_Ner._ You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords: they have acquainted me with their determinations; 90 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._ If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as 95 chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father’s will. 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 pray God grant them a fair departure. _Ner._ Do you not remember, lady, in your father’s 100 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 he was so called. _Ner._ True, madam: he, of all the men that ever my 105 foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady. _Por._ I remember him well; and I remember him worthy of thy praise. _Enter a_ Serving-man. How now! what news? _Serv._ The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take 110 their leave: and there is a forerunner 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 a heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad 115 of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gates upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [_Exeunt._ 120 ~~~~~ Linenotes: _The Merchant of Venice_, I, 2. SCENE II. Belmont...house.] Capell. Three caskets are set out, one of gold, another of silver, and another of lead. Rowe. Enter...] Enter P. with her waiting woman N. Qq Ff (wating. Q3 Q4). 1: _aweary_] _weary_ F3 F4. 6, 7: _It is no mean happiness, therefore_] Qq. _It is no small happiness therefore_ F1 F2 F3. _therefore it is no small happiness_ F4. _therefore it is no mean happiness_ Theobald. 13: _It_] _He_ Pope. 15: _than be_] Ff. _then to be_ Qq. 19: _reasoning_] Qq. _reason_ Ff. _in_] om. Mason conj. _the fashion_] Qq. _fashion_ Ff. 20, 21: _whom...whom_] Ff. _who...who_ Qq. 22: _Is it_] _it is_ F1. 28: _will, no doubt, never_] Q2 Ff Q3 Q4. _no doubt you wil never_ Q1. 29: _who_] Q1. _who you_ Q2 Ff Q3 Q4. _whom you_ Pope. 32, 84: _pray thee_] _prethee_ Q1. 36: _colt_] _dolt_ Theobald. 37: _appropriation to_] _appropriation unto_ Q1. _approbation of_ Collier (Collier MS.). 38: _him_] om. Q1. 39: _afeard_] Qq. _afraid_ Ff. 40: _there is_] Q1. _is there_ Q2 Ff Q3 Q4. 40, 52: _Palatine_] Q1. _Palentine_ Q2 Ff Q3 Q4. 42: _if_] Q1. & Q2. _and_ Ff Q3 Q4. 45: _be_] Qq. _to be_ Ff. 49: _Bon_] _Boune_ Qq F1 F2. _Boun_ F3 F4.