr as stih.
PORTIA No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spendst such high-day wit in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see 100 Quick Cupids post that comes so mannerly.	ATIPRO Paesel ndto tlle me any eomr. Im tsomal fiaadr ueory iogng to tell me she a iavetler of uoyrs, csubaee euroy ognig so yazrc nrspaiig imh. meoC on, Nreaiss, I tnaw to go see itsh nma ohws ecom so eoryolutcus.
NERISSA Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!	IASNRES I epoh sit aaonssBi iocgmn to inw aitPro!
Exeunt	eThy xtie.