Page 402 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

NERISSA

What say you then to Falconbridge, the [65] young baron of England?

PORTIA
You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him. He hath
neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come into the court and swear
that I have a poor pennyworth [70] in the English. He is a proper man’s

picture, but alas, who can converse with a dumb-show? How oddly he is
suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his
bonnet in Germany, and his behaviour everywhere. [75]

NERISSA
What think you of the Scottish lord, his neighbour?

PORTIA
That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of

the Englishman and swore he would pay him again when he was able. I [80]
think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another.

NERISSA
How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony’s nephew?

PORTIA
Very vilely in the morning when he is sober [85] and most vilely in the
afternoon when he is drunk. When he is best he is a little worse than a man,

and when he is worst he is little better than a beast. And the worst fall that
ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. [90]

NERISSA
If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to
perform your father’s will if you should refuse to accept him.

PORTIA
Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep glass of Rhenish wine

on the contrary [95] casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation
without, I know he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be
married to a sponge.