Venice. A Street.
 Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALERIO, and SOLANIO.

Lorenzo	Nay, we will slink away in suppertime,
	Disguise us at my lodging, and return,
	All in an hour.

Gratiano	We have not made good preparation.

Salerio	We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.

Solanio	'Tis vile unless it may be quaintly ordered,
	And better in my mind not undertook.

Lorenzo	'Tis now but four o'clock; we have two hours
	To furnish us.

                     Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter.

					Friend Launcelot, what's the news?

Launcelot	An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to 
	signify.

Lorenzo	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									Love news, in faith.

Launcelot	By your leave, sir.

Lorenzo	Whither goest thou?

Launcelot	Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with 
	my new master the Christian.

Lorenzo	Hold, here, take this.
														[Gives money.
								Tell gentle Jessica
	I will not fail her - speak it privately.
														[Exit LAUNCELOT.
	Go, gentlemen,
	Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?
	I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Salerio	Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

Solanio	And so will I.

Lorenzo						Meet me and Gratiano
	At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

Salerio	'Tis good we do so.
											[Exeunt SALERIO and SOLANIO.

Gratiano	Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

Lorenzo	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 torch-bearer.
														[Exeunt.
