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- $Unique_ID{SSP02609}
- $Title{The Merchant of Venice: Act II, Scene VI}
- $Author{Shakespeare, William}
- $Subject{}
- $Log{Dramatis Personae*02600.txt}
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- Portions copyright (c) CMC ReSearch, Inc., 1989
-
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
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- THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
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- ACT II
- ................................................................................
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- SCENE VI: The same.
- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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- {Enter GRATIANO and SALARINO, masqued.}
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- GRATIANO: This is the pent-house under which Lorenzo
- Desired us to make stand.
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- SALARINO: His hour is almost past.
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- GRATIANO: And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
- For lovers ever run before the clock.
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- SALARINO: O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
- To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont
- To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
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- GRATIANO: That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
- With that keen appetite that he sits down?
- Where is the horse that doth untread again 10
- 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 younker or a prodigal
- The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
- Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!
- How like the prodigal doth she return,
- With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails,
- Lean, rent and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!
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- SALARINO: Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter. 20
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- {Enter LORENZO.}
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- 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?
-
- {Enter JESSICA, above, in boy's clothes.}
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- JESSICA: Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
- Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.
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- LORENZO: Lorenzo, and thy love.
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- JESSICA: Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,
- For who love I so much? And now who knows 30
- But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
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- LORENZO: Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
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- 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 transformed to a boy.
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- LORENZO: Descend, for you must be my torchbearer. 40
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- 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.
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- 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 stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.
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- JESSICA: I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
- With some more ducats, and be with you straight. 50
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- [Exit above.]
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- GRATIANO: Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew.
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- 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.
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- {Enter JESSICA, below.}
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- What, art thou come? On, gentlemen; away!
- Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
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- [Exit with Jessica and Salarino.]
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- {Enter ANTONIO.}
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- ANTONIO: Who's there? 60
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- GRATIANO: Signior Antonio!
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- ANTONIO: Fie, fie, 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.
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- GRATIANO: I am glad on't: I desire no more delight
- Than to be under sail and gone to-night.
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- [Exeunt.]
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