Por. Very vilely in the morning, when he is
sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he 92
is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse
than a man, and when he is worst, he is little
better than a beast. An the worst fall that ever
fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. 96
Ner. If he should offer to choose, and choose
the right casket, you should refuse to perform
your father's will, if you should refuse to accept
him. 100
Por. Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray
thee, set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the
contrary casket, for, if the devil be within and
that temptation without, I know he will choose 104
it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be
married to a sponge.
Ner. You need not fear, lady, the having any
of these lords: they have acquainted me with 108
their determinations; 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 112
caskets.
Por. If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die
as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the
manner of my father's will. I am glad this 116
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. 120
Ner. Do you not remember, lady, in your
father's time, a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier,
111 sort: lot
112 imposition: injunction
114 Sibylla; cf. n.
