Belmont. ACT V. SCENE I. A Grove, or green Place, before PORTIA'S House. Enter LORENZO, and JESSICA. Lorenzo. THE moon shines bright :-In such a night as When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, Jes. In such a night, Did Thisbe fearfully o'er-trip the dew; And ran dismay'd away. Lor. In such a night, Stood Dido with a willow in her hand Upon the wild sea-banks, and wav'd her love To come again to Carthage. Jes. In such a night, Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs That did renew old son. Lor. In such a night, Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew; And with an unthrift love did run from Venice, 19 20 As far as Belmont. Kiij Jes. Jes. And in such a night, Did young Lorenzo swear he lov'd her well; And ne'er a true one. Lor. And in such a night, Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave it her. Jes. I would out-night you, did no body come; But, hark, I hear the footing of a man. Enter a Servant. Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night? Serv. A friend. 30 Lor. A friend? what friend? your name, I pray you, friend? . Serv. Stephano is my name; and I bring word, My mistress will before the break of day Be here at Belmont: she doth stray about By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays For happy wedlock hours. Lor. Who comes with her? Serv. None, but a holy hermit, and her maid. 40 I pray you, is my master yet return'd? Lor. He is not, nor we have not heard from him. But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, And ceremoniously let us prepare Some welcome for the mistress of the house. Enter L Enter LAUNCELOT. Laun. Sola, sola, wo ha, ho, sola, sola! Lor. Who calls? Laun. Sola! did you see master Lorenzo, and mistress Lorenza? sola, sola! Lor. Leave hollowing, man; here. Laun. Sola! where? where? Lør. Here. 50 Laun. Tell him, there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news; my master will be here ere morning, sweet soul. Lor. Let's in, and there expect their coming. And yet no matter; why should we go in ? My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you, Within the house, your mistress is at hand; And bring your musick forth into the air. [Exit. 60 [Exit Servant. Sit, Jessica: Look, how the floor of heaven There's not the smallest orb, which thou behold's, Still quiring to the young-ey'd cherubims. Such harmony is in immortal soul's ; But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grosly close it in, we cannot hear it.→ Co 70 Come, ho, and wake Diana with a hymn; Jes. I am never merry, when I hear sweet musick. [Musick. Lor. The reason is, your spirits are attentive : For do but note a wild and wanton herd, Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Fetching mad bounds, bellowing, and neighing loud, Which is the hot condition of their blood; You shall perceive them make a mutual stand, 80 By the sweet power of musick: Therefore, the poet Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods; Since nought so stockish, hard, and full of rage, Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, Enter PORTIA, and NERISSA, at a Distance. How far that little candle throws his beams! 00 So So shines a good deed in a naughty world. Ner. When the moon shone, we did not see the candle. Por. So doth the greater glory dim the less : 100 A substitute shines brightly as a king, Until a king be by; and then his state [Musick. Ner. It is your musick, madam, of the house. Ner. Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam. To their right praise, and true perfection ?— And would not be awak'ď! Lor. That is the voice, Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia. 110 [Musick ceases. Por. He knows me, as the blind man knows the cuckow, By the bad voice. Lor. Dear lady, welcome home. 120 Por. We have been praying for our husbands! welfare, Which speed, we hope, the better for our words. Are |