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The Merchant of Venice: Act II, Scene 6

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The Merchant of Venice
Act II, Scene 6

Venice. Before Shylock’s house.

The graphic gallery of Shakespeare's heroines

Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed, For who love I so much?

From: The graphic gallery of Shakespeare's heroines

Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.; 1896

  1. Enter two of the masquers, Gratiano and Salerio.

Gratiano

1 - 2
  1. This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
  2. Desir’d us to make stand.

Salerio

3
  1.                           His hour is almost past.

Gratiano

4 - 5
  1. And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
  2. For lovers ever run before the clock.

Salerio

6 - 8
  1. O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly
  2. To seal love’s bonds new made, than they are wont
  3. To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

Gratiano

9 - 20
  1. That ever holds. Who riseth from a feast
  2. With that keen appetite that he sits down?
  3. Where is the horse that doth untread again
  4. His tedious measures with the unbated fire
  5. That he did pace them first? All things that are,
  6. Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d.
  7. How like a younger or a prodigal
  8. The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
  9. Hugg’d and embraced by the strumpet wind!
  10. How like the prodigal doth she return,
  11. With over-weather’d ribs and ragged sails,
  12. Lean, rent, and beggar’d by the strumpet wind!
  1. Enter Lorenzo.

Salerio

21
  1. Here comes Lorenzo, more of this hereafter.

Lorenzo

22 - 26
  1. Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;
    Mar 11, 2019 Miko
    Long delay
  2. Not I but my affairs have made you wait.
  3. When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
  4. I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach,
  5. Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! Who’s within?
  1. Enter Jessica above in boy’s clothes.

Jessica

27 - 28
  1. Who are you? Tell me for more certainty,
  2. Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue.

Lorenzo

29
  1. Lorenzo, and thy love.

Jessica

30 - 32
  1. Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,
  2. For who love I so much? And now who knows
  3. But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

Lorenzo

33
  1. Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.

Jessica

34 - 40
  1. Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains.
  2. I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me,
  3. For I am much asham’d of my exchange.
  4. But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
  5. The pretty follies that themselves commit,
  6. For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
  7. To see me thus transformed to a boy.
Costumes for Merchant of Venice

Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains

From: Costumes for Merchant of Venice

E. J. S., circa 1900

Lorenzo

41
  1. Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.

Jessica

42 - 45
  1. What, must I hold a candle to my shames?
  2. They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
  3. Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love,
  4. And I should be obscur’d.

Lorenzo

46 - 50
  1.                           So are you, sweet,
  2. Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
  3. But come at once,
  4. For the close night doth play the runaway,
  5. And we are stay’d for at Bassanio’s feast.

Jessica

51 - 52
  1. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
  2. With some more ducats, and be with you straight.
  1. Exit above.

Gratiano

53
  1. Now by my hood, a gentle, and no Jew.

Lorenzo

54 - 61
  1. Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
  2. For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
  3. And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
  4. And true she is, as she hath prov’d herself;
  5. And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
  6. Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
  7. Enter Jessica.
  8. What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!
  9. Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.
  1. Exit with Jessica and Salerio.
  1. Enter Antonio.

Antonio

62
  1. Who’s there?

Gratiano

63
  1. Signior Antonio!

Antonio

64 - 68
  1. Fie, fie, Gratiano, where are all the rest?
  2. ’Tis nine a’ clock—our friends all stay for you.
  3. No masque tonight, the wind is come about,
  4. Bassanio presently will go aboard.
  5. I have sent twenty out to seek for you.

Gratiano

69 - 70
  1. I am glad on’t. I desire no more delight
  2. Than to be under sail, and gone tonight.
  1. Exeunt.

So are you, sweet, even in the lovely garnish of a boy.

John Masey Wright, Robert Smirke, Thomas Stothard, circa 1800

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