Page 450 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

I would not be ambitious in my wish
To wish myself much better, yet for you
I would be trebled twenty times myself,
A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times

More rich, that only to stand high in your account, [155]
I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends,
Exceed account; but the full sum of me
Is sum of something, which to term in gross,

Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractisèd,
Happy in this, she is not yet so old [160]
But she may learn; happier than this,
She is not bred so dull but she can learn;

Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit
Commits itself to yours to be directed,
As from her lord, her governor, her king. [165]
Myself and what is mine to you and yours

Is now converted. But now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,
Queen o’er myself; and even now, but now,
This house, these servants, and this same myself [170]

Are yours, my lord’s. I give them with this ring,
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let it presage the ruin of your love
And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

BASSANIO

Madam, you have bereft me of all words, [175]
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
And there is such confusion in my powers
As, after some oration fairly spoke
By a belovèd prince, there doth appear

Among the buzzing pleasèd multitude, [180]
Where every something being blent together
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy

Expressed and not expressed. But when this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence,
O then be bold to say Bassanio’s dead. [185]