Salerino.
Lor.
Nay, we will slink away in supper-time;
Disguise us at my lodging, and return
All in an hour.
Gra.
We have not made good preparation.
Sal.
We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.
Sol.
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd;
And better, in my mind, not undertook.
Lor.
'Tis now but four o'clock, we have two hours
To furnish us:—Friend Launcelot, what's the news?
Enter Clown, with a Letter.
Clo.
An it shall please note you to break up this &dagger2;, it
shall seem to signify.
-- 29 --
Lor.
I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
And whiter note than the paper it writ on,
Is the note fair hand that writ.
Gra.
Love-news, i' faith.
Clo.
By your leave, sir.
Lor.
Whither go'st thou?
Clo.
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to
sup to-night with my new master the christian.
Lor.
Hold here, take &dagger2; this: tell gentle Jessica,
I will not fail her; speak it privately; go.—
Gentlemen,
[Exit Clown.
Will you prepare you for this masque to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.
Sal.
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
Sol.
And so will I.
Lor.
Meet me, and Gratiano,
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
Sal.
'Tis good we do so.
[Exeunt Sal. and Sol.
Gra.
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
Lor.
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 &dagger2;, as thou go'st:
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.
[Exeunt.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
