SCENE II. Venice. A street. Enter PORTIA and NERISSA. Por. Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it: we'll away to-night, And be a day before our husbands home : Enter GRATIANO. Grat. Fair sir, you are well overta'en : My lord Bassanio, upon more advice, Hath sent you here this ring; and doth entreat Por. That cannot be : This ring I do accept most thankfully; And so, I pray you tell him. Furthermore, I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house. Ner. 5 ΙΟ Sir, I would speak with you : I'll see if I can get my husband's ring, [To PORTIA. Which I did make him swear to keep for ever. Por. Thou may'st, I warrant. swearing, We shall have old 15 That they did give the rings away to men; But we'll outface them, and outswear them too. Away! make haste: thou know'st where I will tarry. Ner. Come, good sir, will you show me to this house? [Exeunt. G 'The moon shines bright.-In such a night as this.' ACT V. Enter LORENZO and JESSICA. Lor. The moon shines bright.-In such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, 5 Where Cressid lay that night. Jess. In such a night, Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew; And saw the lion's shadow ere himself, And ran dismay'd away. Lor. In such a night, Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, Upon the wild sea-banks, and wav'd her love Fess. Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs That did renew old son. Lor. In such a night, In such a night, Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, And with an unthrift love did run from Venice, As far as Belmont. Fess. And in such a night, ΙΟ 15 Did young Lorenzo swear he lov'd her well, Lor. And in such a night, 20 Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave it her. Jess. I would out-night you, did no body come : But, hark, I hear the footing of a man. Enter STEPHANO. Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night ? Steph. A friend. 26 Lor. A friend? what friend? your name, I pray you, friend? Steph. Stephano is my name; and I bring word, My mistress will before the break of day Be here at Belmont: she doth stray about Lor. Who comes with her? Steph. None, but a holy hermit, and her maid. I pray you, is my master yet return'd? 30 Lor. He is not, nor we have not heard from him. But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, And ceremoniously let us prepare Some welcome for the mistress of the house. Enter LAUNCELOT. Laun. Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola! 36 Lor. Who calls? 40 Laun. Sola!-did you see master Lorenzo, and mistress Lorenzo ?—sola, sola! Lor. Leave hollaing, man; here. Laun. Sola!-where? where ? Lor. Here. 45 Laun. Tell him there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news; my master will be here cre morning. [Exit. Lor. Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming. And yet no matter;-why should we go in ? 5) [Exit STEPHANO. How sweet the moon-light sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night, 55 Become the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica. Look, how the floor of heaven There's not the smallest orb, which thou behold'st, 60 Enter MUSICIANS. Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn; 65 [Music. Jess. I am never merry when I hear sweet music. Lor. The reason is, your spirits are attentive: 70 For do but note a wild and wanton herd, Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Fetching mad bounds, bellowing, and neighing loud, Which is the hot condition of their blood; 75 If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, Or any air of music touch their ears, You shall perceive them make a mutual stand, By the sweet power of music. Therefore, the poet 81 85 |