Let not the sound of shallow fopp’ry enter

My sober house. By Jacob’s staff I swear

I have no mind of feasting forth tonight.

But I will go. (To Lancelot) Go you before me, sirrah.

Say I will come.

LANCELOT I will go before, sir.

(Aside to Jessica)

Mistress, look out at window for all this.

There will come a Christian by

Will be worth a Jewës eye. Exit

SHYLOCK (to Jessica)

What says that fool of Hagar’s offspring, ha?

JESSICA

His words were ‘Farewell, mistress’; nothing else.

SHYLOCK

The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder,

Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day

More than the wildcat. Drones hive not with me;

Therefore I part with him, and part with him

To one that I would have him help to waste

His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.

Perhaps I will return immediately.

Do as I bid you. Shut doors after you.

Fast bind, fast find—

A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

Exit at one door

JESSICA

Farewell; and if my fortune be not crossed,

I have a father, you a daughter lost.

Exit at another door

2.6 Enter the masquers, Graziano and Salerio, ⌈with torchbearers⌉

GRAZIANO

This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo

Desired us to make stand.

SALERIO His hour is almost past.

GRAZIANO

And it is marvel he outdwells his hour,

For lovers ever run before the clock.

SALERIO

O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly

To seal love’s bonds new made than they are wont

To keep obligèd faith unforfeited.

GRAZIANO

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 enjoyed.

How like a younker or a prodigal

The scarfed barque puts from her native bay,

Hugged and embraced by the strumpet wind!

How like the prodigal doth she return,

With over-weathered ribs and ragged sails,

Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind!

Enter Lorenzo, ⌈with a torch⌉

SALERIO

Here comes Lorenzo. More of this hereafter.

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

I’ll watch as long for you therein. Approach.

Here dwells my father Jew. (Calling) Ho, who’s

within?

Enter Jessica above in boy’s apparel

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

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.

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

To see me thus transformèd 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,

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,

And we are stayed 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

GRAZIANO

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

LORENZO

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 proved herself;

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

Shall she be placed in my constant soul.

Enter Jessica below

What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away.

Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.

Exit with Jessica and Salerio

Enter Antonio

ANTONIO

Who’s there?

GRAZIANO Signor Antonio? 60

ANTONIO

Fie, fie, Graziano, where are all the rest?

‘Tis nine o’clock. Our friends all stay for you.

No masque tonight. The wind is come about.

Bassanio presently will go aboard.

I have sent twenty out to seek for you. 65

GRAZIANO

I am glad on’t. I desire no more delight

Than to be under sail and gone tonight. Exeunt

2.7 ⌈Flourish of cornetts.⌉ Enter Portia with Morocco and both their trains

PORTIA

Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover

The several caskets to this noble prince.

The curtains are drawn aside, revealing three caskets

(To Morocco) Now make your choice.

MOROCCO

This first of gold, who this inscription bears:

‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.’

The second silver, which this promise carries: