Enter the masquers, Gratiano and Salarino. GRATIANO
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make stand. SALARINO His hour is almost past. GRATIANO
And it is marvel he outdwells 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 obligèd 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 chasèd than enjoyed.
How like a younger or a prodigal 15
The scarfèd bark puts from her native bay,
Hugged and embracèd by the strumpet wind;
How like the prodigal doth she return
With overweathered ribs and raggèd sails,
Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind! 20 Enter Lorenzo. SALARINO
Here comes Lorenzo. More of this hereafter. 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, dressed as a boy. 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 transformèd 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 stayed 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. Jessica exits, above. | Gratiano and Salarino wait outside Shylock's house for Lorenzo to show up. Gratiano notes that he should be early, since he is moved by love, which makes time run fast. Gratiano, ever a cynic, compares love to a banquet, saying lovers are hungry when they first sit down, but once they've eaten, their desire isn't as strong as it once was. He makes a few more comparisons, essentially saying love is intense in the beginning, but it's the chase that's fun. After that everything goes downhill fast. Lorenzo shows up, claiming it was his business that made him late. Then he channels Romeo and calls up to his girl. Lorenzo and Jessica exchange a few sweet (if a little sappy) words. Jessica passes down a chest of money and says she's ashamed of being dressed like a boy. Lorenzo says she looks hot in her disguise and tells her to come down and hold the lamp since she's supposed to pretend she's a hired torchbearer. Jessica says she'll be right there. She just has to lock the door and stuff some more of her dad's gold in her shirt. |
GRATIANO
Now, by my hood, a gentle 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 placèd in my constant soul. Enter Jessica, below. What, art thou come? On, gentleman, away! 60
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. All but Gratiano exit. 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 tonight; 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 tonight. 70 They exit. | Lorenzo takes Jessica's stalling as an opportunity to detail what he loves about her, namely her wisdom, beauty, and honesty. Jessica finally comes downstairs and leaves with Lorenzo and Salarino. Gratiano is stays behind and encounters Antonio, who wanders in wondering where all of his buddies have gone. Antonio says everyone's waiting for Gratiano. There's been a change of plans. There will be no masque tonight. Instead, they're all headed for Belmont so Bassanio can land himself a rich wife. |