TPTT The Merchant of Venice: ACT II
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
SCENE I. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
SCENE II. Venice. A street.
SCENE III. The same. A room in SHYLOCK'S house.
SCENE IV. The same. A street.
SCENE V. The same. Before SHYLOCK'S house.
SCENE VI. The same.
SCENE VII. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
SCENE VIII. Venice. A street.
SCENE IX. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
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SCENE VI. The same.
Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued
GRATIANO
      This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo
      Desired us to make stand.
SALARINO
      His hour is almost past.
GRATIANO
      And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
5     For lovers ever run before the clock.
SALARINO
      O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
      To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont
      To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
GRATIANO
      That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
10    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.
15    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,
20    Lean, rent and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
SALARINO
      Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter.
Enter LORENZO
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,
25    I'll watch as long for you then. Approach;
      Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?
Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes
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
30    Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,
      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.
35    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
40    To see me thus transformed to a boy.
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;
45    And I should be obscured.
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,
50    And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
JESSICA
      I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
      With some more ducats, and be with you straight.
Exit above
GRATIANO
      Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew.
LORENZO
      Beshrew me but I love her heartily;
55    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 proved herself,
      And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true,
      Shall she be placed in my constant soul.

Enter JESSICA, below

60    What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away!
      Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
Exit with Jessica and Salarino
Enter ANTONIO
ANTONIO
      Who's there?
GRATIANO
      Signior Antonio!
ANTONIO
      Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
65    '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.
GRATIANO
      I am glad on't: I desire no more delight
70    Than to be under sail and gone to-night.
Exeunt
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