Shakespeare Portal

Act 2, Scene 6

The same.

  1. [Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued.]
  2. Gratiano
  3. 834 This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo
  4. 835 Desir'd us to make stand.
  5. Salarino
  6. 836 His hour is almost past.
  7. Gratiano
  8. 837 And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
  9. 838 For lovers ever run before the clock.
  10. Salarino
  11. 839 O! ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
  12. 840 To seal love's bonds new made than they are wont
  13. 841 To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
  14. Gratiano
  15. 842 That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
  16. 843 With that keen appetite that he sits down?
  17. 844 Where is the horse that doth untread again
  18. 845 His tedious measures with the unbated fire
  19. 846 That he did pace them first? All things that are
  20. 847 Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.
  21. 848 How like a younker or a prodigal
  22. 849 The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
  23. 850 Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!
  24. 851 How like the prodigal doth she return,
  25. 852 With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails,
  26. 853 Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
  27. Salarino
  28. 854 Here comes Lorenzo; more of this hereafter.
  29. [Enter LORENZO.]
  30. Lorenzo
  31. 855 Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;
  32. 856 Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:
  33. 857 When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
  34. 858 I'll watch as long for you then. Approach;
  35. 859 Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?
  36. [Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes.]
  37. Jessica
  38. 860 Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
  39. 861 Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.
  40. Lorenzo
  41. 862 Lorenzo, and thy love.
  42. Jessica
  43. 863 Lorenzo, certain; and my love indeed,
  44. 864 For who love I so much? And now who knows
  45. 865 But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
  46. Lorenzo
  47. 866 Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
  48. Jessica
  49. 867 Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.
  50. 868 I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
  51. 869 For I am much asham'd of my exchange;
  52. 870 But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
  53. 871 The pretty follies that themselves commit,
  54. 872 For, if they could, Cupid himself would blush
  55. 873 To see me thus transformed to a boy.
  56. Lorenzo
  57. 874 Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.
  58. Jessica
  59. 875 What! must I hold a candle to my shames?
  60. 876 They in themselves, good sooth, are too-too light.
  61. 877 Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love,
  62. 878 And I should be obscur'd.
  63. Lorenzo
  64. 879 So are you, sweet,
  65. 880 Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
  66. 881 But come at once;
  67. 882 For the close night doth play the runaway,
  68. 883 And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
  69. Jessica
  70. 884 I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
  71. 885 With some moe ducats, and be with you straight.
  72. [Exit above.]
  73. Gratiano
  74. 886 Now, by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew.
  75. Lorenzo
  76. 887 Beshrew me, but I love her heartily;
  77. 888 For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
  78. 889 And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
  79. 890 And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself;
  80. 891 And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
  81. 892 Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
  82. [Enter JESSICA.]
  83. Lorenzo
  84. 893 What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!
  85. 894 Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
  86. [Exit with JESSICA and SALARINO.]
  87. [Enter ANTONIO]
  88. Antonio
  89. 895 Who's there?
  90. Gratiano
  91. 896 Signior Antonio!
  92. Antonio
  93. 897 Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
  94. 898 'Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you.
  95. 899 No masque to-night: the wind is come about;
  96. 900 Bassanio presently will go aboard:
  97. 901 I have sent twenty out to seek for you.
  98. Gratiano
  99. 902 I am glad on't: I desire no more delight
  100. 903 Than to be under sail and gone to-night.
  101. [Exeunt.]