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  • Title: The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright Janelle Jenstad. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Janelle Jenstad
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Merchant of Venice (Quarto 1, 1600)

    Enter Iessica and the Clowne.
    735Jessica. I am sorry thou wilt leaue my Father so,
    Our house is hell, and thou a merry deuill
    Didst rob it of some tast of tediousnes,
    But far thee well, there is a ducat for thee,
    And Launcelet, soone at supper shalt thou see
    740Lorenso, who is thy new Maisters guest,
    Giue him this Letter, doe it secretly,
    And so farwell: I would not haue my Father
    See me in talke with thee.
    Clowne. Adiew, teares exhibit my tongue, most beautifull Pagan,
    745most sweete Iewe, if a Christian doe not play the knaue and
    get thee, I am much deceaued; but adiew, these foolish drops doe
    somthing drowne my manly spirit: adiew.
    Jessica. Farwell good Launcelet.
    Alack, what heynous sinne is it in me
    750To be ashamed to be my Fathers child,
    But though I am a daughter to his blood
    I am not to his manners: ô Lorenso
    Yf thou keepe promise I shall end this strife,
    Become a Christian and thy louing wife. Exit.