The Merchant of Venice (1596-7)

Intro

Title Variant: The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice; or, The Jew of Venice
Online Critical Edition in Progress - Version 1.b.
Shakespeare Network - https://shakespearenetwork.net/

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Act II, Scene 4

The same. A street.

Lorenzo
Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,
Disguise us at my lodging and return,
All in an hour.

Gratiano
We have not made good preparation.

Salarino
We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.

Salanio
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,
And better in my mind not undertook.

Lorenzo
'Tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours
To furnish us.
[Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter]
Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

Launcelot Gobbo
An it shall please you to break up
this, it shall seem to signify.

Lorenzo
I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.

Gratiano
Love-news, in faith.

Launcelot Gobbo
By your leave, sir.

Lorenzo
Whither goest thou?

Launcelot Gobbo
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the
Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian.

Lorenzo
Hold 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 tonight?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Salanio
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

Salanio
And so will I.

Lorenzo
Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

Salarino
'Tis good we do so.

Gratiano
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

Lorenzo
I 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.

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The Merchant of Venice (1596-7)

Act II, Scene 4

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