Scene VI

Enter the maskers, Gratiano and Salerio.

GRATIANO:

This is the pent-house, under which Lorenzo
Desir'd us to make stand.

GRATIANO:

This is the house where Lorenzo
Wanted us to wait.

SALERIO:

His hour is almost past.

SALERIO:

He’s almost late.

GRATIANO:

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

GRATIANO:

And it’s a wonder that he’s late,
Because lovers always keep ahead of the clock.

SALERIO:

O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

SALERIO:

Oh! Love’s pigeons fly ten times faster
To seal newly made promises of love than they are
Accustomed to keeping love’s old vows from being broken!

GRATIANO:

That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?(10)
Where is the horse that doth untread again,
His tedious measures with the unbated fire,
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd.
How like a younger, or a prodigal,(15)
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind!

Enter Lorenzo.

How like a prodigal doth she return;
With over-weather'd ribs, and ragged sails,
Lean, rent, and beggar'd by the strumpet wind!(20)

GRATIANO:

That’s true: who gets up from a feast
With the same hunger that he had when he sat down?
Where is the horse that retraces his boring steps again
With the same fire
That he walked them in the first place? All things that exist
Are sought for with more spirit than the spirit to enjoy them.
How the sailing ship leaves her native port
Like a youngster or a spendthrift
Hugged and embraced by the prostitute wind!
How she returns like the spendthrift,
With weather-beaten sides and ragged sails,
Thin, torn, and destitute by the prostitute wind!

SALERIO:

Here comes Lorenzo;—more of this hereafter.

SALERIO:

Here comes Lorenzo; more about this later.

LORENZO:

Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode:
Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
I'll watch as long for you then.—Approach;(25)
Here dwells my father Jew.—Ho! who's within?

LORENZO:

Sweet friends, I’m sorry I’m late;
Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:
When you are ready to do anything to get wives,
I'll watch as long for you then. Come on;
My father-n-law Jew lives here. Hey! Who's in there?

[Enter] Jessica above.

JESSICA:

Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,
Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue.

JESSICA:

Who are you? Tell me, just to be sure,
Even though I'll swear that I know your voice.

LORENZO:

Lorenzo, and thy love.

LORENZO:

Lorenzo, and your love.

JESSICA:

Lorenzo, certain; and my love, indeed;(30)
For who love I so much? And now, who knows
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

JESSICA:

Lorenzo, to be sure and my love indeed,
Because who do love I so much? And now, who knows
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

LORENZO:

Heaven, and thy thoughts, are witness that thou
art.

LORENZO:

Heaven and your thoughts are witnesses that you are.

JESSICA:

Here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains.(35)
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
For I am much asham'd of my exchange:
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit;
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush,(40)
To see me thus transformed to a boy.

JESSICA:

Here, catch this chest; it is worth the trouble.
I am glad it’s night so that you can’t see me,
Because I am very ashamed of my costume;
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty mischief that they themselves commit,
Because, if they could, Cupid himself would blush
To see me transformed to a boy like this.

LORENZO:

Descend, for you must be my torchbearer.

LORENZO:

Go down, because you must be carry my torch.

JESSICA:

What, must I hold a candle to my shames?
They in themselves, good-sooth, are too-too light.
Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love;(45)
And I should be obscur'd.

JESSICA:

What! Do I have to hold a light on my shame?
They in themselves, to tell the truth, are as light as a flute.
Why, light is a function of discovering things, love,
And I should be hidden.

LORENZO:

So are you, sweet,
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
But come at once;
For the close night doth play the run-away,(50)
And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast.

LORENZO:

And you are hidden, sweetheart,
Even in the lovely garments of a boy.
But come at once,
Because the night is running away,
And we are waited for at Bassanio's feast.

JESSICA:

I will make fast the doors, and gild myself
With some more ducats, and be with you straight.

JESSICA:

I’ll secure the doors, and cover myself
With some more dollars, and I’ll be with you right away.

[Exit above]

GRATIANO:

Now, by my hood, a Gentile and no Jew.

GRATIANO:

Now, I swear, she is a Gentile and no Jew.

LORENZO:

Beshrew me, but I love her heartily:(55)
For she is wise, if I can judge of her;
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true;
And true she is, as she hath prov'd herself;
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
Shall she be placed in my constant soul.(60)

Enter Jessica, [below].

What, art thou come?—On, gentlemen, away;
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.

LORENZO:

Curse me, but I love her heartily;
Because she is wise, if I can judge her,
And she is beautiful, if my eyes can really see,
And she is true, as she has proved herself;
And so, like herself, wise, beautiful, and true,
She shall be placed in my faithful soul.

What, are you here? On, gentlemen, let’s go!
Our partying friends wait for us already.

Exit [with Jessica and Salerio]

Enter Antonio

ANTONIO:

Who's there?

ANTONIO:

Who's there?

GRATIANO:

Signior Antonio!

GRATIANO:

Mr. Antonio!

ANTONIO:

Fie, fie, Gratiano! where are all the rest?(65)
'Tis nine o'clock, our friends all stay for you:
No masque to-night, the wind is come about;
Bassanio presently will go aboard:
I have sent twenty out to seek for you.

ANTONIO:

Nonsense, nonsense, Gratiano! where are all the rest?
It’s nine o'clock; our friends all wait for you.
No party tonight: the wind has changed direction;
Bassanio will go aboard soon:
I have sent out twenty men to look for you.

GRATIANO:

I am glad on't; I desire no more delight,(70)
Than to be under sail and gone to-night.

GRATIANO:

I am glad about it: I don’t want anything more
Than to get sailing and be gone tonight.

Exeunt.