Bass. Well, we shall see your bearing. Gra. Nay, but I bar to-night; you shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Bass. No, that were pity; I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends Gra. And I must to Lorenzo, and the rest; [Exeunt. SCENE III. THE SAME. A ROOM IN SHYLOCK'S HOUSE. Enter Jessica and Launcelot. Jes. I am sorry, thou wilt leave my father so; And so farewel; 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! [Exit. Jes. Farewel, good Launcelot.— To be asham'd to be my father's child! [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 All in an hour. Gra. We have not made good preparation. We have not spoke us yet of torch- Salan. 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly or der'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, Gra. Love-news, in faith. Laun. By your leave, sir. Lor. Whither goest thou? Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this:-tell gentle Jessica, I will not fail her;-speak it privately; go.— Gentlemen, [Exit Launcelot. Will you prepare you for this masque to-night? I am provided of a torch-bearer. Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight, Salan. And so will I. Lor. Meet me, and Gratiano, At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence. [Exeunt Salar. and Salan. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all: She hath directed, That she is issue to a faithless Jew. [Exeunt. SCENE V. THE SAME. BEFORE SHYLOCK'S HOUSE. Enter Shylock and Launcelot. 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? There are my keys:-But wherefore should I go? 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, falling out that year on Ash-wednesday was four year in the afternoon. Shy. What! are there masques? Hear you me, Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum, Laun. I will go before, sir.Mistress, look out at window, for all this; There will come a Christian by, Will be worth a Jewess' eye. [Exit Laun. Shy. What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha? Jes. His words were, Farewel, mistress; nothing else. 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; |