The Merchant of Venice
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Enter Nerrissa and a Seruiture.Enter Nerissa and a Servitorservitor (n.)

old form: Seruiture
servant		MV II.ix.1.1
Ner. NERISSA 
Quick, quick I pray thee, draw the curtain strait,Quick, quick I pray thee! Draw the curtain straight.straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once		MV II.ix.1
The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath,The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, MV II.ix.2
And comes to his election presently.And comes to his election presently.election (n.)
choice, preference		MV II.ix.3
presently (adv.)
immediately, instantly, at once
Enter Arragon, his traine, and Portia. Flor. Cornets.Flourish of cornets. Enter Arragon, his train, and Portia MV II.ix.4
Por. PORTIA 
Behold, there stand the caskets noble Prince,Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince. MV II.ix.4
If you choose that wherein I am contain'd,If you choose that wherein I am contained, MV II.ix.5
Straight shall our nuptiall rights be solemniz'd:Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized;straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once		MV II.ix.6
But if thou faile, without more speech my Lord,But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, MV II.ix.7
You must be gone from hence immediately.You must be gone from hence immediately. MV II.ix.8
Ar. ARRAGON 
I am enioynd by oath to obserue three things;I am enjoined by oath to observe three things: MV II.ix.9
First, neuer to vnfold to any oneFirst, never to unfold to anyone MV II.ix.10
Which casket 'twas I chose; next, if I faileWhich casket 'twas I chose; next, if I fail MV II.ix.11
Of the right casket, neuer in my lifeOf the right casket, never in my life MV II.ix.12
To wooe a maide in way of marriage:To woo a maid in way of marriage; MV II.ix.13
Lastly, Lastly, MV II.ix.14
if I doe faile in fortune of my choyse,If I do fail in fortune of my choice, MV II.ix.15
Immediately to leaue you, and be gone.Immediately to leave you and be gone. MV II.ix.16
Por. PORTIA 
To these iniunctions euery one doth sweareTo these injunctions everyone doth swear MV II.ix.17
That comes to hazard for my worthlesse selfe.That comes to hazard for my worthless self.hazard, come / go to
play dice, gamble		MV II.ix.18
Ar. ARRAGON 
And so haue I addrest me, fortune nowAnd so have I addressed me. Fortune nowfortune (n.)
lucky chance, good luck		MV II.ix.19
address (v.)

old form: addrest
prepare, make ready, poise to act
To my hearts hope: gold, siluer, and base lead.To my heart's hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.base (adj.)
non-precious, worthless, of low value		MV II.ix.20
Who chooseth me must giue and hazard all he hath.Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath. MV II.ix.21
You shall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard.You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard. MV II.ix.22
What saies the golden chest, ha, let me see:What says the golden chest? Ha, let me see. MV II.ix.23
Who chooseth me, shall gaine what many men desire:Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire. MV II.ix.24
What many men desire, that many may be meantWhat many men desire; that ‘ many ’ may be meant MV II.ix.25
By the foole multitude that choose by show,By the fool multitude that choose by show,fool (adj.)

old form: foole
foolish, silly		MV II.ix.26
Not learning more then the fond eye doth teach,Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,fond (adj.)
foolish, trifling, frivolous		MV II.ix.27
Which pries not to th' interior, but like the MartletWhich pries not to th' interior, but like the martletmartlet (n.)
house-martin [which often builds its nest in churches]		MV II.ix.28
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,Builds in the weather on the outward wall,weather, in the
in an exposed situation, open to the elements		MV II.ix.29
Euen in the force and rode of casualtie.Even in the force and road of casualty.road (n.)

old form: rode
pathway, route, course		MV II.ix.30
force (n.)
[of weather] violence, turbulence, stress
casualty (n.)

old form: casualtie
mischance, misfortune, disaster
I will not choose what many men desire,I will not choose what many men desire, MV II.ix.31
Because I will not iumpe with common spirits,Because I will not jump with common spiritsjump (v.)

old form: iumpe
agree, coincide, tally		MV II.ix.32
And ranke me with the barbarous multitudes.And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. MV II.ix.33
Why then to thee thou Siluer treasure house,Why then, to thee, thou silver treasure house. MV II.ix.34
Tell me once more, what title thou doost beare;Tell me once more what title thou dost bear. MV II.ix.35
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues:Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. MV II.ix.36
And well said too; for who shall goe aboutAnd well said too, for who shall go about MV II.ix.37
To cosen Fortune, and be honourableTo cozen fortune, and be honourablecozen (v.)

old form: cosen
cheat, dupe, trick, deceive		MV II.ix.38
Without the stampe of merrit, let none presumeWithout the stamp of merit? Let none presumestamp (n.)

old form: stampe
impression, mark, imprint		MV II.ix.39
To weare an vndeserued dignitie:To wear an undeserved dignity. MV II.ix.40
O that estates, degrees, and offices,O that estates, degrees, and officesestate (n.)
high rank, standing, status		MV II.ix.41
office (n.)
role, position, place, function
degree (n.)
rank, station, standing
Were not deriu'd corruptly, and that cleare honourWere not derived corruptly, and that clear honourclear (adj.)

old form: cleare
pure, spotless, faultless		MV II.ix.42
Were purchast by the merrit of the wearer;Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!purchase (v.)

old form: purchast
acquire, obtain, win		MV II.ix.43
How many then should couer that stand bare?How many then should cover that stand bare,cover (v.)

old form: couer
put on one's hat [after it has been removed to show respect]		MV II.ix.44
How many be commanded that command?How many be commanded that command; MV II.ix.45
How much low pleasantry would then be gleanedHow much low peasantry would then be gleaned MV II.ix.46
From the true seede of honor? And how much honorFrom the true seed of honour, and how much honour MV II.ix.47
Pickt from the chaffe and ruine of the times,Picked from the chaff and ruin of the timesruin (n.)

old form: ruine
[metaphor for] destitute, case of hardship		MV II.ix.48
To be new varnisht: Well, but to my choise.To be new varnished. Well, but to my choice.varnished (adj.)

old form: varnisht
embellished, decked out, adorned		MV II.ix.49
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues.Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. MV II.ix.50
I will assume desert; giue me a key for this,I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,desert, desart (n.)
deserving, due recompense, right		MV II.ix.51
assume (v.)
acquire, adopt, take on
And instantly vnlocke my fortunes here.And instantly unlock my fortunes here. MV II.ix.52
He opens the silver casket MV II.ix.53
Por. PORTIA 
Too long a pause for that which you finde there.Too long a pause for that which you find there. MV II.ix.53
Ar. ARRAGON 
What's here, the portrait of a blinking idiotWhat's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot MV II.ix.54
Presenting me a scedule, I will reade it:Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.schedule (n.)

old form: scedule
inventory, list, itemization		MV II.ix.55
How much vnlike art thou to Portia?How much unlike art thou to Portia! MV II.ix.56
How much vnlike my hopes and my deseruings?How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! MV II.ix.57
Who chooseth me, shall haue as much as he deserues.Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves. MV II.ix.58
Did I deserue no more then a fooles head,Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? MV II.ix.59
Is that my prize, are my deserts no better?Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better? MV II.ix.60
Por. PORTIA 
To offend and iudge are distinct offices,To offend and judge are distinct offices,office (n.)
task, service, duty, responsibility		MV II.ix.61
And of opposed natures.And of opposed natures.opposed (adj.)
opposite, facing		MV II.ix.62.1
Ar. ARRAGON 
What is here?What is here? MV II.ix.62.2
The fier seauen times tried this,The fire seven times tried this;try (v.)
refine, purify		MV II.ix.63
Seauen times tried that iudement is,Seven times tried that judgement is MV II.ix.64
That did neuer choose amis,That did never choose amiss. MV II.ix.65
Some there be that shadowes kisse,Some there be that shadows kiss;shadow (n.)

old form: shadowes
image, likeness, portrait, semblance		MV II.ix.66
Such haue but a shadowes blisse:Such have but a shadow's bliss. MV II.ix.67
There be fooles aliue IwisThere be fools alive iwis,iwis (adv.)
[archaism] assuredly, certainly, truly		MV II.ix.68
Siluer'd o're, and so was this:Silvered o'er, and so was this. MV II.ix.69
Take what wife you will to bed,Take what wife you will to bed, MV II.ix.70
I will euer be your head:I will ever be your head. MV II.ix.71
So be gone, you are sped.So be gone; you are sped.speed (v.)
deal with, bring to an end, defeat		MV II.ix.72
Still more foole I shall appeareStill more fool I shall appear MV II.ix.73
By the time I linger here,By the time I linger here. MV II.ix.74
With one fooles head I came to woo,With one fool's head I came to woo, MV II.ix.75
But I goe away with two.But I go away with two. MV II.ix.76
Sweet adue, Ile keepe my oath,Sweet, adieu. I'll keep my oath, MV II.ix.77
Patiently to beare my wroath.Patiently to bear my wroth.wroth (n.)

old form: wroath
misfortune, grief, ruin		MV II.ix.78
Exit with his train MV II.ix.78
Por.PORTIA 
Thus hath the candle sing'd the moath:Thus hath the candle singed the moth. MV II.ix.79
O these deliberate fooles when they doe choose,O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,deliberate (adj.)
calculating, carefully considering		MV II.ix.80
They haue the wisdome by their wit to loose.They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.wit (n.)
intelligence, wisdom, good sense, mental ability		MV II.ix.81
Ner. NERISSA 
The ancient saying is no heresie,The ancient saying is no heresy: MV II.ix.82
Hanging and wiuing goes by destinie.Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. MV II.ix.83
Por. PORTIA 
Come draw the curtaine Nerrissa.Come draw the curtain, Nerissa. MV II.ix.84
Enter Messenger.Enter Messenger MV II.ix.85
Mes. MESSENGER 
Where is my Lady?Where is my lady? MV II.ix.85.1
Por. PORTIA 
Here, what would my Lord?Here. What would my lord? MV II.ix.85.2
Mes. MESSENGER 
Madam, there is a-lighted at your gateMadam, there is alighted at your gate MV II.ix.86
A yong Venetian, one that comes beforeA young Venetian, one that comes before MV II.ix.87
To signifie th' approaching of his Lord,To signify th' approaching of his lord, MV II.ix.88
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;From whom he bringeth sensible regreets,sensible (adj.)
evident, perceptible by the senses, affecting the senses		MV II.ix.89
regreet (n.)
fresh greeting, return of salutation
To wit (besides commends and curteous breath)To wit, besides commends and courteous breath,breath (n.)
utterance, speech, voice		MV II.ix.90
commend (n.)
commendation, support, praise
Gifts of rich value; yet I haue not seeneGifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen MV II.ix.91
So likely an Embassador of loue.So likely an ambassador of love.likely (adj.)
promising, hopeful; or: seemly, good-looking		MV II.ix.92
A day in Aprill neuer came so sweeteA day in April never came so sweet MV II.ix.93
To show how costly Sommer was at hand,To show how costly summer was at hand,costly (adj.)
bountiful, lavish, rich		MV II.ix.94
As this fore-spurrer comes before his Lord.As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.fore-spurrer (n.)
one who has ridden ahead		MV II.ix.95
Por. PORTIA 
No more I pray thee, I am halfe a-feardNo more, I pray thee, I am half afeardafeard (adj.)

old form: a-feard
afraid, frightened, scared		MV II.ix.96
Thou wilt say anone he is some kin to thee,Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,anon (adv.)

old form: anone
soon, shortly, presently		MV II.ix.97
Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him:Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.high-day (adj.)
befitting a holiday		MV II.ix.98
wit (n.)
reasoning, thinking, deliberation
Come, come Nerryssa, for I long to seeCome, come, Nerissa, for I long to see MV II.ix.99
Quicke Cupids Post, that comes so mannerly.Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.post (n.)
express messenger, courier		MV II.ix.100
Cupid (n.)
[pron: 'kyoopid] Roman god of love, son of Venus and Mercury; a winged, blindfolded boy with curved bow and arrows
Ner. NERISSA 
Bassanio Lord, loue if thy will it be. Bassanio Lord, love if thy will it be! MV II.ix.101
Exeunt.Exeunt MV II.ix.101
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