Act 2, Scene 3

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

Listen to Act 2. LibriVox volunteers recorded “Act II” as one track, so it runs past this scene and includes stage directions this page leaves out. LibriVox catalog.

JESSICA

I am sorry wilt leave my father so.
Our house is hell, and , a merry devil,
rob it of some taste of tediousness.
But fare well, there is a ducat for ,
And, Launcelet, soon at supper see
Lorenzo, who is new master’s guest.
Give him this letter, do it secretly.
And so farewell. I would not have my father
See me in talk with .

LAUNCELET

Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the and get , I am much deceived. But, adieu! These foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit. Adieu!

JESSICA

Farewell, good Launcelet.

JESSICA

, what heinous sin is it in me
To be ashamed to be my father’s child!
But though I am a daughter to his blood,
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,
If keep promise, I shall end this strife,
Become a Christian and loving wife.

All of The Merchant of Venice

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1 Act 1, Scene 2 Act 1, Scene 3,

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1 Act 2, Scene 2 Act 2, Scene 3 Act 2, Scene 4 Act 2, Scene 5 Act 2, Scene 6 Act 2, Scene 7 Act 2, Scene 8 Act 2, Scene 9,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1 Act 3, Scene 2 Act 3, Scene 3 Act 3, Scene 4 Act 3, Scene 5,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1 Act 4, Scene 2,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1

Open The Merchant of Venice in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.