Shakespeare rose to fame rapidly. He was associated in the building of a new theater called the Globe, where his plays were acted before thousands. Then the Blackfriars Theater was built, and these two houses divided the honor of producing his plays. He gathered up the history of England, the grandeur of its courts, the beauty of its woods and fields, and the deeds of its people, and told of it all in such masterful dramas that his name leads all other English writers. The last few years of his life were spent at Stratford-on-Avon, where he had become a large land-owner. He died in the year 1616, at the age of fifty-two. Nearly every great English writer and poet ever since has referred, in some way or other, to the plays of Shakespeare. The speeches of our statesmen owe much of their strength and beauty to the influence of his writings. It has been said that “Shakespeare is like a great primeval forest, whence timber shall be cut and used as long as winds blow and leaves are green.” THE THREE CASKETS. [ABRIDGED.] WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. _Belmont. A Room in Portia’s House. Three Caskets of Gold, Silver, and Lead on Table._ Portia, a beautiful and accomplished heiress, is sought in marriage by a large number of suitors, whose fate is to be determined by the choice they make of one of three caskets--gold, silver, and base lead. The following are the comments of three of the suitors--the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon, and Bassanio:-- _Enter Portia, with the Prince of Morocco._ PORTIA. Now make your choice. MOROCCO. The first, of gold, which this inscription bears,-- _Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire;_ The second, silver, which this promise carries,-- _Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves._ This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,-- _Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath._-- How shall I know if I do choose the right? PORTIA. The one of them contains my picture, Prince: If you choose that, then I am yours withal. MOROCCO. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see; I will survey th’ inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket? _Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath._ Must give,--for what? for lead? hazard for lead? This casket threatens: men, that hazard all Do it in hope of fair advantages. A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; I’ll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead. What says the silver, with her virgin hue? _Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves._