Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/100

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86
The Merchant of Venice, V. i

And ne'er a true one.

Lor.In such a night 20
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.

Jes. I would out-night you, did nobody come;
But, hark! I hear the footing of a man. 24

Enter Messenger [Stephano].

Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night?

Mes. A friend.

Lor. A friend! what friend? your name, I pray you, friend.

Mes. Stephano is my name; and I bring word 28
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? 32

Mes. None, but a holy hermit and her maid.
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, 36
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.

Enter Clown.

Clo. Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!

Lor. Who calls? 40

Clo. Sola! did you see Master Lorenzo?
Master Lorenzo! sola, sola!

Lor. Leave hollaing, man; here.

Clo. Sola! where? where? 44

Lor. Here.


31 crosses: those along the roadside
39 sola: imitating the post horn
41, 42 Cf. n.