Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

SCENE IV-SALOON OF THE CASKETS IN PORTIA'S HOUSE, AT BELMONT.

Music. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO, and his Train;
PORTIA, NERISSA, and other of her Attendants.

Mor. Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow'd livery of the burning sun,
To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his, or mine."
By love, I swear, I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
I'll try my fortune;

E'en though I may (blind fortune leading me)
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.

Por.

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.39

Mar. Nor will not; come, bring me unto my chance. How shall I know if I do choose the right?

If

Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince you choose that, then I am yours withal.

Mor. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears:

"Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.**

38 whose blood is reddest, his, or mine.] Red blood is a tradifionary sign of courage, as cowards are said to have livers as white as milk. It is customary in the East for lover's to testify the violence of their passion by cutting themselves in the sight of their mistresses PicART'S RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.

39

therefore be advis'd.] Therefore be not precipitant; consider well what you are about to do.

The second, silver, which this promise carries:

"Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves." The third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt:40

"Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”.
One of these three contains her heavenly picture.
Is't like that lead contains her? "Twere perdition
To think so base a thought;

Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd,

Being ten times undervalued to tried gold?

O sinful thought. Never so rich a gem.
Was set in worse than gold.

Deliver me the key;

Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may !

Por. There, take it prince, and if my form lie there, Then I am yours.

Mor. What have we here?

[He unlocks the golden casket.

A carrion death, within whose empty eye

There is a written scroll. I'll read the writing.

"All that glitters is not gold,

Often have you heard that told :

Had

you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
Your answer had not been inscrol'd:
Fare you well; your suit is cold.”

Cold, indeed; and labour lost:

Then, farewell, heat; and welcome frost
Portia, adieu! I have too griev'd a heart
To take a tedious leave thus losers part.
Por. A gentle riddance :-go:-
Let all of his complexion choose me so.

metal.

[Exit.

with warning all as blunt:} That is, as gross as the dull

END, OF ACT

HISTORICAL NOTES TO ACT FIRST.

(A) The foundation of Venice is attributed to the inhabitants of the surrounding districts, who fled from the cruelty of Attila, King of the Huns, and took refuge among the islets at the mouth of the Brenta. Here, about the middle of the fifth century, they founded two small towns, called Rivoalto and Malmocco, and, being in a manner shut out from all other modes of employment, naturally devoted themselves to commerce. In this way they soon became prosperous, and their numbers increased so rapidly, that in the year 697 they made application to the Emperor to be elected into a body politic, and obtained authority to elect a chief, to whom they gave the name of Duke or Doge. The town, continuing to increase, gradually extended its buildings to the adjacent islands, and, at the same time, acquired considerable tracts of territory on the mainland, then inhabited by the Veneti, from whence the rising city is supposed to have borrowed its name of Venetia or Venice.

(B) This is the heart of Venice, and is one of the most imposing architectural objects in Europe. Three of the sides are occupied by ranges of lofty buildings, which are connected by a succession of covered walks or arcades. The church of St Mark, founded in the year 828, closes up the square on the east. The lofty Campanile, or Bell-tower, over 300 feet in height, was begun A.D. 902, and finished in 1155.

In the reign of Justiniani Participazio, A.D., 827, the son and successor of Angelo, undistinguished by events of more important character, the Venetians became possessed of the relics of that saint to whom they ever afterwards appealed as the great patron of their state and city. These remains were obtained from Alexandria by a pious stratagem, at a time when the church wherein they were originally deposited was about to be destroyed, in order that its rich marbles might be applied to the decoration of a palace. At that fortunate season, some Venetian ships (it is said no less than ten, a fact proving the prosperous extent of their early commerce) happened to be trading in that port; and their captains, though not without much difficulty, succeeded in obtaining from the priests, who had the custody of the holy treasure, its deliverance into their hands, in order that it might escape profanation. It was necessary, however, that this transfer should be made in secrecy; for we are assured by Sabellico, who relates the

[ocr errors]

occurrence minutely, that the miracles which had been daily wrought at the saint's shrine had strongly attached the populace. to his memory. The priests carefully opened the cerements in which the body was enveloped; and considering, doubtless, that one dead saint possessed no less intrinsic virtue and value than another, they very adroitly substituted the corpse of a female, Sta. Claudia, in the folds which had been occupied by that of St. Mark. But they had widely erred in their graduation of the scale of beatitude. So great was the odour of superior sanctity, that a rich perfume diffused itself through the church at the moment at which the grave-clothes of the evangelist were disturbed; and the holy robbery was well nigh betrayed to the eager crowd of worshippers, who, attracted by the sweet smell, thronged to inspect the relics, and to ascertain their safety. After examination, they retired, satisfied that their favourite saint was inviolate; for the slit which the priests had made in his cerements was behind and out of sight. But the Venetians still had to protect the embarkation of their prize. For this purpose, effectually to prevent all chance of search, they placed the body in a large basket stuffed with herbs and covered with joints of pork. The porters who bore it were instructed to cry loudly Khanzri Khanzir !* and every true Mussulman whom they met, carefully avoided the uncleanness with which he was threatened by contact with this forbidden flesh. Even when once on board, the body was not yet quite safe; for accident might reveal the contents of the basket; it was therefore wrapt in one of the sails, and hoisted to a yard-arm of the main-mast, till the moment of departure. Nor was this precaution unnecessary; for the unbelievers instituted a strict search for contraband goods before the vessel sailed. During the voyage, the ship was in danger from a violent storm; and but for the timely appearance of the saint, who warned the captain to furl his sails, she would inevitably have been lost. The joy of the Venetians, on the arrival of this precious cargo, was manifested by feasting, music, processions, and prayers. An ancient tradition was called to mind, that St. Mark, in his travels, had visited Aquileia; and having touched also at the Hundred Isles, at that time uninhabited, had been informed, in a prophetic vision, that his bones should one day repose upon their shores. Venice was solemnly consigned to his protection. The saint himself, or his lion, was blazoned on her standards and impressed on her coinage; and the shout of the populace, whether on occasions of sedition or of joy, and the gathering cry of the armies of the republic in battle was, henceforward, Viva San Marco !-Sketches of Venetian History.

[ocr errors]

(c) This ancient Exchange "where merchants most do congregate," is situated on the Rialto Island, its name being derived from "riva alta," "high shore." It is a square in the immediate

Khanzi, Arab. a hog. A cape on the coast of Syria is named Ras el Khanzir; i.e., hog's-head.

vicinity of the Rialto Bridge, and contains. the Church of San Jacopo, the first sacred edifice built in Venice. The original church was erected in the year 421, and the present building in 1194, and was restored in 1531. This island, being the largest and most elevated, became the first inhabited, and is, therefore, the most ancient part of Venice. The Exchange was held under the arcades, facing the church, and was daily crowded with those connected with trade and commerce. It is now occupied as a vegetable market..

(D) Vecellio informs us that the Jews of Venice differed in nothing, as far ar regarded dress, from Venetians of the same occupation, with the exception of a yellow, or orange tawney coloured bonnet, which they were compelled to wear by order of government.

The women were distinguished from the Christian ladies by wearing yellow veils.

Shakespeare is supposed to have taken the name of his Jew from an old pamphlet, entitled "Caleb Shillocke, his prophesie; or the Jewes Prediction."

(B)

"He lends out money gratis, and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice."

About the time that Shakespeare lived, Venice had commercial dealings with all the civilized nations of the world; and Cyprus, Candia, and the Morea were subject to her government. Merchants from all countries congregated in Venice, and received every possible encouragement from the authorities.

The Jews, under the sanction of government, were the money lenders, and were, consequently, much disliked, as well as feared, by their mercantile creditors. They indulged in usury to an enormous extent, and were immensely rich.

« AnteriorContinuar »