_Bas_. So may the outward shows be least themselves;[82] The world is still deceiv'd with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But, being season'd with a gracious voice,[83] Obscures the show of evil? In religion, What damned error, but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it[84] 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. Thus ornament is but the guiled[85] shore To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf Veiling an Indian beauty. Therefore, thou gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee: Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 'Tween man and man. But thou, thou meagre lead, Which rather threat'nest than dost promise aught, Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence, And here choose I. Joy be the consequence! _Por_. How all the other passions fleet to air! O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstacy, I feel too much thy blessing, make it less, For fear I surfeit! _Bas_. What find I here! [_Opening the leaden casket_. Fair Portia's counterfeit?[86]--Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune. 'You that choose not by the view, Chance as felt, and choose as true! Since this fortune falls to you, Be content, and seek no new. If you be well pleas'd with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss. Turn you where your lady is, And claim her with a loving kiss.' A gentle scroll.--Fair lady, by your leave, I come by note, to give and to receive. Yet doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you. _Por_. You see, my lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am: though, for myself alone, I would not be ambitious in my wish, To wish myself much better; yet, for you, I would be trebled twenty times myself. But now I was the lord Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now, This house, these servants, and this same myself. Are yours, my lord,--I give them with this ring; Which, when you part from, lose, or give away, Let it presage the ruin of your love, And be my vantage to exclaim on you. _Bas_. Madam, you have bereft me of all words; Only my blood speaks to you in my veins: But when this ring Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence; O, then be bold to say, Bassanio's dead. _Ner_. My lord and lady, it is now our time, That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper, To cry good joy; God joy, my lord and lady! _Gra_. My lord Bassanio, and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that you can wish; For I am sure you can wish none from me: And, when your honours mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you Even at that time I may be married too. _Bas_. With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.