Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act 2 - Scene 6
The same.
Gratiano : This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo
[p]Desired us to make
stand.
Salarino : His hour is almost past.
Gratiano : And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
[p]For lovers ever run before
the clock.
Salarino : O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
[p]To seal love's bonds
new-made, than they are wont
[p]To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
Gratiano : That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
[p]With that keen appetite
that he sits down?
[p]Where is the horse that doth untread
again
[p]His tedious measures with the unbated fire
[p]That he did
pace them first? All things that are,
[p]Are with more spirit chased
than enjoy'd.
[p]How like a younker or a prodigal
[p]The scarfed bark
puts from her native bay,
[p]Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet
wind!
[p]How like the prodigal doth she return,
[p]With over-weather'd
ribs and ragged sails,
[p]Lean, rent and beggar'd by the strumpet
wind!
Salarino : Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter.
Lorenzo : Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;
[p]Not I, but my
affairs, have made you wait:
[p]When you shall please to play the
thieves for wives,
[p]I'll watch as long for you then.
Approach;
[p]Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?
Jessica : Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
[p]Albeit I'll swear that I
do know your tongue.
Lorenzo : Lorenzo, and thy love.
Jessica : Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,
[p]For who love I so much? And
now who knows
[p]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.
[p]I am glad 'tis
night, you do not look on me,
[p]For I am much ashamed of my
exchange:
[p]But love is blind and lovers cannot see
[p]The pretty
follies that themselves commit;
[p]For if they could, Cupid himself
would blush
[p]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?
[p]They in themselves,
good-sooth, are too too light.
[p]Why, 'tis an office of discovery,
love;
[p]And I should be obscured.
Lorenzo : So are you, sweet,
[p]Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
[p]But come
at once;
[p]For the close night doth play the runaway,
[p]And we are
stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
Jessica : I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
[p]With some more ducats,
and be with you straight.
Gratiano : Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew.
Lorenzo : Beshrew me but I love her heartily;
[p]For she is wise, if I can judge
of her,
[p]And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
[p]And true she
is, as she hath proved herself,
[p]And therefore, like herself, wise,
fair and true,
[p]Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
[p][Enter
JESSICA, below]
[p]What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away!
[p]Our
masquing mates by this time for us stay.
Antonio : Who's there?
Gratiano : Signior Antonio!
Antonio : Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
[p]'Tis nine o'clock: our
friends all stay for you.
[p]No masque to-night: the wind is come
about;
[p]Bassanio presently will go aboard:
[p]I have sent twenty out
to seek for you.
Gratiano : I am glad on't: I desire no more delight
[p]Than to be under sail and
gone to-night.
Previous: Act 2 - Scene 5
Next: Act 2 - Scene 7
