Portia’s Picture

William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

From “The Merchant of Venice,” Act III. Sc. 2.

FAIR Portia’s counterfeit? What demi-god

Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?

Or whether, riding on the balls of mine,

Seem they in motion? Here are severed lips,

Parted with sugar breath; so sweet a bar

Should sunder such sweet friends. Here in her hairs

The painter plays the spider; and hath woven

A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men,

Faster than gnats in cobwebs: but her eyes!—

How could he see to do them? having made one,

Methinks it should have power to steal both his,

And leave itself unfurnished.