Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls, In such a night, Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew; And ran dismayed away. Lor. In such a night, Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, To come again to Carthage. In such a night, Medea gathered the enchanted herbs That did renew old Æson. Lor. In such a night, Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew; As far as Belmont. Jes. In such a night, Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well; And ne'er a true one. Lor. In such a night, Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Jes. I would out-night you, did nobody come. But, hark, I hear the footing of a man. Enter STEPHANO. Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night? Lor. A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend? Steph. Stephano is my name; and I bring word, My mistress will before the break of day Lor. Who comes with her? Steph. None, but a holy hermit, and her maid. I pray you, is my master yet returned? 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 LAUNCELOT. Laun. Sola, sola, wo, ha, ho, sola, sola! Laun. Sola! Did you see master Lorenzo, and mistress Lorenzo? Sola, sola! Lor. Leave hollaing, man; here. Laun. Sola! Where! Where? Lor. Here. 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. [Exit. Lor. Sweet soul, 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 music forth into the air. [Exit STEPHANO. How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.— Enter Musicians. Come, ho, and wake Diana with a hymn; [Music. Jes. I am never merry, when I hear sweet music. Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods; Let no such man be trusted. - Mark the music. Enter PORTIA and NERISSA at a distance. Ner. It is your music, madam, of the house. How many things by season seasoned are And would not be awaked! Lor. [Music ceases. That is the voice, Or, I am much deceived, of Portia. Por. He knows me, as the blind man knows the cuckoo, By the bad voice. Dear lady, welcome home. Por. We have been praying for our husbands' welfare, Which speed, we hope, the better for our words. Are they returned? Lor. Madam, they are not yet; But there is come a messenger before, To signify their coming. Por. Go in, Nerissa; Give order to my servants, that they take No note at all of our being absent hence; Nor you, Lorenzo; - Jessica, nor you. A tucket sounds. Lor. Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet; We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not. Por. This night, methinks, is but the daylight sick; It looks a little paler; 'tis a day, Enter BASSANIO, ANTONIO, GRATIANO, and their Followers. Bass. We should hold day with the antipodes, If you would walk in absence of the sun. Por. Let me give light, but let me not be light; For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, And never be Bassanio so for me; But God sort all! - You are welcome home, my lord. Bass. I thank you, madam; give welcome to my friend.This is the man, this is Antonio, To whom I am so infinitely bound. Por. You should in all sense be much bound to him, For, as I hear, he was much bound for you. [GRATIANO and NERISSA seem to talk apart. Gra. By yonder moon, I swear, you do me wrong; In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk, Would he were gelt that had it, for my part, Since you do take it, love, so much at heart. Por. A quarrel, ho, already? What's the matter? That she did give me; whose posy was Ner. What talk you of the posy, or the value? Gra. He will, an if he live to be a man. A kind of boy; a little scrubbed boy, No higher than thyself; the judge's clerk; Por. You were to blame - I must be plain with you - Bass. Why, I were best to cut my left hand off, And swear I lost the ring defending it. Gra. My lord Bassanio gave his ring away But the two rings. Por. [Aside. What ring gave you, my lord? Not that, I hope, which you received of me. I would deny it; but you see, my finger Por. Even so void is your false heart of truth. By Heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed Until I see the ring. Ner. Nor I in yours, Till I again see mine. Sweet Portia, If you did know to whom I gave the ring, Or half her worthiness that gave the ring, |