| The same. |
| [Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued] |
| GRATIANO | This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo | ||
| Desired us to make stand. |
| SALARINO | His hour is almost past. |
| GRATIANO | And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, | ||
| For lovers ever run before the clock. | 5 |
| SALARINO | O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly | ||
| To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont | |||
| To keep obliged faith unforfeited! |
| GRATIANO | That ever holds: who riseth from a feast | ||
| With that keen appetite that he sits down? | 10 | ||
| Where is the horse that doth untread again | |||
| His tedious measures with the unbated fire | |||
| That he did pace them first? All things that are, | |||
| Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd. | |||
| How like a younker or a prodigal | 15 | ||
| The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, | |||
| Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind! | |||
| How like the prodigal doth she return, | |||
| With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails, | |||
| Lean, rent and beggar'd by the strumpet wind! | 20 |
| SALARINO | Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter. | ||
| [Enter LORENZO] |
| LORENZO | Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode; | ||
| Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait: | |||
| When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, | |||
| I'll watch as long for you then. Approach; | 25 | ||
| Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within? | |||
| [Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes] |
| JESSICA | Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, | ||
| Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. |
| LORENZO | Lorenzo, and thy love. |
| JESSICA | Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed, | 30 | |
| For who love I so much? And now who knows | |||
| But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? |
| LORENZO | Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art. |
| JESSICA | Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. | ||
| I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, | 35 | ||
| For I am much ashamed of my exchange: | |||
| But love is blind and lovers cannot see | |||
| The pretty follies that themselves commit; | |||
| For if they could, Cupid himself would blush | |||
| To see me thus transformed to a boy. | 40 |
| LORENZO | Descend, for you must be my torchbearer. |
| JESSICA | What, must I hold a candle to my shames? | ||
| They in themselves, good-sooth, are too too light. | |||
| Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; | |||
| And I should be obscured. | 45 |
| LORENZO | So are you, sweet, | ||
| Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. | |||
| But come at once; | |||
| For the close night doth play the runaway, | |||
| And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast. | 50 |
| JESSICA | I will make fast the doors, and gild myself | ||
| With some more ducats, and be with you straight. | |||
| [Exit above] |
| GRATIANO | Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew. |
| LORENZO | Beshrew me but I love her heartily; | ||
| For she is wise, if I can judge of her, | 55 | ||
| And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true, | |||
| And true she is, as she hath proved herself, | |||
| And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true, | |||
| Shall she be placed in my constant soul. | |||
| [Enter JESSICA, below] | |||
| What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away! | 60 | ||
| Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. | |||
| [Exit with Jessica and Salarino] | |||
| [Enter ANTONIO] |
| ANTONIO | Who's there? |
| GRATIANO | Signior Antonio! |
| ANTONIO | Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest? | ||
| 'Tis nine o'clock: our friends all stay for you. | 65 | ||
| No masque to-night: the wind is come about; | |||
| Bassanio presently will go aboard: | |||
| I have sent twenty out to seek for you. |
| GRATIANO | I am glad on't: I desire no more delight | ||
| Than to be under sail and gone to-night. | 70 | ||
| [Exeunt] |