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• The Merchant of Venice: Dramatis PersonÆ.
• Act I.
• Scene I.—: Venice. a Street.
• Scene II.—: Belmont. a Room Inportia’shouse.
• Scene III.—: Venice. a Public Place.
• Act II.
• Scene I.—: Belmont. a Room Inportia’shouse.
• Scene II.—: Venice. a Street.
• Scene III.—: The Same. a Room Inshylock’shouse.
• Scene IV.—: The Same. a Street.
• Scene V.—: The Same. Beforeshylock’shouse.
• Scene VI.—: The Same.
• Scene VII.—: Belmont. a Room Inportia’shouse.
• Scene VIII.—: Venice. a Street.
• Scene IX.—: Belmont. a Room Inportia’shouse.
• Act III.
• Scene I.—: Venice. a Street.
• Scene II.—: Belmont. a Room Inportia’shouse.
• Scene III.—: Venice. a Street.
• Scene IV.—: Belmont. a Room Inportia’shouse.
• Scene V.—: The Same. a Garden.
• Act IV.
• Scene I.—: Venice. a Court of Justice.
• Scene II.—: The Same. a Street.
• Act V.
• Scene I.—: Belmont. the Avenue Toportia’shouse.

Scene VI.—

The Same.

EnterGratianoandSalarino,masqued.

Gra.

This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo

Desir’d 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

With that keen appetite that he sits down?

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 chased than enjoy’d.

How like a younker or a prodigal

The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,

Hugg’d and embraced by the strumpet wind!

How like the prodigal doth she return,

With over-weather’d ribs and ragged sails,

Lean, rent, and beggar’d by the strumpet wind!

Salar.

Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter.

EnterLorenzo.

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,

I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach;

Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who’s within?

EnterJessicaabove, 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 whom 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 asham’d 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.

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 I should be obscur’d.

Lor.

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 stay’d for at Bassanio’s feast.

Jes.

I will make fast the doors, and gild myself

With some more ducats, and be with you straight.

[Exit above.

Gra.

Now, by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew.

Lor.

Beshrew me, but I love her heartily;

For she is wise, if I can judge of her,

And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,

And true she is, as she hath prov’d herself;

And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,

Shall she be placed in my constant soul.

EnterJessica.

What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away!

Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.

[Exit withJessicaandSalarino.

EnterAntonio.

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.