The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

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ACT II - Scene IV

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Venice. A street

Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALERIO, and SOLANIO

Nay, we will slink away in suppertime,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return
All in an hour.

We have not made good preparation.

We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.

'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered;
And better in my mind not undertook.

'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours
To furnish us.

Enter LAUNCELOT, With a letter

Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem
to signify.

I know the hand; in faith, 'tis a fair hand,
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.

Love-news, in faith!

By your leave, sir.

Whither goest thou?

Marry, sir, to bid my old master, the Jew, to sup
to-night with my new master, the Christian.

Hold, here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica
I will not fail her; speak it privately.
Go, gentlemen,

Exit LAUNCELOT

Will you prepare you for this masque to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

And so will I.

Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

'Tis good we do so.

Exeunt SALERIO and SOLANIO

Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
How I shall take her from her father's house;
What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with;
What page's suit she hath in readiness.
If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,
It will be for his gentle daughter's sake;
And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
Unless she do it under this excuse,
That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest;
Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.

Exeunt