GRATIANO
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make stand.
SALARINO
His hour is almost past.
GRATIANO
And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.
SALARINO
O ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly
To seal love’s bonds new-made than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
GRATIANO
That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that 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 enjoy’d.
How like a younger or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg’d and embraced by the strumpet wind!
How like the prodigal she return
With over-weather’d ribs and ragged sails,
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.
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 then. Approach.
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who’s within?
JESSICA
Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue.
LORENZO
Lorenzo, and 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 thoughts are witness that art.
JESSICA
Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.
I am glad night, you do not look on me,
For I am much asham’d 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 transformed to a boy.
LORENZO
Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.
JESSICA
What! must I hold a candle to my shames?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
Why, an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscur’d.
LORENZO
So are you, sweet,
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
But come at once,
For the close night play the runaway,
And we are stay’d for at Bassanio’s feast.
JESSICA
I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
With some moe ducats, and be with you straight.
GRATIANO
Now, by my hood, a gentle, 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 prov’d herself.
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
LORENZO
What, art come? On, gentlemen, away!
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?
nine o’clock, our friends all stay for you.
No masque tonight, the wind is come about;
Bassanio will go aboard.
I have sent twenty out to seek for you.
GRATIANO
I am glad on’t. I desire no more delight
Than to be under sail and gone tonight.