There is some ill a brewing towards my rest, 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, Jessica : Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum, Laun. I will go before, Sir. Mistress, look out at window, for all this; Will be worth a Jewess' eye. [Exit Laun. Shy. What says that fool of Hagar's offspring, ha ? Jes. His words were, Farewell, 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 híve not with me; To one that I would have him help to waste Do, as I bid you, Shirt 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, masqued. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo Desired 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: When you shall please to play the thieves for wives, Enter JESSICA above, in Boy's Clothes. Jes. Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue. Lor. Lorenzo, and thy love. Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love indeed; For who love I so much? And now who knows, But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? Lor. Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains, I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, 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. Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. • Decorated with flags. Jes. 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 should be obscured. Lor. So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the run-away, Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight. [Exit, from above. Gra. Now, by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew, For she is wise, if I can judge of her; Enter JESSICA, below. What, art thou come?-On, gentlemen, away; Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. [Exit, with Jessica and Salarino. Enter ANTONIO. Ant. Who's there? Gra. Signior Antonio? Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano! Where are all the rest? 'Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you: No masque to night : the wind is come about, Bassanio presently will go aboard: I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more delight, Than to be under sail, and gone to-night. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-Belmont.-A Room in PORTIA's House. Flourish of Cornets,-Enter PORTIA, with the Prince of MOROCCO, and both their Trains. Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince :Now make your choice. Mor. The first, of gold, who this inscription bears ;Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. The second, silver, which this promise carries; Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he de serves. This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt ;VOL. II. Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. How shall I know if I do choose the right? Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal." Mor. Some god direct my judgment! Let me see, Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. As much as I deserve!-Why, that's the lady: To stop the foreign spirits; but they come, One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Was set in worse than gold. They have in England • Enclose. A coin, that bears the figure of an angel Lies all within.-Deliver me the key; Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may! Por. There, take it, prince, and if my form lie there, Then I am yours. [He unlocks the golden Casket. A carrion death, within whose empty eye Often have you heard that told: Then, farewell, heat; and, welcome, frost. Portia, adieu! I have too grieved a heart To take a tedious leave: thus lovers part. [Exit. Por. A gentle riddance :-Draw the curtains, go; Let all of his complexion choose me so. SCENE VIII.-Venice.-A Street. Enter SALARINO and SALANIO. [Exeunt. Salar. Why man, I saw Bassanio under sail; And in their ship, I am sure, Lorenzo is not. duke; Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship. Besides, Antonio certified the duke, So strange, outrageous, and so variable, My daughter!-O my ducats!-O my daughter! |