H Gra. Signior Bassanio, hear me, Talk with Respect, and Swear but now and then, Like one well ftudied in a fad oftent To please his Grandam, never trust me more. Gra. Nay, but I bar to Night, you shall not gage me Baff. No, that were pity. I would entreat you rather to put on Your boldeft Suit of Mirth, for we have Friends I have fome Business. Gra. And I must to Lorenzo and the reft: But we will vifit you at Supper-time. Enter Jeffica and Launcelot. Jef. I am forry thou wilt leave my Father fo, And fo farewel: I would not have my Father [Exeunt. Laun. Adieu; Tears exhibit my Tongue, moft beautiful Jef Farewel, good Launcelot. · [Exit. Enter Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Solarino, and Salanio. Lor. 'Tis now but four à Clock, we have two Hours To furnish us. Friend Launcelot, what's the News? Enter Launcelot with a Letter. Laun. And it fhall please you to break up this, it shall feem to fignifie. Lor. I know the Hand, in faith 'tis a fair Hand, And whiter than the Paper it writ on, Is, the fair Hand that writ. Gra. Love-news, in faith. Lor. Whither goest thou? Laun. Marry to bid my old Mafter the Jew to Sup to Night with my new Mafter the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this, tell gentle Feffica I will not fail her, speak it privately. Go, Gentlemen, will you prepare you for this Mask to Night? I am provided of a Torch-bearer. Sal. Ay marry, I'll be gone about it strait. Sola. And fo will I. [Exit Laun. Lor. Meet me and Gratiano at Gratiano's Lodging Some hour hence. Sal. 'Tis good we do fo. Gra. Was not that Letter from fair Jeffica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all, she hath directed How I fhall take her from her Father's House, G [Exit. Come Come go with me, perufe this as thou goest, Enter Shylock and Launcelot. [Exeunt. Shy. Well, thou shalt fee, thy Eyes fhall be thy Judge, The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio; What Jeffica! Thou shalt not Gormandize Laun. Why Jeffica! Shy. Who bids thee call? I did not bid thee call. Enter Jeffica. go ? Jef. Call you? What is your will? Shy. So do I his. Laun. And they have confpired together, I will not fay you fhall fee a Mask, but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my Nofe fell a bleeding on Black Munday last, at fix a Clock i'th' morning, falling out that Year on AshWednesday was four Year in the afternoon. Shy. What are their Masks? Hear you me, Jessica, I have no mind of Feafting forth to Night: Laun. I will go before, Sir. Miftrefs, look out at Window for all this; Will be worth a Jew's Eye. [Exit Laun. Shy. What fays that Fool of Hagar's Off-fpring? ha. More than the wild Cat; Drones hive not with me, Perhaps I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, fhut Doors after you, faft bind, faft find, A Proverb never ftale in thrifty Mind. Jef. Farewel; and if my Fortune be not croft, I have a Father, you a Daughter loft. Enter Gratiano and Salanio in Masquerade. [Exit. [Exit. Gra. This is the Pent-houfe under which Lorenzo defired us to make a ftand. Sal. His hour is almoft paft. Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For Lovers ever run before the Clock. Sal. O ten times fafter Venus Pigeons fly To steal Loves Bonds new made, than they are wont Gra. That ever holds. Who rifeth from a Feast The skarfed Bark puts from her native Bay, G 2 Enter Enter Lorenzo. Sal. Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter. When you shall pleafe to play the Thieves for Wives, Here dwells my Father Jew. Hoa, who's within? Jef Who are you? tell me for more certainty, Albeit I'll fwear that I do know your Tongue. Lor. Lorenzo, and thy Love. Jef. Lorenzo certain, and my Love indeed, For who love I fo much? And now who knows But you, Lorenze, whether I am yours? Lor. Heav'n and thy Thoughts are witness that thou art. Jef. Here, catch this Casket, it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis Night, you do not look on me, For I am much afham'd of my exchange; Lor. Defcend, for you must be my Torch-bearer. Lor. So you are, Sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a Boy; but come at once, And we are ftaid for at Baffanio's Feaft. Jef. I will make faft the Doors, and gild my felf For fhe is wife, if I can judge of her, Enter |