Female characters in two of William Shakespeare's plays entitled, "Merchant of Venice" and "Julius Caesar".
i.e. In, "Julius Caesar" Act II scene iv:
PORTIA:
I pr'ythee, boy, run to the Senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
Why dost thou stay?
LUCIUS:
To know my errand, madam.
PORTIA:
I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.—
Aside. O constancy, be strong upon my side!
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!—
Art thou here yet?
PORTIA:
I pr'ythee, boy, run to the Senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
Why dost thou stay?
LUCIUS:
To know my errand, madam.
PORTIA:
I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.—
Aside. O constancy, be strong upon my side!
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counsel!—
Art thou here yet?
by portia w. July 18, 2008