The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 1

Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadowed livery of the burnish’d sun, To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born, Where Phœbus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles, And let us make incision for your love To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath fear’d the valiant; by my love I swear The best-regarded virgins of our clime Have lov’d it too. I would not change this hue, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

Do not dislike me for my complexion, the shadowed uniform of the polished sun, whose neighbour I am and near whom I was bred. Bring me the most beautiful creature born in the north, where Phœbus' fire barely melts the icicles, and let us both cut ourselves for love of you, to prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell you, lady, this face of mine has frightened brave men; by my love I swear that the most highly respected virgins of our region have loved it too. I would not change this colour, except to win your thoughts, my gentle queen.

In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes; Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing. But if my father had not scanted me And hedg’d me by his wit to yield myself His wife who wins me by that means I told you, Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair As any comer I have look’d on yet For my affection.

When it comes to choosing, I am not guided only by the fastidious judgement of a girl's eyes; besides, the lottery of my fate denies me the right to choose freely. But if my father had not restricted me and fenced me in by his cleverness, so that I must give myself as wife to whoever wins me by the means I told you about, then you, renowned Prince, would stand as good a chance of my love as any suitor I have looked at so far.

Even for that I thank you. Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets To try my fortune. By this scimitar That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince, That won three fields of Sultan Solyman, I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look, Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady. But, alas the while! If Hercules and Lichas play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw May turn by fortune from the weaker hand: So is Alcides beaten by his rage, And so may I, blind Fortune leading me, Miss that which one unworthier may attain, And die with grieving.

I thank you even for that. So please lead me to the caskets to try my luck. By this scimitar that killed the Sophy and a Persian prince, and that won three battles against Sultan Solyman, I would outstare the fiercest eyes that look, outdo in courage the boldest heart on earth, tear the young suckling cubs away from the mother bear, yes, even taunt the lion when he roars for prey, to win you, lady. But, unfortunately! If Hercules and Lichas throw dice to decide which is the better man, the higher throw may come by chance from the weaker hand: so Alcides is beaten by his servant, and so may I, with blind Fortune leading me, miss what someone less worthy may get, and die of grief.

You must take your chance, And either not attempt to choose at all, Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong Never to speak to lady afterward In way of marriage. Therefore be advis’d.

You must take your chance, and either not attempt to choose at all, or swear before you choose that, if you choose wrongly, you will never afterwards speak to any lady about marriage. So think carefully.

Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.

And I will not. Come, take me to my chance.

First, forward to the temple. After dinner Your hazard shall be made.

First, on to the temple. After dinner you shall make your gamble.

Good fortune then, To make me blest or cursed’st among men!

Good luck to me, then, to make me the most blessed or the most cursed of men!