Exeunt. Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; But we will visit you at supper-time. SCENE III. The samc. A room in Shylock's house. Enter Jessica aud Launcelot. Jes. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so: And so farewell; I would not have my father Laun. Adieu!-tears exhibit my tongue.-Most beautiful pagan,-most sweet Jew! If a christian do not play the knave, and get thee, I am much deceived: But, adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit; adieu! Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot.- [Exit. But though I am a daughter to his blood, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; [Exit. SCENE IV. The same. A street. Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salanio. Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time ; Disguise us at my lodging, and return Gra. We have not made good preparation. Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers. Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd; And better, in my mind, not undertook. Lor. 'Tis now but four a-clock; we have two hours To furnish us : Enter Launcelot, with a letter. Friend Launcelot, what's the news? Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on, Is the fair hand that writ. Gra. Love-news, in faith. Laun. By your leave, sir. Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew Salar. Ay, marry,, I'll be gone about it straight. Salan. And so will I. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, [Exeunt Salar. and Salan. At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath directed, How I shall take her from her father's house; What gold, and jewels, she is furnish'd with; What page's suit she hath in readiness. If e'er the Jew, her father, come to heaven, It will be for his gentle daughter's sake: And never dare misfortune cross her foot, Unless she do it under this excuse, That she is issue to a faithless Jew. Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: SCENE V. The same. Before Shylock's house. Enter Shylock and Launcelot. [Exeunt. Shy. Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio:- Laun. Why, Jessica! Shy. Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call. Laun. Your worship was wont to tell me, I could do nothing without bidding. Enter Jessica. Jes. Call you? What is your will? Shy. I am bid forth to supper, Jessica; There are my keys :-But wherefore should I go; I am not bid for love; they flatter me: But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon The prodigal Christian.-Jessica, my girl, Look to my house :-I am right loath to go; There is some ill a brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money-bags to-night. Laun. I beseech you, sir, go; my young master doth expect your reproach. Shy. So do I his. Laun. And they have conspired together,—I will not say, you shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a bleeding on Black-Monday last, at six o'clock i'the morning, * Invited. falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the afternoon. Shy. What! are these masques? Hear you me, Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum, Laun. Shy. The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder, Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day More than the wild cat; drones hive not with me; Do, as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind. [Exit. Jes. Farewell: and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost. [Exit. SCENE VI. The same. Enter Gratiano and Salarino, masked. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo Desir'd us to make stand. Salar. His hour is almost past. Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock. Salar. O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly To seal love's bonds new made, than they are wont, To keep obliged faith unforfeited! Gra. That ever holds: Who riseth from a feast, The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, Enter Lorenzo. Salar. Here comes Lorenzo ;-more of this hereafter. Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode; Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait; Here dwells my father Jew :-Ho! who's within ? * Decorated with flags. |