Lor. I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; 12
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.
Gra.Love news, in faith.
Laun. By your leave, sir.
Lor. Whither goest thou? 16
Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master, the
Jew, to sup to-night with my new master, the
Christian.
Lor. Hold here, take this: tell gentle Jessica 20
I will not fail her; speak it privately.
Go, gentlemen, [Eat Clown.
Will you prepare you for this masque to-night?
I am provided of a torch-bearer. 24
Salar. Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.
Salan. And so will I.
Lor.Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.
Salar. 'Tis good we do so. 28
Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
Lor. 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; 32
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, 36
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. 40
38 faithless: without Christian faith
