Ner.
Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?
[Exeunt.]
¶
ACT V
[Scene I]
Enter Lorenzo and Jessica.
Lor.
The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees,
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls,
And sigh’d his soul toward the Grecian tents,
Where Cressid lay that night.
Jes.
In such a night
Did Thisby fearfully o’ertrip the dew,
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself,
And ran dismayed away.
Lor.
In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
Jes.
In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Aeson.
Lor.
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice,
As far as Belmont.
Jes.
In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he lov’d her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne’er a true one.
Lor.
In such a night
Did pretty Jessica (like a little shrow)
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.
Enter a Messenger.
Lor.
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
Mess.
A friend.
Lor.
A friend! what friend? your name, I pray you, friend?
Mess.
Stephano is my name, and I bring word
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?
Mess.
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,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
Enter Clown [Launcelot].
Laun. Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!
Lor. Who calls?
Laun. Sola! did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!
Lor. Leave hollowing, man—here.
Laun. Sola! where, where?
Lor. Here!
Laun. Tell him there’s a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news. My master will be here ere morning.
[Exit.]
Lor.
Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter; why should we go in?
My friend [Stephano], signify, I pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand,
And bring your music forth into the air.
[Exit Messenger.]
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
But
