_Por_. Ay, that's a colt, indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse,[19] and he makes it a great approbation of his own good parts that he can shoe him himself. _Ner_. Then, is there the county Palatine.[20] _Por_. He doth nothing but frown; as who should say, '_An you will not have me, choose;_' he hears merry tales, and smiles not: I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth. I had rather to be married to a death's head with a bone in his mouth, than to either of these. Heaven defend me from these two! _Ner_. How say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon? _Por_. Heaven made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. _Ner_. How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew?[21] _Por_. Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober; and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst he is little better than a beast: an the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. _Ner_. If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to perform your father's will if you should refuse to accept him. _Por_. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket; for, if the devil be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. _Ner_. You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords; they have acquainted me with their determinations: which is, indeed, to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit; unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition, depending on the caskets. _Por_. I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable; for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I wish them a fair departure. _Ner_. Do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat? _Por_. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think so was he called. _Ner_. True, madam; he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon was the best deserving a fair lady. _Por_. I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise.--How now?--What news? _Enter_ BALTHAZAR. _Ser_. The four strangers seek you, madam, to take their leave: and there is a fore-runner come from a fifth, the prince of Morocco; who brings word the prince, his master, will be here to-night. _Por_. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [_Exeunt_. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 15: _--I am prest unto it:_; Ready.]