Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
I. AdmirationPortias Picture
William Shakespeare (15641616)From “The Merchant of Venice,” Act III. Sc. 2.
F
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.