Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince. 4 If you choose that wherein I am contained, 5 Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized. 6 But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, 7 You must be gone from hence immediately.
< Scene 9 >
Enter Nerissa and a Servitor .
NERISSA
Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight . 1
The Prince of Arragon hath ta’en his oath 2
And comes to his election presently. 3
Enter < the Prince of > Arragon, his train, and Portia.
PORTIA
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince. 4
If you choose that wherein I am contained, 5
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized. 6
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, 7
You must be gone from hence immediately. 8
[Act 2 Scene 9]
Footnotes
2.9 At Belmont the Prince of Arragon attempts to win Portia by choosing the silver chest, but finds in it the picture of a blinking idiot. He leaves. A messenger announces the arrival of a splendid envoy from another suitor. Nerissa prays that this one is Bassanio.
0 SD . Servitor: servant
1 . draw . . . straight: i.e., open the curtains immediately (to reveal the caskets) Compare 2.7.1 –2.
3 . to his election: to make his choice (of casket)
5 . I: i.e., my picture
6 . Straight: straightaway, at once
