Act II, Scene iv:
The same. A street

[Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SALANIO.]

LORENZO:

Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,

Disguise us at my lodging, and return

All in an hour.

GRATIANO:

We have not made good preparation.

SALARINO:

We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.

SALANIO:

'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,

And better in my mind not undertook.

LORENZO:

'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours

To furnish us.

[Enter LAUNCELOT, With a letter.]

Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

LAUNCELOT:

An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem

to signify.

LORENZO:

I know the hand; in faith, 'tis a fair hand,

And whiter than the paper it writ on

Is the fair hand that writ.

GRATIANO:

Love news, in faith.

LAUNCELOT:

By your leave, sir.

LORENZO:

Whither goest thou?

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]