Portia again appears for the third time to undergo matrimonial choice.
Bassanio, the particular friend of Antonio, is the real love suitor for the hand and heart of the beautiful Portia, and appears at her palace, attended by his faithful Venetian friends. He is a high-toned, but impecunious Italian gentleman, whose heart and soul are ninety per cent. larger than his pockets.
Portia seems to be fascinated with Bassanio, and wishes him to remain at her home and take time in choosing the right casket, but he wants to act instanter, confessing his love.
_"Let music sound while he doth make his choice; Now he goes, With no less dignity, but with much more love Than young Alcides, when he did redeem The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy To the sea monster!"_
Bassanio, standing before the leaden casket, utters this high sounding, moral, truthful speech:
_"The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But, being seasoned with a gracious voice Obscures the show of evil? In religion, What damned error, but some sober brow Will bless it, and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? There is no vice so simple, but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts! How many cowards whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins The beard of Hercules, and frowning Mars; Who, inward searched, have livers white as milk? And these assume but valor's excrement, To render them redoubted. Look on beauty And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it; So are those curled, snaky golden locks, Which make such wanton gambols with the wind Upon supposed fairness, often known To be the dowers of a second head; The scull that bred them in the sepulchre. Thus ornament is but the treacherous shore To a most dangerous sea! Thou meagre lead casket, Which rather rebuffs than dost promise aught, Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence, And here choose I; joy the consequence!"_
Opening the leaden casket, Bassanio exclaims:
_"What find I here? Fair Portia's counterfeit. What demigod Hath come so near creation; Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune-- If you be well pleased with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is And claim her with a loving kiss!"_