Therefore I part with him; and part with him Do, as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind. [Exit. Jes. Farewell; and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost. [Exit. SCENE VI.-The same. Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued. Gra. This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo Desir'd us to make stand. Salar. His hour is almost past. Gra. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, For lovers ever run before the clock. Salar. O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly Gra. That ever holds: Who riseth from a feast, The scarfed bark puts from her native bay, How like the prodigal doth she return; With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails, Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind! Enter LORENZO. Salar. Here comes Lorenzo ;-more of this hereaf ter. Lor. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode; Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait; Enter JESSICA above, in boy's clothes. Jes. Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, Jes. Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed; Lor. Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou art. Jes. Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. I am glad 'tis 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. Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer. Jes. What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. VOL. XII. с Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; Lor. So are you, sweet, Even in the lovely garnish of a boy. But come at once; For the close night doth play the run-away, And we are staid for at Bassanio's feast. Jes. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight. [Exit, from above. Gra. Now, by my hood, a Gentile, and no Jew. For she is wise, if I can judge of her; And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself; Enter JESSICA, below. What, art thou come !-On, gentlemen, away; [Exit with JESSICA and SALARINO. Enter ANTONIO. Ant. Who's there? Gra. Signior Antonio? Ant. Fye, fye, Gratiano! where are all the rest? 'Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you:No masque to-night; the wind is come about, Bassanio presently will go aboard : I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Gra. I am glad on't; I desire no more delight, Than to be under sail, and gone to-night. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-Belmont. A room in PORTIA's house. Flourish of Cornets. Enter PORTIA, with the Prince of Morocco, with both their trains. Por. Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince : Now make your choice. Mor. The first of gold, who this inscription bears ;Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire. The second, silver, which this promise carries ;Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves. The third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt;Who chooseth me, shall give and hazard all he hath. How shall I know if I do choose the right? Por. The one of them contains my picture, prince; If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Mor. Some god direct my judgment! Let me sce, I will survey the inscriptions back again : What says this leaden casket? Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath. A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, And yet to be afeard of my deserving, One of these three contains her heavenly picture. Was set in worse than gold. They have in England But here an angel in a golden bed Lies all within.-Deliver me the key; Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may ! |