Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

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Por.

Too long a pause for that which you find there.

Ar.

What’s here? the portrait of a blinking idiot,

Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.

How much unlike art thou to Portia!

How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!

“Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves”!

Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?

Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?

Por.

To offend and judge are distinct offices,

And of opposed natures.

Ar.

What is here?

[Reads.]

“The fire seven times tried this:

Seven times tried that judgment is,

That did never choose amiss.

Some there be that shadows kiss,

Such have but a shadow’s bliss.

There be fools alive, iwis,

Silver’d o’er, and so was this.

Take what wife you will to bed,

I will ever be your head.

So be gone, you are sped.”

Still more fool I shall appear

By the time I linger here.

With one fool’s head I came to woo,

But I go away with two.

Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath,

Patiently to bear my wroth.

[Exit with his Train.]

Por.

Thus hath the candle sing’d the moth.