Mor. Miſlike me not for my complexion,The ſhadowed liuerie of the burniſht ſunne,To whom I am a neighbour,and neere bred.Bring me the faireſt creature North-ward borne,Where Phœbus fire ſcarce thawes the yſicles,And let vs make inciſion for your loue,To proue whoſe blood is reddeſt,his or mine.
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i], page 167