Portia’s Picture

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.