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.
SALARINO.
Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
SALANIO.
And so will I.
LORENZO.
Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
SALARINO.
'Tis good we do so.
[Exeunt SALARINO and SALANIO.]
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]
