Venice. A street
Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALERIO, and SOLANIO LORENZO Nay, we will slink away in suppertime,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return
All in an hour.
GRATIANO We have not made good preparation.
SALERIO We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.
SOLANIO 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered;
And better in my mind not undertook.
LORENZO 'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours
To furnish us.
Enter LAUNCELOT, With a letter Friend Launcelot, what's the news?
LAUNCELOT An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem
to signify.
LORENZO I know the hand; in faith, 'tis a fair hand,
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.
GRATIANO Love-news, in faith!
LAUNCELOT By your leave, sir.
LORENZO Whither goest thou?
LAUNCELOT Marry, sir, to bid my old master, the Jew, to sup
to-night with my new master, the Christian.
LORENZO 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.
SALERIO Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
SOLANIO And so will I.
LORENZO Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
SALERIO 'Tis good we do so.
Exeunt SALERIO and SOLANIO GRATIANO Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
LORENZO 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