Page 447 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Than young Alcides when he did redeem [55]
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
To the sea monster: I stand for sacrifice;
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,

With blearèd visages come forth to view
The issue of th’exploit. Go, Hercules; [60]
Live thou, I live. With much, much more dismay
I view the fight than thou that mak’st the fray.

A song the whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself.

Tell me where is fancy bred,
Or in the heart, or in the head?
How begot, how nourishèd? [65]
Reply, reply.

It is engendered in the eyes,
With gazing fed, and fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies.
Let us all ring fancy’s knell. [70]

I’ll begin it − Ding, dong, bell.

ALL

Ding, dong, bell.

BASSANIO
So may the outward shows be least themselves.
The world is still deceived with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, [75]

But being seasoned with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
What damnèd error but some sober brow
Will bless it and approve it with a text,

Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? [80]
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
How many cowards whose hearts are all as false

As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars, [85]