The Merchant of Venice

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Morochus a Flourish of cornets. Enter the Prince of Morocco, a MV II.i.1.1
tawnie Moore all in white, and three or foure followers tawny Moor all in white, and three or four followers MV II.i.1.2
accordingly, with Portia, Nerrissa, and their traine. Flo. Cornets.accordingly, with Portia, Nerissa, and their train MV II.i.1.3
Mor. MOROCCO 
Mislike me not for my complexion,Mislike me not for my complexion,mislike (v.)
dislike, be displeased with
MV II.i.1
The shadowed liuerie of the burnisht sunne,The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,shadowed (adj.)
shaded, darkened; also [heraldry]: faintly drawn
MV II.i.2
livery (n.)
badge, token, recognizable image
To whom I am a neighbour, and neere bred.To whom I am a neighbour and near bred. MV II.i.3
Bring me the fairest creature North-ward borne,Bring me the fairest creature northward born, MV II.i.4
Where Phoebus fire scarce thawes the ysicles,Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,Phoebus (n.)
[pron: 'feebus] Latin name for Apollo as the sun-god; also called Phoebus Apollo
MV II.i.5
And let vs make incision for your loue,And let us make incision for your love MV II.i.6
To proue whose blood is reddest, his or mine.To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. MV II.i.7
I tell thee Ladie this aspect of mineI tell thee, lady, this aspect of mineaspect (n.)
[of a human face] look, appearance, expression
MV II.i.8
Hath feard the valiant, (by my loue I sweare)Hath feared the valiant. By my love I swear,fear (v.)

old form: feard
frighten, scare, terrify, daunt
MV II.i.9
The best regarded Virgins of our ClymeThe best-regarded virgins of our climeclime (n.)

old form: Clyme
land, region, realm
MV II.i.10
Haue lou'd it to: I would not change this hue,Have loved it too. I would not change this hue, MV II.i.11
Except to steale your thoughts my gentle Queene.Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.gentle (adj.)
well-born, honourable, noble
MV II.i.12
Por. PORTIA 
In tearmes of choise I am not solie ledIn terms of choice I am not solely ledsolely (adv.)

old form: solie
wholly, entirely, altogether
MV II.i.13
term (n.)

old form: tearmes
respect, consideration, form
By nice direction of a maidens eies:By nice direction of a maiden's eyes.nice (adj.)
fine, precise, particular, subtle
MV II.i.14
direction (n.)
instruction, guidance, counsel
Besides, the lottrie of my destenieBesides, the lott'ry of my destiny MV II.i.15
Bars me the right of voluntarie choosing:Bars me the right of voluntary choosing. MV II.i.16
But if my Father had not scanted me,But if my father had not scanted me,scant (v.)
limit, restrict, constrain
MV II.i.17
And hedg'd me by his wit to yeelde my selfeAnd hedged me by his wit to yield myselfwit (n.)
intelligence, wisdom, good sense, mental ability
MV II.i.18
His wife, who wins me by that meanes I told you,His wife who wins me by that means I told you, MV II.i.19
Your selfe (renowned Prince) than stood as faireYourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair MV II.i.20
As any commer I haue look'd on yetAs any comer I have looked on yet MV II.i.21
For my affection.For my affection. MV II.i.22.1
Mor. MOROCCO 
Euen for that I thanke you,Even for that I thank you. MV II.i.22.2
Therefore I pray you leade me to the CasketsTherefore I pray you lead me to the caskets MV II.i.23
To trie my fortune: By this SymitareTo try my fortune. By this scimitarscimitar (n.)
short curved sword with a single edge, from the East
MV II.i.24
That slew the Sophie, and a Persian PrinceThat slew the Sophy and a Persian princeSophy (n.)
[pron: 'sohfee] shah of Persia, possibly Abbas the Great, 16th-c
MV II.i.25
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,field (n.)
field of battle, battleground, field of combat
MV II.i.26
Solyman (n.)
Suleiman, 16th-c sultan who fought against Persia
I would ore-stare the sternest eies that looke:I would o'erstare the sternest eyes that look,overstare (v.)

old form: ore-stare
outstare, face down
MV II.i.27
Out-braue the heart most daring on the earth:Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,outbrave (v.)

old form: Out-braue
surpass in bravery, outdo in daring
MV II.i.28
Plucke the yong sucking Cubs from the she Beare,Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, MV II.i.29
Yea, mocke the Lion when he rores for prayYea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, MV II.i.30
To win the Ladie. But alas, the whileTo win thee, lady. But alas the while, MV II.i.31
If Hercules and Lychas plaie at diceIf Hercules and Lichas play at diceLichas (n.)
[pron: 'liykas] companion to Hercules, who brought him a poisoned tunic; after wearing it, Hercules in agony threw Lichas into the sky
MV II.i.32
Hercules (n.)
[Roman form of Heracles] proverbial for his mythical physical strength and miraculous achievements
Which is the better man, the greater throwWhich is the better man, the greater throw MV II.i.33
May turne by fortune from the weaker hand:May turn by fortune from the weaker hand. MV II.i.34
So is Alcides beaten by his rage,So is Alcides beaten by his page,rage (n.)
folly, rashness, mad jest
MV II.i.35
Alcides (n.)
[pron: al'siydeez] original name of Hercules, after his grandfather Alceus
And so may I, blinde fortune leading meAnd so may I, blind Fortune leading me,Fortune (n.)
Roman goddess, shown as a woman at a spinning-wheel, or controlling a rudder, and as blind
MV II.i.36
Misse that which one vnworthier may attaine,Miss that which one unworthier may attain, MV II.i.37
And die with grieuing.And die with grieving. MV II.i.38.1
Port. PORTIA 
You must take your chance,You must take your chance, MV II.i.38.2
And either not attempt to choose at all,And either not attempt to choose at all MV II.i.39
Or sweare before you choose, if you choose wrongOr swear before you choose, if you choose wrong MV II.i.40
Neuer to speake to Ladie afterwardNever to speak to lady afterward MV II.i.41
In way of marriage, therefore be aduis'd.In way of marriage. Therefore be advised. MV II.i.42
Mor. MOROCCO 
Nor will not, come bring me vnto my chance.Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.chance (n.)
fortune, lot, destiny
MV II.i.43
Por. PORTIA 
First forward to the temple, after dinnerFirst, forward to the temple; after dinner MV II.i.44
Your hazard shall be made.Your hazard shall be made.hazard (n.)
[gambling] chance, fortune; throw [of dice]
MV II.i.45.1
Mor. MOROCCO 
Good fortune then, Good fortune then, MV II.i.45.2
To make me blest or cursed'st among men.To make me blest or cursed'st among men. MV II.i.46
Cornets. Exeunt.Flourish of cornets. Exeunt MV II.i.46
 Previous Act II, Scene I Next  
x

Jump directly to