Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

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Even in the force and road of casualty.

I will not choose what many men desire,

Because I will not jump with common spirits,

And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.

Why then to thee, thou silver treasure house,

Tell me once more what title thou dost bear:

“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”

And well said too; for who shall go about

To cozen fortune, and be honorable

Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume

To wear an undeserved dignity.

O that estates, degrees, and offices

Were not deriv’d corruptly, and that clear honor

Were purchas’d by the merit of the wearer!

How many then should cover that stand bare?

How many be commanded that command?

How much low peasantry would then be gleaned

From the true seed of honor? and how much honor

Pick’d from the chaff and ruin of the times

To be new varnish’d? Well, but to my choice:

“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”

I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,

And instantly unlock my fortunes here.

[He unlocks the silver casket.]