Thank you for saying that. Show me the caskets and let me try my luck. I swear by my
sword, which killed the Shah of Persia and a Persian prince and defeated the Sultan Suleiman
three times, that I would face the meanest-looking warriors on earth. I would act braver
than the bravest man on earth. I would grab bear cubs from a ferocious mother bear, or tease
a hungry lion—all of this in order to win your love, lady. But this is bad! If
the hero Hercules and his servant Lychas rolled the dice, which would win? Not the greater
hero. Just the one who happened to be luckier that time. And just as Hercules could be
beaten by his servant, blind luck could make me lose this test and make someone worse than
me win. If that happened, I'd die of sadness.
PORTIA
You must take your chance,
And either not attempt to choose at all
40
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage. Therefore be advised.
PORTIA
You have to take your chances. Either don't choose at all, or swear beforehand
that if you choose incorrectly you'll never talk about marriage to any woman again.
Think about it carefully.
MOROCCO
Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.
MOROCCO
Fine, I swear I won't ever get married if I choose incorrectly. Let me take my
chances.
PORTIA
First, forward to the temple. After dinner
45
Your hazard shall be made.
PORTIA
Let's go to the temple first. You can take your chances after dinner.
MOROCCO
Good fortune then!—
To make me blessed or cursed'st among men.
I'll try my luck then. I'll either be the luckiest or the unluckiest
man alive.
