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The Illustrated Works of Shakespeare
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Illustrated Works of Shakespeare, The (1990)(Animated Pixels)[!][CDTV-PC].iso
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17
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02_06
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1991-04-10
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Scene 6. Before SHYLOCK'S House.
Enter the masquers, GRATIANO and SALERIO.
Gratiano This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make stand.
Salerio His hour is almost past.
Gratiano And it is marvel he outdwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.
Salerio O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
To seal love's bonds new-made than they are wont
To keep obligd faith unforfeited!
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
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are
Are with more spirit chasd than enjoyed.
How like a younker or a prodigal
The scarfd bark puts from her native bay,
Hugged and embracd by the strumpet wind;
How like the prodigal doth she return,
With overweathered ribs and ragged sails,
Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind.
Enter LORENZO.
Salerio 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?
Enter JESSICA above, in boy's clothes.
Jessica Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.
Lorenzo Lorenzo, and thy 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 thy thoughts are witness that thou art.
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 transformd 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, 'tis an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured.
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 stayed for at Bassanio's feast.
Jessica I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
With some more ducats, and be with you straight.
[Exit above.
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 hath proved herself;
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
Shall she be placd in my constant soul.
Enter JESSICA below.
What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!
Our masquing mates, by this time, for us stay.
[Exit with JESSICA and SALERIO.
Enter ANTONIO.
Antonio Who's there?
Gratiano Signor Antonio?
Antonio Fie, fie Gratiano! Where are all the rest?
'Tis nine o'clock; our friends all stay for you.
No masque tonight - the wind is come about,
Bassanio presently 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.
[Exeunt.