862last, at six a clocke ith morning, falling out that yeere on

863ashwensday was foure yeere in th' afternoone.

864Shy. What are their maskes? heare you me Iessica,

865Lock vp my doores, and when you heare the drum

866And the vile squealing of the wry-neckt Fife,

867Clamber not you vp to the casements then,

868Nor thrust your head into the publique streete

869To gaze on Christian fooles with varnisht faces:

870But stop my houses eares, I meane my casements,

871Let not the sound of shallow fopperie enter

872My sober house. By Iacobs staffe I sweare,

873I haue no minde of feasting forth to night:

874But I will goe: goe you before me sirra,

875Say I will come.

876Clo. I will goe before sir.

877Mistris looke out at window for all this;

878There will come a Christian by,

879Will be worth a Iewes eye.

880Shy. What saies that foole of Hagars off-spring?

881ha.

882Ies. His words were farewell mistris, nothing else.

883Shy. The patch is kinde enough, but a huge feeder:

884Snaile-slow in profit, but he sleepes by day

885More then the wilde-cat: drones hiue not with me,

886Therefore I part with him, and part with him

887To one that I would haue him helpe to waste

888His borrowed purse. Well Iessica goe in,

889Perhaps I will returne immediately;

890Doe as I bid you, shut dores after you, fast binde, fast

891finde,

892A prouerbe neuer stale in thriftie minde. Exit.

893Ies. Farewell, and if my fortune be not crost,

894I haue a Father, you a daughter lost. Exit.

896Gra. This is the penthouse vnder which Lorenzo

897Desired vs to make a stand.

898Sal. His houre is almost past.

899Gra. And it is meruaile he out-dwels his houre,

900For louers euer run before the clocke.

901Sal. O ten times faster Venus Pidgions flye

902To steale loues bonds new made, then they are wont

903To keepe obliged faith vnforfaited.

904Gra. That euer holds, who riseth from a feast

905With that keene appetite that he sits downe?

906Where is the horse that doth vntread againe

907His tedious measures with the vnbated fire,

908That he did pace them first: all things that are,

909Are with more spirit chased then enioy'd.

910How like a yonger or a prodigall

911The skarfed barke puts from her natiue bay,

912Hudg'd and embraced by the strumpet winde:

913How like a prodigall doth she returne

914With ouer-wither'd ribs and ragged sailes,

915Leane, rent, and begger'd by the strumpet winde?

917Salino. Heere comes Lorenzo, more of this here-

918after.

919Lor. Sweete friends, your patience for my long a-

920bode,

921Not I, but my affaires haue made you wait:

922When you shall please to play the theeues for wiues

923Ile watch as long for you then: approach

924Here dwels my father Iew. Hoa, who's within?

926Iess. Who are you? tell me for more certainty,

927Albeit Ile sweare that I do know your tongue.

928Lor. Lorenzo, and thy Loue.

929Ies. Lorenzo certaine, and my loue indeed,

930For who loue I so much? and now who knowes

931But you Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

932Lor. Heauen and thy thoughts are witness that thou

933art.

934Ies. Heere, catch this casket, it is worth the paines,

935I am glad 'tis night, you do not looke on me,

936For I am much asham'd of my exchange:

937But loue is blinde, and louers cannot see

938The pretty follies that themselues commit,

939For if they could, Cupid himselfe would blush

940To see me thus transformed to a boy.

941Lor. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.

942Ies. What, must I hold a Candle to my shames?

943They in themselues goodsooth are too too light.

944Why, 'tis an office of discouery Loue,

945And I should be obscur'd.

946Lor. So you are sweet,

947Euen in the louely garnish of a boy: but come at once,

948For the close night doth play the run-away,

949And we are staid for at Bassanio's feast.

950Ies. I will make fast the doores and guild my selfe

951With some more ducats, and be with you straight.

952Gra. Now by my hood, a gentle, and no Iew.

953Lor. Beshrew me but I loue her heartily.

954For she is wise, if I can iudge of her,

955And faire she is, if that mine eyes be true,

956And true she is, as she hath prou'd her selfe:

957And therefore like her selfe, wise, faire, and true,

958Shall she be placed in my constant soule.

960What, art thou come? on gentlemen, away,

961Our masking mates by this time for vs stay. Exit.

963Ant. Who's there?

964Gra. Signior Anthonio?

965Ant. Fie, fie, Gratiano, where are all the rest?

966'Tis nine a clocke, our friends all stay for you,

967No maske to night, the winde is come about,

968Bassanio presently will goe aboord,

969I haue sent twenty out to seeke for you.

970Gra. I am glad on't, I desire no more delight

971Then to be vnder saile, and gone to night. Exeunt.

973Por. Goe, draw aside the curtaines, and discouer

974The seuerall Caskets to this noble Prince:

975Now make your choyse.

976Mor. The first of gold, who this inscription beares,

977Who chooseth me, shall gaine what men desire.

978The second siluer, which this promise carries,

979Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserues.

980This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt,

981Who chooseth me, must giue and hazard all he hath.

982How shall I know if I doe choose the right?