ARKCODEX
Act II, Scene 4
1The same. A street.
2Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salanio.
3LorenzoNay, we will slink away in supper-time,
Disguise us at my lodging and return,
All in an hour.
4GratianoWe have not made good preparation.
5SalarinoWe have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.
6Salanio’Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order’d,
And better in my mind not undertook.
7Lorenzo’Tis now but four o’clock: we have two hours
To furnish us.
8Enter Launcelot, with a letter.
9Friend Launcelot, what’s the news?
10LauncelotAn it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify.
11LorenzoI know the hand: in faith, ’tis a fair hand;
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.
12GratianoLove-news, in faith.
13LauncelotBy your leave, sir.
14LorenzoWhither goest thou?
15LauncelotMarry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian.
16LorenzoHold 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.
17SalarinoAy, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight.
18SalanioAnd so will I.
19LorenzoMeet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano’s lodging some hour hence.
20Salarino’Tis good we do so. Exeunt Salarino and Salanio.
21GratianoWas not that letter from fair Jessica?
22LorenzoI must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
How I shall take her from her father’s house,
What gold and jewels she is furnish’d with,
What page’s suit she hath in readiness.
If e’er the Jew her father come to heaven,
It will be for his gentle daughter’s sake:
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
Unless she do it under this excuse,
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest:
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer. Exeunt.