The Merchant Of Venice

1 Enter the masquers, Gratiano and Salarino.
2 GRATIANO.
3 This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
4 Desired us to make stand.
5 SALARINO.
6 His hour is almost past.
7 GRATIANO.
8 And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
9 For lovers ever run before the clock.
10 SALARINO.
11 O ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly
12 To seal love’s bonds new-made than they are wont
13 To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
14 GRATIANO.
15 That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
16 With that keen appetite that he sits down?
17 Where is the horse that doth untread again
18 His tedious measures with the unbated fire
19 That he did pace them first? All things that are,
20 Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d.
21 How like a younger or a prodigal
22 The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
23 Hugg’d and embraced by the strumpet wind!
24 How like the prodigal doth she return
25 With over-weather’d ribs and ragged sails,
26 Lean, rent, and beggar’d by the strumpet wind!
27 Enter Lorenzo.
28 SALARINO.
29 Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter.
30 LORENZO.
31 Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode.
32 Not I but my affairs have made you wait.
33 When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
34 I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach.
35 Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who’s within?
36 Enter Jessica above, in boy’s clothes.
37 JESSICA.
38 Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
39 Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue.
40 LORENZO.
41 Lorenzo, and thy love.
42 JESSICA.
43 Lorenzo certain, and my love indeed,
44 For who love I so much? And now who knows
45 But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
46 LORENZO.
47 Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
48 JESSICA.
49 Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.
50 I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me,
51 For I am much asham’d of my exchange.
52 But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
53 The pretty follies that themselves commit,
54 For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
55 To see me thus transformed to a boy.
56 LORENZO.
57 Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.
58 JESSICA.
59 What! must I hold a candle to my shames?
60 They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
61 Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love,
62 And I should be obscur’d.
63 LORENZO.
64 So are you, sweet,
65 Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
66 But come at once,
67 For the close night doth play the runaway,
68 And we are stay’d for at Bassanio’s feast.
69 JESSICA.
70 I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
71 With some moe ducats, and be with you straight.
72 [_Exit above._]
73 GRATIANO.
74 Now, by my hood, a gentle, and no Jew.
75 LORENZO.
76 Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
77 For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
78 And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
79 And true she is, as she hath prov’d herself.
80 And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
81 Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
82 Enter Jessica.
83 What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!
84 Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
85 [_Exit with Jessica and Salarino._]
86 Enter Antonio.
87 ANTONIO.
88 Who’s there?
89 GRATIANO.
90 Signior Antonio!
91 ANTONIO.
92 Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
93 ’Tis nine o’clock, our friends all stay for you.
94 No masque tonight, the wind is come about;
95 Bassanio presently will go aboard.
96 I have sent twenty out to seek for you.
97 GRATIANO.
98 I am glad on’t. I desire no more delight
99 Than to be under sail and gone tonight.
100 [_Exeunt._]