Act II. Scene III. The Merchant of Venice. Craig, W.J., ed. 1914. The Oxford Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Oxford Shakespeare. 1914.

The Merchant of Venice

Act II. Scene III.

The Same. A Room in SHYLOCK’S House.

Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT.
Jes. I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so:
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,	4
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.
But fare thee well; there is a ducat for thee:
And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzo, who is thy new master’s guest:	8
Give him this letter; do it secretly;
And so farewell: I would not have my father
See me in talk with thee.
Laun. Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit: adieu!	12
Jes. Farewell, good Launcelot. [Exit LAUNCELOT.
Alack, what heinous sin is it in me
To be asham’d to be my father’s child!
But though I am a daughter to his blood,	16
I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo!
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
Become a Christian, and thy loving wife. [Exit.