[Stage] Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio, and Solanio
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
Nay, we will slink away in supper time,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return,
All in an hour.
Gratiano(格拉提亚诺)
We have not made good preparation.
Salerio(萨勒利奥)
We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.
Solanio(索拉尼奥)
‘Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered,
And better in my mind not undertook.
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
‘Tis now but four o’clock. We have two hours
To furnish us.
[Stage] Enter Launcelot with a letter
Friend Launcelot, what’s the news?
Launcelot(朗斯洛特)
[giving Lorenzo the letter]
An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem
to signify.
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
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(格拉提亚诺)
Love news, in faith?
Launcelot(朗斯洛特)
[to Lorenzo] By your leave, sir.
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
Whither goest thou?
Launcelot(朗斯洛特)
Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight
with my new master the Christian.
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica
I will not fail her.
Speak it privately.—
Go, gentlemen,
Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?
I am provided of a torchbearer.
[Stage] Exit Launcelot the clown
Salerio(萨勒利奥)
Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight.
Solanio(索拉尼奥)
And so will I.
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratiano’s lodging some hour hence.
Salerio(萨勒利奥)
‘Tis good we do so.
[Stage] Exeunt Salerio and Solanio
Gratiano(格拉提亚诺)
Was not that letter from fair Jessica?
Lorenzo(洛伦佐)
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 furnished 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 torchbearer.
[Stage] Exeunt